Ponnil Vaanam
From Villu Pattukaran · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Haa…aa…aa…ah.. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa…aa…aa..ah | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Haa…aaa..aaa..aa.. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Haa…aa…aa..ahhh.. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Ponnil vaanam | The golden sky |
| Pottadhu kolangalae | Has drawn decorative patterns (kolams) |
| Bhramman thoorigai | The paintbrush of Lord Brahma |
| Kaattudhu jaalangalae | Displays magical wonders |
| Kaalaiyilae solaiyilae | In the morning, in the grove |
| Kann padum velaiyilae…ae…ae… | At the moment the eyes behold... |
| Female | |
| Ponnil vaanam | The golden sky |
| Pottadhu kolangalae | Has drawn decorative patterns |
| Bhramman thoorigai | The paintbrush of Lord Brahma |
| Kaattudhu jaalangalae | Displays magical wonders |
| Female | |
| Moodiya vizhi thirandhu | Opening the closed eyes |
| Puvi muzhuvadhilum parandhu..uu | Soaring across the entire world |
| Thediya suga marundhu | The sought-after comforting medicine |
| Idhu dheivam tharum virundhu | This is a feast provided by God |
| Female | |
| Poovinil pala vannangal | Many colors upon the flowers |
| Poi varugudhu ennangal | Thoughts come and go |
| Naavinil pala sandhangal | Many rhythms upon the tongue |
| Nam parambarai sondhangal | Our ancestral heritage |
| Nadakkudhu naadagangal | Dramas are unfolding |
| Aaa…aa….aa….. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Ponnil vaanam | The golden sky |
| Pottadhu kolangalae | Has drawn decorative patterns |
| Bhramman thoorigai | The paintbrush of Lord Brahma |
| Kaattudhu jaalangalae | Displays magical wonders |
| Female | |
| Thaam thakita dheem endru | To the rhythm of 'Thaam thakita dheem' |
| Nadhigal odi aada | As the rivers run and dance |
| Thaa thanisa paa endru | Singing 'Thaa thanisa paa' |
| Swarangal kaatru paada | The wind sings musical notes |
| Female | |
| Neeralaiyil odi dhinam | Running daily upon the water waves |
| Nelindhu meengal aada | As the fish wriggle and dance |
| Kel enadhu paadal ena | Saying 'Listen to my song' |
| Kilaiyil kuyilgal paada | As cuckoos sing on the branches |
| Female | |
| Thaamarai malar neer thottu | Touching the water, the lotus flower |
| Thaala jadhigal poda | Beats the rhythmic tempos |
| Poomagal aval kai pattu | Touched by the hand of the flower goddess |
| Poovin inangal paada | As species of flowers sing |
| Female | |
| Poovinil thaen edukkum | Extracting honey from the blossom |
| Vandu aayiram paattisaikkum | A thousand bees compose songs |
| Kaattrinil innisaiyae | Sweet music in the wind |
| Palar kettadhum mei marakkum | Many forget themselves upon listening |
| Female | |
| Kann vazhi vandhu ullaththil | Entering through the eyes into the heart |
| Mellisai enum vellaththil | In the flood of soft music |
| En uyir pudhu sorgaththil | My soul in a new heaven |
| En udal oru inbaththil | My body in sheer bliss |
| Neendhudhu aanandhaththil….illl…. | Swims in supreme happiness... |
| Female | |
| Ponnil vaanam | The golden sky |
| Pottadhu kolangalae | Has drawn decorative patterns |
| Bhramman thoorigai | The paintbrush of Lord Brahma |
| Kaattudhu jaalangalae | Displays magical wonders |
| Kaalaiyilae solaiyilae | In the morning, in the grove |
| Kann padum velaiyilae…ae…ae… | At the moment the eyes behold... |
| Female | |
| Ponnil vaanam | The golden sky |
| Pottadhu kolangalae | Has drawn decorative patterns |
| Bhramman thoorigai | The paintbrush of Lord Brahma |
| Kaattudhu jaalangalae | Displays magical wonders |
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஆ.....
ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......
ஆஆ......ஆஅ......ஆஆஅ.....
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
பொன்னில் வானம்
போட்டது கோலங்களே
பிரம்மன் தூரிகை
காட்டுது ஜாலங்களே
காலையிலே சோலையிலே
கண்படும் வேளையிலே
The golden sky
Has drawn decorative patterns (kolams)
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Displays magical wonders
In the morning, in the grove
At the moment the eyes behold...
பொன்னில் வானம்
போட்டது கோலங்களே
பிரம்மன் தூரிகை
காட்டுது ஜாலங்களே.....
The golden sky
Has drawn decorative patterns
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Displays magical wonders
மூடிய விழி திறந்து
புவி முழுவதிலும் பறந்து
தேடிய சுக மருந்து இது
தெய்வம் தரும் விருந்து
Opening the closed eyes
Soaring across the entire world
The sought-after comforting medicine
This is a feast provided by God
பூவினில் பல வண்ணங்கள்
போய் வருகுது எண்ணங்கள்
நாவினில் பல சந்தங்கள்
நம் பரம்பரை சொந்தங்கள்
நடக்குது நாடகங்கள் ஆ.....
Many colors upon the flowers
Thoughts come and go
Many rhythms upon the tongue
Our ancestral heritage
Dramas are unfolding
Ah... ah... ah...
பொன்னில் வானம்
போட்டது கோலங்களே
பிரம்மன் தூரிகை
காட்டுது ஜாலங்களே.....
The golden sky
Has drawn decorative patterns
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Displays magical wonders
தாம் தகிட தீம் என்று
நதிகள் ஓடி ஆட
தா தநிஸபா என்று
ஸ்வரங்கள் காற்று பாட
நீரலையில் ஓடி தினம்
நெளிந்து மீன்கள் ஆட
To the rhythm of 'Thaam thakita dheem'
As the rivers run and dance
Singing 'Thaa thanisa paa'
The wind sings musical notes
கேள் எனது பாடல் என
கிளையில் குயில்கள் பாட
தாமரை மலர் நீர் தொட்டு
தாள ஜதிகள் போட
பூமகள் அவள் கைப்பட்டு
பூவின் இனங்கள் பாட
Running daily upon the water waves
As the fish wriggle and dance
Saying 'Listen to my song'
As cuckoos sing on the branches
பூவினில் தேன் எடுக்கும்
வண்டு ஆயிரம் பாட்டிசைக்கும்
காற்றினில் இன்னிசையே பலர்
கேட்டதும் மெய் மறக்கும்
Touching the water, the lotus flower
Beats the rhythmic tempos
Touched by the hand of the flower goddess
As species of flowers sing
கண் வழி வந்து உள்ளத்தில்
மெல்லிசை என்னும் வெள்ளத்தில்
என்னுயிர் புது சொர்க்கத்தில்
என்னுடலொரு இன்பத்தில்
நீந்துது ஆனந்தத்தில்....
Extracting honey from the blossom
A thousand bees compose songs
Sweet music in the wind
Many forget themselves upon listening
பொன்னில் வானம்
போட்டது கோலங்களே
பிரம்மன் தூரிகை
காட்டுது ஜாலங்களே
காலையிலே சோலையிலே
கண்படும் வேளையிலே
Entering through the eyes into the heart
In the flood of soft music
My soul in a new heaven
My body in sheer bliss
Swims in supreme happiness...
பொன்னில் வானம்
போட்டது கோலங்களே
பிரம்மன் தூரிகை
காட்டுது ஜாலங்களே.....
The golden sky
Has drawn decorative patterns
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Displays magical wonders
In the morning, in the grove
At the moment the eyes behold...
The golden sky
Has drawn decorative patterns
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Displays magical wonders
Haa…aa…aa…ah..
Ah... ah... ah...
Aa…aa…aa..ah
Ah... ah... ah...
Haa…aaa..aaa..aa..
Ah... ah... ah...
Haa…aa…aa..ahhh..
Ah... ah... ah...
Ponnil vaanam
The golden sky
Pottadhu kolangalae
Has drawn decorative patterns (kolams)
Bhramman thoorigai
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Kaattudhu jaalangalae
Displays magical wonders
Kaalaiyilae solaiyilae
In the morning, in the grove
Kann padum velaiyilae…ae…ae…
At the moment the eyes behold...
Ponnil vaanam
The golden sky
Pottadhu kolangalae
Has drawn decorative patterns
Bhramman thoorigai
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Kaattudhu jaalangalae
Displays magical wonders
Moodiya vizhi thirandhu
Opening the closed eyes
Puvi muzhuvadhilum parandhu..uu
Soaring across the entire world
Thediya suga marundhu
The sought-after comforting medicine
Idhu dheivam tharum virundhu
This is a feast provided by God
Poovinil pala vannangal
Many colors upon the flowers
Poi varugudhu ennangal
Thoughts come and go
Naavinil pala sandhangal
Many rhythms upon the tongue
Nam parambarai sondhangal
Our ancestral heritage
Nadakkudhu naadagangal
Dramas are unfolding
Aaa…aa….aa…..
Ah... ah... ah...
Ponnil vaanam
The golden sky
Pottadhu kolangalae
Has drawn decorative patterns
Bhramman thoorigai
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Kaattudhu jaalangalae
Displays magical wonders
Thaam thakita dheem endru
To the rhythm of 'Thaam thakita dheem'
Nadhigal odi aada
As the rivers run and dance
Thaa thanisa paa endru
Singing 'Thaa thanisa paa'
Swarangal kaatru paada
The wind sings musical notes
Neeralaiyil odi dhinam
Running daily upon the water waves
Nelindhu meengal aada
As the fish wriggle and dance
Kel enadhu paadal ena
Saying 'Listen to my song'
Kilaiyil kuyilgal paada
As cuckoos sing on the branches
Thaamarai malar neer thottu
Touching the water, the lotus flower
Thaala jadhigal poda
Beats the rhythmic tempos
Poomagal aval kai pattu
Touched by the hand of the flower goddess
Poovin inangal paada
As species of flowers sing
Poovinil thaen edukkum
Extracting honey from the blossom
Vandu aayiram paattisaikkum
A thousand bees compose songs
Kaattrinil innisaiyae
Sweet music in the wind
Palar kettadhum mei marakkum
Many forget themselves upon listening
Kann vazhi vandhu ullaththil
Entering through the eyes into the heart
Mellisai enum vellaththil
In the flood of soft music
En uyir pudhu sorgaththil
My soul in a new heaven
En udal oru inbaththil
My body in sheer bliss
Neendhudhu aanandhaththil….illl….
Swims in supreme happiness...
Ponnil vaanam
The golden sky
Pottadhu kolangalae
Has drawn decorative patterns
Bhramman thoorigai
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Kaattudhu jaalangalae
Displays magical wonders
Kaalaiyilae solaiyilae
In the morning, in the grove
Kann padum velaiyilae…ae…ae…
At the moment the eyes behold...
Ponnil vaanam
The golden sky
Pottadhu kolangalae
Has drawn decorative patterns
Bhramman thoorigai
The paintbrush of Lord Brahma
Kaattudhu jaalangalae
Displays magical wonders
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Ponnil Vaanam' is a poetic ode to nature's breathtaking beauty at dawn. The song personifies the morning sky as a vibrant canvas painted by Lord Brahma's divine brush, portraying nature as an orchestra where rivers dance to rhythm, the wind sings swaras, fish sway to the waves, and bees harmonize melodies. Written by Vaali, the lyrics express a deep sensory awakening—where beholding nature's grandeur serves as a divine feast for the eyes and soul, dissolving stress and lifting the spirit into a state of sheer bliss and celestial harmony.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Bhramman thoorigai / Kaattudhu jaalangalae”
Compares the dawn sky to a canvas painted by Brahma's divine paintbrush ('Bhramman thoorigai') and music to a flood ('Mellisai enum vellaththil').
Personification
“Swarangal kaatru paada / Nadhigal odi aada”
Attributes human musical and dancing abilities to natural elements like rivers, wind, lotus flowers, and birds.
Etuhaai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Moodiya vizhi thirandhu / Puvi muzhuvadhilum parandhu”
Matching second consonants across lines ('Moodiya', 'Puvi', 'Thediya', 'Idhu' or 'Ponnil', 'Pottadhu').
Onomatopoeia & Solkattu
“Thaam thakita dheem endru”
Incorporation of rhythmic percussion syllables ('Thaam thakita dheem') and musical swaras ('Thaa thanisa paa') to mirror nature's intrinsic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Villu Pattukaran' (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Ramarajan and Gautami, directed by Gangai Amaran. The soundtrack prominently integrates traditional Tamil folk aesthetics and nature-centric classical imagery penned by poet Vaali.
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