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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
Movie name
Radhaiketra Kannan
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
5 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaal
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanae
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaal
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanae
Engae ennadi
Female :Aah….
Male :Adiyae chittu
Female :Aah….
Male :Engae ennadi adiyae chittu
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanae
Engae ennadi adiyae chittu
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanae vachchaanae
………………
Female :…………….
Aiyo paavam aththai pillai
Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchu
Male :Adhilae vizhunthaa vali yaedhumma
Adi illaamal ezhunthaachchu
Aiyo paavam aththai pillai
Aasai valaiyil vizhunthaachchu
Male :Adhilae vizhunthaa vali yaedhumma
Adi illaamal ezhunthaachchu
Aasi paarththaa theeraathu
Male :Appadi sonna pothaathu
Female :Aasi paarththaa theeraathu
Male :Appadi sonna pothaathu
Aasaiyai paaru athukkullae yaetho
Kanakaiyum pottaachchu machchaanae og machchaanae
Engae ennadi adiyae chittu
Enakkum unakkum vachchaanae vachchaanae oh machchaanae
Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottu
Kappunnu adichche sarithaanaa
Female :Ponnuga ninaichchaa singaththai kooda
Podavaiyai pottu pudikkaatho
Kannula pudichchu nenjilae pottu
Kappunnu adichche sarithaanaa
Female :Ponnuga ninaichchaa singaththai kooda
Podavaiyai pottu pudikkaatho
Thaalaiyai pottuttu paarththukiraen
Female :Sarithaan naanum saernthukkiraen
Male :Thaalaiyai pottuttu paarththukiraen
Female :Sarithaan naanum saernthukkiraen
Mookku kayirai poda pogum
Aambillai naanthaaae naanthaanae
Ponnaa poranthava engo orunaal
Poga porava machaanae machaanae oh machaanae
A girl born in this world is bound to leave
for another home one day, my cousin, oh cousin!
A girl born in this world is bound to leave
for another home one day, my cousin, oh cousin!
Where and what did He decide, girl?
Female: Ah...
Male: Hey, my little sparrow!
Female: Ah...
Male: Where and what did He decide, hey little sparrow,
between you and me, He made a match!
Where and what did He decide, hey little sparrow,
between you and me, He made a match!
...
Female: ...
Oh poor thing, my aunt's son,
has fallen into the net of desire!
Male: Is there any pain in falling into it, my dear?
I got up without getting hurt at all!
Oh poor thing, my aunt's son,
has fallen into the net of desire!
Male: Is there any pain in falling into it, my dear?
I got up without getting hurt at all!
Just looking with desire won't satisfy it,
Male: Just saying that isn't enough!
Female: Just looking with desire won't satisfy it,
Male: Just saying that isn't enough!
Look at this longing, already deep inside,
plans have already been made, my cousin, oh cousin!
Where and what did He decide, hey little sparrow,
between you and me, He made a match, oh cousin!
Catching me with your eyes and locking me in your heart,
you captured me completely—is that fair?
Female: If women set their minds to it,
can't they trap even a lion with their saree?
Catching me with your eyes and locking me in your heart,
you captured me completely—is that fair?
Female: If women set their minds to it,
can't they trap even a lion with their saree?
I will tie the thaali (sacred marriage thread) and take care of you!
Female: All right then, I will join your life!
Male: I will tie the thaali (sacred marriage thread) and take care of you!
Female: All right then, I will join your life!
The one who is going to put a nose rope and rein you in,
is the man standing here—that is me!
A girl born in this world is bound to leave
for another home one day, my cousin, oh cousin!
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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