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Michael Madana Kama Rajan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vachalum Vekkama Ponnalum

From Michael Madana Kama Rajan · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Michael Madana Kama Rajan
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
4 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Per vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
{ Kodai veppathil koyil theppathil
Yeralaam yeralaam
Female :Kaaman kundrathil kaadhal mandrathil
Seralaam seralaam} (2)
Mandhaarai chediyoram
Konjam mallaandhu nedu neram
Sandhosham peralaamaa
Hoi adhil sandhaegham varalaamaa
Pandhakaal nattu pattuppaai ittu
Mella thaan alla thaan killa thaan appapappaa
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Male :Hey
Female :Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
{Kaadhal mannanaa neeyum kannanaa
Naalum orr alangharamaa
Male :Thozhi mellathaan thedhi sollathaan
Thondrinen avadharamaa..} (2)
Kalyaanam mudikaadhu
Namma kacheri thodanghaadhu
Kallaalae anai pottu
Hey indha kaaveri adanghaadhu
Appappaa appu thappappaa thappu
Setuppa setuppa yettippo appapappaa…
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Female :Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Indha pennoda saghavaasam
Mottu thaan vandhu sottu thaen thandhu
Kitta thaan otta thaan katta thaan appapappaa
Vachaalum vaikkaama ponaalum malli vaasam
Adhu kuththaala sugha vaasam
Ada ippodhum yeppodhum muppodhum thottu pesum
Indha pennoda saghavaasam..
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
it's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Now, always, and at all times of the day, it speaks through touch,
this closeness with this woman.
Like a flower bud arriving with drops of sweet honey,
to draw near, to hold close, to embrace... oh my!
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
it's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Now, always, and at all times of the day, it speaks through touch,
this closeness with this woman.
In the summer heat, in the temple pond,
we can take a float ride, we can take a ride.
Female: On the hill of the god of love, in the hall of romance,
we can come together, we can unite.
Beside the mandharai (orchid tree) bush,
lying back for a long while,
can we find our joy?
Hey, could there ever be any doubt about that?
Raising the wedding canopy, spreading a silk mat,
to gently pull you close and playfully pinch... oh my!
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
Male: Hey!
Female: It's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Now, always, and at all times of the day, it speaks through touch,
this closeness with this woman.
Like a flower bud arriving with drops of sweet honey,
to draw near, to hold close, to embrace... oh my!
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
it's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Are you the king of romance, are you Krishna himself?
Dressing up in a new disguise every single day?
Male: My love, just to softly fix our wedding date,
I took this avatar (incarnation)!
Without getting married first,
our celebration cannot begin.
Even if you build a dam of stone,
hey, this Kaveri river will never be tamed!
Oh my, back away, that's completely wrong!
Is this a setup? Keep your distance, oh my...
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
it's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Female: Now, always, and at all times of the day, it speaks through touch,
this closeness with this woman.
Like a flower bud arriving with drops of sweet honey,
to draw near, to hold close, to embrace... oh my!
Whether you give it a name or not, jasmine stays fragrant,
it's the delightful fragrance of Courtallam.
Now, always, and at all times of the day, it speaks through touch,
this closeness with this woman...
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
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Female
Male
Female
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

Keep listening

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