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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponna Porandha

From Parisam Pottachu · 1987

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Manoj Gyan Varma
Movie name
Parisam Pottachu
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
14 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Pottum poovum
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Pottum poovum
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Anniya manushan paakkumpothu
Vetkkappadanum ponnu
Female :Vetkkaththavittu yaerittu paaththu
Sirippaval ellaam mannu
Manam illaatha poovukku madhippillaiyae
Kunam illaatha ponnukku sirappillaiyae
Female :Haa adi aamaam aamaam kelu en mama pakka aalu
Un kunaththa konjam maaththu adi adhuthaandi samaththu
Male :Namba naattu panpatta naamae maaththa koodaathu
Entha naalum naama paadhai maari poga koodaathu haan
Meaerkaththi naattu pazhagaththa ingae
Pinpattra koodathammaa
Female :Saelaiya vittu jeansgal pottu
Minikkidalaamo chummaa
Male :Nee padikkatha padipellaam padichchaalumae
Nalla pazhakkanga illaattaa oor thoottrumae
Hae aiyaa sonna solla
Nee kettaa thappae illa
Nee podava vaangi kattu
Adi naan thaaraen thuttu
Male : Amman koyil thaer polae
Ingae ponnu irukkonum
Intha oorae adi unna paaththu vaazhththu paadanum
Haa ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Pottum poovum
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
Veettin vilakkaagum….
Ponna poranthaa adakkam venum
Bhoomiya paaththu nadakkavum venum
Mattravar paarththu madhippum thara venum
Haei pottum poovum
Dhenam soodi kondaa kannukkazhagaagum
Manja poosi neeraadum pennae
Veettin vilakkaagum….haei yaeh…
………………….
Being born a woman calls for modesty,
One should walk with eyes looking down at the earth,
And others should look upon you with respect.
A bindi (traditional forehead dot) and flowers,
Wearing them every day is pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the light of the home...
Being born a woman calls for modesty,
One should walk with eyes looking down at the earth,
And others should look upon you with respect.
A bindi and flowers,
Wearing them every day is pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the light of the home...
When an unfamiliar man looks at her,
A girl should feel modest and shy.
Female: Casting aside modesty, staring right back,
And laughing—such a girl has no worth.
A flower without fragrance has no value,
A girl without good character has no grace.
Female: Ah, listen girl, yes, yes, my uncle is speaking the truth!
Change your ways a bit, girl, that is true wisdom!
Male: We should never change our own culture,
We must never stray from our path on any day, haan!
The customs of Western countries,
We must not follow here, my girl.
Female: Giving up the saree and putting on jeans,
Is it right to just show off like that?
Male: Even if you get all kinds of higher education,
Without good conduct, the whole town will speak ill of you.
Hey, the words this elder says,
There is no wrong in listening to them.
Go buy a saree and wear it,
Girl, I will give you the money!
Male: Like the chariot of the Goddess temple,
A girl here should carry herself with dignity.
The whole town, girl, should look at you and sing your praises!
Ha, being born a woman calls for modesty,
One should walk with eyes looking down at the earth,
And others should look upon you with respect.
A bindi and flowers,
Wearing them every day is pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the light of the home...
Being born a woman calls for modesty,
One should walk with eyes looking down at the earth,
And others should look upon you with respect.
Hey, a bindi and flowers,
Wearing them every day is pleasing to the eyes.
A woman who bathes applying turmeric,
Becomes the light of the home... hey yeh...
...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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').

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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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