Ponna Illai Poova
From Vaayadi · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Vaayadi1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponnaa illai poovaa | Is she gold, or is she a flower? |
| Kannaa illai meena | Are these eyes, or are they fish? |
| Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu | A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty, |
| Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu | Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty, |
| Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa | The longing created won't just subside simply! |
| Male | |
| Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu | A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty, |
| Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu | Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty, |
| Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa | The longing created won't just subside simply! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaa illai poovaa | Is she gold, or is she a flower? |
| Kannaa illai meena | Are these eyes, or are they fish? |
| Male | |
| Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam | This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric, |
| Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam | This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains, |
| Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam | This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric, |
| Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam | This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains, |
| Male | |
| Un pattu vanna kannam rendum minnuthadi | Both your silky soft cheeks are glowing, |
| Mann thottu konda koondhal ennai pinnuthadi | Your long tresses touching the earth entangle me, |
| Un paththu viral muththamida solluthadi | Your ten fingers ask me to kiss them, |
| En aththai magal yaarumenakkillaiyadi | No one else is my cousin/sweetheart like you, my dear! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaa illai poovaa | Is she gold, or is she a flower? |
| Kannaa illai meena | Are these eyes, or are they fish? |
| Male | |
| Thogaiyondru vanthathendru megamellaam kooduthadi | Seeing a peahen arrive, all the clouds gather in the sky, |
| Soppanangal kandathupol thegamellaam aaduthadi | My whole body sways as if witnessing a dream, |
| Nee vetti vetti pesuvathu sorkkamadi | Your blunt, playful banter feels like heaven, |
| Kai thatti vittu oduvathu vetkamadi | Clapping hands and running away displays your shyness, |
| Un chinna chinna ponnidhazhil machamadi | There is a beauty mole on your small golden lips, |
| Naan enna enna ennam mattum michamadi | Oh, what endless thoughts you leave me with! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaa illai poovaa | Is she gold, or is she a flower? |
| Kannaa illai meena | Are these eyes, or are they fish? |
| Male | |
| Oodaiyilae vellamellaam | All the flowing water in the stream |
| Unaikkandu sokkuthadi | Is entranced upon catching sight of you, |
| Odugindra maangalellaam achamuttru nikkuthadi | All the sprinting deer stand still in awe, |
| Nee thaththi thaththi sellugindra pachaikkili | You are a green parrot waddling step by step, |
| En thanga kaiyil thulli vizhum ichai kili | A parrot of desire hopping onto my golden hands, |
| En ullamellaam kallathanam ponguthadi | My entire heart overflows with romantic mischief, |
| Antha vellaththilum pillai gunam thaanguthadi adi vaayaadi… | Yet amidst that flood, child-like innocence endures, oh chatterbox! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaa illai poovaa | Is she gold, or is she a flower? |
| Kannaa illai meena | Are these eyes, or are they fish? |
பொண்ணா இல்லை பூவா
கண்ணா இல்லை மீனா
பொட்டு வச்ச கட்டழகு கட்டி வச்ச மொட்டழகு
முத்து முத்து பல்லழகு மூடி வச்ச முன்னழகு
தந்த பசி தீராது சும்மா...........
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty,
Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty,
The longing created won't just subside simply!
பொட்டு வச்ச கட்டழகு கட்டி வச்ச மொட்டழகு
முத்து முத்து பல்லழகு மூடி வச்ச முன்னழகு
தந்த பசி தீராது சும்மா...........
A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty,
Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty,
The longing created won't just subside simply!
பொண்ணா இல்லை பூவா
கண்ணா இல்லை மீனா
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
மஞ்சளுக்கு வேரெடுத்து வந்த முகம் இந்த முகம்
மாமலையில் பூவெடுத்து வந்த மனம் இந்த மனம்
மஞ்சளுக்கு வேரெடுத்து வந்த முகம் இந்த முகம்
மாமலையில் பூவெடுத்து வந்த மனம் இந்த மனம்
This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric,
This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains,
This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric,
This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains,
உன் பட்டு வண்ணக் கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்னுதடி
மண் தொட்டுக் கொண்ட கூந்தல் என்னைப் பின்னுதடி
உன் பத்து விரல் முத்தமிடச் சொல்லுதடி
என் அத்தை மகள் யாருமெனக்கில்லையடி..........
Both your silky soft cheeks are glowing,
Your long tresses touching the earth entangle me,
Your ten fingers ask me to kiss them,
No one else is my cousin/sweetheart like you, my dear!
பொண்ணா இல்லை பூவா
கண்ணா இல்லை மீனா
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
தோகையொன்று வந்ததென்று மேகமெல்லாம்
கூடுதடி
சொப்பனங்கள் கண்டதுபோல் தேகமெல்லாம் ஆடுதடி
நீ வெட்டி வெட்டிப் பேசுவது சொர்க்கமடி
கை தட்டி விட்டு ஓடுவது வெட்கமடி
உன் சின்னச் சின்னப் பொன்னிதழில் மச்சமடி
நான் எண்ண எண்ண எண்ணம் மட்டும் மிச்சமடி......
Seeing a peahen arrive, all the clouds gather in the sky,
My whole body sways as if witnessing a dream,
Your blunt, playful banter feels like heaven,
Clapping hands and running away displays your shyness,
There is a beauty mole on your small golden lips,
Oh, what endless thoughts you leave me with!
பொண்ணா இல்லை பூவா
கண்ணா இல்லை மீனா
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
ஓடையிலே வெள்ளமெல்லாம்
உனைக்கண்டு சொக்குதடி
ஓடுகின்ற மான்களெல்லாம் அச்சமுற்று நிக்குதடி
நீ தத்தித் தத்திச் செல்லுகின்ற பச்சைக்கிளி
என் தங்கக் கையில் துள்ளி விழும் இச்சைக் கிளி
என் உள்ளமெல்லாம் கள்ளத்தனம் பொங்குதடி
அந்த வெள்ளத்திலும் பிள்ளைக் குணம் தங்குதடி அடி
வாயாடி......
All the flowing water in the stream
Is entranced upon catching sight of you,
All the sprinting deer stand still in awe,
You are a green parrot waddling step by step,
A parrot of desire hopping onto my golden hands,
My entire heart overflows with romantic mischief,
Yet amidst that flood, child-like innocence endures, oh chatterbox!
பொண்ணா இல்லை பூவா
கண்ணா இல்லை மீனா
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Kannaa illai meena
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu
A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty,
Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu
Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty,
Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa
The longing created won't just subside simply!
Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu
A well-adorned striking beauty, a delicate bud-like beauty,
Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu
Pearl-like teeth of beauty, a modesty-covered graceful beauty,
Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa
The longing created won't just subside simply!
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Kannaa illai meena
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam
This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric,
Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam
This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains,
Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam
This face is like one derived from the essence of pure turmeric,
Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam
This heart/fragrance is like flowers gathered from high mountains,
Un pattu vanna kannam rendum minnuthadi
Both your silky soft cheeks are glowing,
Mann thottu konda koondhal ennai pinnuthadi
Your long tresses touching the earth entangle me,
Un paththu viral muththamida solluthadi
Your ten fingers ask me to kiss them,
En aththai magal yaarumenakkillaiyadi
No one else is my cousin/sweetheart like you, my dear!
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Kannaa illai meena
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Thogaiyondru vanthathendru megamellaam kooduthadi
Seeing a peahen arrive, all the clouds gather in the sky,
Soppanangal kandathupol thegamellaam aaduthadi
My whole body sways as if witnessing a dream,
Nee vetti vetti pesuvathu sorkkamadi
Your blunt, playful banter feels like heaven,
Kai thatti vittu oduvathu vetkamadi
Clapping hands and running away displays your shyness,
Un chinna chinna ponnidhazhil machamadi
There is a beauty mole on your small golden lips,
Naan enna enna ennam mattum michamadi
Oh, what endless thoughts you leave me with!
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Kannaa illai meena
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Oodaiyilae vellamellaam
All the flowing water in the stream
Unaikkandu sokkuthadi
Is entranced upon catching sight of you,
Odugindra maangalellaam achamuttru nikkuthadi
All the sprinting deer stand still in awe,
Nee thaththi thaththi sellugindra pachaikkili
You are a green parrot waddling step by step,
En thanga kaiyil thulli vizhum ichai kili
A parrot of desire hopping onto my golden hands,
En ullamellaam kallathanam ponguthadi
My entire heart overflows with romantic mischief,
Antha vellaththilum pillai gunam thaanguthadi adi vaayaadi…
Yet amidst that flood, child-like innocence endures, oh chatterbox!
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Is she gold, or is she a flower?
Kannaa illai meena
Are these eyes, or are they fish?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ponnaa illai poovaa' from the 1973 movie Vaayadi is a romantic, lighthearted track where the male protagonist lovingly teases and praises his beloved ('Vaayadi' meaning chatterbox). He marvels at her radiant beauty, comparing her features to gold, flowers, pearls, and nature. Through vivid imagery of nature responding to her presence—clouds gathering like peacocks, streams becoming spellbound, and deer stopping in awe—he describes his intense affection and playful fascination with her charm, sharp talk, and innocent mischief.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Uvamaani / Uvamaana Sandhegam)
“Ponnaa illai poovaa / Kannaa illai meena”
The opening lines express poetic doubt comparing the maiden's beauty to gold, flowers, and fish.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Emonae / Edhurai)
“Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu / Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu”
Internal rhyming and repetition of 'muttazhagu', 'kattazhagu', 'pallazhagu', 'munnazhagu' creates rhythmic elegance.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Nee thaththi thaththi sellugindra pachaikkili”
Comparing her teeth to pearls ('muthu pallazhagu') and her steps to a parrot hopping ('pachaikkili').
Personification
“Oodaiyilae vellamellaam / Unaikkandu sokkuthadi”
Attributing human emotions like fascination and awe to streams and deer.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Vaayadi' features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with iconic lyrics by Kannadasan and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan. The term 'Vaayadi' literally translates to 'talkative girl' or 'chatterbox', which serves as both the title of the film and a playful epithet used in the climax of the song's verses.
Keep listening