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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponaley

From Needhikku Pin Paasam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Needhikku Pin Paasam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanae mayilae manjal kungumamaeDeer, peacock, auspicious turmeric and vermilion...
Thaenae dhiraviyamae selvamae karpagamaeHoney, precious liquid, wealth, wish-fulfilling tree...
Endru yaarai azhaippen yaaridathil thunaiyiruppenWhom shall I call with these names now, and who will be my companion?
Kaadhalitha kanmaniyai kaivittu vandhenaeI abandoned the darling of my eyes whom I loved and came away.
Poo mudikka nindravalum purappattu ponaalae…She who stood waiting to wear flowers on her hair has departed...
Male
Ponaalae… ponaalae ….She went away... she went away...
Oru poovumillaamal pottumillaamal ponaalaeShe went away without a single flower or a bindi on her forehead.
Ponaalae… ponaalae ….She went away... she went away...
Oru poovumillaamal pottumillaamal ponaalaeShe went away without a single flower or a bindi on her forehead.
Ponaalae…ae…..She went away...
Male
Kannin maniyil nel mani polaeLike the vital grain within the pupil of the eye,
Kaadhal maniyaai irundhaalaeShe remained as the precious gem of my love.
Kannin maniyil nel mani polaeLike the vital grain within the pupil of the eye,
Kaadhal maniyaai irundhaalaeShe remained as the precious gem of my love.
Aval kaadhalai veruthu kadamaiyai ninaithaenI foresook her love and thought only of my duty,
Kaathirukkaamal parandhaalae…Without waiting for me, she flew away...
Male
Ponaalae… ponaalae…She went away... she went away...
Male
Nenjinil irundha koyiliyae oruIn the temple that resided deep inside my heart,
Vanjiyai silaiyaai vaithaenaeI enshrined a beautiful maiden like a sacred idol.
Nenjinil irundha koyiliyae oruIn the temple that resided deep inside my heart,
Vanjiyai silaiyaai vaithaenaeI enshrined a beautiful maiden like a sacred idol.
Andha vanjiyin kaadhalai vanjithadhaalaeBecause I betrayed the pure love of that maiden,
Konjum kuyilum maraindhaalae…The sweet cooing cuckoo bird has vanished...
Male
Ponaalae… ponaalae ….She went away... she went away...
Oru poovumillaamal pottumillaamal ponaalaeShe went away without a single flower or a bindi on her forehead.
Ponaalae… ponaalae… ponaalae…She went away... she went away... she went away...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep agony and remorse of a protagonist who prioritized his duty over his love. He reflects on how he used to fondly address his beloved with terms of endearment, comparing her to sacred symbols of fortune, sweet honey, and nature's beauty. By leaving her behind for the sake of duty, he caused her immense despair, leading her to leave stripped of all traditional marks of happiness like flowers and the auspicious bindi.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Maanae mayilae manjal kungumamae

The lyrics address the beloved with multiple rich metaphors representing auspiciousness and beauty ('Maanae', 'Mayilae', 'Karpagamae').

Simile (Upama)

Kannin maniyil nel mani polae

Compares the preciousness of love to the pupil of an eye containing a grain of rice ('nel mani polae').

Repetition / Anaphora (Ettugai / Porul Pinvarunilai)

Ponaalae… ponaalae… ponaalae…

The word 'Ponaalae' (she went away) is repeatedly emphasized to accentuate the permanent pain of loss and abandonment.

Wordplay / Pun (Sleidai / Ethukai)

Andha vanjiyin kaadhalai vanjithadhaalae

Clever juxtaposition of 'Vanji' (a maiden/woman) and 'Vanjithadhaalae' (because of betraying), showing Kannadasan's command over Tamil diction.

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Trivia

'Needhikku Pin Paasam' (1963) stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with vocals by T. M. Soundararajan, set to lyricist Kannadasan's emotive verses detailing the central theme of duty vs. affection.

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