Ponna Porandha
From Parisam Pottachu · 1987
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
- Music director
- Manoj Gyan Varma
- Details
- Parisam Pottachu1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum | If born as a woman, modesty is essential. |
| Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum | She must walk while looking down at the earth. |
| Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum | Others should look at her and show respect. |
| Male | |
| Pottum poovum | Bindi and flowers, |
| Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum | If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes. |
| Manja poosi neeraadum pennae | A woman who bathes applying turmeric, |
| Veettin vilakkaagum…. | Becomes the auspicious light of the household... |
| Male | |
| Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum | If born as a woman, modesty is essential. |
| Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum | She must walk while looking down at the earth. |
| Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum | Others should look at her and show respect. |
| Male | |
| Pottum poovum | Bindi and flowers, |
| Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum | If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes. |
| Manja poosi neeraadum pennae | A woman who bathes applying turmeric, |
| Veettin vilakkaagum…. | Becomes the auspicious light of the household... |
| Male | |
| Anniya manushan paakkumpothu | When a stranger looks at her, |
| Vetkkappadanum ponnu | A girl should feel shy. |
| Female :Vetkkaththavittu yaerittu paaththu | Female: The girl who abandons shyness, looks up directly, |
| Sirippaval ellaam mannu | And laughs, is worthless like dust. |
| Male | |
| Manam illaatha poovukku madhippillaiyae | A flower without fragrance has no value, |
| Kunam illaatha ponnukku sirappillaiyae | A woman without good character has no distinction. |
| Female :Haa adi aamaam aamaam kelu en mama pakka aalu | Female: Yes, yes, listen to what my uncle's sidekick says, |
| Un kunaththa konjam maaththu adi adhuthaandi samaththu | Change your character a little, that is true cleverness, girl! |
| Male :Namba naattu panpatta naamae maaththa koodaathu | Male: We should not change our nation's culture ourselves, |
| Entha naalum naama paadhai maari poga koodaathu haan | On any day, we should not stray away from our path, haan! |
| Male | |
| Meaerkaththi naattu pazhagaththa ingae | Western cultural habits here, |
| Pinpattra koodathammaa | Should not be followed, dear girl. |
| Female :Saelaiya vittu jeansgal pottu | Female: Abandoning the saree to wear jeans, |
| Minikkidalaamo chummaa | Should one just show off unnecessarily? |
| Male :Nee padikkatha padipellaam padichchaalumae | Male: Even if you acquire higher education that others haven't, |
| Nalla pazhakkanga illaattaa oor thoottrumae | Without good traditional habits, the town will defame you. |
| Female | |
| Hae aiyaa sonna solla | Hey, the words spoken by elders, |
| Nee kettaa thappae illa | If you listen to them, there is no wrong at all. |
| Nee podava vaangi kattu | Go buy and drape a saree, |
| Adi naan thaaraen thuttu | Hey girl, I will give you the money! |
| Male : Amman koyil thaer polae | Male: Like a goddess temple chariot, |
| Ingae ponnu irukkonum | A woman should conduct herself here. |
| Intha oorae adi unna paaththu vaazhththu paadanum | This entire town should look at you and sing praises! |
| Male | |
| Haa ponna poranthaa adakkam venum | Ha, if born as a woman, modesty is essential. |
| Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum | She must walk while looking down at the earth. |
| Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum | Others should look at her and show respect. |
| Male | |
| Pottum poovum | Bindi and flowers, |
| Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum | If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes. |
| Manja poosi neeraadum pennae | A woman who bathes applying turmeric, |
| Veettin vilakkaagum…. | Becomes the auspicious light of the household... |
| Male | |
| Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum | If born as a woman, modesty is essential. |
| Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum | She must walk while looking down at the earth. |
| Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum | Others should look at her and show respect. |
| Male | |
| Haei pottum poovum | Hey, bindi and flowers, |
| Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum | If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes. |
| Manja poosi neeraadum pennae | A woman who bathes applying turmeric, |
| Veettin vilakkaagum….haei yaeh… | Becomes the auspicious light of the household... hey yeah... |
| Female | |
| …………………. | ... |
பொண்ணா பொறந்தா அடக்கம் வேணும்
பூமியப் பாத்து நடக்கவும் வேணும்
மற்றவர் பார்த்து மதிப்பும் தர வேணும்.....
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Others should look at her and show respect.
பொட்டும் பூவும்
தெனம் சூடிக் கொண்டா கண்ணுக்கழகாகும்
மஞ்சப் பூசி நீராடும் பெண்ணே
வீட்டின் விளக்காகும்.....
Bindi and flowers,
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
பொண்ணா பொறந்தா அடக்கம் வேணும்
பூமியப் பாத்து நடக்கவும் வேணும்
மற்றவர் பார்த்து மதிப்பும் தர வேணும்.....
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Others should look at her and show respect.
பொட்டும் பூவும்
தெனம் சூடிக் கொண்டா கண்ணுக்கழகாகும்
மஞ்சப் பூசி நீராடும் பெண்ணே
வீட்டின் விளக்காகும்......
Bindi and flowers,
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
அந்நிய மனுஷன் பாக்கும்போது
வெட்கப்படணும் பொண்ணு
வெட்கத்தவிட்டு ஏறிட்டு பாத்து
சிரிப்பவள் எல்லாம் மண்ணு
When a stranger looks at her,
A girl should feel shy.
Female: The girl who abandons shyness, looks up directly,
And laughs, is worthless like dust.
மணம் இல்லாத பூவுக்கு மதிப்பில்லையே
குணம் இல்லாத பொண்ணுக்கு சிறப்பில்லையே
ஹா அடி ஆமாம் ஆமாம் கேளு என் மாமா பக்கா ஆளு
உன் குணத்த கொஞ்சம் மாத்து அடி அதுதான்டி சமத்து
நம்ப நாட்டு பண்பாட்ட நாமே மாத்தக் கூடாது
எந்த நாளும் நாம பாதை மாறிப் போகக் கூடாது ஹான்
A flower without fragrance has no value,
A woman without good character has no distinction.
Female: Yes, yes, listen to what my uncle's sidekick says,
Change your character a little, that is true cleverness, girl!
Male: We should not change our nation's culture ourselves,
On any day, we should not stray away from our path, haan!
மேற்கத்தி நாட்டு பழகத்த இங்கே
பின்பற்றக் கூடாதம்மா
சேலைய விட்டு ஜீன்சுகள் போட்டு
மினிக்கிடலாமோ சும்மா
நீ படிக்காத படிப்பெல்லாம் படிச்சாலுமே
நல்ல பழக்கங்க இல்லாட்டா ஊர் தூற்றுமே
Western cultural habits here,
Should not be followed, dear girl.
Female: Abandoning the saree to wear jeans,
Should one just show off unnecessarily?
Male: Even if you acquire higher education that others haven't,
Without good traditional habits, the town will defame you.
ஹே ஐயா சொன்ன சொல்ல
நீ கேட்டா தப்பே இல்ல
நீ பொடவ வாங்கிக் கட்டு
அடி நான் தாரேன் துட்டு
அம்மன் கோயில் தேர்ப் போலே
இங்கே பொண்ணு இருக்கோணும்
இந்த ஊரே அடி உன்ன பாத்து வாழ்த்து பாடணும்
Hey, the words spoken by elders,
If you listen to them, there is no wrong at all.
Go buy and drape a saree,
Hey girl, I will give you the money!
Male: Like a goddess temple chariot,
A woman should conduct herself here.
This entire town should look at you and sing praises!
ஹா பொண்ணா பொறந்தா அடக்கம் வேணும்
பூமியப் பாத்து நடக்கவும் வேணும்
மற்றவர் பார்த்து மதிப்பும் தர வேணும் ஹே ஹேய்
Ha, if born as a woman, modesty is essential.
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Others should look at her and show respect.
பொட்டும் பூவும்
தெனம் சூடிக் கொண்டா கண்ணுக்கழகாகும்
மஞ்சப் பூசி நீராடும் பெண்ணே
வீட்டின் விளக்காகும்
Bindi and flowers,
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
பொண்ணா பொறந்தா அடக்கம் வேணும்
பூமியப் பாத்து நடக்கவும் வேணும்
மற்றவர் பார்த்து மதிப்பும் தர வேணும்
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Others should look at her and show respect.
ஹேய் பொட்டும் பூவும் தெனம்
சூடிக் கொண்டா கண்ணுக்கழகாகும்
மஞ்சப் பூசி நீராடும் பெண்ணே
வீட்டின் விளக்காகும்....ஹேய் ஏஹ்...
Hey, bindi and flowers,
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the auspicious light of the household... hey yeah...
.......................
...
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Others should look at her and show respect.
Pottum poovum
Bindi and flowers,
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Others should look at her and show respect.
Pottum poovum
Bindi and flowers,
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
Anniya manushan paakkumpothu
When a stranger looks at her,
Vetkkappadanum ponnu
A girl should feel shy.
Female :Vetkkaththavittu yaerittu paaththu
Female: The girl who abandons shyness, looks up directly,
Sirippaval ellaam mannu
And laughs, is worthless like dust.
Manam illaatha poovukku madhippillaiyae
A flower without fragrance has no value,
Kunam illaatha ponnukku sirappillaiyae
A woman without good character has no distinction.
Female :Haa adi aamaam aamaam kelu en mama pakka aalu
Female: Yes, yes, listen to what my uncle's sidekick says,
Un kunaththa konjam maaththu adi adhuthaandi samaththu
Change your character a little, that is true cleverness, girl!
Male :Namba naattu panpatta naamae maaththa koodaathu
Male: We should not change our nation's culture ourselves,
Entha naalum naama paadhai maari poga koodaathu haan
On any day, we should not stray away from our path, haan!
Meaerkaththi naattu pazhagaththa ingae
Western cultural habits here,
Pinpattra koodathammaa
Should not be followed, dear girl.
Female :Saelaiya vittu jeansgal pottu
Female: Abandoning the saree to wear jeans,
Minikkidalaamo chummaa
Should one just show off unnecessarily?
Male :Nee padikkatha padipellaam padichchaalumae
Male: Even if you acquire higher education that others haven't,
Nalla pazhakkanga illaattaa oor thoottrumae
Without good traditional habits, the town will defame you.
Hae aiyaa sonna solla
Hey, the words spoken by elders,
Nee kettaa thappae illa
If you listen to them, there is no wrong at all.
Nee podava vaangi kattu
Go buy and drape a saree,
Adi naan thaaraen thuttu
Hey girl, I will give you the money!
Male : Amman koyil thaer polae
Male: Like a goddess temple chariot,
Ingae ponnu irukkonum
A woman should conduct herself here.
Intha oorae adi unna paaththu vaazhththu paadanum
This entire town should look at you and sing praises!
Haa ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
Ha, if born as a woman, modesty is essential.
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Others should look at her and show respect.
Pottum poovum
Bindi and flowers,
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Becomes the auspicious light of the household...
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
If born as a woman, modesty is essential.
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
She must walk while looking down at the earth.
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Others should look at her and show respect.
Haei pottum poovum
Hey, bindi and flowers,
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
If worn daily, it becomes pleasing to the eyes.
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Veettin vilakkaagum….haei yaeh…
Becomes the auspicious light of the household... hey yeah...
………………….
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum' from Parisam Pottachu (1987) presents traditional cultural advice on female modesty, decorum, and attire according to classical Tamil values. The lyrics emphasize that virtues like modesty (adakkam), traditional adornments (pottu, poovu, turmeric), and respectfulness elevate a woman's standing in society, metaphorically framing her as the light of the house (veettin vilakku). Additionally, the song cautions against blindly imitating Western fashion and lifestyle, advocating that true respect comes from good character, cultural preservation, and humility rather than outward showmanship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Veettin vilakkaagum….”
Describing a virtuous woman as 'veettin vilakku' (the light of the house).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Amman koyil thaer polae”
Comparing a woman's dignified presence to a grand temple chariot using the word 'polae' (like).
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Manam illaatha poovukku madhippillaiyae / Kunam illaatha ponnukku sirappillaiyae”
Matching of the second consonant sound 'nam' across adjacent lines ('Manam' / 'Kunam').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by renowned Tamil lyricist Muthulingam for the 1987 film 'Parisam Pottachu', the song reflects the moralistic track style popular in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s, debating traditional values versus modern western influence.
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