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Lyrics & meaning

Pasumai Niraintha

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ratha Thilagam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pasumai niraintha ninaivugalaeOh lush, green-filled memories,
Paadi thirintha paravaigalaeOh birds that roamed around singing,
Female :Pazhagi kazhitha thozhargalaeOh friends with whom I spent cherished time,
Paranthu selgindromWe are now flying away.
Male
{Kurangugal polaeJust like monkeys,
Marangalin melaeOn top of the trees,
Thaavith thirinthomae} (2)We leaped and roamed around.
Female
{Kuyilgalai polaeJust like cuckoos,
Iravum pagalumDay and night,
Koovith thirinthomae} (2)We sang and roamed around.
Male
{Varavillaamal selavugal seithuSpending money without earning any income,
Magizhnthirunthomae} (2)We lived in pure joy.
Female
Vaazhkai thunbam arinthidaamalWithout knowing the sorrows of life,
Vaazhnthu vandhomaeWe lived our days.
Naamae vaazhnthu vanthomaeWe truly lived our lives.
Male
{Entha ooril entha naattilIn which town, in which country,
Endru kaanbomo} (2)When will we see each other again?
Female
{Entha azhagai entha vizhiyilWhich beauty, in which eyes,
Kondu selvomo} (2)Will we carry with us?
Male
{Intha naalai vantha naalilThis day, in the days to come,
Maranthu povomo} (2)Will we ever forget?
Female
Illam kandu palli konduFinding a home and settling down to rest,
Mayangi nirppomoWill we remain lost in nostalgia?
Endrum mayangi nirppomoWill we forever stay enchanted by these memories?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic nostalgic song from 'Ratha Thilagam' (1963) captures the bittersweet emotions of friends graduating and parting ways. Lyricist Kannadasan compares carefree student life to wild birds, monkeys leaping on trees, and cuckoos singing continuously without any monetary or adult worries. As they bid farewell, they reflect on their carefree past and wonder where life will take them, questioning if marriage, family responsibilities, and distance will cause them to forget these precious golden days.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Kurangugal polae / Kuyilgalai polae

Compares the youth directly to monkeys jumping on branches and cuckoos singing happily.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Pasumai niraintha ninaivugalae / Paadi thirintha paravaigalae

Repetition of the 'P' consonant at the start of adjacent lines (Pasumai, Paadi, Pazhagi, Paranthu).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thaavith thirinthomae / Koovith thirinthomae

Rhythmic repetition of verb endings like 'thirinthomae' and 'vandhomae' to create melodic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this Kannadasan creation remains the ultimate nostalgia and farewell anthem in Tamil school and college culture for over six decades.

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