- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Pooncholai
- Movie release year
- 1997
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Jan 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a tender, romantic expression of a young woman deeply in love, yearning for her beloved whom she affectionately addresses as her 'king'. Sharing her inner turmoil with a singing cuckoo and her close friend, she reveals how sleepless nights have inspired her heart to compose sweet love poetry. She wonders if the gentle southern breeze can serve as a messenger to carry her feelings across to him. She reflects on the nature of true love, observing that love transcends material wealth, status, and luxury. It sees no difference between the rich and the poor, yielding only to destiny and youth's divine call. Dreaming of a simple, harmonious life together—resembling parrots nesting peacefully in nature—she eagerly awaits the day destiny grants them their complete union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Thendral Thoodhu (Personification / Classical Motif)
“Thendral indru thoodhu sellumaa”
Personifying the gentle southern breeze as a messenger ('Thoodhu') sent to convey love messages to her lover, drawing directly from traditional Tamil Sangam literary motifs.
Simile (Upamai)
“Killai koottam pol / Koottil vaazha vendum”
Compares her ideal peaceful life with her lover to a flock of parrots ('killai koottam') living together happily in a nest.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mannanidam poi vara / Mangai nilai koorida”
The second letter 'n' (ன/ங class consonant) rhymes across the consecutive lines ('Ma-n-nanidam' and 'Ma-n-gai').
Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Maadam maaligai koodam gopuram”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ma' in 'Maadam' and 'maaligai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Pooncholai' (1997) was written and directed by Gangai Amaran, who also penned the lyrics for this song. The music for the film was composed by his brother, maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Although the film suffered delays in its theatrical release, the album remains a fond memory for fans of late 90s Tamil melodies.
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