Malai, Malaī: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Malai means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Malai (“mountain”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments. The other miscellaneous articles found as attributes in the hands of the deities are, for example, Malai.

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarymalaī (मलई).—f (malla Wrestler.) Noise and bluster, clamor and rudeness, the overbearing (as resorted to by persons overcome in argument) by manual violence or furious vociferation. v kara, māṇḍa, mājava. 2 Boisterous and tumultuous proceedings (of any assembly or concourse). Ex. dakṣiṇā ghētē vēḷēsa ma0 kēvaḍhī! pōrāñcī ma0 cālalī. 3 Any disorderly and promiscuous gathering of persons (as of all castes, of sōvaḷē & ōvaḷē &c.) Hence 4 Applied to an inn, eating house, cook's shop &c.
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malaī (मलई).—f ( H) Cream.
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malāī (मलाई).—f ( H) Cream.
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maḷaī (मळई).—f (maḷa) Mud and garbage brought by rains or the river, alluvial depositions. 2 The garden or plantation thereon. 3 A seine or large fishing net. 4 (Preferably malaī) Cream.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishmalaī (मलई).—f Noise and bluster. Any disorder- ly gathering of persons. Inn.
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malaī (मलई).—f Cream.
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maḷaī (मळई).—f Alluvial depositions. (maḷakī) A large fishing-net.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryMalāī (मलाई):—(nf) cream; —[utāranā] to defend flatteringly, to cover the drawbacks of (as an effort to flatter).
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Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryMālai (मालै) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Mālatī.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Malai-k-koyya, Malai-kongi, Malai-valai, Malai-y-atti, Malainatu, Malainschikua, Malaipatukatam, Malaiya, Malaiyalam, Malaiyavarai.
Ends with (+3): Amalai, Annamalai, Kalugumalai, Kanjamalai, Kollimalai, Kudagumalai, Marudamalai, Marudhamalai, Nirmalai, Pandrimalai, Parvatha Malai, Parvathamalai, Ponnimalai, Sennimalai, Shivanmalai, Shyamalai, Siddharmalai, Svamimalai, Thanthondrimalai, Tiruvannamalai.
Full-text (+2): Malati, Vira-mala, Dipamala, Balai, Mallai, Malaki, Malayi, Malai-y-atti, Malai-kongi, Malai-valai, Malai-k-koyya, Malaya, Rishava, Svarupa, Shri-malaya, Parvatha Malai, Vakanar, Thevaram, Velliangiri, Yalpana.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Malai, Malaī, Malāī, Maḷaī, Mālai, Mālai°, Mālaī; (plurals include: Malais, Malaīs, Malāīs, Maḷaīs, Mālais, Mālai°s, Mālaīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 3 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 1 - The Chronology of the Āḻvārs < [Chapter XVII - The Āḻvārs]
Part 5 - The Influence of the Āḻvārs on the followers of Rāmānuja < [Chapter XVIII - An Historical and Literary Survey of the Viśiṣṭādvaita School of Thought]
Part 1 - The Aḻagiyas from Nāthamuni to Rāmānuja < [Chapter XVIII - An Historical and Literary Survey of the Viśiṣṭādvaita School of Thought]
'The Heroic Mother' < [December 1938]
Jewish Vision in “More Die of Heartbreak” < [January – March, 1993]
Tagore’s ‘Chitra’-An Appreciation < [January – March, 1980]
Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Narttamalai < [Chapter XVI - Temples of Rajendra III’s Time]
Chapter III - Vikrama Chola (a.d. 1118-1135)
The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)
Nayanar 12: Manakanchara (Manakkancarar) < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
Nayanar 5: Meiporul (Meypporul) < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
Chapter 2.3 - Partha-anugraha-murti (depiction of the story of Arjuna) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]
Early Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Nallur < [Chapter X - Historical Survey]
Middle Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Tiruchchengodu < [Parantaka I]
Temples in Vinnamangalam < [Rajendra Deva II]
Gifts (other than Icons) and Donations < [Tanjavur/Thanjavur (Rajarajesvaram temple)]