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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paal Ponguthu

From Sonnathai Seiven · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sonnathai Seiven1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………...
Female :………………..Female: ...
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Male
Onnu ittaal ennadi chittuWhat if I give a kiss, my little bird?
Intha machaan kannaththai thottuBy touching this man's cheek?
Onnu ittaal ennadi chittuWhat if I give a kiss, my little bird?
Intha machaan kannaththai thottuBy touching this man's cheek?
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Intha machan vachchathu sattamWhatever this man lays down is the law
Enna senjaalum avan ishtamWhatever he does is according to his desire
Intha machan vachchathu sattamWhatever this man lays down is the law
Enna senjaalum avan ishtamWhatever he does is according to his desire
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Female
Kollidam kaaverikkulBetween the Kollidam and Kaveri rivers
Sri rangam kovil unduStands the Srirangam temple
Kollidam kaaverikkulBetween the Kollidam and Kaveri rivers
Sri rangam kovil unduStands the Srirangam temple
Sri ranaga nadharukku kovilil palli unduLord Ranganatha slumbers inside the temple
Male
Paal pazhamum poojai malarumMilk, fruits, and worship flowers
Palliyaraiyil unduAre present inside the bedchamber
Paakki kadhaiyai veliyil sollaTo tell the rest of the story outside
Anumathiyillai inguThere is no permission granted here
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Female
Ada chumma sollunga mamaOh come on, just tell me, my man
Kadhai suvaiyai kai vidalaamaShould we let go of the story's charm?
Ada chumma sollunga mamaOh come on, just tell me, my man
Kadhai suvaiyai kai vidalaamaShould we let go of the story's charm?
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Male
Vaazhaippoo virichchirukkuThe banana flower has opened up
Mannilae pullirukkuThere is grass on the ground
Vaazhaippoo virichchirukkuThe banana flower has opened up
Mannilae pullirukkuThere is grass on the ground
Vanjikku uravirukku vaayilae kallirukkuThe young woman has love, yet her mouth remains silent
Vanjikku uravirukku vaayilae kallirukkuThe young woman has love, yet her mouth remains silent
Female
Visiri adichu veesum kaatruThe wind blowing like a fanning gust
Udhatta thattuthu enakkkuIs tapping against my lips
Villakkam sollunga veluththu kattungaGive an explanation and do a grand job of it
Adhukkum namakkum vazhakkuThere is a sweet dispute between that and us
Female
Visiri adichu veesum kaatruThe wind blowing like a fanning gust
Udhatta thattuthu enakkkuIs tapping against my lips
Villakkam sollunga veluththu kattungaGive an explanation and do a grand job of it
Adhukkum namakkum vazhakkuThere is a sweet dispute between that and us
Male
Nalla naalaa vanthathu onnuA wonderful day has finally arrived
Ini naalai ennadi kannuWhat does tomorrow matter now, my dear?
Female :Ada engae poguthu ponnu iniFemale: Oh, where is the girl heading now?
Eppothum rendum onnuFrom now on, the two are forever one
Male
Paal ponguthu paal ponguthuMilk is boiling over, milk is boiling over
Paalaattraangarai oramOn the banks of the Palar river
Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthuFlowers are scattering, flowers are scattering
Ponnae un idhazh saaramOh golden one, the sweetness of your lips
Male
Onnu ittaal ennadi chittuWhat if I give a kiss, my little bird?
Intha machaan kannaththai thottuBy touching this man's cheek?
Onnu ittaal ennadi chittuWhat if I give a kiss, my little bird?
Intha machaan kannaththai thottuBy touching this man's cheek?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet features a lover coaxing his beloved with sweet allegories of nature and temple intimacy. Using imagery like milk boiling over, scattering blossoms, and the holy bedchamber of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, the male singer playfully teases his partner while establishing his loving authority.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Sol Madakku)

Paal ponguthu paal ponguthu

Repetition of initial words 'Paal ponguthu paal ponguthu' and 'Poo sinthuthu poo sinthuthu' creates a rhythmic cadence characteristic of Tamil folk melodies.

Allegory (Ullurai Ovam)

Sri ranaga nadharukku kovilil palli undu

Kannadasan uses the Srirangam bedchamber (Palliyarai) and temple offerings as an elegant allegory for marital intimacy and romance.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paal ponguthu paal ponguthu Paalaattraangarai oram

Matching initial consonants across words in a line ('Paal' / 'Paalaattraangarai' and 'Villakkam' / 'veluththu').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Intha machan vachchathu sattam / Enna senjaalum avan ishtam

Matching ending rhymes ('sattam' / 'ishtam') to create playful musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Paal Ponguthu' from Sonnathai Seiven (1977) showcases the signature vocal chemistry between S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela in classic 1970s light-classical folk fusion.

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