Ponnaga Poranthaa
From Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vairamuthu
- Details
- Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Male | |
| Paasaththa nenachchu thoshaththa maranthaa | Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw |
| Manjala semanthu mannoda kalanthaa | Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth |
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Male | |
| Nenjukkulla karpanai valarththaa | She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart |
| Niththam niththam aasaiya somanthaa | Every day, she carried her desires |
| Sollaama thavichchaalae | She suffered silently without voicing her pain |
| Ippothum sollaama erinjaalae | Even now, she burned away in silence |
| Male | |
| Nenjukkulla karpanai valarththaa | She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart |
| Niththam niththam aasaiya somanthaa | Every day, she carried her desires |
| Sollaama thavichchaalae | She suffered silently without voicing her pain |
| Ippothum sollaama erinjaalae | Even now, she burned away in silence |
| Male | |
| Saagaiyilumthaan vaazha vechchaa | Even in her death, she gave life to others |
| Paampukkum thaan paala vachchaa | She offered milk even to the venomous snake |
| Thosham poyinnu solli vechchaa | She departed declaring that the curse was gone |
| Thosham poyinnu solli vechchaa | She departed declaring that the curse was gone |
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Male | |
| Thangachchiyo thukkappattaa | The younger sister grieved in sorrow |
| Mappillaiyo vetkkappattaan | The prospective groom hung his head in shame |
| Peththavanum azhuthaanae | The father who raised her wept bitterly |
| Penn vaazhvai keduththavan thozhuthaanae | The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse |
| Male | |
| Thangachchiyo thukkappattaa | The younger sister grieved in sorrow |
| Mappillaiyo vetkkappattaan | The prospective groom hung his head in shame |
| Peththavanum azhuthaanae | The father who raised her wept bitterly |
| Penn vaazhvai keduththavan thozhuthaanae | The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse |
| Male | |
| Paavappatta pompalaiya | This poor, unfortunate woman |
| Saathi sanam nampalaiyae | Her own caste and kinsfolk failed to trust her |
| Theeyil vizhunthaa poomaalaiyae | Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire |
| Theeyil vizhunthaa poomaalaiyae | Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire |
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Male | |
| Paasaththa nenachchu thosaththa maranthaa | Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw |
| Manjala somanthu mannoda kalanthaa | Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth |
| Male | |
| Ponnaaga poranthaa | She was born like precious gold |
| Poovaaga valarnthaa | She grew up gentle like a flower |
| Thaalikku aasaipattaa | She longed for the sacred wedding thread |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
| Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa | Now she has been betrothed to death |
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
பாசத்த நெனச்சு தோஷத்த மறந்தா
மஞ்சள சொமந்து மண்ணோட கலந்தா
Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw
Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள கற்பனை வளர்த்தா
நித்தம் நித்தம் ஆசைய சொமந்தா
சொல்லாம தவிச்சாளே
இப்போதும் சொல்லாம எறிஞ்சாளே
She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart
Every day, she carried her desires
She suffered silently without voicing her pain
Even now, she burned away in silence
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள கற்பனை வளர்த்தா
நித்தம் நித்தம் ஆசைய சொமந்தா
சொல்லாம தவிச்சாளே
இப்போதும் சொல்லாம எறிஞ்சாளே
She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart
Every day, she carried her desires
She suffered silently without voicing her pain
Even now, she burned away in silence
சாகையிலும்தான் வாழ வெச்சா
பாம்புக்கும் தான் பால வச்சா
தோஷம் பொய்யின்னு சொல்லி வெச்சா
தோஷம் பொய்யின்னு சொல்லி வெச்சா
Even in her death, she gave life to others
She offered milk even to the venomous snake
She departed declaring that the curse was gone
She departed declaring that the curse was gone
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
தங்கச்சியோ துக்கப்பட்டா
மாப்பிள்ளையோ வெக்கப்பட்டான்
பெத்தவனும் அழுதானே
பெண் வாழ்வை கெடுத்தவன் தொழுதானே
The younger sister grieved in sorrow
The prospective groom hung his head in shame
The father who raised her wept bitterly
The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse
தங்கச்சியோ துக்கப்பட்டா
மாப்பிள்ளையோ வெக்கப்பட்டான்
பெத்தவனும் அழுதானே
பெண் வாழ்வை கெடுத்தவன் தொழுதானே
The younger sister grieved in sorrow
The prospective groom hung his head in shame
The father who raised her wept bitterly
The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse
பாவப்பட்ட பொம்பளைய
சாதி சனம் நம்பலையே
தீயில் விழுந்தா பூமாலையே
தீயில் விழுந்தா பூமாலையே
This poor, unfortunate woman
Her own caste and kinsfolk failed to trust her
Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire
Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
பாசத்த நெனச்சு தோஷத்த மறந்தா
மஞ்சள சொமந்து மண்ணோட கலந்தா
Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw
Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth
பொண்ணாக பொறந்தா
பூவாக வளர்ந்தா
தாலிக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா
இப்போது சாவுக்கு வாக்கப்பட்டா.......
She was born like precious gold
She grew up gentle like a flower
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Now she has been betrothed to death
Now she has been betrothed to death
Now she has been betrothed to death
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Paasaththa nenachchu thoshaththa maranthaa
Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw
Manjala semanthu mannoda kalanthaa
Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Nenjukkulla karpanai valarththaa
She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart
Niththam niththam aasaiya somanthaa
Every day, she carried her desires
Sollaama thavichchaalae
She suffered silently without voicing her pain
Ippothum sollaama erinjaalae
Even now, she burned away in silence
Nenjukkulla karpanai valarththaa
She nurtured dreams deep inside her heart
Niththam niththam aasaiya somanthaa
Every day, she carried her desires
Sollaama thavichchaalae
She suffered silently without voicing her pain
Ippothum sollaama erinjaalae
Even now, she burned away in silence
Saagaiyilumthaan vaazha vechchaa
Even in her death, she gave life to others
Paampukkum thaan paala vachchaa
She offered milk even to the venomous snake
Thosham poyinnu solli vechchaa
She departed declaring that the curse was gone
Thosham poyinnu solli vechchaa
She departed declaring that the curse was gone
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Thangachchiyo thukkappattaa
The younger sister grieved in sorrow
Mappillaiyo vetkkappattaan
The prospective groom hung his head in shame
Peththavanum azhuthaanae
The father who raised her wept bitterly
Penn vaazhvai keduththavan thozhuthaanae
The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse
Thangachchiyo thukkappattaa
The younger sister grieved in sorrow
Mappillaiyo vetkkappattaan
The prospective groom hung his head in shame
Peththavanum azhuthaanae
The father who raised her wept bitterly
Penn vaazhvai keduththavan thozhuthaanae
The one who destroyed her life bowed in remorse
Paavappatta pompalaiya
This poor, unfortunate woman
Saathi sanam nampalaiyae
Her own caste and kinsfolk failed to trust her
Theeyil vizhunthaa poomaalaiyae
Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire
Theeyil vizhunthaa poomaalaiyae
Like a garland of flowers, she fell into the fire
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Paasaththa nenachchu thosaththa maranthaa
Cherishing love, she forgot the tragic flaw
Manjala somanthu mannoda kalanthaa
Adorned in turmeric, she merged with the earth
Ponnaaga poranthaa
She was born like precious gold
Poovaaga valarnthaa
She grew up gentle like a flower
Thaalikku aasaipattaa
She longed for the sacred wedding thread
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa
Now she has been betrothed to death
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ponnaaga Poranthaa' from 'Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu' (1990) is a tragic lament sung by iconic playback singer T. M. Soundararajan. It tells the story of a pure, innocent woman who grew up with simple dreams of marriage and love, but was driven to a tragic end due to social prejudices, misunderstandings, and malevolence. The lyrics express profound grief over how her life was cut short, comparing her demise to a garland of flowers thrown into a burning fire.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Ponnaaga poranthaa / Poovaaga valarnthaa”
Compares the girl's birth and upbringing to gold and flowers using 'Aaga' ('Ponnaaga', 'Poovaaga').
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Ippothu saavukku vaakkappattaa”
Metaphorically describes her tragic death as being betrothed/wedded to death ('Saavukku vaakkappattaa').
Monai (Initial Alliteration / Rhyme)
“Ponnaaga poranthaa / Poovaaga valarnthaa”
Repetition of the sound 'P' across consecutive words/lines ('Ponnaaga', 'Poovaaga', 'Paasaththa').
Edupai / Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Sollaama thavichchaalae / Ippothum sollaama erinjaalae”
End rhymes using similar verb endings like '-thaa', '-ttaa', and '-lae'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features legendary singer T. M. Soundararajan in the later stage of his career, delivering an emotionally charged performance composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Vairamuthu.
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