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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnu Oru Porkaruvi

From Rettai Kuzhal Thuppakki · 1989

Lyricist
Thirupathooran
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Rettai Kuzhal Thuppakki1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poovendrum thaenendrumWho called women flowers and honey
Maanendrum meenendrumWho called them deer and fish
Pengalai sonnavar yaarWho called women such things?
Unmai adhu illai paar….Look, that is not the truth....
Female
Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aahA woman is a weapon of war, ah ah
Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohohA rebirth of an earthquake, ohhohoh
Kalakaththa undu pannum aah aahhaShe creates chaos, ah aahha
Ulagaththa thundu pannum ohhohohShe tears the world into pieces, ohhohoh
Idhil indhiranum chandhiranumIn this, even Indra and Chandra
Sandaiyittu mandiyitta sangathigal nooru unduFought and surrendered, there are a hundred such tales
Female
Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aahA woman is a weapon of war, ah ah
Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohohA rebirth of an earthquake, ohhohoh
Kalakaththa undu pannum aah aahhaShe creates chaos, ah aahha
Ulagaththa thundu pannum ohhohohShe tears the world into pieces, ohhohoh
Idhil indhiranum chandhiranumIn this, even Indra and Chandra
Sandaiyittu mandiyitta sangathigal nooru unduFought and surrendered, there are a hundred such tales
Female
Kambu sandai veerar palar ingae vanthaangaMany stick fighting warriors came here
Themba kaatti thimira kaatti thoththu ponaangaShowing off strength and arrogance, they ended up losing
Kambu sandai veerar palar ingae vanthaangaMany stick fighting warriors came here
Themba kaatti thimira kaatti thoththu ponaangaShowing off strength and arrogance, they ended up losing
Female
Kuththu sandai veerar thulli kudhichchu vanthaaruA boxing champion came jumping in with energy
En kuththukala thaangaama kumbittaaruUnable to bear my punches, he bowed down and surrendered
Kuththu sandai veerar thulli kudhichchu vanthaaruA boxing champion came jumping in with energy
En kuththukala thaangaama kumbittaaruUnable to bear my punches, he bowed down and surrendered
Female
Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aahA woman is a weapon of war, ah ah
Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohohA rebirth of an earthquake, ohhohoh
Kalakaththa undu pannum aah aahhaShe creates chaos, ah aahha
Ulagaththa thundu pannum ohhohohShe tears the world into pieces, ohhohoh
Idhil indhiranum chandhiranumIn this, even Indra and Chandra
Sandaiyittu mandiyitta sangathigal nooru unduFought and surrendered, there are a hundred such tales
Female
Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aahA woman is a weapon of war, ah ah
Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohohA rebirth of an earthquake, ohhohoh
Female
Thodum idaththa naan thottaa nee out-tuIf I hit the vital spot, you are out
Naan thotta perkku theernthu pochchu antha doubt-tuFor those I touched, all doubts were cleared
Thodum idaththa naan thottaa nee out-tuIf I hit the vital spot, you are out
Naan thotta perkku theernthu pochchu antha doubt-tuFor those I touched, all doubts were cleared
Female
Aiyaa romba aabaththunga antha sangathiMister, that matter is extremely dangerous
Nee ariyaama maattikkittaa ambael un kadhiIf you get caught without knowing, your fate is sealed
Aiyaa romba aabaththunga antha sangathiMister, that matter is extremely dangerous
Nee ariyaama maattikkittaa ambael un kadhiIf you get caught without knowing, your fate is sealed
Female
Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aahA woman is a weapon of war, ah ah
Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohohA rebirth of an earthquake, ohhohoh
Kalakaththa undu pannum aah aahhaShe creates chaos, ah aahha
Ulagaththa thundu pannum ohhohohShe tears the world into pieces, ohhohoh
Idhil indhiranum chandhiranumIn this, even Indra and Chandra
Sandaiyittu mandiyitta sangathigal nooru unduFought and surrendered, there are a hundred such tales
Lalalala….aaaaaahha lalalala…..ohoh…..Lalalala....aaaaaahha lalalala.....ohoh.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song subverts conventional poetic imagery that traditionally compares women to soft flowers, sweet honey, or delicate deer. Instead, the lyricist portrays a woman as a formidable weapon of war and a force of nature akin to a reincarnation of an earthquake, capable of tearing down old norms and defeating even powerful celestial figures like Indra and Chandra. The protagonist asserts her physical dominance and combat skill, detailing how various male fighters, including stick fighters and boxers who showed off their strength, ended up bowing down in defeat before her. It serves as a powerful declaration of female strength, self-reliance, and physical prowess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ponnu oru porkkaruvi aah aah / Bhoogampaththin marupiravi ohhohoh

Compares a woman directly to a weapon of war (porkkaruvi) and a reborn earthquake (bhoogampaththin marupiravi) rather than conventional delicate objects.

Hyperbole (Athyokthi)

Idhil indhiranum chandhiranum / Sandaiyittu mandiyitta sangathigal nooru undu

Exaggerates the impact of a woman by stating that even celestial kings like Indra and Chandra fought and bowed down to women.

Ethirai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kambu sandai veerar palar ingae vanthaanga / Themba kaatti thimira kaatti thoththu ponaanga

The second letter consonant rhyming pattern in Tamil poetry, seen in 'Kambu' and 'Themba' or 'Thodum' and 'Naan'.

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Trivia

Rettai Kuzhal Thuppakki (1989) is a Tamil action film featuring female-centric action sequences, and this track serves as an anthem breaking conventional gentle stereotypes of women in mainstream Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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