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Isaimozhi
Selvi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poda Poda Ellam Mayam

From Selvi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Selvi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
7 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Podaa podaa ellaam maayam
Yendaa saami idhuvaa nyaayam
Vaalibam kaanum varna jaalam
Vaanavil polae vandhu pogum
Enna jaalamo kolamo podhum po poo
Podaa podaa ellaam maayam
Yendaa saami idhuvaa nyaayam
Pennai kandodum thuravi thaan
Oru pennil undaana piravi thaan
Pengal illaadha boomiyaa
Oru dhevi illaadha saamiyaa
Aasaiyaalae indru vaadinenae
Amaidhi engae endru paadinenae
Thaedidum nimmadhi
Tharum dheviyin sannidhi
Naayagan en manam
Ini naalellaam un vasam
Paavai thaan thevai thaan
Kaana kaana kannil oorum thaenae
Podaa podaa hae
Ellaam inbam haa
Adadaa nee thaan haan
Azhagin bimbam
Vaalibam kaanum varna jaalam
Vaazhndhidum ingae endha naalum
Adhan jaalamum kolamum kaana vaa vaa
Podaa podaa ellaam inbam
Adadaa nee thaan azhagin bimbam
Kannan neeraadum nadhi idhu
Iru kaigal pattaalae neliyudhu
Mannan muthaadum kani idhu
Viral mella thottaalum kaniyudhu
Odi vaa vaa nenjil oonjal aada
Thaedi vaa vaa inba thaeril aada
Raathiri aanadhum
Indha raaniyin njaabagam
Raagamum thaalamum
Ondru servadhae keerthanam
Paadalaam koodalaam
Kaalam thorum neeyum naanum thaanae
Podaa podaa ellaam maayam
Yendaa saami idhuvaa nyaayam
Female :Vaalibam kaanum varna jaalam
Vaazhndhidum ingae endha naalum
Enna jaalamo kolamo podhum po poo
Podaa podaa ellaam maayam
Yendaa saami idhuvaa nyaayam
Go on, go on, everything is just an illusion!
Hey man, is this really fair?
The colorful magic that youth sees
Comes and goes just like a rainbow.
What trick or display is this? Enough, go away, shoo!
Go on, go on, everything is just an illusion!
Hey man, is this really fair?
Even an ascetic who runs at the sight of a woman
Was born from a woman himself!
Can a world ever exist without women?
Can a god ever exist without a goddess?
I withered away in longing today,
Singing out, wondering where peace could be.
The peace that you seek
Is gifted at the goddess's shrine.
My hero, my heart
Will belong only to you from now on.
A woman is indeed what I need,
Sweet honey that wells in my eyes the more I gaze!
Come on, come on, hey!
Everything is pure joy, ha!
Oh my, you are...
...the very reflection of beauty!
The colorful magic that youth sees
Will live on here forever!
Come, come to see its wonder and charm!
Come on, come on, everything is pure joy!
Oh my, you are the very reflection of beauty!
This is the river where Krishna bathes,
It ripples the moment two hands touch it.
This is the fruit the king kisses,
It ripens the moment a finger gently touches it.
Come running to swing upon my heart!
Come seeking to ride the chariot of joy!
Once the night arrives,
Memories of this queen awaken.
When melody and rhythm
Join together as one, it becomes a sweet song.
We can sing, we can be together,
Through all of time, it is just you and me!
Go on, go on, everything is just an illusion!
Hey man, is this really fair?
The colorful magic that youth sees
Will live on here forever!
What trick or display is this? Enough, go away, shoo!
Go on, go on, everything is just an illusion!
Hey man, is this really fair?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Podaa podaa ellaam maayam' from the 1985 Tamil film Selvi presents a fascinating transition between philosophical cynicism and romantic realization. Initially, the lyrics express disillusionment with the fleeting nature of worldly desires and youth, comparing them to a temporary rainbow. It questions the illusionary nature of life and asks whether such transience is fair. However, as the song progresses, it defends the divine and essential role of women in existence, asserting that love, beauty, and female companionship are not mere illusions but the ultimate source of bliss and peace. The lyrics evolve from viewing youth as an ephemeral trick to celebrating it as an enduring celebration of love, music, and emotional togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamanam)

“Vaanavil polae vandhu pogum”

Compares the transience of youth and its colorful magic to a rainbow that appears and disappears quickly.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kannan neeraadum nadhi idhu”

Directly compares the lover to a river where Lord Krishna bathes and a fruit kissed by a king.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Aasaiyaalae indru vaadinenae / Amaidhi engae endru paadinenae”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound in adjacent lines ('Aasaiyaalae' and 'Amaidhi').

Monai (First-letter alliteration)

“Raagamum thaalamum / Ondru servadhae keerthanam”

Matching initial letters across lines ('Raathiri' and 'Raaniyin', 'Raagamum' and 'Ondru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali, the song masterfully plays with philosophical concepts like 'Maayam' (maya/illusion), a recurring theme in classical Tamil spiritual poetry, while seamlessly adapting it into a romantic contemporary film duet.

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