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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponna Poranthava

From Radhaiketra Kannan · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Radhaiketra Kannan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaalA girl who is born somewhere, one day
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanaeWill eventually go away with her beloved cousin, oh cousin!
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaalA girl who is born somewhere, one day
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanaeWill eventually go away with her beloved cousin, oh cousin!
Male
Engae ennadiWhere are you off to? What is it, girl?
Female :Aah….Aah....
Male :Adiyae chittuHey, little sparrow!
Female :Aah….Aah....
Male :Engae ennadi adiyae chittuWhere are you off to? What is it, hey little sparrow?
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanaeFate has paired you and me together!
Engae ennadi adiyae chittuWhere are you off to? What is it, hey little sparrow?
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanae vachchaanaeFate has paired you and me together!
Male
………………...
Female :……………....
Female
Aiyo paavam aththai pillaiOh, poor thing, my aunt's son!
Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchuHe has fallen right into the net of desire!
Male :Adhilae vizhunthaa vali yaedhummaDoes it hurt to fall into that net, my dear?
Adi illaamal ezhunthaachchuI rose back up without even getting hit!
Female
Aiyo paavam aththai pillaiOh, poor thing, my aunt's son!
Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchuHe has fallen right into the net of desire!
Male :Adhilae vizhunthaa vali yaedhummaDoes it hurt to fall into that net, my dear?
Adi illaamal ezhunthaachchuI rose back up without even getting hit!
Female
Aasi paarththaa theeraathuLonging won't be satisfied just by gazing.
Male :Appadi sonna pothaathuJust saying that isn't enough!
Female :Aasi paarththaa theeraathuLonging won't be satisfied just by gazing.
Male :Appadi sonna pothaathuJust saying that isn't enough!
Female
Aasaiyai paaru athukkullae yaethoLook at this desire, within it...
Kanakaiyum pottaachchu machchaanae og machchaanaeSome calculation has already been set, oh cousin!
Male
Engae ennadi adiyae chittuWhere are you off to? What is it, hey little sparrow?
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanae oh machchaanaeFate has paired you and me together, oh cousin!
Male
Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottuCaught through the eyes and placed inside the heart,
Kappunnu adichche sarithaanaaLocked away firmly, is that right?
Female :Ponnuga ninaichchaa singaththai koodaIf women set their mind to it, even a lion...
Podavaiyai pottu pudikkaathoWouldn't they capture it using just a saree?
Male
Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottuCaught through the eyes and placed inside the heart,
Kappunnu adichche sarithaanaaLocked away firmly, is that right?
Female :Ponnuga ninaichchaa singaththai koodaIf women set their mind to it, even a lion...
Podavaiyai pottu pudikkaathoWouldn't they capture it using just a saree?
Male
Thaalaiyai pottuttu paarththukiraenI shall tie the sacred thread and take care of you.
Female :Sarithaan naanum saernthukkiraenAlright then, I shall join you.
Male :Thaalaiyai pottuttu paarththukiraenI shall tie the sacred thread and take care of you.
Female :Sarithaan naanum saernthukkiraenAlright then, I shall join you.
Male
Mookku kayirai poda pogumThe man who is going to put the control rope on you,
Aambillai naanthaaae naanthaanaeIs none other than me!
Female
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaalA girl who is born somewhere, one day
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanaeWill eventually go away with her beloved cousin, oh cousin!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ponnaa poranthava' is a playful duet between two lovers expressing their affection, destiny, and banter about marriage. The female lead sings about how a girl born in a family eventually leaves to be with her maternal cousin ('machaan'), while the male lead teasingly agrees, asserting that God has predestined them to be together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Auvai/Uvamai)

Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchu

Describing falling in love as falling into a net of desire ('Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchu').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Ponnuga ninaichchaa singaththai kooda podavaiyai pottu pudikkaatho

Exaggerating the power of women by claiming they can trap even a lion using a saree ('singaththai kooda podavaiyai pottu pudikkaatho').

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai)

Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottu

Alliteration and internal rhyme in 'Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music director K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this playful folk duet highlights classic Tamil romantic tropes involving maternal cousin relationships ('Aththai pillai / Machaan').

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