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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Poonguyile

From Aranmanai Kili · 1993

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Mano, Minmini
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aranmanai Kili1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………………………………….....
Male
{ Adi poonguyilae poonguyilae keluHey flower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooru } (2)Tell me the reason why you started singing
Yaar idathil un manasu pochuTo whom did your heart go?
Noola polae un udambu aachuYour body has become thin like a thread
Female
Adi poonguyilae poonguyilae keluHey flower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooruTell me the reason why you started singing
Yaar idathil un manasu pochuTo whom did your heart go?
Noola polae un udambu aachuYour body has become thin like a thread
Female
Vattam ittu suthum kannu veechuYour glance spins around in circles
Vaaiya vitu ponathenna pechuWhy did words slip away from your mouth?
Female
Poonguyilae poonguyilae keluFlower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooruTell me the reason why you started singing
Male
Aathangara anthapuram aaki kollavaaShall I turn the riverbank into a palace?
Andha akaraikum ikaraikum kotta katta vaaCome, build a fort connecting that shore and this shore
Female
Maman kaiyil poovai thanthu soodi kollavaaShall I give flowers into uncle's hands and adorn myself with them?
Adi aasai ennum oonjal katti aadi kolla vaaHey, tie a swing called desire and come swing on it
Male
Sollu sollu thitam ennaTell me, tell me, what is the plan?
Solluvathu kashtamaIs it hard to tell?
Pothi pothi vachathennaWhat is it that you kept hidden and concealed?
Enna ennavo ishtamaIs it various kinds of desires?
Female
Koovaama koovuriyae kukoo kukoo paatuYou coo without cooing, a cuckoo cuckoo song
Maataama maati puta soku podi pottuYou entrapped without catching, casting a charm powder
Male
Yaar idathil un manasu pochuTo whom did your heart go?
Noola polae un udambu aachuYour body has become thin like a thread
Female
Poonguyilae poonguyilae keluFlower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooruTell me the reason why you started singing
Female
Oorai ellam suthi vantha otha kiliyaeYou lonely parrot who roamed around the whole village,
Ippo oridathil nindrathenna sollu kiliyaeTell me parrot, why have you stood still in one place now?
Male
Sontham bantham yaarum indri vantha kiliyaeParrot who arrived with no relatives or bonds,
Oru sontham ippo vanthathenna vaasal vazhiyaeHow did a relation enter through the doorway now?
Female
Veru vita aalam kannuEyes like a banyan tree that took root
Vaanam thoda paarkuthuAttempts to reach the sky
Vaanam thodum aasaiyilaIn the desire to touch the sky
Mella mella pookuthuIt blossoms slowly
Male
Poo poovaa pooka vachaThe one who made it bloom flower by flower,
Maaman avan yaaruWho is that maternal uncle?
Paadugira paatula thaan neeyum adha kooruTell that in the song you are singing
Female
Yaar idathil un manasu pochuTo whom did your heart go?
Noola polae un udambu aachuYour body has become thin like a thread
Female
Poonguyilae poonguyilae keluFlower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooruTell me the reason why you started singing
Yaar idathil un manasu pochuTo whom did your heart go?
Noola polae un udambu aachuYour body has become thin like a thread
Male
Vattam ittu suthum kannu veechuYour glance spins around in circles
Vaaiya vitu ponathenna pechuWhy did words slip away from your mouth?
Female
Poonguyilae poonguyilae keluFlower cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen
Nee paatedutha kaaranatha kooruTell me the reason why you started singing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Adi Poonguyilae' from 'Aranmanai Kili' (1993) is a playful and romantic folk composition. Sung from the perspective of friends or the heroine herself addressing her inner heart (metaphorically addressed as a cuckoo or parrot), the song teases her secret longing and budding love. She is asked why she has grown thin like a thread, why her eyes dart around nervously, and who the fortunate man is who has captured her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Noola polae un udambu aachu

Comparing the heroine's slender or weakened physique to a thin thread ('Noola polae un udambu aachu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Adi poonguyilae poonguyilae kelu

Addressing the heroine as a flower cuckoo ('Poonguyilae') or a solitary parrot ('Otha kiliyae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Adi aasai ennum oonjal katti aadi kolla vaa

Comparing desire to a swing ('Aasai ennum oonjal').

Alliteration (Monaai) and Rhyme (Edukai)

Sollu sollu thitam enna

Repetition of consonant sounds like 'Sollu sollu' and 'Pothi pothi' creates a rhythmic beat characteristic of Tamil folk music.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aranmanai Kili' (1993), directed by Rajkiran, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. The track 'Adi Poonguyilae' is a classic rural melody sung by S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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