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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pon Vandu Theendatha

From Poovum Pottum · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Poovum Pottum1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ponvandu theendaatha malligaiA jasmine untouched by golden beetles
Poonthendral konjaadha thaamaraiA lotus uncaressed by gentle breeze
Venmegam moodatha vennilaaA white moon unclouded by white clouds
Kann pattu vaadatha penn nilaaA maiden moon that wilts not from evil eyes
Ninaithu ninaithu mayangudhu thannalaeThinking and thinking, it swoons on its own
Female
Sevvaaiyin idhazhgalai thirakkumOpening the lips of the red mouth
Sendhaenil kani suvai kidaikkumIn pure honey, fruit-like sweetness is found
Malarndhaal kanidhaal penn paavaiIf she blossoms and ripens, she is a doll-like maiden
Female
Ponvandu theendaatha malligaiA jasmine untouched by golden beetles
Poonthendral konjaadha thaamaraiA lotus uncaressed by gentle breeze
Venmegam moodatha vennilaaA white moon unclouded by white clouds
Kann pattu vaadatha penn nilaaA maiden moon that wilts not from evil eyes
Ninaithu ninaithu mayangudhu thannalaeThinking and thinking, it swoons on its own
Female
Muthu mozhi paesum sithiramA picture speaking pearl-like words
Mangai ilamaeni sandhanamThe young body of the woman is sandalwood
Thaththi nadai pottu vandhadhuIt came with prancing steps
Thangha ratham pola nindrathuIt stood like a golden chariot
Female
Inbam oru paadhi ennidamHalf of joy is with me
Innum sari paadhi unnidamExactly the other half is with you
Chinna idaiyodu pinnavaaShall I intertwine with your small waist?
Chittu vizhiyodu konjavaaShall I coax your sparrow-like eyes?
Female
Sevvaaiyin idhazhgalai thirakkumOpening the lips of the red mouth
Sendhaenil kani suvai kidaikkumIn pure honey, fruit-like sweetness is found
Malarndhaal kanidhaal penn paavaiIf she blossoms and ripens, she is a doll-like maiden
Female
Ponvandu theendaatha malligaiA jasmine untouched by golden beetles
Poonthendral konjaadha thaamaraiA lotus uncaressed by gentle breeze
Venmegam moodatha vennilaaA white moon unclouded by white clouds
Kann pattu vaadatha penn nilaaA maiden moon that wilts not from evil eyes
Ninaithu ninaithu mayangudhu thannalaeThinking and thinking, it swoons on its own
Female
Kattu kulaiyaadha ponn udalA golden body untouched by disarray
Thottu piriyaamal unnudalYour body that stays close without separating when touched
Otti uravaada vandhadhuIt came to embrace and bond closely
Ondru ondraaga thandhadhuIt gave, one by one
Female
Putham pudhidhaana porrsilaiA brand-new golden statue
Nitham uruvaagum karppanaiAn imagination taking shape daily
Endrum padhinaaru kondavalShe who remains forever sixteen years old
Ilamai kuraiyaamal nindravalShe who stands without her youth diminishing
Female
Sevvaaiyin idhazhgalai thirakkumOpening the lips of the red mouth
Sendhaenil kani suvai kidaikkumIn pure honey, fruit-like sweetness is found
Malarndhaal kanidhaal penn paavaiIf she blossoms and ripens, she is a doll-like maiden
Female
Ponvandu theendaatha malligaiA jasmine untouched by golden beetles
Poonthendral konjaadha thaamaraiA lotus uncaressed by gentle breeze
Venmegam moodatha vennilaaA white moon unclouded by white clouds
Kann pattu vaadatha penn nilaaA maiden moon that wilts not from evil eyes
Ninaithu ninaithu mayangudhu thannalaeThinking and thinking, it swoons on its own

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ponvandu Theendaatha Malligai is a classic romantic song from the 1968 Tamil film Poovum Pottum, composed by R. Govarthanam with lyrics by Vaali. The song celebrates pure, untainted youthful beauty and romantic intimacy. Through vivid natural and celestial metaphors—an untouched jasmine, an uncaressed lotus, and an unclouded moon—the song portrays a beloved maiden as the ultimate symbol of pristine grace and eternal youth. The lyrics evoke a hypnotic state of enchantment where love is shared equally between two souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Ponvandu theendaatha malligai

Compares the pure, untouched woman directly to a pristine jasmine blossom untouched by beetles.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thangha ratham pola nindrathu

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare the majestic stance of the maiden to a golden chariot.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Ninaithu ninaithu mayangudhu thannalae

The word 'ninaithu' is repeated for emotional intensity and rhythmic emphasis.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ponvandu theendaatha malligai / Poonthendral konjaadha thaamarai

Matching initial consonant sounds 'Po' across words in the same line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Poovum Pottum (1968) was directed by Dada Mirasi. The song features music composed by R. Govarthanam, who was known for his melodious compositions in 1960s Tamil cinema. Vaali's lyrics in this song famously popularized the poetic ideal of 'endrum padhinaaru' (forever sixteen).

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