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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vadamalliyae

From Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu · 1986

Lyricist
K. Kalimuthu
Singers
Banumathi Ramakrishna, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa… thandhaanaa thanaa naanaanaaAh... thandhaanaa thanaa naanaanaa
Thandhaanaa thanaa naanaanaaThandhaanaa thanaa naanaanaa
Thaanaanaa naanaanaa naaThaanaanaa naanaanaa naa
Female
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Aanandha raagam paadum en raajaaMy king who sings a melody of joyful bliss
Female
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Female
Ponnin manjal maeniA golden, turmeric-hued complexion
Poovai polae nenjamA heart gentle like a bloom
Endhan kannin paavaiyae nee thaanadaaYou are truly the apple of my eye, my dear
Asaindhaadum thendral…The swaying gentle breeze...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…aaa..aa…Ah... aa... aa... aa... aaa... aa...
Asaindhaadum thendral nadai kondadhaaDid the swaying breeze acquire its walk from you?
Kuyil paadum paadal kural aanadhaaDid the cuckoo's song become your very voice?
Penmaiyin kaaviyam nee thaanadaaYou are the living epic of womanhood, my dear
Female
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Aanandha raagam paadum en raajaaMy king who sings a melody of joyful bliss
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Female
Mazhai megam vandhaalWhen clouds of rain gather in the sky
Mayil koottam aadumFlocks of peacocks begin to dance
Endhan koyil dheviyae nee thaanadaaYou are indeed the goddess of my temple, my dear
Unai kandu annam vidai kondadhaaDid the graceful swan depart in humility after seeing you?
Oli veesum silai thaan uyir kandadhaaDid a radiant sculpted statue come to life?
Oviya thaamarai nee thaanadaaYou are a picture-perfect lotus come alive, my dear
Female
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Aanandha raagam paadum en raajaaMy king who sings a melody of joyful bliss
Female
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower
Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyaeO unfading jasmine, I am the unadorned mullai flower

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender and romantic lyrical piece expressing deep adoration and affectionate praise between lovers. Using classical Tamil floral and nature imagery, the speaker compares the beloved to unfading jasmine, a graceful breeze, a cuckoo's song, and a living lotus sculpture. The lyrics celebrate the divinity, elegance, and soft-hearted nature of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Vaadaa malliyae naan soodaa mullaiyae

The second consonants 'da' in 'Vaadaa' and 'Soodaa', as well as 'll' in 'malliyae' and 'mullaiyae', create a harmonious rhythmic rhyme.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Poovai polae nenjam

Compares the gentleness and warmth of the heart directly to a soft flower using 'polae' (like).

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Asaindhaadum thendral nadai kondadhaa

Uses poetic questioning to hyperbolically suggest that natural elements like the breeze and cuckoo learned their grace and melody from the beloved.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Oviya thaamarai nee thaanadaa

Directly identifies the beloved as a picture-perfect lotus come to life and an epic of womanhood.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for this song were written by K. Kalimuthu, a prominent Tamil politician and scholar who served as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and occasionally penned evocative lyrics for Tamil cinema. The film 'Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu' (1986) features music composed by the legendary Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

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