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Lyrics & meaning

Naaval Pazhame Naan

From Annakili Sonna Kathai · 1989

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Mano, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Annakili Sonna Kathai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naaval pazhamaeOh black plum fruit!
Naan posum santhanamaeOh sandalwood paste that I apply!
Poovae ponnae enna solli koopiduvenOh flower, oh gold, how shall I call out to you?
Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirukkuThe pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house.
Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirukkuThe pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house.
Yaeni illama yenguthadi en manasuWithout a ladder, my heart is yearning in desperation.
Female
Naaval pazhamaeOh black plum fruit!
Naan posum santhanamaeOh sandalwood paste that I apply!
Poovae ponnae enna solli koopiduvaeOh flower, oh gold, how shall I call out to you?
Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirunthaaIf the pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house...
Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirunthaaIf the pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house...
Yaeni naan irukka yenguvadho un manasuWhy does your heart yearn when I am right here as your ladder?
Male
Naaval pazhamaeOh black plum fruit!
Naan posum santhanamaeOh sandalwood paste that I apply!
Poovae ponnae enna solli koopiduvenOh flower, oh gold, how shall I call out to you?
Chorus
…………………..[Musical interlude]
Male
Kalathu maettula sola kaatulaAt the threshing floor, in the sorghum field's breeze...
Valarntha nyabagam payiraachuThe cherished memory that grew has now turned into a rich harvest.
Female :Paruthi kaatula paruva kaathulaFemale: In the cotton field, in the youthful breeze...
Paadha rendumae onnaachuBoth our paths merged into one single trail.
Male
Paartha paarvai padhiyam podudhuThe look we exchanged takes root like a growing sapling.
Female :Vertha verva nadhiya ooduthuFemale: The sweat pouring out flows like a stream.
Male :Konji pesum vanji unnaMale: Oh sweet-talking maiden, for your sake...
Kodi theduthuMillions of desires are searching.
Female
Naaval pazhamaeOh black plum fruit!
Naan posum santhanamaeOh sandalwood paste that I apply!
Male :Poovae ponnae enna solli koopiduvaenMale: Oh flower, oh gold, how shall I call out to you?
Male
Karumbhu thottamaeOh sugarcane garden!
Thirumbhi paarkumaaWill you turn and look at me?
Erumbhaa maari naan varalaamaCan I come crawling like an ant?
Female :Adadaa akkara naanum sokkaraFemale: Oh my, on that bank, I am completely spellbound...
Alli aasaiyaa thaaraalamaShall I shower all my affection freely upon you?
Male
Amma odambhu edhukku koosudhuOh dear, why is my body shivering with bliss?
Female :Thotta yedho sugam thaan kaanudhuFemale: Upon your touch, a divine pleasure is felt.
Male :Indha inbam endha naalum ariyaadhadhuMale: This joy is something I have never known before.
Female
Naaval pazhamaeOh black plum fruit!
Naan posum santhanamaeOh sandalwood paste that I apply!
Poovae ponnae enna solli koopiduvaeOh flower, oh gold, how shall I call out to you?
Male :Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirukkuMale: The pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house.
Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirukkuMale: The pomegranate flower has bloomed in the upstairs house.
Female :Yaeni naan irukka yenguvadhoo en manasuFemale: Why does your heart yearn when I am right here as your ladder?
Male
LaalallaaFemale :Ahaa ahaa ahaaLaalallaa Female: Ahaa ahaa ahaa
Both :LalalalalalaBoth: Lalalalalala

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naaval Pazhamae is a romantic folk-style duet from the film Annakili Sonna Kathai (1989), composed by Chandrabose and written by Mu. Metha. Sung delightfully by Mano and S. P. Shailaja, the song showcases a romantic exchange between two lovers filled with rustic charm and endearing affection. The male lover affectionately addresses his lady using sweet metaphors like black plum fruit and sandalwood, expressing his yearning to reach her as if she were a flower blooming atop a house beyond his reach. The female lover tenderly reassures him, offering herself as the 'ladder' that bridges any distance between them. Through imagery of threshing floors, sorghum fields, cotton breezes, and sugarcane, the song captures the blossoming of love amid nature, celebrating physical closeness and deep emotional intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai / Metaphor

Naaval pazhamae / Naan posum santhanamae

Comparing the beloved directly to sweet black plum ('Naaval pazham') and fragrant sandalwood paste ('posum santhanam') to convey sweetness and comfort.

Symbolism & Imagery

Maadi veetula maadhulam poo poothirukku

The 'pomegranate flower blooming upstairs' symbolizes the beloved's blossoming beauty, while the 'ladder' symbolizes the means to reach her love.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Female :Paruthi kaatula paruva kaathula

The second consonant 'ru' in 'Paruthi' matches with 'paruva' in the same line structure, creating a pleasant rhythmic cadence.

Hyperbole (Uyarnavu Navirchi)

Female :Vertha verva nadhiya ooduthu

Exaggerating sweat into a flowing river ('nadhiya ooduthu') to vividly convey intense passion and physical labor in love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Annakili Sonna Kathai (1989) features a musical score by Chandrabose, who was a popular music director in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s known for hit rural tracks. Lyricist Mu. Metha, an eminent Tamil poet and Sahitya Akademi awardee, skillfully blended traditional Tamil folk imagery—like sorghum fields and sugarcane—with romantic poetry in this song.

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