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Lyrics & meaning

Pennullame Ponnanadhu

From Ponnukku Thanga Manasu · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
G. K. Venkatesh
Details
Ponnukku Thanga Manasu1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pennullame ponnanadhuA woman's heart is made of pure gold,
Perumaikkendrae uruvaanadhuCreated specially for honor and pride.
Adhu kondaadum nannaalidhuToday is a joyful day to celebrate that goodness,
Pennullame ponnanadhuA woman's heart is made of pure gold.
Female
Pennaiyae ulaginTreating womanhood as the very eyes
Kannena solli nalvazhi kaatuvomOf this world, let us show the righteous path.
Thannaiyae nambum thairiyam konduWith courage to trust in oneself,
Penmaiyae pottruvomLet us praise and honor womanhood.
Female
Pennullame ponnanadhuA woman's heart is made of pure gold.
Female
Panaththaalae ulagathai vilai pesadiGo ahead and put a price tag on the world with money, my friend,
Panpaadu enborkku bathil kooradiGive your fitting reply to those who talk about culture and tradition.
Panaththaalae ulagathai vilai pesadiGo ahead and put a price tag on the world with money, my friend,
Panpaadu enborkku bathil kooradiGive your fitting reply to those who talk about culture and tradition.
Naanam enbaar atcham enbaar namakkennadiThey speak of bashfulness and fear, but what do those matter to us?
Chorus
Adimai nilai andha kaalamA state of servitude belonged to those olden days,
Pudumai nilai indha kolamA state of modernity is today's style.
Adimai nilai andha kaalamA state of servitude belonged to those olden days,
Pudumai nilai indha kolamA state of modernity is today's style.
Female
Kaalam maarum velaiyilae kolam maarumadiAs times change, the styles and ways change too, my friend,
Melai naattu uravinilae aaval meerudhadiThe craze for Western cultural trends is overflowing.
Vaa pudhu ulagaiyae naan uruvakkuvomCome, let us create a brand new world,
Ennaalum munneruvomWe shall progress forward every single day.
Female
Paar ennum sollum ulagaiyaeLook at this vast world around us,
Suttri paaradi poongodiLook around you, my delicate blossom.
Bharathi sonna pennaiyumEven compared to the modern woman envisioned by poet Bharathi,
Konjam minjinaal ennadiWhat is wrong if we go a step further?
Female
Pennullame …Chorus :LalalalalalaaaA woman's heart...
Female :Ponnanadhu…Chorus :LalalalalalaaaChorus: Lalalalalalaaa
Female
Pennullame ponnanadhuFemale: Is golden...
Perumaikkendrae uruvaanadhuChorus: Lalalalalalaaa
Chorus :Adhu kondaadum nannaalidhuA woman's heart is made of pure gold,
Female
Verum kaiyil muzham poda koodadhadiCreated specially for honor and pride.
Veli vesham vazhvukku udhavaadhadiChorus: Today is a joyful day to celebrate that goodness,
Verum kaiyil muzham poda koodadhadiDo not pretend to measure land with empty hands,
Veli vesham vazhvukku udhavaadhadiOuter pretenses will never help in real life.
Nadai maaralaam idam maaralaam nilai maaralaamaDo not pretend to measure land with empty hands,
Chorus
Ullapadi ondrae ondruOuter pretenses will never help in real life.
Unadhu vizhi engae solluOne's stride may change, place may change, but can true values change?
Ullapadi ondrae ondruThe fundamental truth remains only one thing,
Unadhu vizhi engae solluTell me, where are your eyes focused?
Female
Aasai valarum manadhinilae thaevai adhigamadiThe fundamental truth remains only one thing,
Aadai kuraiyum pudhumaiyilae mogam koodumadiTell me, where are your eyes focused?
Vaa anbu vazhiyai naan uruvakkuvomIn a mind filled with growing desires, needs keep multiplying,
Ennaalum munneruvomIn modern trends with lesser attire, superficial attraction increases.
Female
Bharathi kanda pennidam nallaCome, let us forge a path paved with true love,
Panbaiyum paaradiWe shall progress forward every single day.
Panivudan nenjil kanivudan vaazhaObserve the fine virtues of the ideal woman envisioned by poet Bharathi,
Sonnadhai keladiListen to the advice to live with humility and compassion in your heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Pennullame Ponnanadhu' explores the evolving identity of women in modern society by contrasting superficial Westernization with traditional values and Subramania Bharati's ideal of 'Pudhumai Penn' (Modern Woman). The lyrics present two perspectives: one advocating for total freedom, modern fashion, and breaking away from old constraints, and the counter-perspective reminding that true progress lies in character, humility, and genuine love rather than mere external pretense.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pennullame ponnanadhu / Perumaikkendrae uruvaanadhu

Matching initial consonants 'Pe' in 'Pennullame' and 'Perumaikkendrae' creates rhythmic emphasis on womanhood.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Adimai nilai andha kaalam / Pudumai nilai indha kolam

Matching second consonants 'di' and 'du' in 'Adimai' and 'Pudumai' highlights the contrast between servitude and modernism.

Allusion (Literary Reference)

Bharathi sonna pennaiyum / Konjam minjinaal ennadi

Refers directly to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's feminist concept of 'Pudhumai Penn' (The New Woman).

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnukku Thanga Manasu (1973) marked an important early entry in Tamil cinema's debate on modern western influence vs traditional values. The music was composed by G. Devarajan, with lyrics authored by the legendary poet Kannadasan.

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