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Lyrics & meaning

Pavadai Thavaniyil

From Nichaya Thaamboolam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Nichaya Thaamboolam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvama idhu poovadaithis form, or is it a flower-scented breeze
Veesi vara pootha paruvamathat blows as a blossomed youthful beauty?
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvamathis form?
Male
PalaadaiMilk-cream-like
Pondra mugamsoft face,
Mariyadheno paniwhy has it changed, like frost
Polae naanamadhaishyness has covered it,
Moodiyathenowhy has it veiled it?
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvamathis form?
Male
{ Vaavendru{ Saying "Come",
Kooramal varuvathillaiyadoes love not arrive without being summoned?
Kaadhal thavendru kelamalWithout asking "Give me love",
Tharuvadhillaiya } (2)is it not given? } (2)
Male
SollendruSaying "Speak",
Sollaamal solvathillaiyadoes one not express without being told?
Inbam suvaiyaga suvaiyagaDoes pleasure, deliciously,
Valarvathillaiyanot grow?
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvama idhu poovadaithis form, or is it a flower-scented breeze
Veesi vara pootha paruvamathat blows as a blossomed youthful beauty?
Male
{ Thathi{ Walking with faltering steps,
Thathi nadapatharkaedo you need to be instructed?
Sollavenduma nee muthuTo laugh like pearls,
Muthai siripatharkaepearl-like laughter,
Paadam venduma } (2)do you need a lesson? } (2)
Male
MuthamizhaeO three-fold Tamil!
Mukkaniyae moga vannamaeO three sweet fruits, O color of desire!
Muppozhuthum eppozhuthumAt all three times of day, forever,
Namadhu sondhamaeyou are mine.
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvama idhu poovadaithis form, or is it a flower-scented breeze
Veesi vara pootha paruvamathat blows as a blossomed youthful beauty?
Male
Ingae enEven if here my
Kaalamellam kadandhulifetime passes away
Vittalum oar iravinilaeor in a single night
Mudhumaiyai naanold age comes upon
Adainthuvittalumme,
Male
MangaiO maiden,
Unai thottavudanif I pass away right upon touching you,
Maraindhu vittalumeven if I vanish,
Naan marubadiyumI will be born again
Pirandhu vandhu maalai sooduvenand return to garland you.
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvama idhu poovadaithis form, or is it a flower-scented breeze
Veesi vara pootha paruvamathat blows as a blossomed youthful beauty?
Male
PaavadaiIn half-saree
Thavaniyil paarthaand draped shawl, I saw
Uruvamathis form?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Paavadai Thavaniyil Paartha Uruvama is a classic romantic song from the 1962 Tamil film Nichaya Thaamboolam, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan, music by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan. The song depicts a protagonist admiring his beloved's beauty, comparing her grace to a gentle flower breeze and her soft demeanor to milk cream wrapped in innocent shyness. He ponders how love, joy, and laughter unfold naturally without needing explicit instructions or formal words.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Palaadai Pondra mugam Mariyadheno pani Polae naanamadhai

Compares the smooth, delicate quality of her face to milk-cream (Palaadai) and shyness veiling her face like frost (Pani pola).

Anaphora / Repetition (Sol Pinvaru Nilaiyani)

Thathi Thathi nadapatharkae Sollavenduma nee muthu Muthai siripatharkae

Repetition of words like 'Thathi Thathi' (faltering steps) and 'Muthu Muthai' (pearl-like) creates rhythmic sweetness and enhances poetic elegance.

Cultural Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Muthamizhae Mukkaniyae moga vannamae

Equates the beloved to Muthamizh (the traditional three forms of Tamil: Literature, Music, and Drama) and Mukkani (the three royal fruits: Mango, Banana, and Jackfruit).

Did you know?

Trivia

Nichaya Thaamboolam (1962) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jamuna. The music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, with playback singing by T. M. Soundararajan. The song remains a classic tribute to traditional Tamil attire (Paavadai Thavani) and eternal devotion.

Keep listening

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