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Lyrics & meaning

Pogadhe Pogadhe

From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
A. G. Rathnamala
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pogadhae pogadhae en kanavaDo not go, do not go, my beloved husband.
Polladha soppanum naanum kandenI had a terrible, evil dream.
Polladha soppanum naanum kandenI had a terrible, evil dream.
Male :Enna soppanum kandaaiMale: What kind of dream did you see?
Female
Koondhal avizhndhu vizhavum kanden aiyooAlas, I saw my tied hair unraveling and falling loose.
Kondaiyil poovum karuga kandenI saw the flowers in my hair bun scorching black.
Kondaiyil poovum karuga kandenI saw the flowers in my hair bun scorching black.
Aandhai irundhu alara kandenI saw an owl perched and screeching loudly.
Yaanaiyum man melae saayakandenI saw an elephant collapsing onto the earth.
Pattathu yaanaiyum man melae saayakandenI saw even the royal state elephant collapsing onto the earth.
Female
Vaazhai thoppu azhiya kanden….I saw the banana grove being completely destroyed...
Vaazhai thoppu azhiya kandenI saw the banana grove being completely destroyed.
Aiyoo malligai thottamum vaada kandenAlas, I saw the jasmine garden wither away.
Paazhooragavae poga kandenI saw the thriving town turning into a deserted ruin.
Indha paanjai nagaram azhiya kandenI saw this kingdom of Panchalankurichi being destroyed.
Naan paanjai nagaram azhiya kandenI saw the kingdom of Panchalankurichi being destroyed.
Adhu mattumaIs that all?
Female
Kulikka manjal araithaen athaanI ground auspicious turmeric to bathe, my dear husband.
Adhu kombangari pola pochuthuthaanIt turned completely black like charcoal!
Kottai madhilum idiya kandenI saw the sturdy fort walls crumbling down.
Nattai vittoru pen poga kandenI saw a woman leaving the country as a destitute.
Panjai nattaivittoru pen poga kandenI saw a woman leaving the land of Panchalankurichi.
Female
Pogadhae pogadhae en kanavaDo not go, do not go, my beloved husband.
Polladha soppanum naanum kandenI had a terrible, evil dream.
Polladha soppanum naanum kandenI had a terrible, evil dream.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this tragic song from Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Kattabomman's wife, Jakkamma (played by Padmini), desperately pleads with her husband not to leave for the battlefield. She recounts a nightmare filled with dire bad omens that foretell catastrophe and widowhood. Her dream includes unbinding hair, withered flowers, screeching owls, a fallen royal elephant, ruined crops, turmeric turning into charcoal, and the fort walls collapsing. These symbols rooted in classical Tamil culture represent total destruction and the tragic fall of Panchalankurichi.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Pogadhae pogadhae en kanava

The repetition of 'Pogadhae pogadhae' (Don't go, don't go) conveys emotional urgency and desperation.

Epiphora / Refrain (Iyalbu Repetition)

Polladha soppanum naanum kanden

The word 'kanden' (I saw) is repeated at the end of nearly every line to reinforce the vivid horror of her dream visions.

Simile (Uvamai)

Adhu kombangari pola pochuthuthaan

The line compares bright yellow turmeric turning dark like charcoal ('kombangari pola'), symbolizing the loss of auspiciousness and marital life.

Foreshadowing / Cultural Symbolism

Pattathu yaanaiyum man melae saayakanden

Classical Tamil bad omens (screeching owl, unbinding hair, fallen royal elephant) are used to foreshadow the collapse of the kingdom and Kattabomman's execution.

Did you know?

Trivia

Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) is a iconic historic biopic starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The song depicts classical Tamil 'Sakunam' (omens) used extensively in ancient Sangam literature to signal impending doom and tragic loss in battle.

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