- Lyricist
- Soolur Kalaipithan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Alangari
- Movie release year
- 1979
- Lyrics added on
- 16 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Aalamara Ponthukkullae is a sweet, rustic Tamil folk song from the movie Alangari (1979). In this song, the female protagonist eagerly addresses her cousin (machan), expressing her romantic feelings and longing for marriage. Watching two parrots whispering lovingly inside a banyan tree's hollow makes her reflect on her own love life, prompting her to ask when their wedding drums (melathaalam) will finally sound. She uses vivid rural imagery—mentioning betel leaves prepared for him, cold rice water waiting to be consumed before daily work, and comparing her blushes to the sensitivity of a touch-me-not plant. The lyrics beautifully capture innocence, rural charm, and playful anticipation of wedded life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Aalamara ponthukkullae rendu kiligal”
The pair of parrots conversing inside the tree hollow serves as a visual metaphor for young lovers sharing intimate thoughts.
Simile / Natural Imagery
“Thottaachinungi sediya paaru surungi poguthu”
The heroine compares her shyness upon being touched to the automatic shrinking response of a touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica) plant.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Madichchu vacha veththala paakku madiyila irukku”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' in 'Madichchu' and 'madiyila' produces a rhythmic flow in rural folk meter.
Refrain
“Melathaalam ketkiratheppo”
The line 'Melathaalam ketkiratheppo' acts as a central emotional chorus repeated to emphasize her yearning for marriage.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Soolur Kalaipithan, the song relies on authentic rural Tamil folk diction (like 'kanji', 'thottaachinungi', and 'veththala paakku'). Vani Jairam's expressive rendering gives this song its memorable light-hearted and romantic character.
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