Ponnale Vazhum Ulagam
From Annaiyum Pithavum · 1969
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Annaiyum Pithavum1969
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu | That is a vast world that thrives on women |
| Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu | That is a vast world that thrives on women |
| Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum | Gold rolls and plays as coins |
| Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum | A woman blooms and blossoms with charm |
| Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum | Gold rolls and plays as coins |
| Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum | A woman blooms and blossoms with charm |
| Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna | Gold or woman, what is your true desire? |
| La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri | La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight |
| Female | |
| Pachai maandhalir pola | Like a tender green mango leaf |
| Paruvam muludhum oru pakkathil | Youthfulness in its entirety on one side |
| Pattu onmaeni malai | A soft, silky body like a gentle slope |
| Thanga vairam oru pakkathil | Gold and diamonds on the other side |
| Thangam oru mutham tharumaa | Will gold ever give you a kiss? |
| En angam oru mutham tharumaa | Will my warm body give you a kiss? |
| Thangam oru mutham tharumaa | Will gold ever give you a kiss? |
| En angam oru mutham tharumaa | Will my warm body give you a kiss? |
| Female | |
| Sonna mozhi suvaippadhu | Spoken words are delicious to savor |
| Kannangalil inippadhu | Sweetness overflowing upon the cheeks |
| Thangamalla mangai thaanae | It is not gold, but a woman indeed |
| Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae | It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed |
| Female | |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu | That is a vast world that thrives on women |
| Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum | Gold rolls and plays as coins |
| Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum | A woman blooms and blossoms with charm |
| Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna | Gold or woman, what is your true desire? |
| Female | |
| Sivandha nettriyilae velli | Silver adorning the red forehead |
| Sivakkum udalil katti thangam | Solid gold on the blushing body |
| Karutha koondhalil manjam | A soft bed hidden in dark black hair |
| Kaniyum idhazhil muthu vairam | Pearls and diamonds in ripening lips |
| Kangal maanikka kinnam | Eyes resembling ruby cups |
| En kannam maragadha vannam | My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue |
| Kangal maanikka kinnam | Eyes resembling ruby cups |
| En kannam maragadha vannam | My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue |
| Female | |
| Onbadhu manigalul | Among the nine precious gems |
| Unnai kandu sirippadhu | Smiling back as it looks at you |
| Thangamalla mangai thaane | It is not gold, but a woman indeed |
| Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae | It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed |
| Female | |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Hmm mm mmm mmm mm | Humming melody |
| Mmmmm mm mm mm mm | Humming melody |
| Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum | Gold rolls and plays as coins |
| Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum | A woman blooms and blossoms with charm |
| Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna | Gold or woman, what is your true desire? |
| La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri | La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight |
| Female | |
| Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu | This is a new world that thrives on gold |
| Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu | That is a vast world that thrives on women |
| Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum | Gold rolls and plays as coins |
| Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum | A woman blooms and blossoms with charm |
| Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna | Gold or woman, what is your true desire? |
பொன்னாலே வாழும் புதிய உலகம் இது
பொன்னாலே வாழும் புதிய உலகம் இது
பெண்ணாலே வாழும் பெரிய உலகம் அது
பெண்ணாலே வாழும் பெரிய உலகம் அது
பொன் என்றால் உருண்டு விளையாடும்
பெண் என்றால் திரண்டு விளையாடும்
பொன் என்றால் உருண்டு விளையாடும்
பெண் என்றால் திரண்டு விளையாடும்
பொன்னா பெண்ணா உன் தேவையென்ன
லா லா லா லாலா லாஹிரி லாஹிரி லாஹிரி
This is a new world that thrives on gold
This is a new world that thrives on gold
That is a vast world that thrives on women
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Gold rolls and plays as coins
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Gold rolls and plays as coins
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight
பச்சை மாந்தளிர் போல
பருவம் முழுதும் ஒரு பக்கத்தில்
பட்டு பொன்மணி மாலை
தங்கம் வைரம் ஒரு பக்கத்தில்
தங்கம் ஒரு முத்தம் தருமா
என் அங்கம் ஒரு முத்தம் தருமா
தங்கம் ஒரு முத்தம் தருமா
என் அங்கம் ஒரு முத்தம் தருமா
Like a tender green mango leaf
Youthfulness in its entirety on one side
A soft, silky body like a gentle slope
Gold and diamonds on the other side
Will gold ever give you a kiss?
Will my warm body give you a kiss?
Will gold ever give you a kiss?
Will my warm body give you a kiss?
சொன்னமொழி சுவைப்பது
கன்னங்களில் இனிப்பது
தங்கமல்ல மங்கை தானே
கட்டித் தங்கம் அல்ல மங்கைதானே
Spoken words are delicious to savor
Sweetness overflowing upon the cheeks
It is not gold, but a woman indeed
It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed
பொன்னாலே வாழும் புதிய உலகம் இது
பெண்ணாலே வாழும் பெரிய உலகம் அது
பொன் என்றால் உருண்டு விளையாடும்
பெண் என்றால் திரண்டு விளையாடும்
பொன்னா பெண்ணா உன் தேவையென்ன
This is a new world that thrives on gold
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Gold rolls and plays as coins
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
சிவந்த நெற்றியிலே வெள்ளி
சிவக்கும் உடலில் கட்டித் தங்கம்
கறுத்த கூந்தலில் மஞ்சம்
கனியும் இதழில் முத்து வைரம்
கண்கள் மாணிக்க கிண்ணம்
என் கன்னம் மரகத வண்ணம்
கண்கள் மாணிக்க கிண்ணம்
என் கன்னம் மரகத வண்ணம்
Silver adorning the red forehead
Solid gold on the blushing body
A soft bed hidden in dark black hair
Pearls and diamonds in ripening lips
Eyes resembling ruby cups
My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue
Eyes resembling ruby cups
My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue
ஒன்பது மணிகளுள்
உன்னைக் கண்டு சிரிப்பது
தங்கமல்ல மங்கைதானே
கட்டித் தங்கம் அல்ல மங்கைதானே
Among the nine precious gems
Smiling back as it looks at you
It is not gold, but a woman indeed
It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed
பொன்னாலே வாழும் புதிய உலகம் இது
பெண்ணாலே வாழும் பெரிய உலகம் அது
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
பொன் என்றால் உருண்டு விளையாடும்
பெண் என்றால் திரண்டு விளையாடும்
பொன்னா பெண்ணா உன் தேவையென்ன
லா லா லா லாலா லாஹிரி லாஹிரி லாஹிரி
This is a new world that thrives on gold
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Humming melody
Humming melody
Gold rolls and plays as coins
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight
பொன்னாலே வாழும் புதிய உலகம் இது
பெண்ணாலே வாழும் பெரிய உலகம் அது
பொன் என்றால் உருண்டு விளையாடும்
பெண் என்றால் திரண்டு விளையாடும்
பொன்னா பெண்ணா உன் தேவையென்ன
This is a new world that thrives on gold
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Gold rolls and plays as coins
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Gold rolls and plays as coins
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Gold rolls and plays as coins
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri
La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight
Pachai maandhalir pola
Like a tender green mango leaf
Paruvam muludhum oru pakkathil
Youthfulness in its entirety on one side
Pattu onmaeni malai
A soft, silky body like a gentle slope
Thanga vairam oru pakkathil
Gold and diamonds on the other side
Thangam oru mutham tharumaa
Will gold ever give you a kiss?
En angam oru mutham tharumaa
Will my warm body give you a kiss?
Thangam oru mutham tharumaa
Will gold ever give you a kiss?
En angam oru mutham tharumaa
Will my warm body give you a kiss?
Sonna mozhi suvaippadhu
Spoken words are delicious to savor
Kannangalil inippadhu
Sweetness overflowing upon the cheeks
Thangamalla mangai thaanae
It is not gold, but a woman indeed
Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae
It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Gold rolls and plays as coins
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
Sivandha nettriyilae velli
Silver adorning the red forehead
Sivakkum udalil katti thangam
Solid gold on the blushing body
Karutha koondhalil manjam
A soft bed hidden in dark black hair
Kaniyum idhazhil muthu vairam
Pearls and diamonds in ripening lips
Kangal maanikka kinnam
Eyes resembling ruby cups
En kannam maragadha vannam
My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue
Kangal maanikka kinnam
Eyes resembling ruby cups
En kannam maragadha vannam
My cheeks shimmering in emerald hue
Onbadhu manigalul
Among the nine precious gems
Unnai kandu sirippadhu
Smiling back as it looks at you
Thangamalla mangai thaane
It is not gold, but a woman indeed
Katti thangam alla mangai thaanae
It is not a ingot of gold, but a woman indeed
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Hmm mm mmm mmm mm
Humming melody
Mmmmm mm mm mm mm
Humming melody
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Gold rolls and plays as coins
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
La la la laalaa lahiri laahiri laahiri
La la la laalaa, ecstasy and delight
Ponnalae vaazhum pudhiya ulagam idhu
This is a new world that thrives on gold
Pennaalae vaazhum periya ulagam adhu
That is a vast world that thrives on women
Pon endraal urundu vilaiyaadum
Gold rolls and plays as coins
Pen endraal thirandu vilaiyaadum
A woman blooms and blossoms with charm
Ponnaa pennaa un thevaiyenna
Gold or woman, what is your true desire?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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