Vachalum Vekkama Ponnalum
From Michael Madana Kama Rajan · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Michael Madana Kama Rajan1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Per vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum | Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks— |
| Indha pennoda saghavaasam | This companionship of this woman. |
| Female | |
| Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu | The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey, |
| Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa | To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness! |
| Male | |
| Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Female | |
| Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum | Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks— |
| Indha pennoda saghavaasam | This companionship of this woman. |
| Male | |
| { Kodai veppathil koyil theppathil | { In the summer heat, in the temple float tank, |
| Yeralaam yeralaam | We can climb in, we can climb in. |
| Female :Kaaman kundrathil kaadhal mandrathil | Female: On the hill of Cupid, in the hall of love, |
| Seralaam seralaam} (2) | We can unite, we can unite } (2) |
| Male | |
| Mandhaarai chediyoram | Beside the Bauhinia plant, |
| Konjam mallaandhu nedu neram | Lying on our backs for a long time, |
| Female | |
| Sandhosham peralaamaa | Shall we gain great happiness? |
| Hoi adhil sandhaegham varalaamaa | Hey, can there be any doubt about that? |
| Male | |
| Pandhakaal nattu pattuppaai ittu | Erecting the marquee pole, laying a silk mat, |
| Mella thaan alla thaan killa thaan appapappaa | Gently, to gather, to pinch... oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Male :Hey | Male: Hey! |
| Female :Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | Female: It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum | Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks— |
| Indha pennoda saghavaasam | This companionship of this woman. |
| Male | |
| Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu | The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey, |
| Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa | To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Female | |
| {Kaadhal mannanaa neeyum kannanaa | { Are you the king of love, are you Lord Krishna? |
| Naalum orr alangharamaa | Every day is a celebration! |
| Male :Thozhi mellathaan thedhi sollathaan | Male: My friend, slowly, to announce the wedding date, |
| Thondrinen avadharamaa..} (2) | I took this incarnation.. } (2) |
| Female | |
| Kalyaanam mudikaadhu | Without getting married, |
| Namma kacheri thodanghaadhu | Our intimate concert won't begin. |
| Male | |
| Kallaalae anai pottu | Even if dammed with stones, |
| Hey indha kaaveri adanghaadhu | Hey, this Kaveri river cannot be contained! |
| Female | |
| Appappaa appu thappappaa thappu | Oh dear, mistake, mistake, |
| Setuppa setuppa yettippo appapappaa… | Get out, step away... oh my goodness! |
| Male | |
| Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Female :Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum | Female: Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks— |
| Indha pennoda saghavaasam | This companionship of this woman. |
| Male | |
| Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu | The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey, |
| Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa | To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam | Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine, |
| Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam | It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam. |
| Male | |
| Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum | Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks— |
| Indha pennoda saghavaasam.. | This companionship of this woman.. |
பேர் வச்சாலும்
வைக்காம போனாலும்
மல்லி வாசம் அது குத்தால
சுக வாசம் அட இப்போதும்
எப்போதும் முப்போதும்
தொட்டுப் பேசும் இந்த
பெண்ணோட சகவாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
This companionship of this woman.
மொட்டுத் தான்
வந்து சொட்டுத் தேன் தந்து
கிட்டத் தான் ஒட்டத் தான்
கட்டத் தான் அப்பப்பா
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
வச்சாலும்
வைக்காம போனாலும்
மல்லி வாசம் அது குத்தால
சுக வாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
அட இப்போதும்
எப்போதும் முப்போதும்
தொட்டுப் பேசும் இந்த
பெண்ணோட சகவாசம்
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
This companionship of this woman.
{ கோடை வெப்பத்தில்
கோயில் தெப்பத்தில் ஏறலாம்
ஏறலாம்
காமன் குன்றத்தில்
காதல் மன்றத்தில் சேரலாம்
சேரலாம் } (2)
{ In the summer heat, in the temple float tank,
We can climb in, we can climb in.
Female: On the hill of Cupid, in the hall of love,
We can unite, we can unite } (2)
மந்தாரை செடியோரம்
கொஞ்சம் மல்லாந்து நெடு
நேரம்
Beside the Bauhinia plant,
Lying on our backs for a long time,
சந்தோஷம் பெறலாமா
ஹோய் அதில் சந்தேகம்
வரலாமா
Shall we gain great happiness?
Hey, can there be any doubt about that?
பந்தக்கால் நட்டு
பட்டுப்பாய் இட்டு மெல்லத்
தான் அள்ளத்தான் கிள்ளத்தான்
அப்பப்பா
Erecting the marquee pole, laying a silk mat,
Gently, to gather, to pinch... oh my goodness!
வச்சாலும் வைக்காம
போனாலும் மல்லி வாசம்
ஹே
அது குத்தால
சுக வாசம் அட இப்போதும்
எப்போதும் முப்போதும்
தொட்டுப் பேசும் இந்த
பெண்ணோட சகவாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Male: Hey!
Female: It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
This companionship of this woman.
மொட்டுத் தான்
வந்து சொட்டுத் தேன் தந்து
கிட்டத் தான் ஒட்டத் தான்
கட்டத் தான் அப்பப்பா
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
வச்சாலும்
வைக்காம போனாலும்
மல்லி வாசம் அது குத்தால
சுக வாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
{ காதல் மன்னனா
நீயும் கண்ணனா நாளும்
ஓர் அலங்காரமா
தோழி மெல்லத்
தான் தேதி சொல்லத் தான்
தோன்றினேன் அவதாரமா } (2)
{ Are you the king of love, are you Lord Krishna?
Every day is a celebration!
Male: My friend, slowly, to announce the wedding date,
I took this incarnation.. } (2)
கல்யாணம் முடிக்காது
நம்ம கச்சேரி தொடங்காது
Without getting married,
Our intimate concert won't begin.
கல்லாலே அணை
போட்டு ஹே இந்த காவேரி
அடங்காது
Even if dammed with stones,
Hey, this Kaveri river cannot be contained!
அப்பப்பா அப்பு
தப்பப்பா தப்பு செட்டப்பா
செட்டப்பா எட்டிப்போ
அப்பப்பா
Oh dear, mistake, mistake,
Get out, step away... oh my goodness!
வச்சாலும் வைக்காம
போனாலும் மல்லி வாசம்
அது குத்தால சுக வாசம்
அட இப்போதும்
எப்போதும் முப்போதும்
தொட்டுப் பேசும் இந்த
பெண்ணோட சகவாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Female: Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
This companionship of this woman.
மொட்டுத் தான்
வந்து சொட்டுத் தேன் தந்து
கிட்டத் தான் ஒட்டத் தான்
கட்டத் தான் அப்பப்பா
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
வச்சாலும்
வைக்காம போனாலும்
மல்லி வாசம் அது குத்தால
சுக வாசம்
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
அட இப்போதும்
எப்போதும் முப்போதும்
தொட்டுப் பேசும் இந்த
பெண்ணோட சகவாசம்
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
This companionship of this woman..
Per vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
This companionship of this woman.
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
This companionship of this woman.
{ Kodai veppathil koyil theppathil
{ In the summer heat, in the temple float tank,
Yeralaam yeralaam
We can climb in, we can climb in.
Female :Kaaman kundrathil kaadhal mandrathil
Female: On the hill of Cupid, in the hall of love,
Seralaam seralaam} (2)
We can unite, we can unite } (2)
Mandhaarai chediyoram
Beside the Bauhinia plant,
Konjam mallaandhu nedu neram
Lying on our backs for a long time,
Sandhosham peralaamaa
Shall we gain great happiness?
Hoi adhil sandhaegham varalaamaa
Hey, can there be any doubt about that?
Pandhakaal nattu pattuppaai ittu
Erecting the marquee pole, laying a silk mat,
Mella thaan alla thaan killa thaan appapappaa
Gently, to gather, to pinch... oh my goodness!
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Male :Hey
Male: Hey!
Female :Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Female: It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
This companionship of this woman.
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
{Kaadhal mannanaa neeyum kannanaa
{ Are you the king of love, are you Lord Krishna?
Naalum orr alangharamaa
Every day is a celebration!
Male :Thozhi mellathaan thedhi sollathaan
Male: My friend, slowly, to announce the wedding date,
Thondrinen avadharamaa..} (2)
I took this incarnation.. } (2)
Kalyaanam mudikaadhu
Without getting married,
Namma kacheri thodanghaadhu
Our intimate concert won't begin.
Kallaalae anai pottu
Even if dammed with stones,
Hey indha kaaveri adanghaadhu
Hey, this Kaveri river cannot be contained!
Appappaa appu thappappaa thappu
Oh dear, mistake, mistake,
Setuppa setuppa yettippo appapappaa…
Get out, step away... oh my goodness!
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Female :Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Female: Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
This companionship of this woman.
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
The flower bud comes and gives drops of honey,
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
To come close, to cling, and to embrace... oh my goodness!
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Whether adorned or not, it carries the fragrance of jasmine,
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
It is the pleasant, soothing breeze of Courtallam.
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Oh, now, always, and all three times of the day, it touches and speaks—
Indha pennoda saghavaasam..
This companionship of this woman..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Per Vachaalum Vaikkaama Ponaalum' is an iconic, upbeat romantic duet from the comedy classic 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan' (1991). The song captures the playful flirtation and intense attraction between the lead characters. Through natural imagery—such as the inherent smell of jasmine that needs no external perfume, and the cool breeze from Courtallam waterfalls—the lyrics express how the heroine's grace and presence are naturally captivating.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound ('tt') across sequential words creates a bouncy rhythm.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Mandhaarai chediyoram / Konjam mallaandhu nedu neram”
The repetition of the 'M' sound ('Mandhaarai', 'mallaandhu') enhances the musical flow of the line.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kallaalae anai pottu / Hey indha kaaveri adanghaadhu”
Compares overflowing romantic passion to the unstoppable force of the Kaveri river, which cannot be dammed by mere stones.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Malaysia Vasudevan alongside S. Janaki, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most popular dance numbers. It featured Kamal Haasan and Rupini in memorable choreography. Decades later, the song was officially remixed and featured in the 2021 Santhanam-starrer film 'Dikkiloona', proving its timeless appeal across generations.
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