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Isaimozhi
Nichaya Thaamboolam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pavadai Thavaniyil

From Nichaya Thaamboolam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Nichaya Thaamboolam
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
26 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama idhu poovadai
Veesi vara pootha paruvama
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama
Palaadai
Pondra mugam
Mariyadheno pani
Polae naanamadhai
Moodiyatheno
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama
{ Vaavendru
Kooramal varuvathillaiya
Kaadhal thavendru kelamal
Tharuvadhillaiya } (2)
Sollendru
Sollaamal solvathillaiya
Inbam suvaiyaga suvaiyaga
Valarvathillaiya
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama idhu poovadai
Veesi vara pootha paruvama
{ Thathi
Thathi nadapatharkae
Sollavenduma nee muthu
Muthai siripatharkae
Paadam venduma } (2)
Muthamizhae
Mukkaniyae moga vannamae
Muppozhuthum eppozhuthum
Namadhu sondhamae
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama idhu poovadai
Veesi vara pootha paruvama
Ingae en
Kaalamellam kadandhu
Vittalum oar iravinilae
Mudhumaiyai naan
Adainthuvittalum
Mangai
Unai thottavudan
Maraindhu vittalum
Naan marubadiyum
Pirandhu vandhu maalai sooduven
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama idhu poovadai
Veesi vara pootha paruvama
Paavadai
Thavaniyil paartha
Uruvama
In a skirt
and half-sari,
is this the figure I saw? Is this youth
blossoming with the fragrance of flowers?
Is this the figure
I once saw dressed
in a skirt and half-sari?
Why did that face,
smooth like fresh cream,
change so? Why has shyness,
like a veil of mist,
covered it up?
Is this the figure
I once saw dressed
in a skirt and half-sari?
Doesn't love come
even without being told to come?
Doesn't it give
without even being asked to give?
Doesn't it express everything
without speaking a single word?
Doesn't sweet joy keep growing,
richer and more delightful?
In a skirt
and half-sari,
is this the figure I saw? Is this youth
blossoming with the fragrance of flowers?
To take those
delicate, gentle steps,
do you need to be taught? And to smile
like scattering pearls,
do you need a lesson?
O Muthamizh (the three forms of Tamil: literature, music, drama),
O three sweet fruits, O radiant beauty of desire!
At all times and forever,
we belong to each other!
In a skirt
and half-sari,
is this the figure I saw? Is this youth
blossoming with the fragrance of flowers?
Even if my
whole lifetime passes away right here,
even if in a single night
old age catches up with me
and takes me over,
O lovely girl,
even if the moment I touch you
I fade away and die,
I will be born again
into this world to place a wedding garland on you!
In a skirt
and half-sari,
is this the figure I saw? Is this youth
blossoming with the fragrance of flowers?
Is this the figure
I once saw dressed
in a skirt and half-sari?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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