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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pasikkuthu Ilai Podamma

From Pournami Nilavil · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Pournami Nilavil1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pasikkuthu ilai podammaaI am hungry, lay out the leaf for me, my lady
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Idhil pagalenna irvennamaaIn this, why care if it is day or night, my lady?
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Padapadanguthu vedavedanguthuMy heart flutters, I am trembling
Udal nadunguthu vaammaaMy body shivers, come my lady
Male
Pasikkuthu ilai podammaaI am hungry, lay out the leaf for me, my lady
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Idhil pagalenna irvennamaaIn this, why care if it is day or night, my lady?
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Female
Nadakkira thendhisai kaththu padukkuthu malarilaeThe southern breeze that wanders rests upon the flower
Nadakkira thendhisai kaththu padukkuthu malarilaeThe southern breeze that wanders rests upon the flower
Kodhikkira kaaviri aaru kalakkuthu kadalileThe surging Cauvery river merges into the sea
Adhupol naan uravaadaJust like that, for us to bond in love
Aasai vaiththu azhaikiraenI call out with deep desire
Male
Naan mattum thudikkalaiyoAm I not throbbing with desire as well?
Neruppena kodhikkalaiyoAm I not burning hot like fire?
Naan mattum thudikkalaiyoAm I not throbbing with desire as well?
Neruppena kodhikkalaiyoAm I not burning hot like fire?
Katti anaikka thoonduraanHe tempts me to embrace tightly
Kaamadevan pollaathavanThat wicked god of love, Kamadeva
Female
Poruththaa parimaaruvenIf you have patience, I will serve you
Male: Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Female :Naan paai pottu ilai poduvenI will spread the mat and lay out the leaf
Male: Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Female :Padapadanguthu vedavedanguthuHeart flutters, body trembles
Udal nadunguthu yaenyaaWhy is your body shivering, my man?
Male
Pasikkuthu ilai podammaaI am hungry, lay out the leaf for me, my lady
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Idhil pagalenna irvennamaaIn this, why care if it is day or night, my lady?
Male
Manakkira malligal vaasam mayakkuthu iravilaeFragrant jasmine scent intoxicates the night
Manakkira malligal vaasam mayakkuthu iravilaeFragrant jasmine scent intoxicates the night
Padikkanum manmatha raagam pournami nilavilaeWe must study the melody of love under the full moon light
Adikkaatho panikkaattruWon't the chilling wind blow?
Vaadiyammaa nerukkamaaCome closer, my dear
Female
Nee sollum sarasangalaiThe romantic playfulness you speak of
Naan innum therinjukkalaI haven't learned it yet
Nee sollum sarasangalaiThe romantic playfulness you speak of
Naan innum therinjukkalaI haven't learned it yet
Solli koduththa kekkuraenIf you teach me, I am listening
Kettu ketka ennaagumoAs I listen and listen, what will become of me?
Male
Pasikkuthu ilai podammaaI am hungry, lay out the leaf for me, my lady
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Idhil pagalenna irvennamaaIn this, why care if it is day or night, my lady?
Female :Padapadanguthu vedavedanguthuMy heart flutters, I am trembling
Udal nadunguthu vaammaaMy body shivers, come my lady
Male
Pasikkuthu ilai podammaaI am hungry, lay out the leaf for me, my lady
Female :Aahha ahhaaAahha ahhaa
Male :Idhil pagalenna irvennamaaIn this, why care if it is day or night, my lady?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pournami Nilavil's song 'Pasikkuthu ilai podammaa' is a playful duet between two lovers, using the metaphor of hunger and serving food ('ilai podammaa') to symbolize romantic longing and physical affection. The male lover expresses an urgent desire for intimacy regardless of day or night, while the female lover teasingly urges patience while acknowledging her own burning feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Pasikkuthu ilai podammaa

Hunger ('Pasikkuthu') and serving food on a leaf ('ilai podammaa') are used as a sensual metaphor for romantic desire and intimate bonding.

Uvamai / Simile

Neruppena kodhikkalaiyo

The passion of the female lover is compared directly to hot burning fire ('Neruppena').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Padapadanguthu vedavedanguthu

Rhyming of the second letter 'da' in 'Padapadanguthu' and 'vedavedanguthu'.

Personification

Nadakkira thendhisai kaththu padukkuthu malarilae

The southern wind is personified as walking and lying down upon a flower.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Pournami Nilavil' (1980) features music composed by Gangai Amaran, who also penned the lyrics. It showcases a rare duet combination of P. Jayachandran and S. P. Sailaja, blending folk-style conversational lyrics with classical/melodic undertones.

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