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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poi Vaa Nadhi

From Pallandu Vazhga · 1975

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
T. K. Kala, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Pallandu Vazhga1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poi vaa… nadhiyalaiyae…Go and return, O river wave...
Ival poo choodum naal paarthu vaa…Come back witnessing the day she wears flowers...
Male
Vaa vaa… nadhiyalaiyae…Come, come, O river wave...
Ezhai boomikku neer kondu vaa…Bring water to the poor earth...
Female
Poi vaa… nadhiyalaiyae…Go and return, O river wave...
Ival poo choodum naal paarthu vaa…Come back witnessing the day she wears flowers...
Poo choodum naal paarthu vaaCome back witnessing the day she wears flowers
Male
Vaa vaa nadhiyalaiyaeCome, come, O river wave
Ezhai boomikku neer kondu vaaBring water to the poor earth
Boomikku neer kondu vaaBring water to the earth
Female
Kani thongum thottamA garden heavy with hanging fruits
Mugam pootha kolamA decorative kolam blooming with beauty
Pani vaadai kaalamThe chilly breeze of the winter season
Unai kaana vendumI long to see you
Male
Nilavennum odamThe boat that is the moon
Karai saerum neramThe time when it reaches the shore
Mazhai koondhal oramBeside the cloud-like dark tresses
Ilaippaara vendumWishes to rest
Female
Idhu podhum endru thadumaariStumbling with ecstasy thinking this bliss is enough
Male
Idam maari maari sugam thaediSearching for joy, shifting from place to place
Female
Idhu podhum endru thadumaariStumbling with ecstasy thinking this bliss is enough
Male
Idam maari maari sugam thaediSearching for joy, shifting from place to place
Female
Aa… uravaadum podhu sari paadhi aagiAh... becoming an equal half during intimacy
Male
Uyir kaanum inbam pala kodiThe soul experiences millions of joys
Female
Poi vaa nadhiyalaiyaeGo and return, O river wave
Ival poo choodum naal paarthu vaaCome back witnessing the day she wears flowers
Poo choodum naal paarthu vaaCome back witnessing the day she wears flowers
Male
Vaa vaa nadhiyalaiyaeCome, come, O river wave
Ezhai boomikku neer kondu vaaBring water to the poor earth
Boomikku neer kondu vaaBring water to the earth
Female
Nurai poovai alliScooping up the flower-like foam
Alai sindha vendumThe wave should scatter it
Alai meedhu konjamUpon the gentle wave
Thalai saaya vendumMy head wishes to rest
Male
Vasandhathai vendruConquering the spring season
Varum unnai kanduSeeing you arrive
Mazhai villil vannamColors of the rainbow
Varaigindra vaanamThe sky paints them
Female
Medhuvaaga vandhu idhazh modhiArriving gently to touch the lips
Male
Padhamaaga anbu nadhiyodiSoftly flows the river of love
Female
Medhuvaaga vandhu idhazh modhiArriving gently to touch the lips
Male
Padhamaaga anbu nadhiyodiSoftly flows the river of love
Female
Aa… mana medai kanduAh... beholding the wedding platform
Pudhu maalai soodiWearing a fresh flower garland
Male
Kula mangai vaazhga nalam paadiSinging blessings for the noble maiden to live in prosperity
Male
Vaa vaa… nadhiyalaiyaeCome, come... O river wave
Ezhai boomikku neer kondu vaaBring water to the poor earth
Female :Poo choodum naal paarthu vaaFemale: Come back witnessing the day she wears flowers
Male :Boomikku neer kondu vaaMale: Bring water to the earth
Female :Poo choodum naal paarthu vaaFemale: Come back witnessing the day she wears flowers

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses the poetic metaphor of a flowing river wave to parallel both nature's generosity and the emotional journey of love and marriage. The lyricist addresses the river wave, asking it to bring life-giving water to the parched earth while simultaneously calling upon it to witness the auspicious day of a young woman's wedding ('poo choodum naal'). Deeply evocative imagery of nature—hanging fruit, cold winter breezes, the moon compared to a boat drifting towards the shore, and sky painting rainbows—intertwines with intimate tender emotions, romantic bliss, and marital union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Nilavennum odam

'Nilavennum odam' compares the glowing moon to a drifting boat, creating vivid visual imagery.

Monai / Initial Alliteration (மோனை)

Medhuvaaga vandhu idhazh modhi / Padhamaaga anbu nadhiyodi

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' ('Mazhai' / 'Vannna') and 'Me' / 'Pa' across rhythmic phrases enhances musicality.

Edukai / Second Letter Rhyme (எதுகை)

Kani thongum thottam / Pani vaadai kaalam

The second letter 'ni' matches across 'Kani', 'Pani' in adjacent lines, creating melodious internal rhyming.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1975 M. G. Ramachandran starrer 'Pallandu Vazhga', this classic track was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Na. Kamarasan. It remains a celebrated duet sung by K. J. Yesudas and P. Susheela, renowned for its rich literary Tamil imagery.

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