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Annaiyum Pithavum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnale Vazhum Ulagam

From Annaiyum Pithavum · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Annaiyum Pithavum
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
1 Jul 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri
Pachai maandhalir pola
Paruvam muludhum oru pakkathil
Pattu onmaeni malai
Thanga vairam oru pakkathil
Thangam oru mutham tharumaa
En angam oru mutham tharumaa
Thangam oru mutham tharumaa
En angam oru mutham tharumaa
Sonna mozhi suvaippadhu
Kannangalil inippadhu
Thangamalla mangai thaanae
Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
Sivandha nettriyilae velli
Sivakkum udalil katti thangam
Karutha koondhalil manjam
Kaniyum idhazhil muthu vairam
Kangal maanikka kinnam
En kannam maragadha vannam
Kangal maanikka kinnam
En kannam maragadha vannam
Onbadhu manigalul
Unnai kandu sirippadhu
Thangamalla mangai thaane
Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Hmm mm mmm mmm mm
Mmmmm mm mm mm mm
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
This is a new world that lives on gold
This is a new world that lives on gold
That is a greater world that lives for a woman
That is a greater world that lives for a woman
Gold rolls around and plays
A woman blooms with charm and plays
Gold rolls around and plays
A woman blooms with charm and plays
Gold or a woman—what is your desire?
La la la lala lahiri lahiri lahiri
Like tender young mango leaves,
all of youth stands on one side
Silk, strings of gold and beads,
gold and diamonds on the other side
Can gold give you a kiss?
Or will my body give you a kiss?
Can gold give you a kiss?
Or will my body give you a kiss?
What makes spoken words taste sweet,
what brings sweetness to the cheeks,
is not gold, but a woman!
Not solid gold, but a woman!
This is a new world that lives on gold
That is a greater world that lives for a woman
Gold rolls around and plays
A woman blooms with charm and plays
Gold or a woman—what is your desire?
Silver shining on a fair forehead,
solid gold across a glowing body,
a resting bed in dark hair,
pearls and diamonds on ripe lips,
Eyes like cups of rubies,
my cheeks with the glow of emeralds,
Eyes like cups of rubies,
my cheeks with the glow of emeralds,
Among all the precious gems,
the one that smiles back at you
is not gold, but a woman!
Not pure gold, but a woman!
This is a new world that lives on gold
That is a greater world that lives for a woman
Hmmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmmm mmm mmm
Gold rolls around and plays
A woman blooms with charm and plays
Gold or a woman—what is your desire?
La la la lala lahiri lahiri lahiri
This is a new world that lives on gold
That is a greater world that lives for a woman
Gold rolls around and plays
A woman blooms with charm and plays
Gold or a woman—what is your desire?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic track from 'Annaiyum Pithavum' (1969) features a playful yet philosophical debate contrasting material wealth (gold) with human affection and female beauty (woman). The singer taunts the listener by asking which of the two holds greater value in life—inanimate gold that merely rolls around, or a living, loving woman filled with grace, warmth, and emotion. Through vivid imagery comparing bodily features to rubies, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds, lyricist Kannadasan highlights that true richness lies in romantic fulfillment rather than lifeless precious metals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Wordplay (Pon vs Pen)

“Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum / Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum”

Kannadasan contrasts 'Pon' (Gold) and 'Pen' (Woman) throughout the song to juxtapose material lust against sensual romance.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kangal maanikka kinnam / En kannam maragadha vannam”

Comparing facial features directly to precious gems like ruby cups ('maanikka kinnam') and emerald hues ('maragadha vannam').

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu / Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu”

Classic Tamil poetic rhyming structure where the second letter matches across successive lines (nn in Ponnalae and Pennaalae).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan and rendered by L. R. Eswari, known for her seductive and energetic cabaret-style songs in 1960s and 70s Tamil cinema, this track showcases Kannadasan's mastery in blending lighthearted sensual alluring lyrics with Tamil gemological metaphors.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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Annaiyum PithavumRomantic
Malarum Mangaiyum Oru1969
Annaiyum PithavumMelancholic
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Annaiyum PithavumMournful

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