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Poovum Pottum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nathaswara Oosaiyile

From Poovum Pottum · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Movie name
Poovum Pottum
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
11 Aug 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Saerndhu varum melathilae
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Ha haha ha ha haha ha
Ha haha ha ha ha haha ha
Kolamitta manavaraiyil
Kungumathin sangamathil
Kolamitta manavaraiyil
Kungumathin sangamathil
Maalaiyitta poonkazhuthil
Thaali kattum velaiyilum
Ooraargal vaazhthuraikka
Oorvalathil varum poluthum
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Saerndhu varum melathilae
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Mai vaditha kann irandum
Mann paarkkum paavanaiyil
Kai piditha naayaganin
Kattazhagu kandu vara
Mai vaditha kann irandum
Mann paarkkum paavanaiyil
Kai piditha naayaganin
Kattazhagu kandu vara
Mei silirthu mugam sivakkum
Mellidaiyaal koondhalilae
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Karppil oru kannagiyaai
Kaadhalukku jaanakiyaai
Sirppa magal vaazhkkai endru
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Pathiniyai kaaval kondu
Paar pugazha vaazhga endru
Pathiniyai kaaval kondu
Paar pugazha vaazhga endru
Sathiyathin maedaiyilae
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Nadhaswara oosaiyile
Devan vandhu paadugindraan
Male :Saerndhu varum melathilae
Devi nadam aadugindraal
Both :Nadhaswara oosaiyile
In the music of the nadaswaram (traditional wind instrument),
the lord comes and sings.
To the rhythm of the accompanying drums,
the goddess dances.
In the music of the nadaswaram,
Ha haha ha ha haha ha
Ha haha ha ha ha haha ha
On the wedding stage drawn with kolam patterns,
in the sacred union blessed with kumkum,
On the wedding stage drawn with kolam patterns,
in the sacred union blessed with kumkum,
Around her flower-garlanded neck,
at the sacred moment the thali (wedding knot) is tied,
As all the townspeople shower their blessings,
and as the couple rides in the wedding procession,
the lord comes and sings,
the goddess dances.
In the music of the nadaswaram,
the lord comes and sings.
To the rhythm of the accompanying drums,
the goddess dances.
In the music of the nadaswaram.
As both her kohl-lined eyes
pretend to look down at the ground,
while she admires the handsome charm
of the man who took her hand,
As both her kohl-lined eyes
pretend to look down at the ground,
while she admires the handsome charm
of the man who took her hand,
her body thrills with delight and her face blushes red,
and in the flowers on this slender bride's hair,
the goddess dances,
the lord comes and sings.
In the music of the nadaswaram,
Like Kannagi in her steadfast virtue,
like Janaki in her devoted love,
praising the life of this sculpted beauty,
the lord comes and sings.
Protecting this virtuous wife,
wishing that she lives praised by the whole world,
Protecting this virtuous wife,
wishing that she lives praised by the whole world,
on the sacred stage of truth,
the goddess dances.
In the music of the nadaswaram,
the lord comes and sings.
To the rhythm of the accompanying drums,
the goddess dances.
In the music of the nadaswaram.
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nadhaswara Oosaiyile is a classic Tamil wedding song from the 1968 film Poovum Pottum. Lyricist Kannadasan beautifully captures the sanctity and joyful rituals of a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony, equating the bride and groom to a Goddess (Devi) and Lord (Devan). The lyrics describe key auspicious moments, including sitting on the decorated marriage platform (Manavarai), applying red vermilion (Kungumam), tying the sacred knot (Thaali), and taking part in the joyous town procession (Oorvalam). The song highlights the shyness, inner joy, and devotion of the bride while praising her as an embodiment of chastity like Kannagi and love like Janaki (Sita). Composed by R. Govarthanam and rendered by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela, the song remains an enduring cultural anthem for Tamil weddings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Devan vandhu paadugindraan / Devi nadam aadugindraal”

The bride and groom are metaphorically referred to as 'Devi' (Goddess) and 'Devan' (Lord), elevating the human ceremony to a divine celebration.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Karppil oru kannagiyaai / Kaadhalukku jaanakiyaai”

The bride's virtue and emotional devotion are compared directly to legendary cultural and epic figures Kannagi and Sita (Janaki).

Alliteration (Monai)

“Kolamitta manavaraiyil / Kungumathin sangamathil”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('K') across lines creating a rhythmic, pleasant flow.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edukai)

“Pathiniyai kaaval kondu / Sathiyathin maedaiyilae”

Agreement of the second consonant sound ('th') in consecutive lines ('Pathiniyai' and 'Sathiyathin').

Did you know?

Trivia

Poovum Pottum (1968) was directed by Dada Mirasi and was a remake of the 1964 Hindi film Pooja Ke Phool. 'Nadhaswara Oosaiyile' became an evergreen standard across South India, frequently played during auspicious wedding rituals and processions due to its authentic Nadaswaram-laden traditional composition.

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