“Maalai Ondru Kaiyil” from the album Kathanayaki features singers K. Jamuna Rani and Radha Jayalakshmi. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer G. Ramanathan begin the piece with a woman choosing a groom. She declares she will cast a garland, and it will fall upon her chosen partner.
Maalai Ondru Kaiyil
K. Jamuna Rani | Radha Jayalakshmi • From “Kathanayaki”
Kathanayaki’s Maalai Ondru Kaiyil Lyrics Translation
The mood changes when a speaker lists omens that foretell personal tragedy. This shift is completed with a direct challenge to a king. The question “Did my husband ever commit a crime?” accuses the ruler of tyranny and injustice.
Malai Ondru Kaiyil Kondu SuzhattriI’ll take a garland in my hand and twirl it
Immandapaththil Nindru VeesiduvenStanding in this hall, I will cast it
Malai Ondru Kaiyil Kondu SuzhattriI’ll take a garland in my hand and twirl it
Immandapaththil Nindru VeesiduvenStanding in this hall, I will cast it
Adhu Vanthu Kazhuththil Vizhnthavarai ManavalanagaWhoever the garland falls upon will be my groom
Udan Kootti SelvenAnd I’ll take him with me at once
Vanthu Kazhuththil Vizhnthavarai ManavalanagaWhoever the garland falls upon will be my groom
Udan Kootti SelvenAnd I’ll take him with me at once
Malai Ondru Kaiyil Kondu SuzhattriI’ll take a garland in my hand and twirl it
Immandapaththil Nindru VeesiduvenStanding in this hall, I will cast it
Kalaiye Un Idhazh Kanum Mudhal PadamaOh, my art, is your lip the first image I see?
Inba Kalaiye Un Idhazh Kanum Mudhal PadamaOh, sweet art, is your lip the first image I see?
Kadhal Kaniye Un Vizhi Kooda Kavi PadumaOh, fruit of my love, do your eyes also sing poetry?
Kalaiye Un Idhazh Kanum Mudhal PadamaOh, my art, is your lip the first image I see?
Nilavodu Vilaiyadum Ezhil TharaiyaiThis beautiful earth that plays with the moon
Nilavodu Vilaiyadum Ezhil TharaiyaiThis beautiful earth that plays with the moon
Pirikka Ninaiththalum Evaralum NiraiverumaEven if someone tried to part us, could they ever succeed?
Kalaiye Un Idhazh Kanum Mudhal PadamaOh, my art, is your lip the first image I see?
Vilaimathar Vizhi Mevum Visham YavumeIs all the poison that dwells in a courtesan’s eyes…
Vilaimathar Vizhi Mevum Visham YavumeIs all the poison that dwells in a courtesan’s eyes…
Inba Nilai Kanum Anuraga Kalai KoodamaA place where the art of love finds its blissful state?
Vilaimathar Vizhi Mevum Visham YavumeIs all the poison that dwells in a courtesan’s eyes…
Inba Nilai Kanum Anuraga Kalai KoodamaA place where the art of love finds its blissful state?
Ilangkadhal Manam Nogum NilaiyagumaWill this young love reach a state of heartache?
Ilangkadhal Manam Nogum NilaiyagumaWill this young love reach a state of heartache?
Irul Mevum En Vazhvil Oli Veesuma Oli VeesumaIn my life filled with darkness, will a light shine? Will it shine?
Deivame Kankanda DeivameOh, God, a God I can see with my own eyes
Kalamellam En VazhvinilFor all of time in my life
Kankanda DeivameA God I can see with my own eyes
Kalamellam En VazhvinilFor all of time in my life
Kankanda DeivameA God I can see with my own eyes
Alaiyin KarumpagaLike sugarcane caught in the waves
Alaipdum ThurumpagaLike a stray straw tossed about
Alaiyin KarumpagaLike sugarcane caught in the waves
Alaipdum ThurumpagaLike a stray straw tossed about
Amaithiyilla Vazhvil Oli Veesa VareerCome and shine a light on this restless life
Nan Kanda DeivameOh, the God that I have seen
Amaithiyilla Vazhvil Oli Veesa VareerCome and shine a light on this restless life
Nan Kanda DeivameOh, the God that I have seen
Kanithu Vantha En Karunai KadaleOh, my ocean of mercy that has appeared so graciously
Amuthu Unnavarum SwamiMy lord, come and taste this nectar
Amuthu UnnavarumCome and taste this nectar
Kadan Kedamale MadhaviyinWithout failing in my duty to Madhavi
Kadan Kedamale MadhaviyinWithout failing in my duty to Madhavi
Amuthunnen Idhen AnaiI tasted your nectar, I swear it is so
Kannagiye Enthan ManeOh, Kannagi, my dear
Kadan Kedamale MadhaviyinWithout failing in my duty to Madhavi
Amuthunnen Idhen AnaiI tasted your nectar, I swear it is so
Kannagiye Enthan ManeOh, Kannagi, my dear
Adaikkalame AdaikkalameRefuge, refuge
Adaikkalame AdaikkalameRefuge, refuge
Adhinaya Gunamulla Erumai KannagiOh, Kannagi of virtuous and gentle nature
Adaikkalame AdaikkalameRefuge, refuge
Ungal Idaikulam Thannil VanthaWho came from among your ‘Iyar’ community
Engalin ThayeOur mother
Idaikulam Thannil VanthaWho came from among the ‘Iyar’ community
Engalin ThayeOur mother
Ini Unaiyallal Kedhi IllaiyarivayeFrom now on, know that we have no other path but you
Ini Unaiyallal Kedhi IllaiyarivayeFrom now on, know that we have no other path but you
Adaikkalame AdaikkalameRefuge, refuge
Vazhvinile Enakkethenum Thunbam VanthalIf any sorrow should befall me in my life
Vaiththa Adaiyalam MarividumThe omens I have set will change
Mangai Azhugividum Malligai VadividumThe mango will spoil, the jasmine will wilt
Mangai Azhugividum Malligai VadividumThe mango will spoil, the jasmine will wilt
Thengai Udainthu VidumThe coconut will break
Thiruvilakku Anainthu VidumThe sacred lamp will be extinguished
Vazhvinile Enakkethenum Thunbam VanthalIf any sorrow should befall me in my life
Vaiththa Adaiyalam MarividumThe omens I have set will change
Silambo SilambuThe anklet, the anklet!
Senthamizh Selvi OonjaladidumWhere the daughter of classical Tamil swings
Senthamizh Selvi OonjaladidumWhere the daughter of classical Tamil swings
Sanga Palagaiyile Valar Sanga PulavargaleOh, poets of the ‘Sangam’ who grew on the sacred plank
Silambo SilambuThe anklet, the anklet!
Thanmanam Ulla Nalla VanigargaleOh, good merchants who have self-respect
Thanmanam Ulla Nalla VanigargaleOh, good merchants who have self-respect
Dharmam Yedhum Thavara ThanigargaleOh, merchants who never stray from righteousness
Sanga Palagaiyile Valar Sanga PulavargaleOh, poets of the ‘Sangam’ who grew on the sacred plank
Silambo SilambuThe anklet, the anklet!
Nalla Kalam Vanthathaiya Koodave VangaA good time has come, sir, come along with me
Summa Koodave Vanga NampikkaiyaJust come along, have faith
Kal Silambai Ella Ngaiyile ThangaThis stone-filled anklet, sir, you must take it
Solli Vacha Mathiriya NeengaIt’s as if you were destined for this
Vilaiyai Podunga RajaName your price, oh king
Sonna Sollai Ketparu Koodave VangaHe will listen to the words I say, come along
Nan Sonna Sollai Ketparu Koodave VangaHe will listen to the words I say, come along
Vazhkkaiyin Deepam Marainthathe SwamiThe lamp of my life has vanished, my lord
Vadatha Malarum Ularnthathe SwamiThe flower that never fades has withered, my lord
Valamana Chozhaiyum Vattratha PoigaiyumThe fertile grove and the un-drying pond
Nilaimari Ponathe Neethiyum Marainthathe SwamiTheir nature has changed, justice has vanished, my lord
Kodunkol Atchiyil Uruvamana KottravaOh, king, the very form of tyrannical rule
En Kanavar Kuttrame PurinthathundaDid my husband ever commit a crime?
Kolai Pathagam Seitha Pazhikara PandiyaOh, blameworthy Pandyan King, who committed the sin of murder
Innattil Kuraiyedhum NernthathundaHas any fault ever occurred in this land?
Aratchi Illatha Mannava UnnaiyeOh, king without justice, it is you
Agampavaththaal MaranthaiWho has forgotten himself in arrogance
Antho En Silampathai ParAlas! Look at my anklet!
Anthanar Aravor Avodu MathanaiyumThe priests, the righteous, cows and gentle folk
Andror Sandror Paththini PennmarThe virtuous elders and chaste women
Anpargal Vazha Aneethiyum VeezhaLet the loving live, and let injustice fall
Va Va Akkini DevaCome, come, God of Fire
Maalai Ondru Kaiyil Music Video
The performance transitions from a playful ceremony to a retelling of the Silappatikaram epic’s climax. The meaning of ‘Maalai Ondru Kaiyil’s lyrics is found in this rapid journey from romance to rage. The song works as a condensed dramatic play about cosmic justice.