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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponal Pogattum Poda

From Pen Puthi Munn Puthi · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Goundamani
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Pen Puthi Munn Puthi1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ooohoo oo ooo….ooo….[Vocalizing]
Oo ooo….ooo…..ooohoo….oo ooo ooo…[Vocalizing]
Ooohoo oo ooo….ooo….[Vocalizing]
Male
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Intha poravaiyai ezhumbu sumappathu veenadaaIt is useless for bones to carry this blanket of a body, my friend.
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Intha poravaiyai ezhumbu sumappathu veenadaaIt is useless for bones to carry this blanket of a body, my friend.
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Male
Ooohoo hoo ooo….ooo….[Vocalizing]
Ooohoo hoo ooo….ooo….[Vocalizing]
Male
Kaalgalil enakku viralgal illaiI have no toes on my feet.
Ada kazhuththukkum kezhae edhuvum illaiAh, there is nothing left below my neck.
Ini coffee kudichchaa ozhugidumaeIf I drink coffee now, it will just leak out.
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Male
Tholukkum sadhaikkum maruththuvam unduThere is medicine for skin and flesh.
Ezhumbukku maruththuvam kidaiyaadhuBut there is no medicine for bones.
Pattanam inimael varamaattaenI will not come to the city anymore.
En pondattiga kangalil padamaattaenI will not appear before my wives' eyes.
Antha thee vetti thadiyana vudamaattaenI will not let that torch-bearing brute get away.
Male
Ooohoo hoo ooo….ooo….oo[Vocalizing]
Ooohoo hoo ooo….ooo….oo[Vocalizing]
Ooohoo hoo ooo….ooo….oo[Vocalizing]
Male
Manthiram therinja masthaan ingaeWhen will the magician master who knows mystical spells return here?
Marupadi eppa varuvaanoWhen will he come back again?
Udamba kettu azhuvathanaaleSince I am crying over my damaged body...
Uruppadiyaa adha tharuvaanoWill he restore it properly to me?
Naayum ennai thoraththurathuEven a dog is chasing me.
Nariyum enna veratturathuEven a fox is shooing me away.
Kazhuthaiyum enna kadichchiruchchuEven a donkey has bitten me.
Male
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Male
Ponaal pogattum podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go.
Intha poravaiyai ezhumbu sumappathu veenadaaIt is useless for bones to carry this blanket of a body, my friend.
Ponaal pogattum podaa podaa podaaLet it go, my friend, let it go, go, go.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous yet reflective song from the 1989 film 'Pen Puthi Munn Puthi' centers around a protagonist who finds himself reduced to a bizarre skeletal condition due to comical narrative events. With no toes, no torso beneath his neck, and coffee leaking if he drinks it, he humorously despairs over his vulnerability to stray animals like dogs, foxes, and donkeys. Penned by Vairamuthu, the song parodies deep philosophical reflections on the impermanence of the human body. By declaring 'Ponaal pogattum podaa' ('Let it go, my friend'), the character embraces slapstick stoicism while waiting for a magician to hopefully fix his ruined physical frame.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamy)

Intha poravaiyai ezhumbu sumappathu veenadaa

Compares the outer flesh or body to a mere 'poravai' (blanket) carried by bones.

Refrain / Repetition (Anaphora)

Ponaal pogattum podaa

The catchphrase 'Ponaal pogattum podaa' repeats continuously throughout the song as a comedic chorus.

End Rhyme / Assonance (Iyaibu)

Naayum ennai thoraththurathu / Nariyum enna veratturathu / Kazhuthaiyum enna kadichchiruchchu

Sequential lines end with similar rhythmic verb forms ('thoraththurathu', 'veratturathu', 'kadichchiruchchu') to heighten comedic pacing.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Ponaal pogattum podaa / Intha poravaiyai ezhumbu sumappathu veenadaa

Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound in 'Ponaal pogattum podaa' and 'poravaiyai' creates rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The hook line 'Ponaal pogattum podaa' directly references the iconic, solemn philosophical song from the 1961 Sivaji Ganesan classic 'Paalum Pazhamum'. Lyricist Vairamuthu subverts the original serious tone of existential grief into a slapstick comedy sequence where the protagonist literally loses his physical body.

Keep listening

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