- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Anupama, Mahalakshmi Iyer
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Hey Ram
- Movie release year
- 2000
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Aug 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Pollatha Madana Baanam' from Kamal Haasan's masterpiece 'Hey Ram' (2000), composed by Ilaiyaraaja, is a playful, sensual, and theatrical song capturing the intoxication of love and youthful desire. Opening with gibberish and theatrical vocal scatting representing North-South cultural synthesis, the song transitions into a vibrant folk-classical cabaret duet. The female protagonist playfully complains that Cupid's (Madana) arrow has struck her heart, causing a sweet affliction that only her lover (or a doctor) can cure. Vaali's lyrics brilliantly contrast physical sensations across seasons—describing memories of her beloved as cool water during harsh summer heat and warm water during chilly winter winds. Rich in rhythm (konnakol/solkattu) and metaphors of blossoming youth and fragrance, the song portrays a lover's yearning through vivid Tamil colloquialisms, classical rhythm syllables, and expressive folk inflections.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvagam)
“Kodaiyilae avan nenappu Pachcha thanni”
Comparing memories of the lover to refreshing 'Pachcha thanni' (cold water) in summer and 'Venni thanni' (hot water) in winter.
Emona / Rhyme (Edugai)
“Pollatha madana baanam / Ullaara ooduruvi”
Second-letter rhyming across lines: 'Pollatha' / 'Ullaara', 'Chinna' / 'Punnaa'.
Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi / Dhvani)
“Gama gama endru Indru aanathae”
Use of sensory sound repetition 'Gama gama' to describe overwhelming floral fragrance.
Solkattu / Konnakol (Rhythmic Vocalization)
“Tha kida thirukida thirukida Thaam”
Extensive use of traditional Carnatic percussion syllables to convey passion and musical urgency.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for Kamal Haasan's period drama 'Hey Ram' (2000), this song features vocal renditions by Kamal Haasan, Mahalakshmi Iyer, and Preeti Uttam. The track mixes Hindi gibberish, Bengali theatrical textures, and traditional Tamil folk-classical beats, reflecting the film's pan-Indian narrative set during the turbulent 1940s.
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