When translated, the above lines mean:
Malargal kaettaen vanamae thanthanai,
I asked for flowers, you gave me a garden
For anyone who understands even a little bit of Tamil, the translation of the lyrics will never do justice to the original lyrics of the song, for that’s the beauty of Tamil.
There’s something about this language that’s absolutely divine. Especially when it’s in the form of music and poems. Because in Tamil, love is not just a word. It’s ‘kadhal‘. It’s a feeling so deep that it overwhelms you.
In Tamil, calling someone beautiful is not just a mere compliment. It’s ‘azhagu‘. It’s an invocation to the gods of beauty, appreciating the magnificence of their handiwork. It’s a language that is beautiful and poetic all at once.
To help you understand the beauty of Tami-zh, here are some heart-rendering lyrics from some of the popular songs:
1. Munbe Vaa, Sillunu Oru Kadhal
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_7d934829-9f58-4fbe-8cc5-5b64a8ec1408.jpg)
Translation:
You are the honey that dances in the rain,
2. Nenjukulle, Kadal
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_24503ced-5433-4033-842a-347740a3169f.jpg)
Translation:
Birds have slept already, milk has turned into curd,
3. Nenjukul Peithidum, Vaaranam Aayiram
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_048ed793-a438-48e6-b028-7203361aaa2f.jpg)
Translation:
If you say stop, my time will not move.
4. Venmathi Venmathi Nillu, Minnale
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_ecb5f562-b7fc-4699-8260-babd2c336647.jpg)
Translation:
Oh bright white moon, stop.
5. Innum Konjam Neram, Maryan
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_5013e5f1-ac31-41a3-8f97-a93bb4ed153f.jpg)
Translation:
We are yet to start talking,
6. Snehithane, Alaipaayuthe
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_bbccc9c1-fd60-420c-9859-313a09384a36.jpg)
Translation:
Oh my lover, oh my lover, oh my secret lover,
7. Moongil Thottam, Kadal
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_fcae3f1c-3570-4e81-be5b-4f21fc9dfde8.jpg)
Translation:
Even trees shiver in winter cold,
8. Thuli Thuli, Paiya
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_fe97e507-b6bd-48fb-9afb-c9cbda84d0df.jpg)
Translation:
On the streets in a beautiful evening,
9. Malargal Kaettaen, Ok Kadhal Kanmani
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_c4bb1294-33e1-44eb-bbb1-99e5831b534f.jpg)
Translation:
I asked for flowers, you gave me a garden
10. Kangal Irandal, Subramaniapuram
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_e9bd324d-cec8-454f-bd4a-f7d3a633e09a.jpg)
Translation:
When nights have not fallen yet, and mornings have not risen yet,
11. Thalli Pogathey, Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_22d94f1b-bdbf-4057-98de-d486b1a93c16.jpg)
Translation:
As I wonder why the weather is changing,
12. Mannipaya, Vinaathandi Varuvaaya
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_936d3720-a264-4b6f-8390-c73aa63a7429.jpg)
Translation:
Oh dear, I walked in fear,
13. Usure Poguthey, Raavanan
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_81255170-8b85-44eb-9dc8-006c31141881.jpg)
Translation:
I feel like I am dying
14. Vaseegara, Minnale
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_af398938-649e-4b45-b948-41d9c8c4c8cd.jpg)
Translation:
Magical charmer, until my heart is calm,
15. Imaye Imaye, Raja Rani
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_89d2f2be-0f6a-4cb3-94cf-07b50694ddd8.jpg)
Translation:
Oh, the lashes of my eye,
16. Kanave Kanave, David
![](https://wp.scoopwhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5975e9d97c998843bc478237_6cdfff68-4da5-4f57-abdb-597512b3cbad.jpg)
Translation:
Music is gone, arrogance has left me.
It’s beautiful how such complex emotions are so beautifully woven into Tamil lyrics, isn’t it?
Beautiful designs by Rohit Jakhu
A big shout out to Varun Swaminathan and Swetha Sekar for the help.