- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Idhu Enga Boomi
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Feb 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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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