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Lyrics & meaning

Malliya Poovapola Song

From Pettikadai · 2024

Lyricist
Theva Kumaravel
Singer
Velmurugan
Music director
Mariya Manohar
Details
Pettikadai2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
: Haei haei haei haeiHey hey hey hey
Haei haei haei haeiHey hey hey hey
Male
Malliya poovapolaLike a fresh jasmine flower
Mayakkiriyae aala azhagu ponnuYou hypnotize everyone, beautiful girl
Paaththa entha payalum verachchuAny guy who sets eyes on you gets paralyzed
Kerangi povaan nadu theruvil ninnuAnd swoons right in the middle of the street
Male
Ava kannu rendumBoth of her eyes
Thulli paayum kendai meenuthaanAre like leaping carp fish
Antha meluthadu sinthumThat upper lip of hers drips
Malai kombu thaenuthaanHoney from a high mountain beehive
Kaththum kaththi mookkukaaridaaShe has a sharp, knife-like nose
Male
: Oththai panai thaandiPast the solitary palm tree
Nettai koondhalkaariThe girl with long flowing hair
Thattaampoochchi pola vaaraalaeComes flying like a dragonfly
Male
Hae oththaiyadi paathaiHey, on the narrow foot path
Aa….nee nadakkumpothuAh... as you walk by
Korappullum osanthuEven the wild grass rises high
Kodai pudikkum pullaTo act as an umbrella over you, girl
Male
: Un udambu vervai ellaamAll your body sweat
Panneeraa inikkuthadiFeels sweet like fragrant rosewater
Un pakkam vanthaa kaattu paiyanIf this wild forest lad comes near you
Sokkiththaanae kedakkurandiHe remains completely mesmerized
Male
: Kurukurukkum paarvai paakkuriyeYou look with sharp, piercing eyes
Neeyum kokki pottu ennai thookkuriyaeYou cast a hook and pull me up
Male
Malliyap poovapolaLike a fresh jasmine flower
Mayakkiriyae aala azhagu ponnuYou hypnotize everyone, beautiful girl
Paaththa entha payalum verachchuAny guy who sets eyes on you gets paralyzed
Kerangi povaan nadu theruvil ninnuAnd swoons right in the middle of the street
Male
Haei haei haei haeiHey hey hey hey
Haei haei haei haeiHey hey hey hey
Male
Yae kaadu karaiyellaamHey, all the fields and riverbanks
Onna paakka thenam yaengaYearn daily just to catch a glimpse of you
Enna pannuven naanumWhat am I supposed to do
Unna paakkaama naanumWithout seeing you each day
Male
Vaadi vaasal thaandunavanI am one who conquered the bull-taming arena
Thaavaniya thaandalaiyaeYet I haven't crossed past your half-saree
Un kaal kolusaa naan kedappenI will lie at your feet like an anklet
Enna neeyum maattikkadiWear me around your feet, my girl
Male
Rasaththi ennoda neeyum vanthaaMy princess, if you come with me
Antha Aagaasa nilavai pudippaenI will fetch that moon from the sky for you
Male
Malliyap poovapolaLike a fresh jasmine flower
Mayakkiriyae aala azhagu ponnuYou hypnotize everyone, beautiful girl
Paaththa entha payalum verachchuAny guy who sets eyes on you gets paralyzed
Kerangi povaan nadu theruvil ninnuAnd swoons right in the middle of the street

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic Tamil folk song celebrates the striking beauty of a young rural woman through vivid, nature-inspired imagery. The singer affectionately describes her eyes like jumping fish, her lip like mountain honey, her nose sharp as a blade, and her walk like a dragonfly hovering over countryside paths. Even the surrounding nature, from wild grass to fields, seems enamored by her presence. The protagonist, portraying himself as a rugged young man who can tame wild bulls in jallikattu, playfully admits his vulnerability to her charm. He surrenders completely to her beauty, expressing a desire to be as close to her as her anklets and promising to fetch the moon from the sky if she accompanies him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Malliya poovapola

Compares the girl's soft and alluring presence to a fresh jasmine flower ('Malliya poovapola').

Uvamai (Simile)

Thulli paayum kendai meenuthaan

Compares her lively eyes to carp fish jumping in water ('Thulli paayum kendai meenuthaan').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navirtchi)

Korappullum osanthu Kodai pudikkum pulla

Exaggerates that even wild grass grows tall to act as an umbrella protecting her from the sun.

Contrast / Irony

Vaadi vaasal thaandunavan Thaavaniya thaandalaiyae

Contrasts his bravery in conquering the dangerous vaadi vaasal (bull-taming arena) with his helplessness in front of her half-saree.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is sung by popular Tamil folk singer Velmurugan, known for delivering high-energy rural tracks. The imagery heavily references traditional Tamil country tropes such as 'vaadi vaasal' (the entry narrow pass in Jallikattu bull taming) and traditional comparisons to mountain honey and carp fish.

Keep listening

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