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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

O Pournamiye

From Kanmani Oru Kavithai · 1998

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kanmani Oru Kavithai1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Lulululu lulululu lulululu lulululu(Vocalizing rhythmic chant)
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Female
Jangu janju jangan jagaja(Rhythmic folk beat syllables)
O pournamiyaeOh full moon-like girl!
Gundu malli mottu malarndhadhuThe round jasmine bud has bloomed,
Vaa venpaniyaeCome, oh gentle white dew!
Pattaalae saelai palichunnu kattiDraped in a dazzling silk saree,
Hoi thaen malli poovaHey, wearing sweet honey-jasmine flowers,
Hoi hoi thala maela sootti thirumanamaeHey hey, adorned on your head, it is time for the wedding!
Chorus
Hoi hoi sooriyana chandhiranaHey hey, whether it is the Sun, the Moon,
Sogusaana indhirana manamaganaa varavazhaitthomOr a stylish Lord Indra, we have brought him as your groom!
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Jangu janju jangan jagaja(Rhythmic folk beat syllables)
O pournamiyaeOh full moon-like girl!
Gundu malli mottu malarndhadhu vaa venpaniyaeThe round jasmine bud has bloomed, come, oh gentle white dew!
Chorus
Oo..oo…oo…oo..Oo..oo…oo…oo..
Oo..oo…oo…Oo..oo…oo…
Oo..oo…oo…oo..Oo..oo…oo…oo..
Oo..oo…oo…Oo..oo…oo…
Female
Naalai thaan kalyaanam thangachi unakkuTomorrow is your wedding, my little sister!
Vaasam veesum neeril unnai neeraattuvaenI will bathe you in fragrant water.
Undhan mael udai kandu nam oorae aadanumSeeing the fine attire on you, our entire village should dance!
Sangeetham un nenjil oorkolam poganumMusic should process like a grand parade inside your heart!
Thanga thaali katti kannil vaeli kattiTying the golden sacred thread and setting a protective fence with caring eyes,
Chorus
Thanga thaali katti kannil vaeli kattiTying the golden sacred thread and setting a protective fence with caring eyes,
Female
Thappum seivaano mutham seivaanoWill he make mistakes or will he bestow kisses?
Andha naeram sondham saerumAt that moment, two souls will unite as family!
Chorus
Jangu janju jangan jagaja(Rhythmic folk beat syllables)
O pournamiyaeOh full moon-like girl!
Gundu malli mottu malarndhadhuThe round jasmine bud has bloomed,
Vaa venpaniyaeCome, oh gentle white dew!
Female
Kanavan kaadhal nenjil oru kattil podammaaSet up a bed in your husband's loving heart, my dear!
Kattil podum kutti oru thottil thaanammaaThe child born on that bed will soon need a cradle!
Porumai undhan perumai un kanavan un katchiPatience is your pride, and your husband is on your side!
Veedu engum pillai kutti thullumammaaChildren will leap and play all around the house!
Chorus
Snaeha mazhai peiyumae undhan nenjoramaeA shower of affection will pour near your heart!
Naanga malar thoovinom vaazhga nooraandu neeWe shower flowers on you; live happily for a hundred years!
Naangal kaanbomae un magal kalyaanamWe shall live to witness your daughter's wedding too!
Paera pillaiyodu nee vilaiyaadammaaPlay joyfully with your grandchildren, dear!
Female
Jangu janju jangan jagaja(Rhythmic folk beat syllables)
O pournamiyaeOh full moon-like girl!
Gundu malli mottu malarndhadhuThe round jasmine bud has bloomed,
Vaa venpaniyaeCome, oh gentle white dew!
Pattaalae saelai palichunnu kattiDraped in a dazzling silk saree,
Hoi thaen malli poovaHey, wearing sweet honey-jasmine flowers,
Hoi hoi thala maela sootti thirumanamaeHey hey, adorned on your head, it is time for the wedding!
Chorus
Hoi hoi sooriyana chandhiranaHey hey, whether it is the Sun, the Moon,
Sogusaana indhirana manamaganaa varavazhaithomOr a stylish Lord Indra, we have brought him as your groom!
Aa…aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory Tamil wedding song expresses the joy, love, and affectionate blessings showered upon a bride by her family and siblings on the eve of her marriage. Metaphorically comparing the bride to a full moon ('Pournamiyae') and a blooming jasmine bud ('Gundu malli mottu'), the lyrics capture the traditional rituals of dressing up in fine silk, bathing in scented water, and adorning flowers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile/Metaphor)

O pournamiyae

Compares the radiant beauty of the bride directly to 'Pournami', the glowing full moon.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thanga thaali katti kannil vaeli katti

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sounds in 'Thanga' and 'Thaali' creates a rhythmic musical cadence.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kanavan kaadhal nenjil oru kattil podammaa / Kattil podum kutti oru thottil thaanammaa

Both lines end with the rhyming suffix 'ammaa' ('podammaa' and 'thaanammaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Mu. Metha, known for blending rich classical Tamil imagery (such as jasmine buds and full moons) with colloquial, accessible folk wedding themes.

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