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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponn Nilave Nee Vaa

From Manthiri Kumaran · 1963

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Rajan Nagendra
Details
Manthiri Kumaran1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Pandhalil oorndhu malargalai yendhiCrawling over the canopy, carrying blossoms
Kaadhal pole vaaCome like love itself
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Female
Poongodi poleLike a tender flowering vine
Surundu nee ooduCurl up and flow gently
Inbha manam ulla malarai thoduTouch the flower possessing a joyful fragrance
Thaen kuzhal oodhaAs the sweet honey-flute plays
Malarndhidum solaiThe garden blossoms into life
Sengadhir thazhuvidaAs the crimson sunbeam embraces
Vaigarai aagumIt becomes early dawn
Vanjiyar nenjil aasaiyai thandhaThe one who kindled desire in the maiden's heart
Vaazhkai manavanaiIs the true partner of life
Female
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Female
Haaa…aaa…haaa..aaaHaaa...aaa...haaa..aaa
Azhagaai paadiSinging so beautifully
Iruvarum konjiBoth whispering sweet affections
Azhagai paadiSinging of beauty
Iruvarum konjiBoth whispering sweet affections
Vazhivaai ilamaiyeLet youth flourish as the path
Kaliyaai thondriAppearing as ultimate delight
Female
Inbha vadivaaiAs the embodiment of bliss
Kaadhalil moozhgiImmersed deep in love
Inimai serkkaTo enhance the sweetness
KaniidhazhaalaeWith fruit-like lips
Vanjiyar thidithuIs it right for maidens to tremble
Vaaduthal sariyaaAnd wither in yearning?
Vaaipai thuiyalaamoShould we not cherish this opportunity?
Female
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon
Pandhalil oorndhu malargalai yendhiCrawling over the canopy, carrying blossoms
Kaadhal pole vaaCome like love itself
Hoo oooo hooHoo oooo hoo
Ponn nilave nee vaaCome, oh golden moon

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track 'Ponn Nilave Nee Vaa' from the 1963 Tamil movie Manthiri Kumaran expresses a poetic invitation to love, comparing the beloved's arrival to the soothing appearance of a golden moon. The lyrics paint vivid imagery of nature flourishing under love's touch—flowering vines, blossoming gardens at dawn, and sweet music, serving as metaphors for romantic awakenings. The heroine calls upon her partner to embrace youth and romance without hesitation, questioning whether it is right for a maiden to wither in longing when love offers such profound joy. Through expressive nature-oriented metaphors and rhythmic Tamil diction, Puratchi Dasan creates an enchanting, dreamy ambiance of romance and longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Ponn nilave nee vaa

Comparing the moon to gold ('Ponn nilave') and love's delicate approach to creeping vines ('Poongodi pole').

Moni / Etukai (Rhyme and Alliteration)

Pandhalil oorndhu malargalai yendhi

Use of matching initial sounds 'Ponn nilave', 'Pandhalil' and repetitive lyrical patterns enhancing musicality.

Imagery (Visual & Auditory Metaphor)

Thaen kuzhal oodha / Malarndhidum solai / Sengadhir thazhuvida

Evokes rich natural imagery of a honey flute playing and crimson sunbeams welcoming dawn.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Manthiri Kumaran' (1963) featured music scored by the acclaimed Kannada composer duo Rajan-Nagendra, making it one of their notable compositions in Tamil cinema. The song stands out for P. Susheela's soothing vocal rendition and Puratchi Dasan's poetic lyricism standard of 1960s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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