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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pongi Ezhum Ilam

From Deiva Balam · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Vaithegi
Music director
G. Aswathama
Details
Deiva Balam1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthuThe surging young heart throbs with excitement
Bodhaiyinaal pudhupaadam padikkuthuOut of ecstasy, it learns a whole new lesson
Singaara kanavugal kannaara kaanuthuIt beholds beautiful dreams to the eyes' full delight
Female
Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthuThe surging young heart throbs with excitement
Female
Poongaavil malligaiyim vaasanaiyaalaeDrawn by the fragrance of jasmine in the garden
Pon vandu thaavi vanthu aasaiyinaalaeThe golden beetle leaps forward out of desire
Poongaavil malligaiyim vaasanaiyaalaeDrawn by the fragrance of jasmine in the garden
Pon vandu thaavi vanthu aasaiyinaalaeThe golden beetle leaps forward out of desire
Female
Reengaaram paadi nindru thaen idhazh melaeHumming a sweet melody while resting on honeyed petals
Reengaaram paadi nindru thaen idhazh melaeHumming a sweet melody while resting on honeyed petals
Thoongaamal thoonguvathai kaanbathanaalaeWitnessing its state of sleeping yet staying awake
Female
Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthuThe surging young heart throbs with excitement
Female
Iththanai naal thaanariyaa unarchchiyinaalaeThrough feelings unknown all these days
Iyarkkaiyilae undaana kilarchchiyinaalaeThrough the natural stirrings arising within
Iththanai naal thaanariyaa unarchchiyinaalaeThrough feelings unknown all these days
Iyarkkaiyilae undaana kilarchchiyinaalaeThrough the natural stirrings arising within
Female
Niththiraiyum pidikkaatha nilaimayinaalaeDue to a condition where even sleep eludes
Niththiraiyum pidikkaatha nilaimayinaalaeDue to a condition where even sleep eludes
Piththaagi thaalaatha thanimaiyinaalaeDue to unbearable loneliness that turns into madness
Female
Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthuThe surging young heart throbs with excitement
Bodhaiyinaal pudhupaadam padikkuthuOut of ecstasy, it learns a whole new lesson
Singaara kanavugal kannaara kaanuthuIt beholds beautiful dreams to the eyes' full delight
Female
Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthu…The surging young heart throbs with excitement...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pongi Ezhum Ilam Manasu Thudikkuthu from the film Deiva Balam (1959) expresses the sweet awakening of youthful romance and passionate yearning. The song articulates the emotions of a young heart experiencing love for the first time, comparing these intense feelings to nature—specifically a golden beetle drawn irresistibly to the scent of a jasmine flower.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pongi ezhum ilam manasu thudikkuthu / Bodhaiyinaal pudhupaadam padikkuthu

Repetition of the initial letter or consonant sound across words, such as 'Pongi', 'pudhupaadam', and 'padikkuthu' creating a pleasing musical rhythm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Iththanai naal thaanariyaa unarchchiyinaalae / Iyarkkaiyilae undaana kilarchchiyinaalae

Consistently rhyming line endings across multiple verses using the suffix ending '-inaalae' (unarchchiyinaalae, kilarchchiyinaalae, nilaimayinaalae, thanimaiyinaalae).

Nature Imagery and Metaphor

Poongaavil malligaiyim vaasanaiyaalae / Pon vandu thaavi vanthu aasaiyinaalae

Using the imagery of a golden beetle attracted to a fragrant jasmine flower as a metaphor for the irresistible pull of romantic attraction.

Did you know?

Trivia

Deiva Balam (1959) was a popular Tamil fantasy-adventure film directed by P. Vasanthakumar Reddy, starring K. Balaji and Jayashree. The music was composed by G. Aswathama, who was known for blending classical Indian ragas with light film music during the golden age of South Indian cinema.

Keep listening

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