Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Oru Thalai Ragam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vasamilla Malar Idhu

From Oru Thalai Ragam · 1980

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Movie name
Oru Thalai Ragam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
4 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Vaigai illaa madhurai idhu
Meenatchiyai theduthu
Yaedhetho raagam ennaalum paadum
Azhaiyaathaar vaasal thalai vaiththu odum
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Paattukkoru ragam yaettri varum pulavaa
Unakken aasai nilavaval melae
Meetti varum veenai sottavillai thaenai
Unakken aasai nilavaval melae
Meetti varum veenai sottavillai thaenai
Unakkaen aasai kalaimagai polae
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Enna sugam kandaai indru varai thodarnthu
Unakkaen aasai rathiyaval melae
Vanji aval unnai ennavillai indru
Unakkaen aasai rathiyaval melae
Vanji aval unnai ennavillai indru
Unakkaen aasai manmathan polae
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Maathangalai enna pannirandu varalaam
Unakkean aasai melondru kootta
Maadhu thannai ariya kannirandum poiyyae
Unakkean aasai melondru kootta
Maadhu thannai ariya kannirandum poiyyae
Unakkaen aasai uravendru naada
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
Vaigai illaa madhurai idhu
Meenatchiyai theduthu
Yaedhetho raagam ennaalum paadum
Azhaiyaathaar vaasal thalai vaiththu odum
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
This is Madurai without the Vaigai river,
Searching for its Meenakshi.
It sings all kinds of tunes every single day,
And runs to lay its head at the doorstep of one who never invited it.
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
O poet who brings a new melody for every song,
Why do you long for her, a distant moon?
The veena you play has not dripped any honey,
Why do you desire her as if she were Kalaimagal (goddess of the arts)?
The veena you play has not dripped any honey,
Why do you desire her as if she were Kalaimagal (goddess of the arts)?
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
What happiness have you found by chasing this till today?
Why do you desire her, seeing her as Rathi (goddess of love)?
That young woman has not spared you a single thought even today,
Why do you long to be her Manmathan (god of love)?
That young woman has not spared you a single thought even today,
Why do you long to be her Manmathan (god of love)?
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
If you count the months, only twelve will come;
Why do you desire to add an impossible one more?
When it comes to knowing a woman, your two eyes can deceive you;
Why do you still long to seek a bond with her?
When it comes to knowing a woman, your two eyes can deceive you;
Why do you still long to seek a bond with her?
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
This is Madurai without the Vaigai river,
Searching for its Meenakshi.
It sings all kinds of tunes every single day,
And runs to lay its head at the doorstep of one who never invited it.
This is a scentless flower, searching for spring.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vaasamillaa Malarithu from the movie Oru Thalai Ragam (1980) portrays the sorrow and existential despair of unrequited love. The song uses vivid poetic metaphors to depict a lover longing for an unreciprocated affection, comparing the protagonist to a scentless flower seeking spring or Madurai missing its sacred Vaigai river. Through a series of reflective rhetorical questions, the lyrics challenge the lover on the pointlessness of pursuing someone who does not acknowledge their devotion, encapsulating the deep tragedy of one-sided romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu”

Compares a lovelorn, unrequited heart to a flower without fragrance seeking the spring season.

Cultural Metaphor / Imagery

“Vaigai illaa madhurai idhu Meenatchiyai theduthu”

Uses the iconic imagery of Madurai, its Vaigai river, and Goddess Meenakshi to illustrate extreme emptiness and unfulfilled longing.

Rhetorical Question

“Enna sugam kandaai indru varai thodarnthu”

Questions the protagonist directly on what satisfaction or joy has been achieved through persistent, unrequited pursuit.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Vaasamillaa malarithu / Vaigai illaa madhurai”

Repetition of the 'Va' sound in initial syllables across lines creates melodic resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Thalai Ragam was a pathbreaking cult classic movie written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar in his directorial debut. The soundtrack became an enormous musical hit across Tamil Nadu, cementing T. Rajendar's reputation as a unique multifaceted auteur in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Nila Kaigirathu Male1995
IndiraLongingUnrequited Love
Ithu Kuzhanthai Paadum1980
Oru Thalai RagamUnrequited LoveLonging
Kan Pesum Varthaigal2004
7G Rainbow ColonyLongingUnrequited Love
Oru Poiyavadhu1999
JodiUnrequited LoveLonging
Poongodithan Poothathamma1991
IdhayamLongingUnrequited Love
Feel My Love2010
KuttyUnrequited LoveLonging

From the same album

More songs from Oru Thalai Ragam

View album
Ithu Kuzhanthai Paadum1980
Oru Thalai RagamMelancholic
En Kathai Mudiyum Neram1980
Oru Thalai RagamMelancholic
Ada Manmathan Ratchikkanum1980
Oru Thalai RagamPlayful
Kadavul Vazhum Kovilile1980
Oru Thalai RagamMelancholic
Koodaiyile Karuvaadu1980
Oru Thalai RagamMelancholic
Naan Oru Raasiyilaa Raja1980
Oru Thalai RagamMelancholic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.