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Isaimozhi
Rickshawkaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnazhagu Penmai

From Rickshawkaran · 1971

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Rickshawkaran
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
26 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Punnagai enna
Oru manthiramo
Illai thanthiramo
Intha ulagam engal
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Punnagai enna
Oru manthiramo
Illai thanthiramo
Intha ulagam engal
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
{Mel naattin ezhil raani
Vizhi jaadaiyil
Naadaalum mudi venthan
Thadumaari naan}(2)
Paal pondra pani paarvai
Paarththenginaan
Kaal meedhu thalai vaithu
Kalaippaarinaan
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Punnagai enna
Oru manthiramo
Illai thanthiramo
Intha ulagam engal
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
Aah.. aah..aaa…aaa..
Aaah…aaah..haaa.haahaa…aa…
{Ezhilae un nizhal kooda
Enai chernthathu
Nee veru naan veru
Yaar sonnathu} (2)
Pon venthan poo meni
En meni thaan
En meni ennaalum
Un meni thaan
Ponnazhagu penmai sinthum
Punnagai enna
Oru manthiramo
Illai thanthiramo
Intha ulagam engal
Azhagu pengal kai vasamo
Malaiyil thendral piranthathu
Oruvarukkaagavaa…
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Vaanam nilavai sumanthathu
Oruvarukkaagavaa..
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Megam mazhaiyai pozhinthathu
Oruvarukkaagavaa
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Iraivan azhagai padaiththathu
Oruvarukkaagavaa
Chorus :Ingae vaa.. anbae ingae vaa
Vaa vaa vaa..
Vadiththedutha silaipolae
Vadivudaiya paavai
Thudithezhuntha ilamaiyudan
Thondrugindra azhagai
Nadu sabayil kadai virithu
Nadamaadum pozhuthu
Aduthavarai azhippathudan
Thaanum athu azhiyum
Pen ulagam perumai kollum
Pon magale vaa
Un azhaginilae
Oru kuraivillaiyae
Endrum achcham naanam
Konjum penmai vaazhiyavae
The golden beauty womanhood radiates,
what is this smile?
Is it a magic spell,
or is it a trick?
Is this world in the hands
of us beautiful women?
The golden beauty womanhood radiates,
what is this smile?
Is it a magic spell,
or is it a trick?
Is this world in the hands
of us beautiful women?
At the glance of a lovely Western queen,
with a subtle sign of her eyes,
the crowned king who rules the land
stumbled and faltered!
At her milky, gentle gaze,
he looked and yearned for her,
resting his head upon her feet,
he found his rest.
The golden beauty womanhood radiates,
what is this smile?
Is it a magic spell,
or is it a trick?
Is this world in the hands
of us beautiful women?
Aah.. aah.. aa... aa...
Aaah... aaah.. haa.. haha... aa...
O beautiful one, even your shadow
has united with mine;
who could say that you and I
are separate?
The golden king's flower-like body
is my body,
and my body forever
is your body!
The golden beauty womanhood radiates,
what is this smile?
Is it a magic spell,
or is it a trick?
Is this world in the hands
of us beautiful women?
Was the breeze born on the hills
meant only for one person?
Chorus: Come here... my love, come here!
Did the sky carry the moon
only for one person?
Chorus: Come here... my love, come here!
Did the clouds pour rain
only for one person?
Chorus: Come here... my love, come here!
Did God create beauty
only for one person?
Chorus: Come here... my love, come here!
Come, come, come...
Like a finely sculpted statue,
a woman of graceful form,
with her surging youth,
displaying her beauty,
setting up a shop in public
and dancing about—
along with destroying others,
it destroys itself too!
O pride of the world of women,
come, golden daughter!
In your beauty,
there is no flaw at all!
With modesty and shyness forever,
long live tender womanhood!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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