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Lyrics & meaning

Naan Pooveduthu Vekkanum

From Naanum Oru Thozhilali · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naanum Oru Thozhilali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan pooveduthu vekkanum pinnalaeI must adorn flowers in your hair from behind
Male
Naan pooveduthuI taking flowers
Naan pooveduthu vekkanum pinnalaeI must adorn flowers in your hair from behind
Adhil vanji ippo sokkanum thannalaeIn that, the young maiden should now be mesmerized automatically
Male
Athai mavan sonnadha othukanumYou must agree to what your cousin brother says
Female :Sari thaan sari thaanFemale: Alright then, alright then
Male :Athanaiyum nithamum kathukanumMale: You must learn all of it daily
Female :Sugam thaan sugam thaanFemale: It is pleasure indeed, pleasure indeed
Male
Athai mavan sonnadha othukanumYou must agree to what your cousin brother says
Female :Sari thaan sari thaanFemale: Alright then, alright then
Male :Athanaiyum nithamum kathukanumMale: You must learn all of it daily
Female :Sugam thaan sugam thaanFemale: It is pleasure indeed, pleasure indeed
Male
Then pazhani sandhanam thaanLike the sweet sandalwood of Palani
Ingu oru pennachaHas it turned into a young woman here?
Ennennavo ennamum thaanSo many different feelings and thoughts
Ennai kandu undaachaaWere they created upon seeing me?
Un munthaanaya izhukattumaShall I pull the edge of your saree?
Female :Summa iruFemale: Be still!
Male :Oru muthaarathai padhikattumaMale: Shall I imprint a kiss string?
Female :Konjam poruFemale: Wait a little!
Male :Adi poovaae ponnae kannae ingae vaa..haeiMale: Hey flower-like lady, gold, dear one, come here... hey!
Female
Nee pooveduthu vaikkanum pinnalaYou must adorn flowers from behind
Male :Oh adhil vanji ippo sokkanum thannalaMale: Oh, in that the young maiden should now be mesmerized automatically
Female
Pathu viral pattadhum thottadhum thanJust as ten fingers touch and feel
Male :Sudutha suduthaMale: Is it burning hot? Is it burning hot?
Female :Aasaiyodu achamum vekkamum thaanFemale: Along with desire, fear and shyness too
Male :Varutha varuthaMale: Are they afflicting? Are they afflicting?
Female
Pathu viral pattadhum thottadhum thanJust as ten fingers touch and feel
Male :Sudutha suduthaMale: Is it burning hot? Is it burning hot?
Female :Aasaiyodu achamum vekkamum thaanFemale: Along with desire, fear and shyness too
Male :Varutha varuthaMale: Are they afflicting? Are they afflicting?
Female
Thennangillai thendralathaanThe breeze weaving through the tender coconut fronds
Pinnuradhu angae thaanIs braiding over there
Male :Sevvilani saelai kattiMale: Wearing a red tender-coconut shaded saree
Minnuradhu ingae thaanIs shining bright over here
Female
Rendu kannala nee alakuradhuWhat you measure with your two eyes
Male :Un meni thaanMale: Is your body itself
Female :Unnai kandaalumae kodhikiradhuFemale: Even upon looking at you, it boils
Male :En meni thaanMale: Is my body itself
Female :Ada machan vacha kannu ingae thaanFemale: Ah, my cousin brother's fixed gaze is right here
Female
Nee pooveduthu vaikanum pinnalaYou must adorn flowers from behind
Adhil vanji ippo sokkanum thannalaIn that, the young maiden should now be mesmerized automatically
En machaan machaanMy cousin brother, cousin brother
Male :haanMale: Yes?
Female :Thaen malliya vechaanFemale: Placed sweet jasmine flowers
Male :HmmmMale: Mmm
Female :En machaan machaanFemale: My cousin brother, cousin brother
Malliya vechaanPlaced jasmine flowers
Ullathilae ennavo undachuSomething happened deep in my heart
Male
Naan pooveduthuI taking flowers
Female :Nee pooveduthu vekkanum pinnalaFemale: You must adorn flowers from behind
Male :Adhil vanji ippo sokkanum thannalaMale: In that, the young maiden should now be mesmerized automatically

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Pooveduthu is a playful, romantic duet from the movie Naanum Oru Thozhilali (1986). The male protagonist expresses his affectionate desire to adorn his beloved's hair with jasmine flowers and coax her into embracing love, while the female protagonist responds with playful shyness, teasing hesitation, and affection. Their banter uses rich imagery of South Indian village aesthetics, comparing her beauty to sweet Palani sandalwood and fronds of coconut palms. Musically composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, the song captures a sweet and energetic conversation full of warmth, intimacy, and rhythmic charm through the voices of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Athanaiyum nithamum kathukanum

A hallmark of Tamil prosody where the second consonant matches across adjacent or corresponding lines, seen in 'Athanaiyum' and 'othukanum'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Then pazhani sandhanam thaan Ingu oru pennacha

Comparing the heroine's exquisite radiance and fragrance directly to the sacred sandalwood paste of Palani.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Sevvilani saelai katti

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('S') in 'Sevvilani' and 'Saelai' creates a soft melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, this track showcases the classic voice partnership of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, renowned for delivering nuanced vocal expressions and playful improvisations in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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