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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Kaariyam

From Ponnoonjal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ponnoonjal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
O..ooo ooo oooo oo oooO..ooo ooo oooo oo ooo
Female
Nalla kaariyam seekiram nadakkanumA good deed must happen soon
Konjam sollungalaenPlease tell me a bit
Thulli varum muthu killaigalaeOh leaping pearl-like parrots!
Female
Nalla kaariyam seekiram nadakkanumA good deed must happen soon
Konjam sollungalaenPlease tell me a bit
Thulli varum muthu killaigalaeOh leaping pearl-like parrots!
Female
Pachai vanna vettrilai polLike a green betel leaf
Parandhodum podhuAs you fly away
Paakku vechu vethilaiyilOffering betel nut and leaf as an invitation
Sonnaal enna thodhuWhy not send a message?
Sonnaal enna thoodhuWhy not send a message?
Female
Nalla kaariyam seekiram nadakkanumA good deed must happen soon
Konjam sollungalaenPlease tell me a bit
Thulli varum muthu killaigalaeOh leaping pearl-like parrots!
Muthu killaigalae muthu killaigalaePearl parrots, pearl parrots
Muthu killaigalae muthu killaigalaePearl parrots, pearl parrots
Male
O..ooo ooo oooo ooO..ooo ooo oooo oo
Vellam odattumLet the flood flow
Pennidam koorattumLet it tell the woman
Ullam vaelikattai thaandi vandhu poovagattumLet the heart cross boundaries and blossom into a flower
Andha megangal paadum raagangalThe melodies sung by those clouds
Vanna pen paarkka poyi varum thoodhuaagattumLet them become a messenger sent to see the colorful maiden
Male
Vellam odattumLet the flood flow
Pennidam koorattumLet it tell the woman
Ullam vaelikattai thaandi vandhu poovagattumLet the heart cross boundaries and blossom into a flower
Andha megangal paadum raagangalThe melodies sung by those clouds
Vanna pen paarkka poyi varum thoodhuaagattumLet them become a messenger sent to see the colorful maiden
Male
Manjalukku naathu vechaIf turmeric saplings are planted
Manakaadho ingaeWon't it spread its fragrance here?
Maunathilae sedhi sonnaalIf a message is conveyed through silence
Puriyadho angaeWon't it be understood there?
Male
Nalla kaariyam seekiram nadakkanumA good deed must happen soon
Konjam sollungalaenPlease tell me a bit
Thulli varum muthu killaigalaeOh leaping pearl-like parrots!
Muthu killaigalae muthu killaigalaePearl parrots, pearl parrots
Muthu killaigalae muthu killaigalaePearl parrots, pearl parrots
Female
Haaa…aaaa…haaa..aaaHaaa…aaaa…haaa..aaa
Thanga meengalae thaamarai poovilaeOh golden fish in the lotus flower
Pongum thaen undu en kadhai neer ariveergalooDrinking overflowing honey, do you know my story?
Andha pon vandu indha pookanduThat golden beetle, seeing this flower
Inba thaen unnum naal paarkka viduveergalooWill you let us see the day it savors the sweet honey?
Pandhiyilae kaathirukku pasiyodu sondhamRelatives wait hungrily at the wedding feast
Pakkathilae nee irundhu parimaaru konjamStand beside me and serve them a little

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song from the 1973 film 'Ponnoonjal' expresses the passionate anticipation of an upcoming wedding and auspicious union ('nalla kaariyam'). The protagonist addresses elements of nature—parrots, flowing streams, clouds, and golden fish—asking them to act as messengers ('thoodhu') to convey his deep love and intentions to his beloved. Through rich imagery of traditional invitations with betel leaves, turmeric, and wedding feasts, the song captures the cultural essence of South Indian courtship and matrimony, beautifully penned by Kannadasan and set to melody by M. S. Vishwanathan.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Thoodhu Ilakkiyam (Messenger motif)

Thulli varum muthu killaigalae

A classic Sangam poetic convention where elements of nature like parrots (killaigalae) and clouds (megangal) are implored to carry love messages to the beloved.

Uvamai (Simile)

Pachai vanna vettrilai pol

Comparing the birds' movement or nature to a fresh green betel leaf (pachai vanna vettrilai pol).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vellam odattum / Pennidam koorattum

Repetition of the verbal suffix '-attum' across consecutive lines establishing rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Andha pon vandu indha pookandu

Describing the protagonist and heroine as the golden beetle (pon vandu) and flower (poo) yearning for honey (matrimonial bliss).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ponnoonjal' (1973) starred Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and Usha Nandini. The track 'Nalla Kaariyam' remains an enduring classic duets of T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, celebrated for Kannadasan's integration of traditional Tamil wedding customs into song lyrics.

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