- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Ponvandu
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Mar 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Naan Oru Thani Ragam' from the 1973 film Ponvandu is a lively duet featuring playful bantering and romantic teasing between two lovers. The female lead challenges the male lead's manhood, rustic demeanor, and lack of modern sophistication, comparing herself to a untouched jasmine bud. In response, the male lead boastfully asserts his brave heritage, invoking powerful guardian deities like Sangili Karuppan and historical heroes like Chinna Maruthu, while declaring his masculine charm and military prowess. The song evolves into a rich celebration of Tamil folk traditions, referencing classical and folk dance forms (Mayilaattam, Karakaattam, Silambaattam, Puraviyaattam) and regional attire. Through playful taunts and rhythmically vibrant exchanges, the female protagonist eventually surrenders to his charm, culminating in a joyful celebration of romance and shared passion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa”
The heroine compares herself to a untouched jasmine bud ('Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa') and a rare melody ('Naan oru thani ragam').
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil poetry)
“Nadukkam edharkku nerukkam varattum”
The second consonant 'da' matches in 'Nadukkam' and 'Ennodu', creating rhythm across consecutive lines.
Monai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Kangal pattaalum kaigal thodaatha”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across words ('Kangal', 'Kaigal') creates internal musical harmony.
Allusion / Cultural Imagery
“Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum”
Direct references to Tamil folk deities (Sangili Karuppan, Madurai Veeran) and historical figures (Chinna Maruthu) to evoke rustic bravery.
Anaphora / Enumeration
“Mayilaattam oyilaattam”
Repeated listing of classical and folk art forms ending in '-aattam' (Mayilaattam, Oyilaattam, Karakaattam, Sathiraattam, Silampaattam, Kavadiyaattam, Puraviyaattam) to build rhythmic momentum.
Did you know?
Trivia
This high-energy duet composed by V. Kumar features legendary singers L. R. Eswari and T. M. Soundararajan. The song stands out for its unique blend of Western swing beats with traditional Tamil folk dance references (such as Karakaattam and Puraviyaattam) and regional historical lore from the Sivagangai region.
Keep listening
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