Pesuvathu Kiliya Illai
From Panathottam · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Panathottam1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pesuvathu kiliya illai | Is it a parrot speaking, or... |
| Pennarasi mozhiya | Is it the voice of the queen among women? |
| Pesuvathu kiliya illai | Is it a parrot speaking, or... |
| Pennarasi mozhiya | Is it the voice of the queen among women? |
| Kovil konda silaiya | Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple? |
| Kothu malar kodiya hooi | Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers? Hey! |
| Pesuvathu kiliya illai | Is it a parrot speaking, or... |
| Pennarasi mozhiya | Is it the voice of the queen among women? |
| Female | |
| Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Seranukku urava | Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king? |
| Senthamizhar nilava hooi | Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils? Hey! |
| Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Seranukku urava | Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king? |
| Senthamizhar nilava | Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils? |
| Hooi hooi hooi | Hey hey hey! |
| Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Male | |
| Kalyana panthalil aadum thoranama | Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall? |
| Illai kacheri rasirgal ketkum moganama | Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers? |
| Kalyana panthalil aadum thoranama | Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall? |
| Illai kacheri rasirgal ketkum moganama | Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers? |
| Female | |
| Villendhum kaavalan thaana | Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow? |
| Vel vizhiyal kaadhalan thaana | Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes? |
| Villendhum kaavalan thaana | Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow? |
| Vel vizhiyal kaadhalan thaana | Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes? |
| Sollamal sollum mozhiyil | Through words conveyed without speaking, |
| Kottai kattum paavalan thaana | Is he a master poet who builds fortresses with verse? |
| Male | |
| Pesuvathu kiliya illai | Is it a parrot speaking, or... |
| Pennarasi mozhiya | Is it the voice of the queen among women? |
| Kovil konda silaiya | Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple? |
| Kothu malar kodiya | Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers? |
| Hooi hooi hooi | Hey hey hey! |
| Female :Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Female | |
| Mannadhi mannargal | Is he a royal palace where king of kings assemble? |
| Koodum maaligaiya | A majestic hall where monarchs gather? |
| Ullam vandattam maathargal | Is it a pavilion where women with hearts as active as bees gather? |
| Koodum mandapama..hoi | A grand hall where maidens convene? Hey! |
| Male :Sendadum seyizhai thaana | Is she a beautifully adorned maiden swaying gracefully? |
| Theiveega kaadhali thaana | Or a divine lover from the heavens? |
| Senthooram konjum mugathil | On her face cherished by vermillion, |
| Sevvai minnum thenmozhi thaana | Is she a sweet-spoken damsel whose red lips glisten like honey? |
| Female | |
| Paaduvathu kaviya illai | Is it a poem singing, or... |
| Paarivallal magana | Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari? |
| Seranukku urava | Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king? |
| Senthamizhar nilava | Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils? |
| Hooi hooi hooi hooi | Hey hey hey hey! |
| Male | |
| Pesuvathu kiliya illai | Is it a parrot speaking, or... |
| Pennarasi mozhiya | Is it the voice of the queen among women? |
| Kovil konda silaiya | Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple? |
| Kothu malar kodiya | Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers? |
| Hooi hooi hooi hooi | Hey hey hey hey! |
பேசுவது கிளியா இல்லை
பெண்ணரசி மொழியா
பேசுவது கிளியா இல்லை
பெண்ணரசி மொழியா
கோவில் கொண்ட சிலையா
கொத்து மலர்க் கொடியா ஹோய்
பேசுவது கிளியா இல்லை
பெண்ணரசி மொழியா
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers? Hey!
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
சேரனுக்கு உறவா
செந்தமிழர் நிலவா ஹோய்
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
சேரனுக்கு உறவா
செந்தமிழர் நிலவா
ஹோய்..ஹோய்.ஹோய்..
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils? Hey!
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils?
Hey hey hey!
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
கல்யாணப் பந்தலில் ஆடும் தோரணமா
இல்லை கச்சேரி ரசிகர்கள் கேட்கும் மோகனமா
கல்யாணப் பந்தலில் ஆடும் தோரணமா
இல்லை கச்சேரி ரசிகர்கள் கேட்கும் மோகனமா
Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall?
Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers?
Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall?
Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers?
வில்லேந்தும் காவலன்தானா
வேல் விழியாள் காதலன்தானா
வில்லேந்தும் காவலன்தானா
வேல் விழியாள் காதலன்தானா
சொல்லாமல் சொல்லும் மொழியில்
கோட்டை கட்டும் பாவலன்தானா
Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow?
Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes?
Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow?
Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes?
Through words conveyed without speaking,
Is he a master poet who builds fortresses with verse?
பேசுவது கிளியா இல்லை
பெண்ணரசி மொழியா
கோவில் கொண்ட சிலையா
கொத்து மலர்க் கொடியா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers?
Hey hey hey!
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
மன்னாதி மன்னர்கள் கூடும் மாளிகையா
உள்ளம் வண்டாட்டம் மாதர்கள் கூடும் மண்டபமா.. ஹோய்
செண்டாடும் சேயிழைதானா
தெய்வீகக் காதலிதானா
செந்தூரம் கொஞ்சும் முகத்தில்
செவ்வாய் மின்னும் தேன் மொழிதானா
Is he a royal palace where king of kings assemble?
A majestic hall where monarchs gather?
Is it a pavilion where women with hearts as active as bees gather?
A grand hall where maidens convene? Hey!
Is she a beautifully adorned maiden swaying gracefully?
Or a divine lover from the heavens?
On her face cherished by vermillion,
Is she a sweet-spoken damsel whose red lips glisten like honey?
பாடுவது கவியா இல்லை
பாரி வள்ளல் மகனா
சேரனுக்கு உறவா செந்தமிழர் நிலவா
ஹோய்..ஹோய்.ஹோய்..ஹோய்.
Is it a poem singing, or...
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils?
Hey hey hey hey!
பேசுவது கிளியா இல்லை
பெண்ணரசி மொழியா
கோவில் கொண்ட சிலையா
கொத்து மலர்க் கொடியா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers?
Hey hey hey hey!
முனங்கல் ......
Pesuvathu kiliya illai
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Pennarasi mozhiya
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Pesuvathu kiliya illai
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Pennarasi mozhiya
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Kovil konda silaiya
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Kothu malar kodiya hooi
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers? Hey!
Pesuvathu kiliya illai
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Pennarasi mozhiya
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Seranukku urava
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Senthamizhar nilava hooi
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils? Hey!
Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Seranukku urava
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Senthamizhar nilava
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils?
Hooi hooi hooi
Hey hey hey!
Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Kalyana panthalil aadum thoranama
Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall?
Illai kacheri rasirgal ketkum moganama
Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers?
Kalyana panthalil aadum thoranama
Is she a decorative garland swaying in a wedding hall?
Illai kacheri rasirgal ketkum moganama
Or the classical Mohanam raga requested by concert lovers?
Villendhum kaavalan thaana
Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow?
Vel vizhiyal kaadhalan thaana
Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes?
Villendhum kaavalan thaana
Is he a heroic guardian holding a bow?
Vel vizhiyal kaadhalan thaana
Or a lover transfixed by spear-sharp eyes?
Sollamal sollum mozhiyil
Through words conveyed without speaking,
Kottai kattum paavalan thaana
Is he a master poet who builds fortresses with verse?
Pesuvathu kiliya illai
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Pennarasi mozhiya
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Kovil konda silaiya
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Kothu malar kodiya
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers?
Hooi hooi hooi
Hey hey hey!
Female :Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Mannadhi mannargal
Is he a royal palace where king of kings assemble?
Koodum maaligaiya
A majestic hall where monarchs gather?
Ullam vandattam maathargal
Is it a pavilion where women with hearts as active as bees gather?
Koodum mandapama..hoi
A grand hall where maidens convene? Hey!
Male :Sendadum seyizhai thaana
Is she a beautifully adorned maiden swaying gracefully?
Theiveega kaadhali thaana
Or a divine lover from the heavens?
Senthooram konjum mugathil
On her face cherished by vermillion,
Sevvai minnum thenmozhi thaana
Is she a sweet-spoken damsel whose red lips glisten like honey?
Paaduvathu kaviya illai
Is it a poem singing, or...
Paarivallal magana
Is it the son of the great benevolent patron Paari?
Seranukku urava
Is he a kin to the mighty Chera king?
Senthamizhar nilava
Or the shining moon of the pure Tamils?
Hooi hooi hooi hooi
Hey hey hey hey!
Pesuvathu kiliya illai
Is it a parrot speaking, or...
Pennarasi mozhiya
Is it the voice of the queen among women?
Kovil konda silaiya
Is it a divine statue enshrined in a temple?
Kothu malar kodiya
Or a vine laden with clusters of blooming flowers?
Hooi hooi hooi hooi
Hey hey hey hey!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Pesuvathu Kiliya is a classic romantic duet from the 1963 Tamil film Panathottam, starring M. G. Ramachandran and Saroja Devi. Penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan and set to music by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, the song is a exchange of poetic praise between two lovers who express their affection through rich metaphors drawn from Tamil classical literature, nature, and art. The hero compares the heroine's voice and beauty to parrots, temple statues, flower vines, and music ragas, while the heroine counters by comparing the hero's majesty and eloquence to historical patrons like Paari Vallal, royalty of the Chera dynasty, and bow-wielding warriors.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration
“Pesuvathu kiliya illai Pennarasi mozhiya”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' in words like 'Pesuvathu', 'Pennarasi', 'Paaduvathu', and 'Paarivallal'.
Metaphor / Uvamaani
“Kovil konda silaiya Kothu malar kodiya”
Comparing the heroine's speech to the sweet chatter of a parrot and her form to a temple idol and flowering vine.
Historical & Literary Allusion
“Paarivallal magana Seranukku urava”
Referencing Tamil historical icons like Paari Vallal (famous for generosity) and Cheran dynasty to romanticize the hero's nobility.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Kalyana panthalil aadum thoranama Illai kacheri rasirgal ketkum moganama”
Continuous usage of the suffix '-a' ('kiliya', 'mozhiya', 'silaiya', 'kodiya') asking rhetorical questions to express awe.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic track from Panathottam remains one of the most celebrated compositions by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, featuring the playback singing of T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyrics seamlessly integrate classical Sangam literature tropes into mainstream cinema music.
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