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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pennalla Pennalla Oodha Poo

From Uzhavan · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Uzhavan1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Pennalla pennalla oodha pooShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Sivandha kannangal rosapooHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Kannalla kannalla alli pooHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Sirippu malligai poo}(2)Her smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Siru kaivalai konjidum koiya pooShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Aval kaiviral ovvondrum panneer pooHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Mai vizhi jaadaigal mullai pooHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Manakkum sandhana pooHer smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Chithira maeni thaazam pooHer tiny bangles caress like guava blossoms
Selai aniyum jaadhi pooEach of her fingers is a rosewater flower
Sitridai meedhu vaazhai pooHer kohl-lined eye glances are mullai flowers
Jolikkum shenbagha pooShe is a fragrant sandalwood flower
Male
Pennalla pennalla oodha pooHer picture-perfect body is a screwpine flower
Sivandha kannangal rosapooDraped in a saree, she is a royal jasmine flower
Kannalla kannalla alli pooUpon her slender waist, a plantain flower
Sirippu malligai pooShe is a shining champak flower
Male
Thendralai pola nadapavalShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Ennai thazhuva kaathu kidapavalHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Senthamizh naattu thirumagalHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Endhan thaaikku vaaitha marumagalHer smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Sindhayil thaavum poongiliShe walks like a gentle breeze
Aval sollidum vaarthai thaenthuliShe waits longingly to embrace me
Anjugam pola iruppavalShe is the divine daughter of the glorious Tamil land
Kottum aruvi pola sirippavalShe is the daughter-in-law destined for my mother
Male
Melliya thaamarai kaaleduthuShe is a sweet parrot leaping in my thoughts
Nadaiyai pazhagum poonthaeruEvery word she utters is a drop of honey
Mettiyai kaalil naan maattaShe is like a soft parrot
Mayangum poonkodiShe laughs like a cascading waterfall
Male
Pennalla pennalla oodha pooTaking steps with her delicate lotus feet
Sivandha kannangal rosapooShe is a flower chariot learning how to walk
Kannalla kannalla alli pooWhen I place the toe-ring on her foot
Sirippu malligai pooShe swoons like a delicate flowering creeper
Male
Siru kaivalai konjidum koiya pooShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Aval kaiviral ovvondrum panneer pooHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Mai vizhi jaadaigal mullai pooHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Manakkum sandhana pooHer smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Chithira maeni thaazam pooHer tiny bangles caress like guava blossoms
Selai aniyum jaadhi pooEach of her fingers is a rosewater flower
Sitridai meedhu vaazhai pooHer kohl-lined eye glances are mullai flowers
Jolikkum shenbagha pooShe is a fragrant sandalwood flower
Male
Pennalla pennalla oodha pooHer picture-perfect body is a screwpine flower
Sivandha kannangal rosapooDraped in a saree, she is a royal jasmine flower
Kannalla kannalla alli pooUpon her slender waist, a plantain flower
Sirippu malligai pooShe is a shining champak flower
Male
Chithirai maadha nilavu oliShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Aval sillena theendum pani thuliHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Konjidum paadha kolusugalHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Avai kottidum kaadhal murasugalHer smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Pazhathai pola iruppavalShe is the moonlight of the spring month of Chithirai
Vella paaghai pola inipavalShe is a chilly dewdrop touching softly
Chinna mai vizhi mella thirappavalHer playful foot anklets
Adhil manmadha raagam padippavalThey beat like the drums of love
Male
Uchiyil vaasanai poo mudithuShe is as sweet as a fresh fruit
Ulavum azhagu poonthottamShe is sweet like jaggery syrup
Methaiyil naanum seeraataShe softly opens her small kohl-lined eyes
Pirandha mohanam…And sings a melody of Cupid within them
Male
Pennalla pennalla oodha pooAdorning fragrant flowers on her crown
Sivandha kannangal rosapooShe is a strolling garden of beauty
Kannalla kannalla alli pooFor me to pamper on the bed
Sirippu malligai pooShe is a divine melody born for love
Male
Siru kaivalai konjidum koiya pooShe is not a woman, she is a purple flower
Aval kaiviral ovvondrum panneer pooHer blushed cheeks are red roses
Mai vizhi jaadaigal mullai pooHer eyes are not eyes, they are lily flowers
Manakkum sandhana pooHer smile is a jasmine flower
Male
Chithira maeni thaazam pooHer tiny bangles caress like guava blossoms
Selai aniyum jaadhi pooEach of her fingers is a rosewater flower
Sitridai meedhu vaazhai pooHer kohl-lined eye glances are mullai flowers
Jolikkum shenbagha pooShe is a fragrant sandalwood flower
Male
Pennalla pennalla oodha pooHer picture-perfect body is a screwpine flower
Sivandha kannangal rosapooDraped in a saree, she is a royal jasmine flower
Kannalla kannalla alli pooUpon her slender waist, a plantain flower
Haaahaaaa…………She is a shining champak flower

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pennalla Pennalla Oodha Poo is a romantic ode in which the protagonist poetically compares every physical feature and graceful gesture of his lover to various types of flowers and nature's elements. He expresses deep admiration for her beauty, sweet voice, delicate walk, and loving demeanor, elevating her to a divine representation of Tamil womanhood destined to be his wife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Pennalla pennalla oodha poo / Sivandha kannangal rosapoo

Extensive use of flower metaphors comparing features like cheeks to roses, eyes to lilies, smile to jasmine, and waist to plantain flowers.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyming)

Thendralai pola nadapaval / Ennai thazhuva kaathu kidapaval

Rhyming of second letters across adjacent lines, such as 'Thendralai' and 'Ennai', or 'Pazhathai' and 'Vella'.

Monaif (Alliteration / First letter rhyming)

Kannalla kannalla alli poo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in lines like 'Kannalla kannalla' and 'Pennalla pennalla'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1993 film Uzhavan starring Prabhu and Bhanupriya, this song was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics written by legendary poet Vaali, featuring an iconic musical arrangement focused on floral imagery.

Keep listening

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