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Isaimozhi
Vaayadi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ponna Illai Poova

From Vaayadi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Vaayadi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Kannaa illai meena
Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu
Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu
Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa
Pottu vacha kattazhagu katti vacha mottazhagu
Muthu muthu pallazhagu moodi vacha munnazhagu
Thantha pasi theeraathu summaa
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Kannaa illai meena
Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam
Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam
Manjalukku vereduththu vantha mugam intha mugam
Maamalaiyil pooveduththu vantha manam intha manam
Un pattu vanna kannam rendum minnuthadi
Mann thottu konda koondhal ennai pinnuthadi
Un paththu viral muththamida solluthadi
En aththai magal yaarumenakkillaiyadi
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Kannaa illai meena
Thogaiyondru vanthathendru megamellaam kooduthadi
Soppanangal kandathupol thegamellaam aaduthadi
Nee vetti vetti pesuvathu sorkkamadi
Kai thatti vittu oduvathu vetkamadi
Un chinna chinna ponnidhazhil machamadi
Naan enna enna ennam mattum michamadi
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Kannaa illai meena
Oodaiyilae vellamellaam
Unaikkandu sokkuthadi
Odugindra maangalellaam achamuttru nikkuthadi
Nee thaththi thaththi sellugindra pachaikkili
En thanga kaiyil thulli vizhum ichai kili
En ullamellaam kallathanam ponguthadi
Antha vellaththilum pillai gunam thaanguthadi adi vaayaadi…
Ponnaa illai poovaa
Kannaa illai meena
Is it gold, or is it a flower?
Are they eyes, or are they fish?
A striking beauty wearing a bindi, a bud of beauty wrapped tight!
Beauty with pearl-like teeth, a veiled beauty up front!
The hunger you stirred will not easily fade!
A striking beauty wearing a bindi, a bud of beauty wrapped tight!
Beauty with pearl-like teeth, a veiled beauty up front!
The hunger you stirred will not easily fade!
Is it gold, or is it a flower?
Are they eyes, or are they fish?
This face is born from the finest turmeric roots,
this fragrance is gathered from blooms on the great mountain!
This face is born from the finest turmeric roots,
this fragrance is gathered from blooms on the great mountain!
Both your silky cheeks are gleaming, girl!
Your long hair touching the ground tangles around me!
All ten of your fingers call me to kiss them!
I have no cousin bride like you for my sweetheart, girl!
Is it gold, or is it a flower?
Are they eyes, or are they fish?
The clouds gather thinking a peacock with spread feathers has arrived!
My whole body sways as if lost in a dream!
Your sharp and sassy banter is pure heaven, girl!
Brushing away my hand and running off is your shy charm!
There is a beauty mark on your sweet golden lips!
So many restless desires linger within me!
Is it gold, or is it a flower?
Are they eyes, or are they fish?
All the rushing water in the stream
is spellbound at the sight of you!
The running deer all freeze in wonder and awe!
You are a green parrot that toddles and hops along,
a parrot of desire leaping into my loving hands!
Playful mischief overflows across my heart,
yet through that flood, childlike innocence holds strong, hey chatterbox!
Is it gold, or is it a flower?
Are they eyes, or are they fish?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

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