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Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ponna Porandha

From Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy · 2005

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Karthik, Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy
Movie release year
2005
Lyrics added on
5 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
Kanavanai thedi alaigindra podhum
Kudumbathukkaaga uzhaikkindra podhum
Uyirai koduthu endrum odaagi thaeivaalammaa
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
Kaatrodu veyilodu
Mazhai vandha podhum
Thaangum man thaai pola pen aval
Kallodu pullodu
Thamai thondum podhum
Thadukkaadha man pola pen aval
Sumaigalai thaangaadha
Sumai thaangi undo
Sumai kandu sorgindra pen engum undo
Kannukkullae kanneerin aarondru
Kannatthilae paayaamal paappaalae
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
Unai nambi ullorai
Nee marandhu vandhaal
Nee nambum dheivangal
Unai kaakkumaa
Aval kanda thunbathil
Un pangu illai
Inbangal ingunnai chaerumaa
Appodhum un bodhai
Thavaraana bodhai
Ippodhum un paadhai
Thavaraana paadhai
Than kadamai thavaridum perkkellaam
Vendiyadhai dheivangal kaattaadhu
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
Kanavanai thedi alaigindra podhum
Kudumbathukkaaga uzhaikkindra podhum
Uyirai koduthu endrum odaagi thaeivaalammaa
Ponnaa porandha indha paavam
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerum
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
Whether she wanders searching for her husband,
or toils endlessly for her family,
she gives her very life and wears herself to the bone.
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
Through the wind and the blazing heat,
and even when the rains pour down,
she is like Mother Earth who endures it all.
Along with stones and grass,
even when she is dug and wounded,
she is like the patient earth that never resists.
Is there ever a stone rest-bench
that refuses to bear a heavy load?
Is there a woman anywhere who falters at the sight of a burden?
Though a river of tears swells inside her eyes,
she makes sure it never spills onto her cheeks.
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
If you forget the ones
who placed their trust in you,
will the gods you believe in
ever protect you?
When you bore no share
in the suffering she endured,
will happiness ever reach you here?
Back then, your intoxication
was a misguided intoxication;
even now, the path you walk
is the wrong path.
For those who turn away from their duty,
the gods will never grant what they desire.
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
Whether she wanders searching for her husband,
or toils endlessly for her family,
she gives her very life and wears herself to the bone.
The curse of being born a woman,
when on this earth will it ever end?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Ponnaa porandha indha paavam' is a deeply moving melancholy song that laments the persistent suffering and immense endurance of women in society. The lyrics draw a powerful parallel between a woman's patience and Mother Earth, highlighting how she silently absorbs every hardship—like heat, rain, and injury—without complaint or resistance for the sake of her family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

“Thaangum man thaai pola pen aval”

Compares a woman's unyielding endurance and patience to Mother Earth.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Kannukkullae kanneerin aarondru”

Metaphorically describes deep concealed grief as a river of tears trapped within the eye.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

“Appodhum un bodhai / Ippodhum un paadhai”

The second consonant sound matches across parallel lines ('ppo' in Appodhum and Ippodhum, 'do' in bodhai and paadhai).

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

“Ponnaa porandha indha paavam”

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound creates a rhythmic emphasis on the theme.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 2005 Tamil drama film 'Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy', directed by Thangar Bachan. Known for his poignant lyricism, Vaali penned the track to highlight the emotional core of rural family hardships.

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