Alamara Pondhu
From Pudhumai Penn · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pudhumai Penn1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aalamara ponthukkulla | Oh birds that came to live inside the hollow of the banyan tree, |
| Vaazhavantha kuruvigalaa | Oh birds that came to dwell here, |
| Kaaththiruntha vedan ingae | The waiting hunter right here, |
| Kanni vachaaan ariveegaalaa | Has set a trap, do you know? |
| Pen kuruvi sikkidumaa adhu | Will the female bird get trapped? |
| Manthiraththil sokkidumaa….hoi | Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi! |
| Pen kuruvi sikkidumaa adhu | Will the female bird get trapped? |
| Manthiraththil sokkidumaa….hoi | Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi! |
| Male | |
| Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa | She won't fall into any snare, sir, |
| Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi | This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect! |
| Paththini ponnu iva | She is a woman of immaculate virtue, |
| Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji | To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! |
| Male | |
| Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa | She won't fall into any snare, sir, |
| Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi | This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect! |
| Paththini ponnu iva | She is a woman of immaculate virtue, |
| Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji….hoi | To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! Hoi! |
| Male | |
| Andamengum mazhayum adikka | As rain poured down across the world, |
| Mandapaththil edamungkudukka | And a hall provided shelter, |
| Onda vantha thiruttuchchaami | The thief posing as a holy man who came to seek shelter, |
| Madaththa pudunguraan | Takes over the entire monastery! |
| Male | |
| Saathi sanam arugil irukka | While kin and townspeople were nearby, |
| Santharppamum nelunju kodukka | And opportunity presented itself, |
| Puththi ketta periya manushan | The foolish elder who lost his sense |
| Puduvai thiruduraan | Tries to steal her saree! |
| Male | |
| Thaali katti vachcha payathaan | The man who tied the sacred thread, |
| Vaeli katti vaikka maranthaan | Forgot to build a protective fence for her. |
| Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana | Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana |
| Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana | Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana |
| Kaamang konda aama onnu | A lustful turtle |
| Poonthiruchchu veettukkulla | Entered inside the house! |
| Karparasi kannagikku thangai | A younger sister to the chaste Kannagi |
| Intha chinnappulla….hoi…. | Is this young girl! Hoi! |
| Thanthana…..thanthana…. | Thanthana.....thanthana.... |
| Thanthana…thanthana….naa.. | Thanthana…thanthana….naa.. |
| Male | |
| Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa | She won't fall into any snare, sir, |
| Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi | This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect! |
| Paththini ponnu iva | She is a woman of immaculate virtue, |
| Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji… | To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! |
| Male | |
| kovanaththil iruntha pozhuthum | Whether dressed in a simple loincloth, |
| Gopuraththil iruntha pozhuthum | Or seated on a grand temple tower, |
| Adhukkoru mathippu illa | Dirt has no value, |
| Azhukku azhukkuthaan | Dirt remains dirt! |
| Male | |
| Seethamagal azhutha kanakku | Like the tears shed by Sita, |
| Thegamengum neriya irukku | There are countless scars all over her body, |
| Innamathu mudiyavilla | That struggle hasn't ended yet, |
| Vazhakku vazhakkuththaan | The legal battle remains a continuous trial! |
| Male | |
| Enga ooru ponnu appothey | The girl of our village, back then, |
| Suriyana katti vachchaalae | Tied up the sun itself! |
| Enga ooru ponnu appothey | The girl of our village, back then, |
| Suriyana katti vachchaalae | Tied up the sun itself! |
| Suththmulla uththamithaan | This pure and virtuous woman, |
| Theeyeduththu suttu vachcaa | Took fire and scorched it, |
| Paththininga paadhaiyila | On the righteous path of chaste women, |
| Enga ponnu ettu vachcha….toyaa | Our girl stepped forward! Toyaa! |
| Thanthana…..thanthana…. | Thanthana.....thanthana.... |
| Thanthana…thanthana….naa.. | Thanthana…thanthana….naa.. |
| Male | |
| {Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa | She won't fall into any snare, sir, |
| Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi | This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect! |
| Paththini ponnu iva | She is a woman of immaculate virtue, |
| Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji…} (2) | To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! |
ஆலமரப் பொந்துக்குள்ள
வாழவந்த குருவிகளா
காத்திருந்த வேடன் இங்கே
கண்ணி வச்சான் அறிவீகளா
பெண் குருவி சிக்கிடுமா அது
மந்திரத்தில் சொக்கிடுமா....ஹோய்
பெண் குருவி சிக்கிடுமா அது
மந்திரத்தில் சொக்கிடுமா....ஹோய்
Oh birds that came to live inside the hollow of the banyan tree,
Oh birds that came to dwell here,
The waiting hunter right here,
Has set a trap, do you know?
Will the female bird get trapped?
Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi!
Will the female bird get trapped?
Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi!
கண்ணியில சிக்காதய்யா
கானாங்குருவி ரோஷக்காரக் குருவி
பத்தினிப் பொண்ணு இவ
பாத்தாக் குறிஞ்சி கிட்ட வந்தா நெருஞ்சி
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
கண்ணியில சிக்காதய்யா
கானாங்குருவி ரோஷக்காரக் குருவி
பத்தினிப் பொண்ணு இவ
பாத்தாக் குறிஞ்சி கிட்ட வந்தா நெருஞ்சி...ஹோய்
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! Hoi!
அண்டமெங்கும் மழையும் அடிக்க
மண்டபத்தில் எடமுங்குடுக்க
ஒண்ட வந்த திருட்டுச்சாமி
மடத்தப் புடுங்குறான்
As rain poured down across the world,
And a hall provided shelter,
The thief posing as a holy man who came to seek shelter,
Takes over the entire monastery!
சாதி சனம் அருகில் இருக்க
சந்தர்ப்பமும் நெளிஞ்சு கொடுக்க
புத்தி கெட்ட பெரிய மனுஷன்
புடவை திருடுறான்
While kin and townspeople were nearby,
And opportunity presented itself,
The foolish elder who lost his sense
Tries to steal her saree!
தாலி கட்டி வச்ச பயதான்
வேலி கட்டி வைக்க மறந்தான்
தந்தனானா தந்தனத் தந்தானா
தந்தனானா தந்தனத் தந்தானா
காமங் கொண்ட ஆம ஒண்ணு
பூந்திருச்சு வீட்டுக்குள்ள
கற்பரசி கண்ணகிக்குத் தங்கை
இந்தச் சின்னப்புள்ள......ஹோய்....
தந்தன.....தந்தன.....தந்தன.....தந்தன.....னா.....
The man who tied the sacred thread,
Forgot to build a protective fence for her.
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
A lustful turtle
Entered inside the house!
A younger sister to the chaste Kannagi
Is this young girl! Hoi!
Thanthana.....thanthana....
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
கண்ணியில சிக்காதய்யா
கானாங்குருவி ரோஷக்காரக் குருவி
பத்தினிப் பொண்ணு இவ
பாத்தாக் குறிஞ்சி கிட்ட வந்தா நெருஞ்சி
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
கோவணத்தில் இருந்த பொழுதும்
கோபுரத்தில் இருந்த பொழுதும்
அதுக்கொரு மதிப்பு இல்ல
அழுக்கு அழுக்குத்தான்
Whether dressed in a simple loincloth,
Or seated on a grand temple tower,
Dirt has no value,
Dirt remains dirt!
சீதமகள் அழுத கணக்கு
தேகமெங்கும் நெறைய இருக்கு
இன்னுமது முடியவில்ல
வழக்கு வழக்குத்தான்....
Like the tears shed by Sita,
There are countless scars all over her body,
That struggle hasn't ended yet,
The legal battle remains a continuous trial!
எங்க ஊருப் பொண்ணு அப்போதே
சூரியனக் கட்டி வச்சாளே
எங்க ஊருப் பொண்ணு அப்போதே
சூரியனக் கட்டி வச்சாளே
சுத்தமுள்ள உத்தமி தான்
தீயெடுத்து சுட்டு வச்சா
பத்தினிங்க பாதையில
எங்க பொண்ணு எட்டு வச்சா.......டோயா..
தந்தன.....தந்தன.....தந்தன.....தந்தன.....னா.....
The girl of our village, back then,
Tied up the sun itself!
The girl of our village, back then,
Tied up the sun itself!
This pure and virtuous woman,
Took fire and scorched it,
On the righteous path of chaste women,
Our girl stepped forward! Toyaa!
Thanthana.....thanthana....
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
{கண்ணியில சிக்காதய்யா
கானாங்குருவி ரோஷக்காரக் குருவி
பத்தினிப் பொண்ணு இவ
பாத்தாக் குறிஞ்சி கிட்ட வந்தா நெருஞ்சி} (2)
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
Aalamara ponthukkulla
Oh birds that came to live inside the hollow of the banyan tree,
Vaazhavantha kuruvigalaa
Oh birds that came to dwell here,
Kaaththiruntha vedan ingae
The waiting hunter right here,
Kanni vachaaan ariveegaalaa
Has set a trap, do you know?
Pen kuruvi sikkidumaa adhu
Will the female bird get trapped?
Manthiraththil sokkidumaa….hoi
Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi!
Pen kuruvi sikkidumaa adhu
Will the female bird get trapped?
Manthiraththil sokkidumaa….hoi
Will it get mesmerized by his magic spell? Hoi!
Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
Paththini ponnu iva
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
Paththini ponnu iva
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji….hoi
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn! Hoi!
Andamengum mazhayum adikka
As rain poured down across the world,
Mandapaththil edamungkudukka
And a hall provided shelter,
Onda vantha thiruttuchchaami
The thief posing as a holy man who came to seek shelter,
Madaththa pudunguraan
Takes over the entire monastery!
Saathi sanam arugil irukka
While kin and townspeople were nearby,
Santharppamum nelunju kodukka
And opportunity presented itself,
Puththi ketta periya manushan
The foolish elder who lost his sense
Puduvai thiruduraan
Tries to steal her saree!
Thaali katti vachcha payathaan
The man who tied the sacred thread,
Vaeli katti vaikka maranthaan
Forgot to build a protective fence for her.
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
Thanthanaanaa thanthana thanthaana
Kaamang konda aama onnu
A lustful turtle
Poonthiruchchu veettukkulla
Entered inside the house!
Karparasi kannagikku thangai
A younger sister to the chaste Kannagi
Intha chinnappulla….hoi….
Is this young girl! Hoi!
Thanthana…..thanthana….
Thanthana.....thanthana....
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
Paththini ponnu iva
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji…
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
kovanaththil iruntha pozhuthum
Whether dressed in a simple loincloth,
Gopuraththil iruntha pozhuthum
Or seated on a grand temple tower,
Adhukkoru mathippu illa
Dirt has no value,
Azhukku azhukkuthaan
Dirt remains dirt!
Seethamagal azhutha kanakku
Like the tears shed by Sita,
Thegamengum neriya irukku
There are countless scars all over her body,
Innamathu mudiyavilla
That struggle hasn't ended yet,
Vazhakku vazhakkuththaan
The legal battle remains a continuous trial!
Enga ooru ponnu appothey
The girl of our village, back then,
Suriyana katti vachchaalae
Tied up the sun itself!
Enga ooru ponnu appothey
The girl of our village, back then,
Suriyana katti vachchaalae
Tied up the sun itself!
Suththmulla uththamithaan
This pure and virtuous woman,
Theeyeduththu suttu vachcaa
Took fire and scorched it,
Paththininga paadhaiyila
On the righteous path of chaste women,
Enga ponnu ettu vachcha….toyaa
Our girl stepped forward! Toyaa!
Thanthana…..thanthana….
Thanthana.....thanthana....
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
Thanthana…thanthana….naa..
{Kanniyila sikkaathaiyaa
She won't fall into any snare, sir,
Kaanaangkurivi rosakkaara kuruvi
This wild sparrow is a bird with self-respect!
Paththini ponnu iva
She is a woman of immaculate virtue,
Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji…} (2)
To look at, she is a rare Kurinji flower, but if you come near, she is a thorn!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song serves as a powerful feminist narrative metaphor within the movie Pudhumai Penn. Using folk storytelling rhythms and village folk allegories, Vairamuthu crafts a tale of a courageous woman who resists societal oppression, lustful men, and systemic injustice. She is compared to a wild bird that refuses to fall into a hunter's trap, and a Kurinji flower that turns into sharp thorns when violated.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor & Contrast
“Paaththaak kurinji kitta vanthaa nerunji”
Compares the heroine's beauty to the rare Kurinji flower and her sharp, protective resilience to the Nerunji thorn.
Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“kovanaththil iruntha pozhuthum / Gopuraththil iruntha pozhuthum”
Rhyming of second letters 'va' in kovanaththil and gopuraththil to emphasize that moral filth remains dirty regardless of social status.
Allusion
“Karparasi kannagikku thangai / Intha chinnappulla”
References epic figures like Kannagi and Sita to highlight the historical trial and triumph of chaste women fighting injustice.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pudhumai Penn (1984), directed by Bharathiraja and produced by K. Balachander's Kavithalayaa Productions, featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was renowned for its progressive portrayal of women standing up against societal and patriarchal hypocrisies.
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