Ponnangkanni
From Natchathiram · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Natchathiram1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho | Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed? |
| Punnagaiyil theriyudhu ammaa | It shows in your smile, my dear. |
| Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam | All the cowrie shells from the board game, |
| Pal vadivil vandhadhu ammaa | Have taken shape as your teeth, my dear. |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Female | |
| Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho | Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed? |
| Punnagaiyil theriyudhu kannaa | It shows in your smile, my beloved. |
| Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam | All the cowrie shells from the board game, |
| Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa | Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Female | |
| Kaadhalikku veedu katti | Building a house for love, |
| Kaanalaa methaiyittu | Making a bed out of a mirage, |
| Koodu katti jodiyittu kondaada vaa | Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate! |
| Male | |
| Saelai katti kondaiyittu | Draping a saree, styling the hair bun, |
| Singaaram pannikkittu | Adorning and dressing up beautifully, |
| Maalaiyittu thaali katti neeyaada vaa | Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance! |
| Female | |
| Kaadhalikku veedu katti | Building a house for love, |
| Kaanalaa methaiyittu | Making a bed out of a mirage, |
| Koodu katti jodiyittu kondaada vaa | Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate! |
| Male | |
| Saelai katti kondaiyittu | Draping a saree, styling the hair bun, |
| Singaaram pannikkittu | Adorning and dressing up beautifully, |
| Maalaiyittu thaali katti neeyaada vaa | Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance! |
| Female | |
| Kannaalae paathaalae ellorukkum | When everyone beholds with their eyes, |
| Ennoda nee vandhaa nallaarukkum | It would be lovely if you come with me. |
| Kannaalae paathaalae ellorukkum | When everyone beholds with their eyes, |
| Ennoda nee vandhaa nallaarukkum | It would be lovely if you come with me. |
| Male | |
| Vegu naalaa aasa vachaen ommaeladhaan | I have held a longing for you for many days. |
| Vegu naalaa aasa vachaen ommaeladhaan | I have held a longing for you for many days. |
| Female | |
| Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho | Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed? |
| Punnagaiyil theriyudhu kannaa | It shows in your smile, my beloved. |
| Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam | All the cowrie shells from the board game, |
| Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa | Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Male | |
| Aayarkkudi maamanukku | For my uncle in Aayarkkudi, |
| Maanai pola ponnirukku | There is a daughter like a deer, |
| Adha vittu unkitta naan aasai vachaen | Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you. |
| Female | |
| Kaaraikkudi athai kitta | With my aunt in Karaikkudi, |
| Kannu pola pulla onnu | There is a child precious like an eye, |
| En kanna vittu unnaiyaedhaan kaadhalichaen | Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you. |
| Male | |
| Aayarkkudi maamanukku | For my uncle in Aayarkkudi, |
| Maanai pola ponnirukku | There is a daughter like a deer, |
| Adha vittu unkitta naan aasai vachaen | Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you. |
| Female | |
| Kaaraikkudi athai kitta | With my aunt in Karaikkudi, |
| Kannu pola pulla onnu | There is a child precious like an eye, |
| En kanna vittu unnaiyaedhaan kaadhalichaen | Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you. |
| Male | |
| Ellaarkkum puriyaadhu thaalakkattu | Not everyone can understand rhythm, |
| Ezhudhaamae seraadhu thaalikkattu | Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind. |
| Ellaarkkum puriyaadhu thaalakkattu | Not everyone can understand rhythm, |
| Ezhudhaamae seraadhu thaalikkattu | Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind. |
| Female | |
| Ada nalla sonnae saami manasa vittu | Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart! |
| Ada nalla sonnae saami manasa vittu | Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart! |
| Male | |
| Ada dadadada | Ah dadadada! |
| Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho | Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed? |
| Punnagaiyil theriyudhu ammaa | It shows in your smile, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam | All the cowrie shells from the board game, |
| Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa | Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
| Aathaa unna naanae | Oh my lady, when I look at you, |
| Paathaa pulli maanae | I see a spotted deer! |
பொன்னாங்கண்ணி பூத்து வந்ததோ
புன்னகையில் தெரியுது அம்மா
பல்லாங்குழி சோழிகள் எல்லாம்
பல் வடிவில் வந்தது அம்மா
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
It shows in your smile, my dear.
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Have taken shape as your teeth, my dear.
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
பொன்னாங்கண்ணி பூத்து வந்ததோ
புன்னகையில் தெரியுது கண்ணா
பல்லாங்குழி சோழிகள் எல்லாம்
பல் வடிவில் வந்தது கண்ணா
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
It shows in your smile, my beloved.
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
காதலிக்கு வீடு கட்டி காணலாம் மெத்தையிட்டு
கூடு கட்டி ஜோடியிட்டு கொண்டாட வா
Building a house for love,
Making a bed out of a mirage,
Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate!
சேலை கட்டி கொண்டையிட்டு சிங்காரம் பண்ணிகிட்டு
மாலையிட்டு தாலி கட்டி நீயாட வா
Draping a saree, styling the hair bun,
Adorning and dressing up beautifully,
Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance!
காதலிக்கு வீடு கட்டி காணலாம் மெத்தையிட்டு
கூடு கட்டி ஜோடியிட்டு கொண்டாட வா
Building a house for love,
Making a bed out of a mirage,
Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate!
சேலை கட்டி கொண்டையிட்டு சிங்காரம் பண்ணிகிட்டு
மாலையிட்டு தாலி கட்டி நீயாட வா
Draping a saree, styling the hair bun,
Adorning and dressing up beautifully,
Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance!
கண்ணாலே பாத்தாலே எல்லோருக்கும்
என்னோட நீ வந்தா நல்லாருக்கும்
கண்ணாலே பாத்தாலே எல்லோருக்கும்
என்னோட நீ வந்தா நல்லாருக்கும்
When everyone beholds with their eyes,
It would be lovely if you come with me.
When everyone beholds with their eyes,
It would be lovely if you come with me.
வெகு நாளா ஆச வச்சேன் ஒம்மேலதான்
வெகு நாளா ஆச வச்சேன் ஒம்மேலதான்
I have held a longing for you for many days.
I have held a longing for you for many days.
பொன்னாங்க்கண்ணி பூத்து வந்ததோ
புன்னகையில் தெரியுது கண்ணா
பல்லாங்குழி சோழிகள் எல்லாம்
பல் வடிவில் வந்தது கண்ணா
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
It shows in your smile, my beloved.
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
ஆயர்க்குடி மாமனுக்கு மானை போல பொண்ணிருக்கு
அத விட்டு உங்கிட்ட நான் ஆசை வச்சேன்
For my uncle in Aayarkkudi,
There is a daughter like a deer,
Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you.
காரைக்குடி அத்தை கிட்ட கண்ணு போல புள்ள ஒண்ணு
என் கண்ண விட்டு உன்னையேதான் காதலிச்சேன்
With my aunt in Karaikkudi,
There is a child precious like an eye,
Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you.
ஆயர்க்குடி மாமனுக்கு மானை போல பொண்ணிருக்கு
அத விட்டு உங்கிட்ட நான் ஆசை வச்சேன்
For my uncle in Aayarkkudi,
There is a daughter like a deer,
Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you.
காரைக்குடி அத்தை கிட்ட கண்ணு போல புள்ள ஒண்ணு
என் கண்ண விட்டு உன்னையேதான் காதலிச்சேன்
With my aunt in Karaikkudi,
There is a child precious like an eye,
Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you.
எல்லார்க்கும் புரியாது தாளக்கட்டு
எழுதாமே போவாது தாலிகட்டு
எல்லார்க்கும் புரியாது தாளக்கட்டு
எழுதாமே போவாது தாலிகட்டு
Not everyone can understand rhythm,
Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind.
Not everyone can understand rhythm,
Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind.
அட நல்ல சொன்னே சாமி மனச விட்டு
அட நல்ல சொன்னே சாமி மனச விட்டு
Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart!
Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart!
அட டடடட
பொன்னாங்கண்ணி பூத்து வந்ததோ
புன்னகையில் தெரியுது அம்மா
Ah dadadada!
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
It shows in your smile, my dear.
பல்லாங்குழி சோழிகள் எல்லாம்
பல் வடிவில் வந்தது கண்ணா
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
ஆத்தா உன்ன நானே
பாத்தா புள்ளி மானே
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
I see a spotted deer!
லாலலலா லாலலலலா லாலலல லலலலா
லாலலலா லாலலலலா லாலலல லலலலா
Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
Punnagaiyil theriyudhu ammaa
It shows in your smile, my dear.
Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Pal vadivil vandhadhu ammaa
Have taken shape as your teeth, my dear.
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
Punnagaiyil theriyudhu kannaa
It shows in your smile, my beloved.
Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Kaadhalikku veedu katti
Building a house for love,
Kaanalaa methaiyittu
Making a bed out of a mirage,
Koodu katti jodiyittu kondaada vaa
Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate!
Saelai katti kondaiyittu
Draping a saree, styling the hair bun,
Singaaram pannikkittu
Adorning and dressing up beautifully,
Maalaiyittu thaali katti neeyaada vaa
Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance!
Kaadhalikku veedu katti
Building a house for love,
Kaanalaa methaiyittu
Making a bed out of a mirage,
Koodu katti jodiyittu kondaada vaa
Building a nest, pairing up, come let us celebrate!
Saelai katti kondaiyittu
Draping a saree, styling the hair bun,
Singaaram pannikkittu
Adorning and dressing up beautifully,
Maalaiyittu thaali katti neeyaada vaa
Exchanging garlands and tying the sacred knot, come dance!
Kannaalae paathaalae ellorukkum
When everyone beholds with their eyes,
Ennoda nee vandhaa nallaarukkum
It would be lovely if you come with me.
Kannaalae paathaalae ellorukkum
When everyone beholds with their eyes,
Ennoda nee vandhaa nallaarukkum
It would be lovely if you come with me.
Vegu naalaa aasa vachaen ommaeladhaan
I have held a longing for you for many days.
Vegu naalaa aasa vachaen ommaeladhaan
I have held a longing for you for many days.
Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
Punnagaiyil theriyudhu kannaa
It shows in your smile, my beloved.
Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Aayarkkudi maamanukku
For my uncle in Aayarkkudi,
Maanai pola ponnirukku
There is a daughter like a deer,
Adha vittu unkitta naan aasai vachaen
Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you.
Kaaraikkudi athai kitta
With my aunt in Karaikkudi,
Kannu pola pulla onnu
There is a child precious like an eye,
En kanna vittu unnaiyaedhaan kaadhalichaen
Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you.
Aayarkkudi maamanukku
For my uncle in Aayarkkudi,
Maanai pola ponnirukku
There is a daughter like a deer,
Adha vittu unkitta naan aasai vachaen
Leaving her aside, I set my heart on you.
Kaaraikkudi athai kitta
With my aunt in Karaikkudi,
Kannu pola pulla onnu
There is a child precious like an eye,
En kanna vittu unnaiyaedhaan kaadhalichaen
Setting aside my own eye, I loved only you.
Ellaarkkum puriyaadhu thaalakkattu
Not everyone can understand rhythm,
Ezhudhaamae seraadhu thaalikkattu
Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind.
Ellaarkkum puriyaadhu thaalakkattu
Not everyone can understand rhythm,
Ezhudhaamae seraadhu thaalikkattu
Without preordained destiny, the marriage knot will not bind.
Ada nalla sonnae saami manasa vittu
Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart!
Ada nalla sonnae saami manasa vittu
Ah, you spoke so well, my dear, straight from the heart!
Ada dadadada
Ah dadadada!
Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho
Has the Sessile joyweed bloomed?
Punnagaiyil theriyudhu ammaa
It shows in your smile, my dear.
Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam
All the cowrie shells from the board game,
Pal vadivil vandhadhu kannaa
Have taken shape as your teeth, my beloved.
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Aathaa unna naanae
Oh my lady, when I look at you,
Paathaa pulli maanae
I see a spotted deer!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho is a charming Tamil duet written by legendary poet Kannadasan for the 1980 film Natchathiram. The song portrays two lovers playfully admiring each other's physical attributes, comparing teeth to shiny white cowrie shells (sozhi) used in traditional Pallankuzhi board games and comparing glowing skin to the vibrant medicinal plant Ponnanganni.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile
“Pallaankuzhi sozhigal ellaam Pal vadivil vandhadhu ammaa”
Comparing the white, neatly arranged teeth to cowrie shells (sozhigal) used in the traditional board game Pallankuzhi.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Ponnaanganni poothu vandhadho / Punnagaiyil theriyudhu”
Repetition of the initial letter 'P' across consecutive words, creating rhythmic harmony.
Emonai / Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Kaadhalikku veedu katti / Koodu katti jodiyittu”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'dhu/tu' in 'veedu katti' and 'koodu katti'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Natchathiram (1980) was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao, starring Shripriya and Sarath Babu. Kannadasan utilized rich rural Tamil imagery like 'Ponnanganni' (a nutrient-rich golden green herb) and 'Pallankuzhi' (a classic Tamil strategy game played with shells) to anchor the romantic dialogue in authentic regional folk culture.
Keep listening
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