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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnenna Poovenna

From Alaigal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Alaigal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ponnenna poovenna kannaeWhat is gold, what is a flower, my darling?
Un kannaadi ullaththin munnaeBefore your mirror-like pure heart,
Oru kalyaana pennaaga unnaiYou as a bride,
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.
Female
Ponnenna poovenna kannaeWhat is gold, what is a flower, my darling?
Un kannaadi ullaththin munnaeBefore your mirror-like pure heart,
Oru kalyaana pennaaga unnaiYou as a bride,
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.
Male
Maargazhiyil maalaiyilaeIn the evening of the month of Margazhi,
Malarnthathoru malligaippooA jasmine flower blossomed.
Maargazhiyil maalaiyilaeIn the evening of the month of Margazhi,
Malarnthathoru malligaippooA jasmine flower blossomed.
Yaar varuvaar yaar parippaarWho will come, who will pluck it?
Yaar arivaar ippothuWho knows right now?
Female
Ponnenna poovenna kannaeWhat is gold, what is a flower, my darling?
Un kannaadi ullaththin munnaeBefore your mirror-like pure heart,
Oru kalyaana pennaaga unnaiYou as a bride,
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.
Male
Oorkolam pogindra poonthedralumThe gentle breeze going on a procession,
Oliyodu nadai podum neerodaiyumAnd the stream flowing gracefully with sound,
Oorkolam pogindra poonthedralumThe gentle breeze going on a procession,
Oliyodu nadai podum neerodaiyumAnd the stream flowing gracefully with sound,
Sugamaanathu suvaiyaanathuAre pleasant and delightful;
Un vaazhvum adhu pola uyarvaanathuYour life too shall become elevated like them.
Female
Ponnenna poovenna kannaeWhat is gold, what is a flower, my darling?
Un kannaadi ullaththin munnaeBefore your mirror-like pure heart,
Oru kalyaana pennaaga unnaiYou as a bride,
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.
Male
Sevvaana megangal kuzhalaagumaaCan the red evening clouds become hair tresses?
Senthooram vilaiyaadum mugamaagumaaCan they become a face adorned with vermilion?
Sevvaana megangal kuzhalaagumaaCan the red evening clouds become hair tresses?
Senthooram vilaiyaadum mugamaagumaaCan they become a face adorned with vermilion?
Nadai podumaa isai paadumaaCan they walk or sing music?
Nadanthaalum avai yaavum neeyaagumaaEven if they move, can any of them become you?
Female
Ponnenna poovenna kannaeWhat is gold, what is a flower, my darling?
Un kannaadi ullaththin munnaeBefore your mirror-like pure heart,
Oru kalyaana pennaaga unnaiYou as a bride,
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.
Puvi kaanaamal pogaathu pennaeThe world will surely not miss seeing, my girl.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ponnenna Poovenna is a comforting and celebratory song from the 1973 film Alaigal. The lyrics express deep affection and admiration for a young woman, praising her pure, mirror-like heart which outshines precious gold and delicate flowers. Kannadasan assures her that her pure inner goodness will be recognized by the world, and she will inevitably find her rightful joy as a bride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Un kannaadi ullaththin munnae

Comparing a pure, transparent heart to a mirror (kannaadi ullam).

Moni / Alliteration

Sugamaanathu suvaiyaanathu

Repetition of the 'Su' sound at the beginning of adjacent words creates rhythmic melody.

Vinaa Aani / Rhetorical Questioning

Nadanthaalum avai yaavum neeyaagumaa

Using questions to highlight destiny and her unrivaled beauty that nature cannot match.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnenna Poovenna served as a major early Tamil hit for playback singer P. Jayachandran, highlighting M. S. Viswanathan's skill in blending tender melodies with Kannadasan's uplifting lyrics.

Keep listening

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