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Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karumbana En Vazhvu

From Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. H. Reddy
Movie name
Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
21 Oct 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haaa..aaa..aaa..aaa…
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhae
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhae
Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalil
Virumbaadha puyal vandhadheno
Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalil
Virumbaadha puyal vandhadheno
Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbam
Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbam
Dhisai maarum padagaanen karai kaanbaeno
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhae
Nilaiyaana selvamae vilaiyaadum deivamae
Nee engae …un thandhai engae
Nilaiyaana selvamae vilaiyaadum deivamae
Nee engae un thandhai engae
Mazhaiyindri vaadum payiraanen ingae
Mazhaiyindri vaadum payiraanen ingae
Alai modhum kadal aanen nilai kaanbaeno
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhae
Ah... aa... aa... aa... aa...
My life, once sweet as sugarcane, has turned bitter as neem.
It has become just a story, a dream, a mirage.
My life, once sweet as sugarcane, has turned bitter as neem.
It has become just a story, a dream, a mirage.
On the day my budding hopes were about to bloom,
why did an unwelcome storm arrive?
On the day my budding hopes were about to bloom,
why did an unwelcome storm arrive?
Will happiness never return? Will sorrow never end?
Will happiness never return? Will sorrow never end?
I have become a boat drifting off course; will I ever reach the shore?
My life, once sweet as sugarcane, has turned bitter as neem.
It has become just a story, a dream, a mirage.
Oh my lasting treasure, my playful divine child,
where are you? Where is your father?
Oh my lasting treasure, my playful divine child,
where are you? Where is your father?
Here, I have become a crop withering without rain.
Here, I have become a crop withering without rain.
I have become a sea tossed by waves; will I ever find calm?
My life, once sweet as sugarcane, has turned bitter as neem.
It has become just a story, a dream, a mirage.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses profound grief and tragic despair. The protagonist mourns how her life, once full of sweet promise like sugarcane, has unexpectedly turned bitter and collapsed into a mirage. Just as her dreams were beginning to blossom, an unwanted storm destroyed her happiness, leaving her stranded in grief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagathani)

Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae

Compares her life to sweet sugarcane ('Karmumbu') that turned bitter ('Vembu') and her current self to a directionless boat ('Dhisai maarum padagu') and a wilting crop ('Mazhaiyindri vaadum payir').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalil / Virumbaadha puyal vandhadheno

The second letter consonant harmony 'ru' in 'Arumbaana' and 'Virumbaadha' creates a rhythmic poetic flow.

Moonaam/Monai (Alliteration)

Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbam

Initial letter alliteration ('Thi') between 'Thirumbaadho' and 'Theeraadho'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1959 film 'Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi', this song is a classic sorrowful composition written by A. Maruthakasi and scored by K. H. Reddy. P. Susheela's expressive vocals powerfully evoke the pathos of a tragic turning point in the movie's narrative.

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