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Thiruvilaiyadal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Podhigai Malai Uchiyiley

From Thiruvilaiyadal · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thiruvilaiyadal
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
28 Sept 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
Aadai pootti veiththa meniyilum
Thavazhnthidum thendral} (2)
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
{Pathi madurai veethiyilae
Valam varum thendral} (2)
Intha pandiyanaar paingiliyai
Theendidum thendral
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
{Kaar kuzhalai neeraatti
Kannirandai thaalaatti} (2)
Thenithazhil muththamittu
Siriththidum thendral
Vanna dhegamengum neereduththu
Thelithidum thendral
Dhegamengum neereduthu
Thelithidum thendral
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
{Kattililae sernthirukkum
Kaadhalargal meniyilae} (2)
Vattamittu paadhai thedi
Mayangidum thendral
Poga vazhiyillaamal vandha vazhi
Suzhandridum thendral
Vazhiyillaamal vandha vazhi
Suzhandridum thendral
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
{Vaan parakkum kodiyinilae
Meen parakkum madurayilae} (2)
Thaan parandhu aatchi seiyum
Thalir mani thendral
Adhu vaan pirandha podhu vandha
Vaaliba thendral
Vaan pirandha podhu vandha
Vaaliba thendral
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
Female :Aadai pootti veiththa meniyilum
Thavazhnthidum thendral
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Purappadum thendral
{Kanniyargal meniyilae
Kalandhu varum velayilum} (2)
Thannudalai kaattaatha
Thandhira thendral
Aalum thennavarkkum anjaatha
Saagasa thendral
Thennavarkkum anjaatha
Saagasa thendral
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Even across a body wrapped in clothes,
the breeze glides softly.
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Through the streets of holy Madurai,
the breeze circles around.
Gently touching the Pandya king's sweet parrot,
the breeze caresses her.
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Bathing her dark, cloud-like hair,
and lulling both her eyes to rest,
kissing her honeyed lips,
the breeze smiles.
Gathering water and sprinkling it
all over her lovely body,
gathering water and sprinkling it
all over her body,
from the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Over the bodies of lovers
embracing on the bed,
circling and searching for a way through,
the breeze is mesmerized.
With no way to pass, back the way it came,
the breeze swirls around.
With no way to pass, back the way it came,
the breeze swirls around.
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
In Madurai, where the fish flag
flies high in the sky,
soaring freely to rule the land
is this tender, precious breeze.
It is a youthful breeze
born when the sky itself was born.
Born when the sky itself was born,
it is a youthful breeze.
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Even across a body wrapped in clothes,
the breeze glides softly.
From the peak of Mount Podhigai,
the gentle breeze sets out.
Even when it mingles
with the bodies of young women,
it never shows its own form—
this clever breeze.
Fearing not even the ruling Pandya king,
this daring breeze.
Fearing not even the Pandya king,
this daring breeze.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song poetically personifies 'Thendral' (the gentle southern breeze) originating from the sacred Podhigai mountains—the legendary birthplace of the Tamil language associated with Sage Agastya. The lyricist Kannadasan paints the breeze as an omnipresent, playful, and romantic companion traversing the ancient city of Madurai. It touches lovers, cools moist skin, plays with hair, and sways the royal fish flag of the Pandya dynasty, serving as an enduring symbol of Tamil culture and natural beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Thenithazhil muththamittu Siriththidum thendral”

The breeze ('Thendral') is personified throughout the song as a living, emotional entity that kisses, smiles, swoons, and acts boldly without showing its physical form.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Intha pandiyanaar paingiliyai”

The maiden/princess is metaphorically referred to as 'Paingili' (green parrot) of the Pandya king.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Vaan parakkum kodiyinilae / Meen parakkum madurayilae”

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' across lines ('Vaan' and 'Meen').

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Podhigai malai uchiyilae / Purappadum thendral”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' in 'Podhigai' and 'Purappadum'.

Keep listening

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