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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannupada Pogudhu

From Sontham (1973) · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sontham (1973)1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannu pada poguthuThe evil eye will fall upon it
Kattukkadi selaiyaiThis tightly tied, patterned saree
Ponnukkae aasai varumEven gold itself would desire
Pottukkodi ravikkaiyaiThis polka-dotted printed blouse
Female
Kannu pada poguthuThe evil eye will fall upon it
Kattukkadi selaiyaiThis tightly tied, patterned saree
Ponnukkae aasai varumEven gold itself would desire
Pottukkodi ravikkaiyaiThis polka-dotted printed blouse
Female
Adi kannu…..adi chellam….Oh my darling... oh my sweet girl...
Ettu kannu vitterikkum unna kandaaSeeing you will cast eight envious eyes upon you
Un kattaani muththu palluYour pearl-like neatly set teeth
Enakku undaa…Do I get to possess them?
Female
Kannu pada poguthuThe evil eye will fall upon it
Kattukkadi selaiyaiThis tightly tied, patterned saree
Ponnukkae aasai varumEven gold itself would desire
Pottukkodi ravikkaiyaiThis polka-dotted printed blouse
Female
Vaanam paarkkaatha manjal nilaaA yellow moon unseen by the sky
Vandu thattaatha mullai idhuA jasmine untouched by a bee
Vaanam paarkkaatha manjal nilaaA yellow moon unseen by the sky
Vandu thattaatha mullai idhuA jasmine untouched by a bee
Thattaan thattaatha thangaththu maeniA golden body untouched by a goldsmith
Raja illaatha raniA queen without a king
Female
Adi kannu…..adi chellamOh my darling... oh my sweet girl
Pacha mullu poovaa pogum unna kandaaEven green thorns turn into flowers upon seeing you
Idhu pattaalaththu sakkaravarththiDoes the emperor of the military
Ponnukkundaa….Have a daughter like this?
Female
……………....
Female
Kannu pada poguthuThe evil eye will fall upon it
Kattukkadi selaiyaiThis tightly tied, patterned saree
Ponnukkae aasai varumEven gold itself would desire
Pottukkodi ravikkaiyaiThis polka-dotted printed blouse
Female
Therkku thisai paarththu neeraadinaalIf she bathes facing the south
Seran mappillai varuvaanenpaarThey say a Chera kingdom groom will arrive
Therkku thisai paarththu neeraadinaalIf she bathes facing the south
Seran mappillai varuvaanenpaarThey say a Chera kingdom groom will arrive
Thedum mappillai yaaraendru sonnaalIf you tell me who the groom you seek is
Saerththu tharuvendi kannuI will unite you with him, my darling
Saerththu tharuvendi kannuI will unite you with him, my darling
Female
Adi kannu…..adi chellam….Oh my darling... oh my sweet girl...
Naan kattum munbu unakkuBefore I get married, for you
Onnu katti thaaraenI will get you married first
Naan kattil varai konduI will escort you up to the bed
Unnai vittu vaaraenAnd then leave you there
Female
Kannu pada poguthuThe evil eye will fall upon it
Kattukkadi selaiyaiThis tightly tied, patterned saree
Ponnukkae aasai varumEven gold itself would desire
Pottukkodi ravikkaiyaiThis polka-dotted printed blouse
Female
…………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannu Pada Poguthu is a playful, affectionate Tamil duet from the 1973 film Sontham, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, the song portrays a lively interaction where two friends/sisters admire a maiden's striking beauty and vibrant attire. They playfully warn her that her beauty will invite the evil eye, compare her to pure untouched elements of nature, and tease her about finding a worthy groom to marry before settling down themselves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Kannu pada poguthu / Ponnukkae aasai varum

Rhyming of the second consonant across consecutive lines, such as 'Kannu' and 'Ponnukkae'.

Metaphor ( உருவகம் / Uruvagamaani )

Vaanam paarkkaatha manjal nilaa / Vandu thattaatha mullai idhu

Comparing her pristine purity to a yellow moon that the sky hasn't seen and jasmine unvisited by bees.

Hyperbole ( உயர்வு நவிற்சி / Uyarvu Navirchi )

Pacha mullu poovaa pogum unna kandaa

Exaggerated compliment stating that even sharp green thorns blossom into soft flowers upon catching sight of her.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song showcases the iconic pairing of P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, whose complementary vocal textures—Susheela's sweet classical tone alongside Eswari's expressive, peppy style—were a major highlight of M. S. Viswanathan's compositions in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Keep listening

More from Sontham (1973)