Ponnazhagu Penmai
From Rickshawkaran · 1971
- Lyricist
- ‘Avinasi’ Mani
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Rickshawkaran1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum | What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood? |
| Punnagai enna | Is it a magical spell? |
| Oru manthiramo | Or is it a clever trick? |
| Illai thanthiramo | Is this entire world under the control |
| Intha ulagam engal | Of us beautiful women? |
| Azhagu pengal kai vasamo | What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood? |
| Female | |
| Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum | Is it a magical spell? |
| Punnagai enna | Or is it a clever trick? |
| Oru manthiramo | Is this entire world under the control |
| Illai thanthiramo | Of us beautiful women? |
| Intha ulagam engal | The queen of beauty from western lands, |
| Azhagu pengal kai vasamo | At a mere glance of her eyes, |
| Female | |
| {Mel naattin ezhil raani | The crowned king ruling the nation, |
| Vizhi jaadaiyil | Stumbled and lost his balance. |
| Naadaalum mudi venthan | Looking at her gentle gaze soft as milk, |
| Thadumaari naan}(2) | He yearned deeply. |
| Female | |
| Paal pondra pani paarvai | Resting his head upon her feet, |
| Paarththenginaan | He rested to relieve his weariness. |
| Kaal meedhu thalai vaithu | What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood? |
| Kalaippaarinaan | Is it a magical spell? |
| Female | |
| Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum | Or is it a clever trick? |
| Punnagai enna | Is this entire world under the control |
| Oru manthiramo | Of us beautiful women? |
| Illai thanthiramo | Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa.. |
| Intha ulagam engal | Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa… |
| Azhagu pengal kai vasamo | Oh beauty, even your shadow |
| Female | |
| Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa.. | Has united with me. |
| Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa… | Who said that you and I |
| Female | |
| {Ezhilae un nizhal kooda | Are separate beings? |
| Enai chernthathu | The golden king's soft body |
| Nee veru naan veru | Is indeed my body. |
| Yaar sonnathu} (2) | My body forever |
| Female | |
| Pon venthan poo meni | Is indeed your body. |
| En meni thaan | What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood? |
| En meni ennaalum | Is it a magical spell? |
| Un meni thaan | Or is it a clever trick? |
| Female | |
| Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum | Is this entire world under the control |
| Punnagai enna | Of us beautiful women? |
| Oru manthiramo | Was the breeze born in the mountains |
| Illai thanthiramo | Just for one single person? |
| Intha ulagam engal | Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here! |
| Azhagu pengal kai vasamo | Did the sky carry the moon |
| Female | |
| Malaiyil thendral piranthathu | Just for one single person? |
| Oruvarukkaagavaa… | Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here! |
| Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa | Did the cloud pour down rain |
| Female | |
| Vaanam nilavai sumanthathu | Just for one single person? |
| Oruvarukkaagavaa.. | Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here! |
| Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa | Did God create all this beauty |
| Female | |
| Megam mazhaiyai pozhinthathu | Just for one single person? |
| Oruvarukkaagavaa | Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here! |
| Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa | Come, come, come.. |
| Female | |
| Iraivan azhagai padaiththathu | Like a finely sculpted statue, |
| Oruvarukkaagavaa | Oh beautiful damsel, |
| Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa | With youthful energy pulsating, |
| Vaa vaa vaa.. | The beauty that manifests, |
| Male | |
| Vadiththedutha silaipolae | If showcased like a shop in public, |
| Vadivudaiya paavai | While dancing around, |
| Thudithezhuntha ilamaiyudan | Besides destroying others, |
| Thondrugindra azhagai | It will destroy itself as well. |
| Nadu sabayil kadai virithu | Oh golden daughter, |
| Nadamaadum pozhuthu | In whom womanhood takes pride, come! |
| Aduthavarai azhippathudan | In your exquisite beauty, |
| Thaanum athu azhiyum | There is no flaw at all. |
| Female | |
| Pen ulagam perumai kollum | May modesty, shyness, |
| Pon magale vaa | And endearing womanhood live long forever! |
| Un azhaginilae | |
| Oru kuraivillaiyae | |
| Endrum achcham naanam | |
| Konjum penmai vaazhiyavae | |
பொன்னழகு
பெண்மை சிந்தும் புன்னகை
என்ன ஒரு மந்திரமோ இல்லை
தந்திரமோ இந்த உலகம் எங்கள்
அழகு பெண்கள் கை வசமோ
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Is it a magical spell?
Or is it a clever trick?
Is this entire world under the control
Of us beautiful women?
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
பொன்னழகு
பெண்மை சிந்தும் புன்னகை
என்ன ஒரு மந்திரமோ இல்லை
தந்திரமோ இந்த உலகம் எங்கள்
அழகு பெண்கள் கை வசமோ
Is it a magical spell?
Or is it a clever trick?
Is this entire world under the control
Of us beautiful women?
The queen of beauty from western lands,
At a mere glance of her eyes,
{ மேல் நாட்டின்
எழில் ராணி விழி
ஜாடையில் நாடாளும்
முடி வேந்தன் தடுமாறி
நான் } (2)
The crowned king ruling the nation,
Stumbled and lost his balance.
Looking at her gentle gaze soft as milk,
He yearned deeply.
பால் போன்ற
பனி பார்வை
பார்த்தேங்கினான் கால்
மீது தலை வைத்து
களைப்பாறினான்
Resting his head upon her feet,
He rested to relieve his weariness.
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Is it a magical spell?
பொன்னழகு
பெண்மை சிந்தும்
புன்னகை என்ன ஒரு
மந்திரமோ இல்லை
தந்திரமோ இந்த உலகம்
எங்கள் அழகு பெண்கள்
கை வசமோ
Or is it a clever trick?
Is this entire world under the control
Of us beautiful women?
Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa..
Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa…
Oh beauty, even your shadow
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஆஆ
Has united with me.
Who said that you and I
{ எழிலே உன்
நிழல் கூட என்னை
சேர்ந்தது நீ வேறு நான்
வேறு யார் சொன்னது } (2)
Are separate beings?
The golden king's soft body
Is indeed my body.
My body forever
பொன் வேந்தன்
பூ மேனி என் மேனி தான்
என் மேனி எந்நாளும்
உன் மேனி தான்
Is indeed your body.
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Is it a magical spell?
Or is it a clever trick?
பொன்னழகு
பெண்மை சிந்தும்
புன்னகை என்ன ஒரு
மந்திரமோ இல்லை
தந்திரமோ இந்த உலகம்
எங்கள் அழகு பெண்கள்
கை வசமோ
Is this entire world under the control
Of us beautiful women?
Was the breeze born in the mountains
Just for one single person?
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Did the sky carry the moon
மலையில்
தென்றல் பிறந்தது
ஒருவருக்காகவா
குழு : இங்கே வா
அன்பே இங்கே வா
Just for one single person?
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Did the cloud pour down rain
வானம் நிலவை
சுமந்தது ஒருவருக்காகவா
குழு :
இங்கே வா அன்பே
இங்கே வா
Just for one single person?
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Did God create all this beauty
மேகம் மழையாய்
பொழிந்தது ஒருவருக்காகவா
குழு :
இங்கே வா அன்பே
இங்கே வா
Just for one single person?
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Come, come, come..
இறைவன் அழகை
படைத்தது ஒருவருக்காகவா
குழு :
இங்கே வா அன்பே
இங்கே வா வா வா வா
Like a finely sculpted statue,
Oh beautiful damsel,
With youthful energy pulsating,
The beauty that manifests,
வடித்தெடுத்த சிலை
போலே வடிவுடைய பாவை
துடித்தெழுந்த இளமையுடன்
தோன்றுகின்ற அழகை நடு
சபையில் கடை விரித்து
நடமாடும் பொழுது
அடுத்தவரை அழைப்பதுடன்
தானும் அது அழியும்
If showcased like a shop in public,
While dancing around,
Besides destroying others,
It will destroy itself as well.
Oh golden daughter,
In whom womanhood takes pride, come!
In your exquisite beauty,
There is no flaw at all.
பெண் உலகம்
பெருமை கொள்ளும்
பொன் மகளே வா உன்
அழகினிலே ஒரு
குறைவில்லையே என்றும்
அச்சம் நாணம் கொஞ்சும்
பெண்மை வாழியவே
May modesty, shyness,
And endearing womanhood live long forever!
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Punnagai enna
Is it a magical spell?
Oru manthiramo
Or is it a clever trick?
Illai thanthiramo
Is this entire world under the control
Intha ulagam engal
Of us beautiful women?
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Is it a magical spell?
Punnagai enna
Or is it a clever trick?
Oru manthiramo
Is this entire world under the control
Illai thanthiramo
Of us beautiful women?
Intha ulagam engal
The queen of beauty from western lands,
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
At a mere glance of her eyes,
{Mel naattin ezhil raani
The crowned king ruling the nation,
Vizhi jaadaiyil
Stumbled and lost his balance.
Naadaalum mudi venthan
Looking at her gentle gaze soft as milk,
Thadumaari naan}(2)
He yearned deeply.
Paal pondra pani paarvai
Resting his head upon her feet,
Paarththenginaan
He rested to relieve his weariness.
Kaal meedhu thalai vaithu
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
Kalaippaarinaan
Is it a magical spell?
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Or is it a clever trick?
Punnagai enna
Is this entire world under the control
Oru manthiramo
Of us beautiful women?
Illai thanthiramo
Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa..
Intha ulagam engal
Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa…
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
Oh beauty, even your shadow
Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa..
Has united with me.
Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa…
Who said that you and I
{Ezhilae un nizhal kooda
Are separate beings?
Enai chernthathu
The golden king's soft body
Nee veru naan veru
Is indeed my body.
Yaar sonnathu} (2)
My body forever
Pon venthan poo meni
Is indeed your body.
En meni thaan
What kind of smile is this, overflowing with golden beauty and womanhood?
En meni ennaalum
Is it a magical spell?
Un meni thaan
Or is it a clever trick?
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Is this entire world under the control
Punnagai enna
Of us beautiful women?
Oru manthiramo
Was the breeze born in the mountains
Illai thanthiramo
Just for one single person?
Intha ulagam engal
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
Did the sky carry the moon
Malaiyil thendral piranthathu
Just for one single person?
Oruvarukkaagavaa…
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Did the cloud pour down rain
Vaanam nilavai sumanthathu
Just for one single person?
Oruvarukkaagavaa..
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Did God create all this beauty
Megam mazhaiyai pozhinthathu
Just for one single person?
Oruvarukkaagavaa
Chorus: Come here.. my love, come here!
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Come, come, come..
Iraivan azhagai padaiththathu
Like a finely sculpted statue,
Oruvarukkaagavaa
Oh beautiful damsel,
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
With youthful energy pulsating,
Vaa vaa vaa..
The beauty that manifests,
Vadiththedutha silaipolae
If showcased like a shop in public,
Vadivudaiya paavai
While dancing around,
Thudithezhuntha ilamaiyudan
Besides destroying others,
Thondrugindra azhagai
It will destroy itself as well.
Nadu sabayil kadai virithu
Oh golden daughter,
Nadamaadum pozhuthu
In whom womanhood takes pride, come!
Aduthavarai azhippathudan
In your exquisite beauty,
Thaanum athu azhiyum
There is no flaw at all.
Pen ulagam perumai kollum
May modesty, shyness,
Pon magale vaa
And endearing womanhood live long forever!
Un azhaginilae
Oru kuraivillaiyae
Endrum achcham naanam
Konjum penmai vaazhiyavae
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song celebrates the intoxicating power, charm, and elegance of feminine beauty, pondering whether a woman's captivating smile is a spell or sheer enchantment that can bring even mighty rulers to their knees. It transitions into expressing complete spiritual and physical oneness between lovers, where two souls and bodies merge into one. The latter section poses philosophical questions using nature's gifts—like breeze, rain, and moonlight—to highlight that beauty and love are meant to be shared, while emphasizing the timeless dignity, modesty, and grace of womanhood.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Oru manthiramo / Illai thanthiramo”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'n' across lines for rhythmic harmony.
Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)
“Paal pondra pani paarvai”
Comparing a serene gaze to soft mist and milk ('Paal pondra pani paarvai').
Rhetorical Question
“Malaiyil thendral piranthathu / Oruvarukkaagavaa…”
Using poetic questions about nature (breeze, moon, rain) to illustrate universal purpose.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rickshawkaran (1971) featured iconic music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film earned lead actor M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as a compassionate rickshaw puller.
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