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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaattula Pudhusa Pootha

From Idhu Enga Boomi · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Idhu Enga Boomi1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae haeOh jasmine flower that freshly bloomed in the forest, hey!
Kayila yaentha yaarumillaeThere is no one to hold it in their hands.
Ooraar muzhuthum urangi kidakkaWhile all the villagers lie fast asleep,
Naanor nimittil manamthaan mayanga aa…..aaa…For a moment, my mind feels enchanted... aa...aaa...
Female
Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae haeOh jasmine flower that freshly bloomed in the forest, hey!
Kayila yaentha yaarumillaeThere is no one to hold it in their hands.
Ooraar muzhuthum urangi kidakkaWhile all the villagers lie fast asleep,
Naanor nimittil manamthaan mayanga aa…..aaa…For a moment, my mind feels enchanted... aa...aaa...
Female
Thaenmalar thendralai parththathillaeThe honey-laden flower has never seen the cool breeze before,
Thaenaiyum vandugal eduththathillaeBees haven't drawn honey from it yet.
Thaenmalar thendralai parththathillaeThe honey-laden flower has never seen the cool breeze before,
Thaenaiyum vandugal eduththathillaeBees haven't drawn honey from it yet.
Maamana theduraen maalaiyil vaaduraenI search for my uncle/beloved and languish in the evening,
Nenachchuthaan aha machaana aa nerungaththaan….Thinking only of getting close to my sweetheart...
Female
Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae haeOh jasmine flower that freshly bloomed in the forest, hey!
Kayila yaentha yaarumillaeThere is no one to hold it in their hands.
Ooraar muzhuthum urangi kidakkaWhile all the villagers lie fast asleep,
Naanor nimittil manamthaan mayanga aa…..aaa…For a moment, my mind feels enchanted... aa...aaa...
Female
Sillunnu uraikkuthu pani vizhunthaaThe falling dew pierces with a chill,
Kasappa kasakkuthu paal kudichchaaEven drinking milk tastes bitter now.
Moochchuthaan vaanguthu maenithaan yaeguthuMy breath gasps and my body surges,
Nenachchuthaan haha machaana nerungaththaan….haaThinking only of getting close to my sweetheart... haa
Female
Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae haeOh jasmine flower that freshly bloomed in the forest, hey!
Kayila yaentha yaarumillaeThere is no one to hold it in their hands.
Ooraar muzhuthum urangi kidakkaWhile all the villagers lie fast asleep,
Naanor nimittil manamthaan mayangaFor a moment, my mind feels enchanted.
Oo…oo….lala lala laa….Oo...oo...lala lala laa....
Female
Kaiyila valaiyal maatti vachchaenI put bangles on my wrists,
Kann maiyai vizhiyil theetti vachchaenI lined my eyes with kohl.
Kaiyila valaiyal maatti vachchaenI put bangles on my wrists,
Kann maiyai vizhiyil theetti vachchaenI lined my eyes with kohl.
Jannala saaththunaen saelaiya aa….maaththunaenI closed the window and changed my saree...
Nenachchuthaan ha machaana aa nerungaththaan….Thinking only of getting close to my sweetheart...
Female
Kaattula pudhusa….Freshly bloomed in the forest...
Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae haeOh jasmine flower that freshly bloomed in the forest, hey!
Kayila yaentha yaarumillaeThere is no one to hold it in their hands.
Ooraar muzhuthum urangi kidakkaWhile all the villagers lie fast asleep,
Naanor nimittil manamthaan mayangaFor a moment, my mind feels enchanted.
Oo…oo….lalla laa….hmm….Oo...oo...lalla laa...hmm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track expresses the intense yearning of a young rural woman waiting for her beloved. She metaphorically compares herself to a wild jasmine flower blooming in the solitary forest—pure, untouched, and ungathered by anyone. While the entire village slumbers, her restless heart faints with longing in the quiet of the night. She describes how separation makes even sweet milk taste bitter and the gentle night dew feel piercingly cold. In anticipation of her lover's arrival, she adorns herself with bangles and kohl, changes into a beautiful saree, and shuts the window, lost in deep dreams of physical and emotional intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Kaattula pudhusa pooththa mullaae hae

The heroine compares her youthful, untouched beauty to a wild jasmine flower ('mullai') blooming unseen in a forest, untouched by bees ('vandugal').

Moonaal / Initial Alliteration (மோனை)

Thaenmalar thendralai parththathillae / Thaenaiyum vandugal eduththathillae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Thae' across consecutive lines to create a smooth lyrical cadence.

Sensory Imagery (காட்சிப் படிமம்)

Kaiyila valaiyal maatti vachchaen / Kann maiyai vizhiyil theetti vachchaen

Vivid visual and tactile imagery depicting late-night romantic preparation and sensory restlessness (cool dew, kohl-lined eyes, bangles, bitter milk).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Idhu Enga Boomi' (1984) features Vairamuthu's poetic imagery drawing heavily from ancient Sangam literature motifs—specifically 'Mullai' landscapes, which traditionally symbolize patient waiting and youthful chastity in Tamil poetry.

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