Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Pogum Padhaiyil

From Gramatthu Minnal · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gramatthu Minnal1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae maanaeMy heart follows, my dear
Male
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae maanaeMy heart follows, my dear
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae maanaeMy heart follows, my dear
Nee nadandhu pogaiyilAs you walk along
Paadham nogumaeYour feet will ache
Poova pottu thaarenI shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaadi maanaeWalk upon them, my dear
Poova pottu thaarenI shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaadi maanaeWalk upon them, my dear
Female
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae raasaaMy heart follows, my prince
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae raasaaMy heart follows, my prince
Nee nadandhu pogaiyilAs you walk along
Paadham nogumaeYour feet will ache
Poova pottu thaarenI shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaanga raasaPlease walk upon them, my prince
Poova pottu thaarenI shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaanga raasaPlease walk upon them, my prince
Male
Vaanathula poothirukkumTaking the diamond-gem flowers
Vairamani poo eduthuThat have bloomed in the sky
Maala onnu naan thoduthuWeaving a garland
Ongazhuthil podavaaShall I place it around your neck?
Male
Paadhathukku or kolusuAn anklet for your feet
Vairathula podavaaShall I make it out of diamonds?
Meedham varum vairangalaThe remaining diamonds
Minminikku choodavaaShall I adorn the fireflies with them?
Female
Aagaayathil kottai kattiBuilding a castle in the sky
Aranmanaiya katti angaeBuilding a palace up there
Kaavalukku dheivangala podaTo station gods as guards
Unnaal aagaadhaiyaaIs that beyond your power, my lord?
Female
Aasa kondadhu anbinaala thaanDesire was born only out of love
Anbu thaanae nam selvamLove alone is our wealth
Andha anbu onnu thaan namma chaethadhuThat single love is what brought us together
Podhum podhum raasaaEnough, enough, my prince
Adhu onnu podhum raasaaThat one thing alone is enough, my prince
Male
Podhum podhum maanaeEnough, enough, my dear
Adhu onnu podhum maanaeThat one thing alone is enough, my dear
Male
Pallikkoodam ponadhillaI have never been to a school
Paadamum padichadhillaNor have I studied any lessons
Solli yaarum kodukkavillaNo one taught me anything
Sondha buthi yedhum illaI have no intellect of my own
Male
Enna pola aambalaiyaFor an uneducated man like me
Paathu kolla yaar irukkaaWho is there to care for?
Onna pola pombalaikkuFor a woman like you
Ethanaiyo per irukkaaThere are so many suitors
Female
Sonnadhaiyae sollum aiyaaIt repeats only what is taught
Pacha kili pillai adhuThat child-like green parrot
Sonnadha nee solvadhillaYou do not repeat what is taught
Retta chuzhi pillai idhuThis child with double whorls of hair
Female
Arivukkaaga thaan paadam kekanumLessons are needed only to gain knowledge
Anbu kolla adhu venaamaeLove does not need all that
Nalla maala vandhadhuA good garland has arrived
Vela vandhadhuThe auspicious time has arrived
Manasu serndhadhaalaeBecause our hearts united
Namma manasu serndhadhaalaeBecause our hearts joined as one
Male
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae maanaeMy heart follows, my dear
Nee pogum paadhaiyilOn the path you walk
Manasu pogudhae maanaeMy heart follows, my dear
Female
Nee nadandhu pogaiyilAs you walk along
Paadham nogumaeYour feet will ache
Poova pottu thaarenI shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaanga raasaPlease walk upon them, my prince
Male : Poova pottu thaarenMale: I shall lay down flowers
Adhil nadandhu vaadi maanaeWalk upon them, my dear

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nee Pogum Paadhaiyil from Gramatthu Minnal (1987) is a romantic duet expressing deep affection and devotion between two lovers in a rural setting. The song alternates between the male and female leads as they shower endearing praises on each other, offering hyperbolic expressions of love such as plucking diamond flowers from the sky to weave garlands and decking fireflies with gems.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaia (Initial Alliteration)

Pallikkoodam ponadhilla / Paadamum padichadhilla

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound creates a rhythmic, melodic flow in lines 42 and 43.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Vaanathula poothirukkum vairamani poo eduthu

Poetic exaggeration used to show affection by talking about plucking diamond flowers from the sky and decking fireflies with leftover diamonds.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Pacha kili pillai adhu

The term 'Maanae' (like a deer) and 'Pacha kili' (green parrot) are classic metaphors in Tamil poetry to describe gentle, beautiful lovers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gramatthu Minnal (1987) is a rural Tamil drama film directed by K. Rangaraj, starring Ramarajan and Revathi, featuring lyrics written by Gangai Amaran.

Keep listening

More from Gramatthu Minnal