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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanooru Pokkal

From Uravugal Endrum Vazhga · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Uravugal Endrum Vazhga1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanru pookkal merukettrum mangaiA maiden who adds luster to four hundred flowers,
Rathi devi thangai varavendum ingaeThe sister of Goddess Rathi must come here.
Naanru pookkal merukettrum mangaiA maiden who adds luster to four hundred flowers,
Rathi devi thangai varavendum ingaeThe sister of Goddess Rathi must come here.
Male
Singaara veenai sirikkindra kolamShe is like a ornate veena with a smiling presence,
Sangeetham polae sugamaana thegamA body as soothing and pleasant as music.
Chorus
……………..[Instrumental / Interlude]
Male :Naanooru pookkalMale: Four hundred flowers
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Merukettrum mangaiMale: A maiden who adds luster
Chorus :……………….Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Rathidevi thangaiMale: Sister of Goddess Rathi
Chorus :………………Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Varavendum ingaeMale: Must come here
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male
Idai minnal koduA waist like a streak of lightning,
Nadai annapeduA gait like a female swan,
Idai minnal koduA waist like a streak of lightning,
Nadai annapeduA gait like a female swan,
Kili konjum kooduA nest where a parrot chatters affectionately,
Nenjil yaedho seigindraalShe does something unexplainable to my heart!
Mani thendral aada koodaathoCan't the sweet gentle breeze sway?
En manam ennum medai pothaathoIs the stage of my heart not enough?
Chorus
……………..[Instrumental / Interlude]
Male :Naanooru pookkalMale: Four hundred flowers
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Merukettrum mangaiMale: A maiden who adds luster
Chorus :……………….Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Rathidevi thangaiMale: Sister of Goddess Rathi
Chorus :………………Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Varavendum ingaeMale: Must come here
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male
Pazhachaaru kinnamA bowl of sweet fruit juice,
Palichendru minnumShining brightly and brilliantly,
Pani kaala megamA cloud from the winter season,
Ennai paarkka koodaathoCan she not come look at me?
Malar pattu paatham nogaathoWouldn't her flower-soft silky feet ache?
En madi thottu saaya koodaathoCan she not lean resting against my lap?
Male
Naanru pookkal merukettrum mangaiA maiden who adds luster to four hundred flowers,
Rathi devi thangai varavendum ingaeThe sister of Goddess Rathi must come here.
Male
Madhu sinthum kangal oli sinthum thingalEyes that spill honey, a moon radiating soft light,
Madhu sinthum kangal oli sinthum thingalEyes that spill honey, a moon radiating soft light,
Ival pol pengal engaeWhere can one find women like her?
Kodiyil ondralloShe is one in a crore!
Mana koyil kolla koodaathoCan she not take residence in the temple of my heart?
Oru pudhupaadam solla koodaathoCan she not teach me a new lesson of love?
Chorus
……………..[Instrumental / Interlude]
Male :Naanooru pookkalMale: Four hundred flowers
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Merukettrum mangaiMale: A maiden who adds luster
Chorus :……………….Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Rathidevi thangaiMale: Sister of Goddess Rathi
Chorus :………………Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Varavendum ingaeMale: Must come here
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male
Singaara veenai sirikkindra kolamShe is like a ornate veena with a smiling presence,
Sangeetham polae sugamaana thegamA body as soothing and pleasant as music.
Chorus
……………..[Instrumental / Interlude]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naanooru Pookkal from the film Uravugal Endrum Vazhga (1978) is a classic Tamil romantic track composed by Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Vaali. Rendered with expressive grace by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the hero praises his beloved's unmatched beauty, comparing her to the celestial goddess Rathi's sister and describing her presence as brighter than hundreds of blooming flowers. Through poetic imagery, her physical grace—her lightning-slender waist, swan-like stride, and soothing voice—is likened to an intricate veena and melodic music, captivating his heart and inspiring intense romance. He tenderly invites her into his soul, envisioning her as a rare gem among women who belongs in the temple of his mind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Sangeetham polae sugamaana thegam

Compares the comfort and pleasantness of her body to harmonious music using the comparative word 'polae'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idai minnal kodu

Directly equates her thin waist to a streak of lightning ('minnal kodu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mana koyil kolla koodaatho

Directly envisions the mind/heart as a sacred temple ('mana koyil').

Hyperbole (Ushiyarkkai Vani)

Naanooru pookkal merukettrum mangai

Exaggerates her elegance by asserting she adds polish/shine to four hundred flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features a lively call-and-response arrangement between S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and the chorus, showcase-designed by the composer duo Shankar-Ganesh in late 70s Tamil cinema, featuring poetic lyrics by Vaali.

Keep listening

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