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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pon Maane Poo Maane

From Thiramai · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thiramai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ponmane poo maane thaaleloGolden deer, flower deer, lullaby...
Pennaaga aanaale kanneeroIs being born a woman destined only for tears?
Aangalin kaiyil bommaigal polae aanomaeWe have become like puppets in the hands of men.
Pennin sontham ellaam thunbamAll that a woman possesses is sorrow.
Female
Ponmane poo maane thaaleloGolden deer, flower deer, lullaby...
Pennaaga aanaale kanneeroIs being born a woman destined only for tears?
Female
Pennae pennae naan petha pennaeO woman, O my daughter whom I gave birth to,
Yaekkam venaam kelamma kannaeDo not yearn or grieve, listen to me, my child.
Ennaalum neeye vaazhavai kaana poraadu thaaiyaeFight forever, my dear, to build and see your own life.
Female
Pennae pennae naan petha pennaeO woman, O my daughter whom I gave birth to,
Yaekkam venaam kelamma kannaeDo not yearn or grieve, listen to me, my child.
Ennaalum neeye vaazhavai kaana poraadu thaaiyaeFight forever, my dear, to build and see your own life.
Female
Poraattamae illaamalaeWithout a struggle,
Pothuvaaga ellaarkkum kidaikaadhu needhi….Justice is generally not obtained by anyone...
Female
Ponmane poo maane thaaleloGolden deer, flower deer, lullaby...
Pennaaga aanaale kanneeroIs being born a woman destined only for tears?
Aangalin kaiyil bommaigal polae aanomaeWe have become like puppets in the hands of men.
Pennin sontham ellaam thunbamAll that a woman possesses is sorrow.
Female
Ponmane poo maane thaaleloGolden deer, flower deer, lullaby...
Pennaaga aanaale kanneeroIs being born a woman destined only for tears?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional lullaby from the movie Thiramai (1985) carries a profound theme of maternal love intertwined with social awakening. A mother sings to her newborn daughter, reflecting on the historical hardships faced by women who are often treated like powerless puppets in a patriarchal society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ponmane poo maane thaalelo

Addressing the child as 'Ponmaan' (golden deer) and 'Poomaan' (flower deer) uses affectionate nature metaphors typical of traditional Tamil lullabies.

Simile (Upamai)

Aangalin kaiyil bommaigal polae aanomae

Compares women to puppets ('bommaigal polae') in men's hands to highlight the lack of autonomy.

Repetition / Epizeuxis (Adukku Thodar)

Pennae pennae naan petha pennae

Repetition of 'Pennae pennae' adds rhythmic tender emphasis as the mother addresses her child directly.

Moral Maxim (Aravurai)

Poraattamae illaamalae Pothuvaaga ellaarkkum kidaikaadhu needhi….

Delivers a strong philosophical truth that justice cannot be attained without active struggle.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and written by Muthulingam, this track stands out in 1980s Tamil cinema for turning a gentle lullaby format ('thaalattu') into an empowering song advocating social justice and female resilience.

Keep listening

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