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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pongi Varum

From Satharam · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Bhanumathi
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Satharam1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pongi varum pudhu nilaveO rising new moon!
Ponmaeni paavaiyaeO maiden with a golden body!
Pongi varum pudhu nilaveO rising new moon!
Ponmaeni paavaiyaeO maiden with a golden body!
Bodhai tharum senbagameO intoxicating Champak flower!
Povadhum yen vilagi povadhum yenWhy are you leaving, why are you moving away?
Pongi varum pudhu nilaveO rising new moon!
Ponmaeni paavaiyaeO maiden with a golden body!
Bodhai tharum senbagameO intoxicating Champak flower!
Povadhum yen vilagi povadhum yenWhy are you leaving, why are you moving away?
Female
Thangamilla ungal thavamYour penance lacks steadfastness,
Bangmurum swaamigaleO holy saint, it will be broken!
Thangamilla ungal thavamYour penance lacks steadfastness,
Bangmurum swaamigaleO holy saint, it will be broken!
Mangai naan umatharugil vandhaaleIf I, a young woman, come near you,
Nerungi vandhaaleIf I come close,
Mangai naan umatharugil vandhaaleIf I, a young woman, come near you,
Nerungi vandhaale…If I come close...
Male
Sanyaasi thannai indruAn ascetic, today,
SamsaariyakkiyadhuHas been transformed into a householder!
Sanyaasi thannai indruAn ascetic, today,
SamsaariyakkiyadhuHas been transformed into a householder!
Thangame singaara yavvanameO golden one, beautiful youth!
Unadhu yavvanameYour youthful charm!
Thangame singaara yavvanameO golden one, beautiful youth!
Unadhu yavvanameYour youthful charm!
Female
Sanyaasa maargam vittuHaving abandoned the path of renunciation,
Samsaariyaanadhu pol hoo o o oJust like becoming a householder, hoo o o o,
Sanyaasa maargam vittuHaving abandoned the path of renunciation,
Samsaariyaanadhu polJust like becoming a householder,
Thangal manam maaridumoo thavam puriyaWill your mind change again to do penance?
Meendum thavam puriyaTo perform penance once more?
Thangal manam maaridumoo thavam puriyaWill your mind change again to do penance?
Meendum thavam puriyaTo perform penance once more?
Male
Kannae un anbu manamMy dear, having seen your loving heart,
Kanda pinnum maaridumooWill my mind ever change after seeing it?
Kannae un anbu manamMy dear, having seen your loving heart,
Kanda pinnum maaridumooWill my mind ever change after seeing it?
Kaaviyudai virumbidumoo en idhayamWill my heart ever desire saffron robes again?
Kaaviyudai virumbidumoo en idhayamWill my heart ever desire saffron robes again?
Female
Sonna sol unmai endraaleIf the words you spoke are true,
Sorgam bogam inimelaeHeaven and supreme bliss are ours from now on!
Sonna sol unmai endraaleIf the words you spoke are true,
Sorgam bogam inimelaeHeaven and supreme bliss are ours from now on!
Sondhame aagum thannaaleBond and kinship will naturally belong to us,
Endrum namm vaazhvinilaeForever in our lives!
Sondhame aagum thannaaleBond and kinship will naturally belong to us,
Endrum namm vaazhvinilaeForever in our lives!
Male
Kannaithamizh kavidhaiyile kaanadha inbameA joy unseen even in sweet Tamil poetry!
Both :Kannaithamizh kavidhaiyile kaanadha inbameBoth: A joy unseen even in sweet Tamil poetry!
Kaadhal ennum kadalinile neendhiduvomLet us swim in the ocean called love!
Naame neendhiduvom…..naame neendhiduvomWe shall swim... yes, we shall swim!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Satharam' (1956) depicts a romantic duet between a former ascetic and his beloved. The heroine playfully teases the hero about how easily his strict vow of penance crumbled upon her arrival, turning a renunciate ('sanyaasi') into a family man ('samsaari'). She questions if his commitment to love is genuine or if he will revert to his austere spiritual life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Pongi varum pudhu nilave

Comparing the heroine to a rising moon ('pudhu nilave') and an intoxicating flower ('bodhai tharum senbagame'), and love to an ocean ('kaadhal ennum kadalinile').

Antonymy / Juxtaposition

Sanyaasi thannai indru Samsaariyakkiyadhu

Contrasting 'Sanyaasi' (ascetic) with 'Samsaari' (family man) to highlight the dramatic transformation brought by romantic love.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thangamilla ungal thavam / Bangmurum swaamigale

The second consonant sound matches between lines: 'Thangamilla' and 'Bangmurum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi, 'Pongi varum pudhu nilave' is a celebrated duet sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Bhanumathi. Bhanumathi also starred in the movie 'Satharam' (1956) alongside Sivaji Ganesan.

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