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Lyrics & meaning

Aadi Varum Poongodi Azhagile

From Thilakam · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Thilakam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?
Ahaa alai polae pinnalaeAha, like the waves behind her,
Aiyaavin manam poguthoIs the gentleman's heart drifting away?
Female
Aasai avalai pinniEntwined in desire for her,
jaadaigalum panniMaking subtle gestures,
Aadutha thindaaduthaaIs it dancing or struggling?
Female
Vaarungha mainar sirWelcome, 'Minor Sir',
unga vaazhkaiya jolly thaanYour life is indeed joyful!
Paarungha parchaiyaeLook at your purse,
adhu endruma kaali thaanIs it always empty?
Thaani kavarchiyundu ivar pechilaeThere is an inherent charm in his speech,
Adhil kalam odudhungha oosilaeIn which time passes by like a pendulum swinging!
Female
Unmai yai sonnadhai enni enniyaeThinking repeatedly of the truth being spoken,
Kobama manasthabamaIs it anger or distress?
Female
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?
Female
Aattathil nattamaaIs the interest in the dance,
aal meedhu kannoottamaaOr is the gaze fixed upon the person?
Paattaiyae kettadhaalJust by listening to the song,
undaana kondaattamaHas a celebration been created?
Kaithaalam thavaraamal podudhaeClapping hands accurately to the rhythm,
Kalai gyaani polathaliayaadudhaeNodding head like a scholar of arts!
Female
Andharathu minnalaiIf one desires to claim ownership,
sondhangolla enninaalOf the lightning in the sky,
Nadakumo adhu kidaikumoWill it happen, will it be attained?
Female
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?
Female
Thottrathil thuravi polAppearing outwardly like an ascetic,
velivesham poduvangaThey wear a false disguise,
Koottathil pengalaiIn the crowd, for women,
kuripaaga theduvangaThey specifically look out!
Yemaattram aasami nodiyilaeA deceitful person in an instant,
Yemaali aavaanae mudivilaeWill end up as the fool in the end!
Female
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?
Ahaa alai polae pinnalaeAha, like the waves behind her,
Aiyaavin manam poguthoIs the gentleman's heart drifting away?
Female
Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilaeIn the beauty of the flowering creeper swaying gently,
Manam marudha thadumaruthaIs the mind changing or faltering?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and satirical song from the 1960 movie 'Thilakam' teases a wealthy, aristocratic gentleman ('Minor Sir') who pretends to be sophisticated yet is easily entranced by the allure of a graceful dancer. The lyrics humorously critique his empty purse, false posture of asceticism, and hypocritical behavior as he attempts to woo someone as unattainable as lightning in the sky. Through witty phrasing and rhythm, the song contrasts outward pretense with inner desire, cautioning that a deceitful man who chases fickle pleasures will ultimately end up looking foolish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Aadi varum poongodi azhzginilae

Compares the graceful dancer to a delicate flowering creeper ('poongodi') swaying in the breeze.

Simile (Upamai)

Ahaa alai polae pinnalae

Compares the gentleman's restless mind drifting behind her to the rhythm of ocean waves ('alai polae').

Hyperbole & Imagery

Andharathu minnalai sondhangolla enninaal

Describes the absurdity of trying to possess an unattainable beauty by comparing it to catching lightning from the sky.

Rhyme & Alliteration (Emonai / Ethirhai)

Aasai avalai pinni jaadaigalum panni

Uses rhyming endings and rhythmic syllable structures like 'pinni' and 'panni' to enhance the musicality.

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Trivia

The film 'Thilakam' (1960) featured music composed by R. Sudharsanam with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. P. Susheela's energetic rendition perfectly complements the satirical tone targeting the 'Minor Sir' persona—a classic archetype in mid-20th-century Tamil cinema representing flamboyant wealthy heirs.

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