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Lyrics & meaning

Pogathe Pogathe

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Manorama
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ratha Thilagam1963

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Pogaathae pogaathaeDo not go, do not go,
En kanava en kanavaMy dream-man, my husband,
Polladha soppanam naanum kandenI had a terrible nightmare,
Aiyaa polladha soppanam naanum kandenOh sir, I saw a terrible nightmare!
Female
Pogaathae pogaathaeDo not go, do not go,
En kanava en kanavaMy dream-man, my husband,
Polladha soppanam naanum kandenI had a terrible nightmare,
Aiyaa polladha soppanam naanum kandenOh sir, I saw a terrible nightmare!
Female
Pattaala sippaaigalRegiments of soldiers,
Nadakka kanden nadakka kandenI saw them marching, I saw them marching,
Paadhaiyin orathil kidakka kandenI saw someone lying on the side of the road,
Nee paadhaiyin orathil kidakka kandenI saw you lying on the side of the road!
Female
Ettu per unai vanthuEight people coming after you,
Pidikka kandenI saw them catch you,
Pidikka kanden adhilI saw them catch you, and among them,
Ezhu per pengalaai irukka kandenI saw that seven of them were women,
Adhil ezhu per pangalaai irukka kandenI saw that seven of them were women!
Female
Pogaathae pogaathaeDo not go, do not go,
En kanava en kanavaMy dream-man, my husband,
Polladha soppanam naanum kandenI had a terrible nightmare,
Aiyaa polladha soppanam naanum kandenOh sir, I saw a terrible nightmare!
Female
Poonai ellaam unnaiEven cats were after you,
Thuratha kanden thuratha kandenI saw them chasing you, chasing you,
Pullu thadukki nee viluga kandenI saw you trip over a blade of grass and fall,
Oru pullu thadukki nee viluga kandenI saw you trip over a single blade of grass and fall!
Female
Saenai ellam unnaiEntire armies came towards you,
Midhikka kanden midhikka kandenI saw them trampling you, trampling you,
Nee thirumbaadha oorukku nadakka kandenI saw you walking away to a town of no return,
Naadha thirumbaadha oorukku nadakka kandenOh my husband, I saw you walking to a town of no return!
Female
Pogaathae pogaathaeDo not go, do not go,
En kanava en kanavaMy dream-man, my husband,
Polladha soppanam naanum kandenI had a terrible nightmare,
Aiyaa polladha soppanam naanum kandenOh sir, I saw a terrible nightmare!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic comedic track from Ratha Thilagam (1963) features a playful yet concerned wife pleading with her husband not to step out, describing a series of increasingly absurd bad dreams (nightmares) she had about him. Through ridiculous scenarios—like being ambushed by women, chased by cats, tripping on a tiny blade of grass, and marching off to 'the town of no return'—she hilariously lists bad omens to keep him by her side. Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, the song blends marital banter with clever comic exaggeration. While referencing death and military imagery (fitting the war-drama backdrop of the film), the tone remains lighthearted, satirical, and rhythmic.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epizeuxis / Repetition

“Pogaathae pogaathae”

The immediate repetition of 'Pogaathae pogaathae' and 'En kanava en kanava' emphasizes desperation and playful affection.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

“Oru pullu thadukki nee viluga kanden”

Tripping over a single blade of grass and falling is an exaggerated, comedic bad omen used for humorous effect.

Euphemism / Metaphor

“Nee thirumbaadha oorukku nadakka kanden”

'Thirumbaadha oor' (the town of no return) is a poetic euphemism for death or the afterlife.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Nadakka kanden nadakka kanden”

The repetitive refrain ending with 'kanden' across lines creates a strong verbal cadence and rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ratha Thilagam (1963) was a war-drama film directed by Dada Mirasi, set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan. This song serves as a light comedic break amidst the patriotic theme of the movie.

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