Oru Poo Ezhuthum Kavithai
From Pooveli · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Unnikrishnan, Chithra
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Pooveli1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai | A poem written by a flower |
| Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum | Rolls like a tiny drop of honey. |
| Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai | A poem written by river water |
| Alai oviyamai viriyum | Unfurls as a painting of waves. |
| Female | |
| Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai | A poem written by a flower |
| Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum | Rolls like a tiny drop of honey. |
| Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai | A poem written by river water |
| Alai oviyamai viriyum | Unfurls as a painting of waves. |
| Male | |
| Ulagathin melliya thalgalin melae | Upon the soft pages of the world, |
| Ilamaiyin kavithaigal ezuthida vendum | We must write the poems of youth. |
| Azhagiya ithazh kondu vaa | Bring your beautiful lips; |
| Mutham enbathu | A kiss is |
| Naam kaanum dhiyanam | A meditation that we experience. |
| Athu mudiyum munnamae | Even before it ends, |
| Naam kaanbom nyaanam | We shall attain enlightenment. |
| Female | |
| Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai | A poem written by a flower |
| Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum | Rolls like a tiny drop of honey. |
| Male | |
| Oosi thulaitha kumizhigal polae | Like bubbles pierced by a needle, |
| Udaivathu udaivathu vaazhvu | Life is something that shatters and breaks. |
| Female :Kaatru thurathum kadal alai polae | Like ocean waves chased by the wind, |
| Thodarvathu thodarvathu kaadhal | Love is something that endlessly pursues. |
| Male | |
| Udal meedhu konja kaalam | Upon the body for a short while, |
| Ilaipaarum kaadhalae | Love rests briefly. |
| Udal theernthu pona pinnum | Even after the body perishes, |
| Uyir vazhum kaadhalae | Love lives on as the soul! |
| Female | |
| Kaalangal engu theerum | Where will time end? |
| Athuvarai selvoma | Shall we travel until then? |
| Kaalangal theerum idathil | At the place where time comes to an end, |
| Puthu jenmam kolvoma | Shall we take a new rebirth? |
| Male | |
| Un moochilae naanum | Me in your breath, |
| En moochilae neeyum | You in my breath, |
| Kaatril oligal ketkkum varaiyil | As long as sounds are heard in the wind, |
| Kaadhal kolvoma…. | Shall we fall in love? |
| Female | |
| Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai | A poem written by a flower |
| Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum | Rolls like a tiny drop of honey. |
| Male :Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai | A poem written by river water |
| Alai oviyamai viriyum | Unfurls as a painting of waves. |
| Female | |
| Kangal irukkum peyargalukellam | For all those who have eyes, |
| Sooriyam mattum sondham | Only the sun belongs to them. |
| Male :Kaadhal irukkum peyargalukellam | For all those who possess love, |
| Sooriya kudumbam sondham | The entire solar family belongs to them! |
| Female | |
| Ulagam thiranthu vaitha | The universe was unlocked by |
| Mudhal saavi kaadhal than | Love, which is the very first key. |
| Thiranthavan tholaithu vittaan | The one who unlocked it lost the key, |
| Innum andha thedal than | And that search still continues today. |
| Male | |
| Sudar kodi etharku vandhom | Oh radiant vine, why did we come here? |
| Tholaithathai thedathan | Simply to search for what was lost. |
| Udhatinil thodangi andha | Starting at the lips, that search |
| Uyir sendru thedal than | Reaches all the way to the soul. |
| Female | |
| Nee enbathum paadhi | You are one half, |
| Naan enbathum paadhi | I am the other half. |
| Unnil ennai ennil unnai | Pouring myself into you and you into me, |
| Ootri kolvoma…. | Shall we blend together? |
| Male | |
| Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai | A poem written by a flower |
| Female :Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum | Rolls like a tiny drop of honey. |
| Male :Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai | A poem written by river water |
| Female :Alai oviyamai viriyum | Unfurls as a painting of waves. |
| Male | |
| Ulagathin melliya thalgalin melae | Upon the soft pages of the world, |
| Female :Ilamaiyin kavithaigal ezuthida vendum | We must write the poems of youth. |
| Male :Azhagiya ithazh kondu vaa | Bring your beautiful lips; |
| Female :Mutham enbathu | A kiss is |
| Naam kaanum dhiyanam | A meditation that we experience. |
| Male :Athu mudiyum munnamae | Even before it ends, |
| Naam kaanbom nyaanam | We shall attain enlightenment. |
ஒரு பூ எழுதும் கவிதை
சிறு தேன் துளியாய் உருளும்
நதி நீர் எழுதும் கவிதை
அலை ஒவியமாய் விரியும்
A poem written by a flower
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
A poem written by river water
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
ஒரு பூ எழுதும் கவிதை
சிறு தேன் துளியாய் உருளும்
நதி நீர் எழுதும் கவிதை
அலை ஒவியமாய் விரியும்
A poem written by a flower
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
A poem written by river water
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
உலகத்தின் மெல்லிய தாள்களின் மேலே
இளமையின் கவிதைகள் எழுதிட வேண்டும்
அழகிய இதழ் கொண்டு வா
முத்தம் என்பது
நாம் காணும் தியானம்
அது முடியும் முன்னமே
நாம் காண்போம் ஞானம்
Upon the soft pages of the world,
We must write the poems of youth.
Bring your beautiful lips;
A kiss is
A meditation that we experience.
Even before it ends,
We shall attain enlightenment.
ஒரு பூ எழுதும் கவிதை
சிறு தேன் துளியாய் உருளும்
A poem written by a flower
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
ஊசி துளைத்த குமிழிகள் போலே
உடைவது உடைவது வாழ்வு
காற்று துரத்தும் கடல் அலை போல
தொடர்வது தொடர்வது காதல்
Like bubbles pierced by a needle,
Life is something that shatters and breaks.
Like ocean waves chased by the wind,
Love is something that endlessly pursues.
உடல் மீது கொஞ்ச காலம்
இளைப்பாறும் காதலே
உடல் தீர்ந்து போன பின்னும்
உயிர் வாழும் காதலே
Upon the body for a short while,
Love rests briefly.
Even after the body perishes,
Love lives on as the soul!
காலங்கள் எங்கு தீரும்
அதுவரை செல்வோமா
காலங்கள் தீருமிடத்தில்
புது ஜென்மம் கொள்வோமா
Where will time end?
Shall we travel until then?
At the place where time comes to an end,
Shall we take a new rebirth?
உன் மூச்சிலே நானும்
என் மூச்சிலே நீயும்
காற்றில் ஒலிகள் கேட்கும்
வரையில் காதல் கொள்வோமா....
Me in your breath,
You in my breath,
As long as sounds are heard in the wind,
Shall we fall in love?
ஒரு பூ எழுதும் கவிதை
சிறு தேன் துளியாய் உருளும்
நதி நீர் எழுதும் கவிதை
அலை ஒவியமாய் விரியும்
A poem written by a flower
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
A poem written by river water
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
கண்கள் இருக்கும் பெயர்களுகெல்லாம்
சூரியன் மட்டும் சொந்தம்
காதல் இருக்கும் பெயர்களுகெல்லாம்
சூரியக்குடும்பம் சொந்தம்
For all those who have eyes,
Only the sun belongs to them.
For all those who possess love,
The entire solar family belongs to them!
உலகம் திறந்து வைத்த
முதல் சாவி காதல்தான்
திறந்தவன் தொலைத்து விட்டான்
இன்னும் அந்த தேடல்தான்
The universe was unlocked by
Love, which is the very first key.
The one who unlocked it lost the key,
And that search still continues today.
சுடர்கொ டி எதற்கு வந்தோம்
தொலைத்ததை தேடத்தான்
உதட்டினில் தொடங்கி அந்த
உயிர் சென்று தேடல்தான்
Oh radiant vine, why did we come here?
Simply to search for what was lost.
Starting at the lips, that search
Reaches all the way to the soul.
நீ என்பதும் பாதி
நான் என்பதும் பாதி
உன்னில் என்னை என்னில் உன்னை
ஊற்றி கொள்வோமா
You are one half,
I am the other half.
Pouring myself into you and you into me,
Shall we blend together?
ஒரு பூ எழுதும் கவிதை
சிறு தேன் துளியாய் உருளும்
நதி நீர் எழுதும் கவிதை
அலை ஒவியமாய் விரியும்
A poem written by a flower
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
A poem written by river water
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
உலகத்தின் மெல்லிய தாள்களின் மேலே
இளமையின் கவிதைகள் எழுதிட வேண்டும்
அழகிய இதழ் கொண்டு வா
முத்தம் என்பது நாம் காணும் தியானம்
அது முடியும் முன்னமே
நாம் காண்போம் ஞானம்
Upon the soft pages of the world,
We must write the poems of youth.
Bring your beautiful lips;
A kiss is
A meditation that we experience.
Even before it ends,
We shall attain enlightenment.
முத்தம் என்பது
நாம் காணும் தியானம்
அது முடியும் முன்னமே
நாம் காண்போம் ஞானம்
Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai
A poem written by a flower
Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai
A poem written by river water
Alai oviyamai viriyum
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai
A poem written by a flower
Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai
A poem written by river water
Alai oviyamai viriyum
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
Ulagathin melliya thalgalin melae
Upon the soft pages of the world,
Ilamaiyin kavithaigal ezuthida vendum
We must write the poems of youth.
Azhagiya ithazh kondu vaa
Bring your beautiful lips;
Mutham enbathu
A kiss is
Naam kaanum dhiyanam
A meditation that we experience.
Athu mudiyum munnamae
Even before it ends,
Naam kaanbom nyaanam
We shall attain enlightenment.
Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai
A poem written by a flower
Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
Oosi thulaitha kumizhigal polae
Like bubbles pierced by a needle,
Udaivathu udaivathu vaazhvu
Life is something that shatters and breaks.
Female :Kaatru thurathum kadal alai polae
Like ocean waves chased by the wind,
Thodarvathu thodarvathu kaadhal
Love is something that endlessly pursues.
Udal meedhu konja kaalam
Upon the body for a short while,
Ilaipaarum kaadhalae
Love rests briefly.
Udal theernthu pona pinnum
Even after the body perishes,
Uyir vazhum kaadhalae
Love lives on as the soul!
Kaalangal engu theerum
Where will time end?
Athuvarai selvoma
Shall we travel until then?
Kaalangal theerum idathil
At the place where time comes to an end,
Puthu jenmam kolvoma
Shall we take a new rebirth?
Un moochilae naanum
Me in your breath,
En moochilae neeyum
You in my breath,
Kaatril oligal ketkkum varaiyil
As long as sounds are heard in the wind,
Kaadhal kolvoma….
Shall we fall in love?
Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai
A poem written by a flower
Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
Male :Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai
A poem written by river water
Alai oviyamai viriyum
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
Kangal irukkum peyargalukellam
For all those who have eyes,
Sooriyam mattum sondham
Only the sun belongs to them.
Male :Kaadhal irukkum peyargalukellam
For all those who possess love,
Sooriya kudumbam sondham
The entire solar family belongs to them!
Ulagam thiranthu vaitha
The universe was unlocked by
Mudhal saavi kaadhal than
Love, which is the very first key.
Thiranthavan tholaithu vittaan
The one who unlocked it lost the key,
Innum andha thedal than
And that search still continues today.
Sudar kodi etharku vandhom
Oh radiant vine, why did we come here?
Tholaithathai thedathan
Simply to search for what was lost.
Udhatinil thodangi andha
Starting at the lips, that search
Uyir sendru thedal than
Reaches all the way to the soul.
Nee enbathum paadhi
You are one half,
Naan enbathum paadhi
I am the other half.
Unnil ennai ennil unnai
Pouring myself into you and you into me,
Ootri kolvoma….
Shall we blend together?
Oru poo ezhuthum kavithai
A poem written by a flower
Female :Siru thaen thuliyaai urulum
Rolls like a tiny drop of honey.
Male :Nadhi neer ezuthum kavithai
A poem written by river water
Female :Alai oviyamai viriyum
Unfurls as a painting of waves.
Ulagathin melliya thalgalin melae
Upon the soft pages of the world,
Female :Ilamaiyin kavithaigal ezuthida vendum
We must write the poems of youth.
Male :Azhagiya ithazh kondu vaa
Bring your beautiful lips;
Female :Mutham enbathu
A kiss is
Naam kaanum dhiyanam
A meditation that we experience.
Male :Athu mudiyum munnamae
Even before it ends,
Naam kaanbom nyaanam
We shall attain enlightenment.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Poo Ezhuthum Kavithai' from the movie Pooveli (1998) is a deeply philosophical romantic duet penned by Vairamuthu. The song equates romantic love to nature's spontaneous art forms—a poem written by a flower that rolls like honey, or river water that paints waves. It transcends physical affection, treating love as a spiritual practice ('dhiyanam') that grants divine wisdom ('nyaanam'). The narrative contrasts the fleeting, fragile nature of human life—which shatters like needle-popped bubbles—with the eternal nature of true love that survives well beyond physical death. The lovers contemplate journeying beyond the boundaries of time, merging their breath and souls. Vairamuthu presents love as the primordial key to the cosmos and a quest that begins with a kiss on the lips and culminates in the union of two souls.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Oosi thulaitha kumizhigal polae udaivathu udaivathu vaazhvu”
Compares fragile human life breaking to soap bubbles popped by a needle using the comparative marker 'polae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Mutham enbathu naam kaanum dhiyanam”
Directly equates a physical kiss to a state of spiritual meditation (dhiyanam).
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaalangal engu theerum / Kaalangal theerum idathil”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Kaa' (கா) in consecutive lines.
Muran (Contrast / Anthesis)
“Udal meedhu konja kaalam... / Udal theernthu pona pinnum uyir vazhum...”
Contrasts the temporary existence of the physical body with the immortal life of love and soul.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Poo Ezhuthum Kavithai' is a hit song from the 1998 Tamil film Pooveli, directed by Vikraman. The film's music was composed by Bharadwaj, and this track was rendered by P. Unnikrishnan and K. S. Chithra. Vairamuthu's lyrics were widely praised for elevating a romantic duet into a philosophical meditation on love, nature, and eternity.
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