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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponmaaney Ponmaaney

From Anbu Kattalai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anbu Kattalai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Poonthottamae thaerottamaeOh flower garden! Oh chariot procession!
En jeevan nee thaanaeYou alone are my life
Female
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Chorus
Lala lalaala laalaa lala lalaala laalaaLala lalaala laalaa lala lalaala laalaa
Lala lalaala laalaa lala lalaala laalaaLala lalaala laalaa lala lalaala laalaa
Laalalaa lalala laalalaa lalala laa lalaa lalaaLaalalaa lalala laalalaa lalala laa lalaa lalaa
Male
Naayagi nadandhidum neramWhen the beloved lady walks gracefully
Kaadhalin abinayamoIs it the expressive gesture of love?
Naanamo yenadi innumWhy still shy, my dear?
Naanum orr adhisayamoAm I also a wonder to behold?
Female
Pennaanaal sugam nillaadhuIf one is a woman, pleasure knows no bounds
Ennaalum manam sollaadhuThe heart does not always reveal itself
Male :Eppodhum vetkam illaamalMale: Without a touch of shyness at times
Muppaalum suvai kollaadhuEven the three realms of life lose their taste
Female
Paayudhae en meedhuPouncing upon me with power
Kaamanin poo baanamIt is Cupid's flower arrow
Male :Paalodu thaenum serthuMale: Like combining milk with honey
Naanum kaana vendumI too wish to witness and experience
Female
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Poonthottamae thaerottamaeOh flower garden! Oh chariot procession!
En jeevan nee thaanaeYou alone are my life
Male
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Chorus
Laa laalaa lalala lalala lalalaaLaa laalaa lalala lalala lalalaa
Lala laala lalalaa laala lalalaa laala lalalala laaLala laala lalalaa laala lalalaa laala lalalala laa
Female
Aayiram kanavugal thondriA thousand dreams appearing
Aadudhae naadagamaeEnacting a drama of love
Aanandham medaiyin meedhuJoy upon the stage of life
Aala or naal varumaeA day will come for us to reign over it
Male
Sendhooram idhazh vandaadaCrimson lips swaying like bees
Sevaazhai malar kannaadaRed banana blossom-like eyes shining
Female :Sangeetham sugam pan paadaFemale: Music singing sweet melodies
Pon pola unai kondaadaTo celebrate you like precious gold
Male
Dheviyae poonthaerilOh goddess, in a flower chariot
Oorvalam povomaaShall we embark on a grand procession?
Female :Thedaadha yogam koodumFemale: An unsought divine blessing arrives
Neram paadum raagamThe auspicious time sings a beautiful ragam
Male
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Female :Poonthottamae thaerottamaeFemale: Oh flower garden! Oh chariot procession!
En jeevan nee thaanaeYou alone are my life
Male
Pon maanae pon maanaeGolden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you
Female :Pon maanae pon maanaeFemale: Golden deer, oh golden deer
Unnodu ondraanenI have become one with you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pon Maanae is a classic romantic duet from the film Anbu Kattalai (1989), penned by Gangai Amaran. The song depicts two lovers expressing their romantic longing, fascination, and sense of togetherness. The lyrics celebrate the joy of love, using traditional poetic tropes such as comparing the beloved to a golden deer, a blooming flower garden, and a grand chariot procession. The interplay between male and female perspectives captures bashfulness, passion, and the anticipation of a blissful union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagham (Metaphor)

Pon maanae pon maanae / Poonthottamae thaerottamae

The lover addresses his beloved as 'Pon maanae' (Golden deer) and 'Poonthottamae' (Flower garden), directly mapping nature's elegance and beauty to her.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Sendhooram idhazh vandaada / Sevaazhai malar kannaada

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds across lines, such as 'Sendhooram' and 'Sevaazhai'.

Classical Literary Allusion

Muppaalum suvai kollaadhu

The term 'Muppaal' references the traditional Tamil triad of virtue, wealth, and love (Aram, Porul, Inbam as in Thirukkural).

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently drew upon classical Tamil metaphors like 'Muppaal' and 'Kaamanin poo baanam' (Cupid's floral arrow) to weave traditional poetic sensibilities into late 80s film songs.

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