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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aavaram Poovai Thottu

From Manamagale Vaa · 1988

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manamagale Vaa1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………O wind that touches the Aavaaram flower and sings a lullaby
Female
Aavaaram poovai thottu aalolam paadum kaattraeO wind that beautifully touches me and dances like a swan
Azhagaaga ennai thottu annam pol aadum kaattraeDo not touch me, go gently
Theendaathae ennai mellaththaanaeMy heart here cannot bear it, my deer
Ingae thaangaathu enthan ullam maanaeDo not touch me, go gently
Theendaathae ennai mellaththaanaeMy heart here cannot bear it, my deer
Ingae thaangaathu enthan ullam maanaeWhoever comes offering a formal marriage pledge
Female
Achchaaram allikondu yaarthaan vanthaalumWhoever comes offering a formal marriage pledge
Achchaaram allikondu yaarthaan vanthaalumEven if they desire upon seeing a beautiful woman
Azhagaana pennaikkandu aasaipattaalumIt will not happen before me, it will not unite, my darling
Aagaathu enthan munnae seraathu chella kannaeO eye that guards the mind
Manaththai kaakkum kannaeYouth has its place and there is desire for pleasure
Female
Ilamaikko veedum undu inbaththin mogam unduYet when it comes to womanhood, shyness resides right there
Aanaalum penmai endraal angaethaan naanam unduO chilly wind that touches desire, do not touch me
Mogaththai theendum panikkaattrae ennai theendaathaeO spotted deer seeking a mate, do not look at me
Jodiyai thedum pulli maanae ennai paarkkaathaeO wind that touches the Aavaaram flower and sings a lullaby
Female
Aavaaram poovai thottu aalolam paadum kaattraeO wind that beautifully touches me and dances like a swan
Azhagaaga ennai thottu annam pol aadum kaattraeDo not touch me, go gently
Theendaathae ennai mellaththaanaeMy heart here cannot bear it, my deer
Ingae thaangaathu enthan ullam maanaeStanding by the riverbank, the flowering tree dances here
Female
Aaththoram nidru ingae aadidum poomaramSeeing my beauty, it sways like a royal ceremonial fan
Azhagennai kandu kandu veesidum saamaramWon't even a small bud bloom if my name is spoken?
En peyarai sonnaalae siru mottum pookkaathoWon't the Bauhinia plants shower all their flowers?
Manthaara sediyellaam poo alli kottaathoAll the celestial flowers will bless me wholeheartedly
Female
Vaanaththu pookkal ellaam vaayaara vaazhththu sollumThey will tie a swing in the clouds and ask me to swing on it
Megaththil oonjal katti athil ennai aada sollmO chilly wind that touches desire, do not touch me
Mogaththai theendum panikkaattrae ennai theendaathaeO spotted deer seeking a mate, do not look at me
Jodiyai thedum pulli maanae ennai paarkkaathaeO wind that touches the Aavaaram flower and sings a lullaby
Female
Aavaaram poovai thottu aalolam paadum kaattraeO wind that beautifully touches me and dances like a swan
Azhagaaga ennai thottu annam pol aadum kaattraeDo not touch me, go gently
Theendaathae ennai mellaththaanaeMy heart here cannot bear it, my deer
Ingae thaangaathu enthan ullam maanaeMy heart here cannot bear it... mm... mm... mm...
Thaangaathu enthan ullam maanae….mm…..mm…mm….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aavaaram Poovai Thottu is a gentle romantic song expressing a young woman's tender awakening to love while holding onto her innate modesty and self-restraint. Addressing the cool breeze and the surrounding flora and fauna, she pleads with nature not to incite her overwhelming romantic emotions before the right time and formal union. The song vividly weaves images of nature—swans, riverbank trees, clouds, and spotted deer—to reflect her inner joy and delicate vulnerability. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam, the track highlights her intimate internal dialogue where passion and traditional bashfulness coexist.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Azhagaaga ennai thottu annam pol aadum kaattrae

Compares the gentle movement of the wind to the graceful dance of a swan ('annam pol aadum kaattrae').

Tharkurippetram (Personification / Anthropomorphism)

Azhagennai kandu kandu veesidum saamaram

Personifies the flowering tree by the river bank as waving like a fan ('saamaram') upon witnessing her beauty.

Moonaay (Initial Alliteration)

Aavaaram poovai thottu aalolam paadum kaattrae

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('Aa') in 'Aavaaram' and 'aalolam'.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Megaththil oonjal katti athil ennai aada sollm

Exaggerates nature's response to her presence, stating celestial clouds will host a swing for her.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is renowned for its lush rural soundscape created by maestro Ilaiyaraaja, using soft flutes and delicate rhythms to portray village pastoral beauty. Writer Panchu Arunachalam served as both lyricist and producer for the film Manamagale Vaa (1988).

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