Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pon Enbaen Siru

From Policekaran Magal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Policekaran Magal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pon enben siru poo enbenI will call you gold, I will call you a delicate flower
Pon enben siru poo enbenI will call you gold, I will call you a delicate flower
Kaanum kann enben veru yenenbenI will call you the seeing eye, what else shall I call you?
Female
Enenben kalai yedenbenWhat shall I call you? I will call you a canvas of art
Enenben kalai yedenbenWhat shall I call you? I will call you a canvas of art
Kangal naanendraal paarvai nee enbenIf I am the eyes, I will say you are the vision
Male
Kothu malar eduthuGathering a bouquet of blossoms
Muthucharam thoduthuThreading a strand of pearls
Chittu mugam paarthae sirithiruppenLooking at your cute little bird-like face, I will keep smiling
Kothu malar eduthuGathering a bouquet of blossoms
Muthucharam thoduthuThreading a strand of pearls
Chittu mugam paarthae sirithiruppenLooking at your cute little bird-like face, I will keep smiling
Female
Thottavudan nenjilUpon the slightest touch, in my heart
Thulli varum vellamA flood of joy surges forth
Kandu kandu naanum kalithiruppenBeholding this again and again, I shall rejoice
Thottavudan nenjilUpon the slightest touch, in my heart
Thulli varum vellamA flood of joy surges forth
Kandu kandu naanum kalithiruppenBeholding this again and again, I shall rejoice
Male
Unnai naanariven ennai nee arivaaiI know you deeply, and you know me
Unnai naanariven ennai nee arivaaiI know you deeply, and you know me
Female
Nammai naamarivom veru yaaraivaarWe understand each other, who else could truly know us?
Nammai naamarivom veru yaaraivaarWe understand each other, who else could truly know us?
Female
Aaa….aaa….aa…Aaa... aaa... aa...
Male :Pon enben siru poo enbenMale: I will call you gold, I will call you a delicate flower
Kaanum kann enben veru yenenbenI will call you the seeing eye, what else shall I call you?
Female
Chinna chinna paravaiLike a tiny little bird
Annai aval madiyilIn its mother's cozy lap
Thavazhvathu pol naan thavazhnthiruppenJust as it nestles gently, I too will nestle with you
Chinna chinna paravaiLike a tiny little bird
Annai aval madiyilIn its mother's cozy lap
Thavazhvathu pol naan thavazhnthiruppenJust as it nestles gently, I too will nestle with you
Male
Kannai mella maraithuGently playing hide and seek with your eyes
Unnai kayil eduthuTaking you into my arms
Kaalamellaam naan anaithiruppenI will hold you close for all of time
Kannai mella maraithuGently playing hide and seek with your eyes
Unnai kayil eduthuTaking you into my arms
Kaalamellaam naan anaithiruppenI will hold you close for all of time
Female
Unnai ninaithiruppenI will keep dwelling on your thoughts
Ennai maranthiruppenI will forget myself entirely
Male
Kannil kalanthiruppenI will merge into your eyes
Nenjil nirainthiruppenI will fill your heart completely
Male
Aa….aaa….Aa... aaa...
Female :Enenben kalai yedenbenFemale: What shall I call you? I will call you a canvas of art
Kangal naanendraal paarvai nee enbenIf I am the eyes, I will say you are the vision

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pon enben siru poo enben is a quintessential Tamil romantic duet from the 1962 film Policekaran Magal, composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and written by Kannadasan. The lovers take turns showering each other with lyrical praise, comparing one another to gold, tender flowers, timeless art, and the very eyesight that gives purpose to the eye. They speak of a deep, soul-level intimacy where neither needs validation from the outside world because their understanding of each other is complete.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Kangal naanendraal paarvai nee enben

The line compares the relationship between two lovers to the inseparable bond between the eye ('kangal') and the vision ('paarvai') it sees.

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Kothu malar eduthu / Muthucharam thoduthu

The second consonant 'th' (த்) is repeated across adjacent lines ('Kothu' and 'Muthu'), creating a melodic rhythm.

Simile (Uvamai)

Chinna chinna paravai / Annai aval madiyil / Thavazhvathu pol naan thavazhnthiruppen

The male protagonist compares resting in his lover's care to a tiny bird nestling in its mother's lap.

End Rhyme (Iyaybu)

Unnai ninaithiruppen / Ennai maranthiruppen / Kannil kalanthiruppen / Nenjil nirainthiruppen

Four consecutive lines end with the exact same verbal suffix 'iruppen' ( I will remain/be ), emphasizing commitment and continuity.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic melody sung by P. B. Sreenivas and S. Janaki remains one of the defining love duets of 1960s Tamil cinema. Picturised on 'Kadhal Mannan' Gemini Ganesan and Vijayakumari, the film Policekaran Magal was adapted from a popular stage play written by B. S. Ramiah.

Keep listening

More from Policekaran Magal