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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Bharani Bharani Padivarum

From Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu · 1991

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hoo oo hoo oo(Vocalizing) Hoo oo hoo oo
Chorus
Hoo oo hoo oo(Vocalizing) Hoo oo hoo oo
Male
Hoo oo hoo oo(Vocalizing) Hoo oo hoo oo
Chorus
Hoo oo hoo oo(Vocalizing) Hoo oo hoo oo
Male
Bharani bharani paaadi varumSinging in rhythm, flowing along comes
ThaamiraparaniThe River Thamirabarani
Indha tharani tharani sezhikka vandhuComing to make this world flourish
Paaduthu baraniSinging a song of victory and joy
Chorus
Bharani bharani paaadi varumSinging in rhythm, flowing along comes
ThaamiraparaniThe River Thamirabarani
Indha tharani tharani sezhikka vandhuComing to make this world flourish
Paaduthu baraniSinging a song of victory and joy
Male
Nimirnthu nikka nilam irukkuThere is land enough to stand up tall
Azhagaa paadu oru aalolamaeSing a beautiful soothing lullaby
Ezhunthae podu nalla kummaalamaeRise up and celebrate with boundless joy!
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Elavam panju pola manam kaathaduthuThe heart floats freely like silk-cotton wool in the wind
Kuyilu kunju kootukkullae koothaduthuThe young cuckoo chick dances inside its nest
Anbu neera paarthuSeeing the flowing water of love
Idhu arumaiyaana thottamThis has become a wonderful garden
Azhutha pozhappum pochuThe life of weeping and sorrow is gone
Ini adangidaathu vaattamFrom now on, sadness will not remain
Siriya kuruvi pottathu oru poonthottamaeA tiny bird built a beautiful flower garden
Chiruga chiruga nadathuthu nalla thaerottomaeLittle by little, it conducts a grand chariot procession
Chorus
Bharani bharani paaadi varumSinging in rhythm, flowing along comes
ThaamiraparaniThe River Thamirabarani
Indha tharani tharani sezhikka vandhuComing to make this world flourish
Paaduthu baraniSinging a song of victory and joy
Male
Nimirnthu nikka nilam irukkuThere is land enough to stand up tall
Azhagaa paadu oru aalolamaeSing a beautiful soothing lullaby
Ezhunthae podu nalla kummaalamaeRise up and celebrate with boundless joy!
Chorus
………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Bharani Bharani Paadi Varum is an evocative folk song from the 1991 Tamil film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, directed by Bharathiraja with music and lyrics by Ilaiyaraaja. The song personifies the Thamirabarani river as a joyful singer whose arrival brings prosperity, fertility, and cheer to the land and its people. The vibrant rustic imagery highlights how the abundance of nature uplifts human spirits and turns everyday rural life into a grand celebration. The verse imagery captures pure rural innocence—hearts feeling light as floating silk-cotton, birds dancing in nests, and small beginnings turning into grand chariot-like festivities. Through its rich metaphors of water and gardens, the song conveys a message of hope, resilience, and the triumph of joy over past hardships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Elavam panju pola manam kaathaduthu

Compares the light, carefree human heart to silk-cotton floating in the wind ('Elavam panju pola manam kaathaduthu').

Rhyme & Wordplay (Etai / Iyaibu)

Bharani bharani paaadi varum / Thaamiraparani / Indha tharani tharani sezhikka vandhu

Uses repeating rhythmic end-sounds and internal rhymes across 'Bharani', 'Thaamiraparani', and 'Tharani'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Anbu neera paarthu / Idhu arumaiyaana thottam

Compares love to life-giving water ('Anbu neer') that transforms life into a beautiful garden.

Repetition / Alliteration (Anaphora & Emoni)

Chiruga chiruga nadathuthu nalla thaerottomae

Repetition of 'Chiruga chiruga' creates a pleasing auditory rhythm mimicking small, gentle movements.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) marked the silver screen debut of popular Tamil actors Sukanya and Napoleon. The film's soundtrack was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this celebrated track set against the backdrop of the Thamirabarani river region.

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