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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aavaram Poovu

From Namma Ooru Poovatha · 1990

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Movie name
Namma Ooru Poovatha
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
28 Mar 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oh oh oh oh.. oh oh oh oh oh…
Oh oh oh oh….hm hm hm hm
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathoram vanthatho sethi
Indru nee kooda athil oru pathi
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathoram vanthatho sethi
Indru nee kooda athil oru pathi
Theanodu malarntha
Poovonnu manakka
Naalonnu porakkalaiye
En mayile
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathorom vanthathoru sethi
Adi naaningu athil oru paathi
Katti vecha maalaiyudan
Kaiyenthi nikkiren
Kannukulla theeya vachu
Kannerril thaikkiren
Katti vecha maalaiyudan
Kaiyenthi nikkiren
Kannukulla theeya vachu
Kannerril thaikkiren
Nambi irukuthoru ilam manasu
Thenam vembi vedikuthe en manasu
Nambi irukuthoru ilam manasu
Thenam vembi vedikuthe en manasu
Oru kaval pottu kalamum nadikuthu
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathoram vanthatho sethi
Indru nee kooda athil oru pathi
Mukkadalum mukkulichu
Kandedutha aanimuthe
Moochukullae naan dhenamum
Katti vecha kaadhal muthe
Mukkadalum mukkulichu
Kandedutha aanimuthe
Moochukullae naan dhenamum
Katti vecha kaadhal muthe
Natta nadu theruvil viduvenno
Adi kanne unai oruvan thoduvaana
Natta nadu theruvil viduvenna
Adi kanne unai oruvan thoduvaana
Intha ooruku bayanthu unai piriveno
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathoram vanthatho sethi
Indru nee kooda athil oru pathi
Theanodu  malarntha
Poovonnu manakka
Naalonnu porakalaiye
En mayile…..
Aavaram poo onnu
Naarodu vaaduthunnu
Kaathoram vanthatho sethi
Indru nee kooda athil oru pathi
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh... oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh oh oh... mm mm mm mm mm mm
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
did that news reach your ears?
Today, you too share a part of that pain.
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
did that news reach your ears?
Today, you too share a part of that pain.
For this honey-filled flower
to bloom and spread fragrance,
the right day has not arrived yet,
my peacock...
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
news of it reached my ears,
and oh dear, I share half that sorrow here.
With the woven garland in hand,
I stand here waiting and hoping.
Holding fire in my eyes,
I string it together with tears.
With the woven garland in hand,
I stand here waiting and hoping.
Holding fire in my eyes,
I string it together with tears.
A young heart trusted you,
yet every day my heart burns and breaks.
A young heart trusted you,
yet every day my heart burns and breaks.
Setting up a guard, time plays its cruel game.
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
news of it reached my ears,
and oh dear, I share half that sorrow here.
Diving deep into the three seas,
you are the rarest pearl I found.
Held within my very breath each day,
you are the pearl of love I treasure.
Diving deep into the three seas,
you are the rarest pearl I found.
Held within my very breath each day,
you are the pearl of love I treasure.
Would I ever abandon you in the middle of the street?
Oh my darling, could any other person ever touch you?
Would I ever abandon you in the middle of the street?
Oh my darling, could any other person ever touch you?
Fearing this village, would I ever part from you?
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
did that news reach your ears?
Today, you too share a part of that pain.
For this honey-filled flower
to bloom and spread fragrance,
the right day has not arrived yet,
my peacock...
An aavaram flower
is withering along with its string,
news of it reached my ears,
and oh dear, I share half that sorrow here.
Male
Female
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Female
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Female
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Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Aavaram Poo Onnu' from 'Namma Ooru Poovatha' (1990) is a poignant Tamil melody expressing deep heartbreak, longing, and social resistance. Using the symbolism of an Aavaram flower wilting while tied to a garland fiber, the lovers describe their internal turmoil and helplessness caused by societal boundaries and village oppressions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Aavaram poo onnu naarodu vaaduthunnu

Comparing the lovers' fragile and wilting emotional state to an 'Aavaram poo' (yellow cassia flower) that wilts while tied to a thread.

Uruvagaim / Metaphor

Mukkadalum mukkulichu kandedutha aanimuthe

Comparing the beloved to a precious, irreplaceable pearl ('aanimuthu') gathered from diving deep into the oceans.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Katti vecha maalaiyudan / Natta nadu theruvil viduvenno

The second consonant sound 'tt' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Katti' and 'Natta').

Did you know?

Trivia

This classic song was composed by Deva early in his career, showcasing his mastery of rural folk-classical melodies. Set in a melodrama starring Prashanth and Gautami (or Murali/Gautami in rural drama themes), the song is renowned for its soulful rendition by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra.

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