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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paavai Venuma Pazharasam

From Puthisaligal · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Puthisaligal1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………..
Female
Paavai venumaDo you want a damsel?
Pazharasama…. bodhaiyaFruit juice... or intoxication?
Thevaithaan edhuvooWhat is it that you truly desire?
Female
Paavai venumaDo you want a damsel?
Pazharasama…. bodhaiyaFruit juice... or intoxication?
Thevaithaan edhuvooWhat is it that you truly desire?
Female
Idai oru malar edai thaanMy waist weighs no more than a flower,
Ennudal kadal nurai niraithaanMy body is filled like the soft foam of the sea.
Chorus
……………….
Female
Idai oru malar edai thaanMy waist weighs no more than a flower,
Ennudal kadal nurai niraithaanMy body is filled like the soft foam of the sea.
Nadaiyoo thendral sugandhaanIs my gait the soothing comfort of a gentle breeze?
Vanna udai ani ilam pani pugai thaanDraped in colorful attire, like early morning mist and smoke.
Nadaiyoo thendral sugandhaanIs my gait the soothing comfort of a gentle breeze?
Vanna udai ani ilam pani pugai thaanDraped in colorful attire, like early morning mist and smoke.
Chorus
Ahaa..haaa…..(4)Aha..haaa... (x4)
Female
Paavai venumaDo you want a damsel?
Pazharasama…. bodhaiyaFruit juice... or intoxication?
Thevaithaan edhuvooWhat is it that you truly desire?
Female
Kotti veitha azhagu uruvamA form of pure beauty sculpted and poured,
Vizhi konji varum kumari paruvamYouthful maidenhood arriving with alluring eyes.
Chorus
……………….
Female
Kotti veitha azhagu uruvamA form of pure beauty sculpted and poured,
Vizhi konji varum kumari paruvamYouthful maidenhood arriving with alluring eyes.
Koothaadum amudha kalasamA dancing vessel filled with divine nectar,
Inba kottaikku adhuvae kavasamThat serves as the armor for the fortress of pleasure.
Koothaadum amudha kalasamA dancing vessel filled with divine nectar,
Inba kottaikku adhuvae kavasamThat serves as the armor for the fortress of pleasure.
Chorus
Ahaa..haaa…..(4)Aha..haaa... (x4)
Female
Paavai venumaDo you want a damsel?
Pazharasama…. bodhaiyaFruit juice... or intoxication?
Thevaithaan edhuvooWhat is it that you truly desire?
Chorus
Ahaa..haaa…..(4)Aha..haaa... (x4)
Female
Paavai venumaDo you want a damsel?
Pazharasama…. bodhaiyaFruit juice... or intoxication?
Thevaithaan edhuvooWhat is it that you truly desire?
Male
………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Paavai Venuma' from the 1968 film Puthisaligal is a classic seductive club dance song written by Vaali. The song revolves around a dancer teasing her audience with enticing choices—asking if they seek the company of a beautiful maiden, refreshing drink, or pure intoxication. She poetically details her grace, describing her waist as light as a blossom, her body as soft as ocean spray, and her garments like ethereal morning mist. In the second verse, the lyrics continue to weave sensual imagery, describing the dancer as a sculpted sculpture of beauty and a dancing vessel of nectar guarding the gates of worldly pleasure. Typical of late 1960s Tamil cinema dance sequences, the track combines hypnotic rhythm with Vaali's metaphorical lyricism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Idai oru malar edai thaan

Compares the weight of her delicate waist to the lightness of a flower.

Imagery & Metaphor

Ennudal kadal nurai niraithaan

Compares the softness and lightness of her body to ocean foam.

Visuval Imagery

Vanna udai ani ilam pani pugai thaan

Evokes visual imagery of sheer, flowing clothing by comparing it to morning mist and smoke.

Metaphor

Koothaadum amudha kalasam

Describes her graceful dancing form as a vessel holding nectar ('amudha kalasam').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paavai venuma / Pazharasama…. bodhaiya

Repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the start of consecutive lines ('Paavai' / 'Pazharasama').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Puthisaligal' (1968) features lyrics by the legendary Vaali, who was renowned during this era for penning both deeply spiritual songs and catchy, metaphor-laden club/dance numbers for Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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