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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Panneer Poove

From Gnayirum Thingalum · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, A. L. Ragavan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Gnayirum Thingalum1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Panneer poovae paathi nilaavaeO flower of rosewater, O half moon!
Pachchai kallil kattiya theareO chariot built of green emerald stones!
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Female
Pattu pattu theriya nenjaiMy heart that does not realize until it touches,
Thottathu pothaathoIs it not enough that you touched it?
Pattu pattu theriya nenjaiMy heart that does not realize until it touches,
Thottathu pothaathoIs it not enough that you touched it?
Paathi kannaal pedhai pennaiWith half-opened eyes, this innocent girl,
Suttathu pothaatho….suttathu pothaathoIs it not enough that you scorched her... is it not enough?
Female
Mull poovai thottaalumWhether a thorn touches a flower,
Poo mullau thottaalumOr a flower touches a thorn,
Nee pennai thottaalumWhen you touch a woman,
Thunbam pennukallavoIsn't the suffering always for the woman?
Nee pennai thottaalumWhen you touch a woman,
Thunbam pennukallavoIsn't the suffering always for the woman?
Male
Panneer poovae paathi nilaavaeO flower of rosewater, O half moon!
Pachchai kallil kattiya theareO chariot built of green emerald stones!
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Male
Thaththi thaththi thaavum pennaiA maiden who leaps and bounds playfully,
Thottathu pothaathuJust touching her is not enough!
Thaththi thaththi thaavum pennaiA maiden who leaps and bounds playfully,
Thottathu pothaathuJust touching her is not enough!
Thangam pongum angam engumEverywhere across her golden, radiant body,
Suttathu pothaathu suttathu pothaathuJust scorching her is not enough, not enough!
Male
Thaen paalil pattaalumWhether honey touches milk,
Paal thaenil pattaalumOr milk touches honey,
Yaar yaarai thottaalumWhosoever touches whomsoever,
Thunpam inbamallavoIsn't the suffering actually bliss?
Yaar yaarai thottaalumWhosoever touches whomsoever,
Thunpam inbamallavoIsn't the suffering actually bliss?
Male
Panneer poovae paathi nilaavaeO flower of rosewater, O half moon!
Pachchai kallil kattiya theareO chariot built of green emerald stones!
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Female
Kottum mazhaiyil chittu polaeLike a little bird in the pouring rain,
Konjida vanthaayoDid you come to cuddle and speak affectionately?
Male :Kattu koondhal meththai viriththuMale: Spreading a bed of your bound dark hair,
Kaigal thaaraayo kaigal thaaraayoWill you yield your hands to me, will you yield your hands?
Female :Orr naalum vanthaalumFemale: Even if that day comes,
Male :Adhai naanum kandaalumMale: And even if I witness that day,
Male
Panneer poovae paathi nilaavaeO flower of rosewater, O half moon!
Pachchai kallil kattiya theareO chariot built of green emerald stones!
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?
Paaraayo ennai paathi kannaalaeWon't you look at me with your half-glanced eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic duet filled with playful banter and deep poetic metaphors of love. The female singer affectionately compares her lover to precious and gentle elements like rosewater flowers and emerald chariots, while gently complaining that a man's touch brings emotional vulnerability and torment to a woman. The male singer counters her argument by explaining that in true love, union is like milk and honey mixing together—where any perceived pain or longing turns into pure bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (First-letter Alliteration)

Panneer poovae paathi nilaavae / Pachchai kallil kattiya theare

Repetition of the 'Pa' consonant sound at the start of consecutive lines creates a melodic cadence.

Uvamai (Metaphor)

Panneer poovae paathi nilaavae / Pachchai kallil kattiya theare

Describing the lover through beautiful nature and precious gems (rosewater flower, half-moon, emerald chariot).

Paradox / Muran (Oxymoron)

Thunpam inbamallavo

Juxtaposing 'Thunpam' (pain/sorrow) with 'Inbam' (pleasure/joy) to highlight the sweet suffering of romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan and set to tune by M. S. Viswanathan, this song showcases classic 1960s Tamil romantic lyrical tropes where philosophical analogies (like the flower and thorn, milk and honey) are seamlessly woven into romantic banter.

Keep listening

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