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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaaththodu Poovurasa

From Anbukku Naan Adimai · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anbukku Naan Adimai1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kathodu poovurasaAs the wind brushes against the flower,
Poova vandurasaAs the bee brushes against the flower,
Unnodu na….anI am with you...
Ennodu neeYou are with me,
Poovaa kaathaa urasaBrushing past like a flower and the wind.
Male
Kathodu poovurasaAs the wind brushes against the flower,
Poovodu vandurasaAs the bee brushes against the flower,
Unnodu na….anI am with you...
Ennodu neeYou are with me,
Poovaa kaathaa urasaBrushing past like a flower and the wind.
Female
Yeththam pottuDrawing water with a picottah,
Eracha thanni oodumThe pulled water flows,
Yeththam pottuDrawing water with a picottah,
Eracha thanni oodumThe pulled water flows,
Yen athu yen athaiWhy is that? Why look for him/her?
Thedum vayalum paadumThe searching field also sings.
Male
Aaraatho dhagam vanthaWill the thirst not be quenched if it arises?
Aasa mogam vanthaWhen passionate desire arrives,
Aathadi aalaagi naalachuthoOh my, has it been days since becoming a woman?
Female
Kathodu poovurasaAs the wind brushes against the flower,
Poovodu vandurasaAs the bee brushes against the flower,
Unnodu na….anI am with you...
Male :Aaan ….ennodu neeMale: Ah... you are with me,
Poovaa kaathaa urasaBrushing past like a flower and the wind.
Male
Kodaikkaanal kurinjiLike the Kurinji flower of Kodaikanal,
Malarin jaadhiOf a noble floral breed,
Kodaikkaanal kurinji malarin jaadhiOf the rare Kodaikanal Kurinji flower's lineage,
Yaar athu yaar adhaiWho is that? Who is that?
Ketta theriyum sedhiIf you ask, you will know the news.
Female
Naan thaanae chinna ponnuIndeed, I am a young girl,
Poovum naanum onnuThe flower and I are one and the same.
Naan yaaru thaenaaruWho am I? A river of honey,
Neeraada vaaCome to bathe!
Male
Kathodu poovurasaAs the wind brushes against the flower,
Poovodu vandurasaAs the bee brushes against the flower,
Unnodu na….anI am with you...
Female :Aaan ….ennodu neeFemale: Ah... you are with me,
Poovaa kaathaa urasaBrushing past like a flower and the wind.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kathodu Poovurasa' is a classic romantic duet from the 1980 film 'Anbukku Naan Adimai'. The song uses vivid imagery drawn from nature—such as the breeze gently caressing a flower, a bee hovering over blossoms, and irrigation water nourishing the fields—to symbolize the intimate physical and emotional connection between two lovers. Through metaphors like the rare Kurinji flower of Kodaikanal and a flowing river of honey, the song evokes youthful romance, beauty, and intense desire. The back-and-forth lyrical play between the male and female voices underscores their deep mutual adoration and sense of oneness with each other and nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile and Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvameyam)

Poovaa kaathaa urasa

Compares the subtle touch and affection between lovers to the physical closeness of the wind brushing against a flower ('Poovaa kaathaa urasa').

Rhyme and Alliteration (Edhugai and Monai)

Kathodu poovurasa / Poovodu vandurasa

The repetition of 'urasa' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, melodic flow standard in Tamil lyricism ('poovurasa' / 'vandurasa').

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Naan yaaru thaenaaru

The speaker metaphorically equates herself to 'thaenaaru' (a river of honey), representing sweetness, abundance, and warmth.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Anbukku Naan Adimai' (1980) stars Rajinikanth and Rati Agnihotri, directed by R. Thyagarajan. The song was composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja with iconic lyrics written by Vaali, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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