(Part of the initiative #learnthroughlyrics with @eli.kutty on Instagram)
Mini, a college student, lives with her matriarch mom and three older brothers and their families. She is mollycoddled by her family as she’s the youngest. She has a serendipitous meeting with Sudhi who is in town for his graduate studies, in a book store. Mini and Sudhi grab the same book on a shelf and their eyes meet and hold. He’s taken with her beauty and wonders who she is. The song expresses Sudhi’s unsaid feelings as he pines for the girl he has only met once. A very popular song from the movie Aniyathipravu which garnered Kunchako Boban who played Sudhi, the title of heartthrob in late 90’s Malayalam cinema.
To listen to the song, click play:
Oru raajamalli vidarunna pole ithal ezhuthi munnil oru mukham
Oru devagaanam udal aarnna pole varam aruli ennil oru sukham
[Like a blossoming rajamalli* flower, a face appeared softly before me
As if an ethereal song took shape, I was given a boon of pleasure]
Karuka naambilum madhukanam, kavitha ennilum nirakudam
ariyukilla nee aaraaro!
[Like a honey drop on this grass blade, my heart overflows with poetry
I have no idea who you are!]
Oru raajamalli vidarunna pole ithal ezhuthi munnil oru mukham
Oru devagaanam udal aarnna pole varam aruli ennil oru sukham
[Like a blossoming rajamalli* flower, a face appeared softly before me
As if an ethereal song took shape, I was given a boon of pleasure]
Karuka naambilum madhukanam, kavitha ennilum nirakudam
ariyukilla nee aaraaro!
[Like a honey drop on this grass blade, my heart overflows with poetry
I have no idea who you are!]
Unarnnuvo mulam thandil oru eenam?
Pozhinjuvo manichundil innu oru thaen kanam?
[Did a tune start in a bamboo shoot?
Did a drop of nectar fall from the lovely lips?]
Unarnnuvo mulam thandil oru eenam?
Pozhinjuvo manichundil innu oru thaen kanam?
[Did a tune start in a bamboo shoot?
Did a drop of nectar fall from the lovely lips?]
Thanichu paadiya paattukal ellam
ninakku njaan ente naivedyam aakki
[All those songs I sang by myself
I made them as a pious offering to you]
Koodu evide?, mulla kaadu evide?
Chella kaattinodu aa kadha parayukille?
[Where is your nest? Where is the jasmine shrub you reside?
Won’t you tell that story to the little breeze?]
Oru raajamalli vidarunna pole ithalezhuthi munnil oru mukham
Oru devagaanam udal aarnna pole varam aruli ennil oru sukham
[Like a blossoming rajamalli flower, a face appeared softly before me
As if an ethereal song took shape, I was given a boon of pleasure]
Thelinjuvo kavil chendilum naanam?
Alinjuvo kilikonchal ketten nenjakam?
[Did shyness appear on the bunch of your cheeks?
Did my heart melt hearing your adorable voice?]
Thelinjuvo kavil chendilum naanam?
alinjuvo kilikonchal ketten nenjakam?
[Did shyness appear on the bunch of your cheeks?
Did my heart melt hearing your adorable voice?]
Niranju thooviya maathrakal ellam
ninkku aayi venmani muthukal aakki
[All those overflowing moments
I made them into beautiful white pearls for you]
Thaamarayil, kanni poovithalil
enne cherthu onnu pulki nee mayangukille?
[In a lotus, in new petals
Won’t you nap with me cuddled to you?]
Oru raajamalli vidarunna pole ithal ezhuthi munnil oru mukham
Oru devagaanam udal aarnna pole varam aruli ennil oru sukham
[Like a blossoming rajamalli flower, a face appeared softly before me
As if an ethereal song took shape, I was given a boon of pleasure]
Karuka naambilum madhukanam, kavitha ennilum nirakudam
ariyukilla nee aaraaro!
[Like a honey drop on this grass blade, my heart overflows with poetry
I have no idea who you are!]
* Rajamalli is a red-yellow flower commonly found all over Kerala, originally from the Caribbean.
+ Image copyright to the original uploader.