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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponna Porandha

From Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy · 2005

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Karthik, Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?
Female
Kanavanai thedi alaigindra podhumEven while wandering in search of her husband,
Kudumbathukkaaga uzhaikkindra podhumEven while laboring endlessly for her family,
Uyirai koduthu endrum odaagi thaeivaalammaaShe wears herself out like a tile, giving away her life!
Female
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?
Female
Kaatrodu veyiloduAmidst the wind and the blazing heat,
Mazhai vandha podhumEven when heavy rain pours down,
Thaangum man thaai pola pen avalA woman endures like Mother Earth.
Kallodu pulloduAlong with stones and wild grass,
Thamai thondum podhumEven when they dig into her body,
Thadukkaadha man pola pen avalA woman is like the soil that never resists.
Female
Sumaigalai thaangaadhaIs there a load-bearing stone
Sumai thaangi undoThat cannot carry heavy burdens?
Sumai kandu sorgindra pen engum undoIs there a woman anywhere who faints upon seeing a burden?
Kannukkullae kanneerin aarondruThough a river of tears wells up inside her eyes,
Kannatthilae paayaamal paappaalaeShe ensures it does not stream down her cheeks.
Female
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?
Male
Unai nambi ulloraiThose who relied on you in complete trust,
Nee marandhu vandhaalIf you forget them and walk away,
Nee nambum dheivangalWill the gods in whom you believe
Unai kaakkumaaEver protect you in return?
Aval kanda thunbathilIn the immense suffering she endured,
Un pangu illaiYou took no shared part,
Inbangal ingunnai chaerumaaWill pleasures ever reach you here?
Male
Appodhum un bodhaiEven back then, your intoxication
Thavaraana bodhaiWas a misguided path!
Ippodhum un paadhaiEven now, your chosen course
Thavaraana paadhaiIs a completely wrong path!
Than kadamai thavaridum perkkellaamFor anyone who strays from their solemn duty,
Vendiyadhai dheivangal kaattaadhuThe gods will never reveal what they desire.
Male
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?
Male
Kanavanai thedi alaigindra podhumEven while wandering in search of her husband,
Kudumbathukkaaga uzhaikkindra podhumEven while laboring endlessly for her family,
Uyirai koduthu endrum odaagi thaeivaalammaaShe wears herself out like a tile, giving away her life!
Male
Ponnaa porandha indha paavamThe curse of being born as a woman,
Indha mannil endraikku ingu theerumWhen on this earth will it ever end?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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