Ponnukkenna Azhagu
From En Magan · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- En Magan1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male :Poovukenna perumai | Male: What pride a flower carries! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male :Poovukenna perumai | Male: What pride a flower carries! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male | |
| Un kann ezhuthum tamizh kolangal | The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes, |
| Pothaavo Vannakkiliyae | Are they not enough, my colorful parrot? |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Poovukenna perumai | What pride a flower carries! |
| Male | |
| Oru porul marai porul | One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning, |
| Vivarikkum ilakkiyamae | Oh literature that describes them both! |
| Udanpattu thunai nindru | Agreeing and standing beside as support, |
| Sugam tharum ilakkanamae | Oh grammar that brings joy! |
| Male | |
| Oru porul marai porul | One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning, |
| Vivarikkum ilakkiyamae | Oh literature that describes them both! |
| Udanpattu thunai nindru | Agreeing and standing beside as support, |
| Sugam tharum ilakkanamae | Oh grammar that brings joy! |
| Male :Edhugaiyil un mugam | Male: Your face shines in the rhyming rhythm, |
| Female :Monaiyil un mugam | Female: Your face shines in the alliterative flow. |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male :Poovukenna perumai | Male: What pride a flower carries! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Poovukenna perumai | What pride a flower carries! |
| Male | |
| Kamba rasa kinnam adhilae | In the cup of Kamban's poetic essence, |
| Katti vella kannam | Cheeks soft like a block of sweet jaggery, |
| Kaama devan vaaganangal | The chariots of the god of love, |
| Kaattrilae aaduthae….ae…. | Swaying gracefully in the gentle wind... |
| Female | |
| Cheran magal vanji edhirae | Standing before the Chera kingdom's maiden, |
| Senai kandu anji | Fearing the approaching army, |
| Kadhal devan maarbin meedhu | Upon the chest of the god of love, |
| Kaavalai theduthae….yae…. | Seeking safe protection... |
| Male | |
| Minnum neelamani pol | Like a gleaming blue sapphire, |
| Indru en mael aadi kannae | Dancing upon me today, my dear. |
| Female :Innum enna yaekkam | Female: Why this lingering yearning still? |
| Inba vannam paadu kannaa | Sing a colorful song of bliss, my beloved! |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male :Poovukenna perumai | Male: What pride a flower carries! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Female | |
| Aasaiyulla panthu isaikkum | A loving ball making rhythmic music, |
| Osaiyull sindhu | A melody filled with rich sound, |
| Anthi veyil manjal maeni | The golden body bathed in twilight sun, |
| Ennavo theduthae | Is searching for something unknown. |
| Male | |
| Naalu pakkam kootti idaiyil | Gathering together from four directions, |
| Naana kalai kaatti | Displaying the art of modest shyness, |
| Kanni maadam thantha vegam | The rush granted by the maiden's chamber, |
| Engaengo poguthae | Is flowing everywhere. |
| Female | |
| Ondrae kaana vendum | One thing must be witnessed, |
| Adhai nandrae kaana vendum | And it must be witnessed properly. |
| Male :Nandrae kaana vendum | Male: It must be witnessed properly, |
| Adhai indrae kaana vendum | And it must be witnessed today itself. |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkenna azhagu | What beauty a woman holds! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa hmm | Female: Aaha haa haa hmm |
| Male :Poovukenna perumai | Male: What pride a flower carries! |
| Female :Aaha haa haa….. | Female: Aaha haa haa... |
| Male | |
| Un kann ezhuthum tamizh kolangal | The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes, |
| Pothaavo Vannakkiliyae | Are they not enough, my colorful parrot? |
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா ஹிம்ம்
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா ஹிம்ம்
What beauty a woman holds!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா......
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா.......
What beauty a woman holds!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
உன் கண் எழுதும் தமிழ்க் கோலங்கள்
போதாவோ வண்ணக் கிளியே
The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes,
Are they not enough, my colorful parrot?
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
What beauty a woman holds!
What pride a flower carries!
ஒரு பொருள் மறைப் பொருள்
விவரிக்கும் இலக்கியமே
உடன்பட்டு துணை நின்று
சுகம் தரும் இலக்கணமே
One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning,
Oh literature that describes them both!
Agreeing and standing beside as support,
Oh grammar that brings joy!
ஒரு பொருள் மறைப் பொருள்
விவரிக்கும் இலக்கியமே
உடன்பட்டு துணை நின்று
சுகம் தரும் இலக்கணமே
எதுகையில் உன் முகம்
மோனையில் உன் முகம்
One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning,
Oh literature that describes them both!
Agreeing and standing beside as support,
Oh grammar that brings joy!
Male: Your face shines in the rhyming rhythm,
Female: Your face shines in the alliterative flow.
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா......
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா.......
What beauty a woman holds!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
What beauty a woman holds!
What pride a flower carries!
கம்ப ரசக் கிண்ணம் அதிலே
கட்டி வெல்லக் கன்னம்
காம தேவன் வாகனங்கள்
காற்றிலே ஆடுதே.......ஏ.....
In the cup of Kamban's poetic essence,
Cheeks soft like a block of sweet jaggery,
The chariots of the god of love,
Swaying gracefully in the gentle wind...
சேரன் மகள் வஞ்சி எதிரே
சேனைக் கண்டு அஞ்சி
காதல் தேவன் மார்பின் மீது
காவலைத் தேடுதே.......ஏ.....
Standing before the Chera kingdom's maiden,
Fearing the approaching army,
Upon the chest of the god of love,
Seeking safe protection...
மின்னும் நீலமணி போல்
இன்று என் மேல் ஆடு கண்ணே
இன்னும் என்ன ஏக்கம்
இன்ப வண்ணம் பாடு கண்ணா
Like a gleaming blue sapphire,
Dancing upon me today, my dear.
Female: Why this lingering yearning still?
Sing a colorful song of bliss, my beloved!
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா......
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா.......
What beauty a woman holds!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
ஆசையுள்ள பந்து இசைக்கும்
ஓசையுள்ள சிந்து
அந்தி வெயில் மஞ்சள் மேனி
என்னவோ தேடுதே
A loving ball making rhythmic music,
A melody filled with rich sound,
The golden body bathed in twilight sun,
Is searching for something unknown.
நாலு பக்கம் கூட்டி இடையில்
நாணக் கலை காட்டி
கன்னி மாடம் தந்த வேகம்
எங்கெங்கோ போகுதே
Gathering together from four directions,
Displaying the art of modest shyness,
The rush granted by the maiden's chamber,
Is flowing everywhere.
ஒன்றே காண வேண்டும்
அதை நன்றே காண வேண்டும்
நன்றே காண வேண்டும்
அதை இன்றே காண வேண்டும்
One thing must be witnessed,
And it must be witnessed properly.
Male: It must be witnessed properly,
And it must be witnessed today itself.
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா......
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
ஆஹ ஹா ஹா.......
What beauty a woman holds!
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female: Aaha haa haa...
உன் கண் எழுதும் தமிழ்க் கோலங்கள்
போதாவோ வண்ணக் கிளியே
The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes,
Are they not enough, my colorful parrot?
பொண்ணுக்கென்ன அழகு
பூவுக்கென்ன பெருமை
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male :Poovukenna perumai
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male :Poovukenna perumai
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Un kann ezhuthum tamizh kolangal
The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes,
Pothaavo Vannakkiliyae
Are they not enough, my colorful parrot?
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Poovukenna perumai
What pride a flower carries!
Oru porul marai porul
One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning,
Vivarikkum ilakkiyamae
Oh literature that describes them both!
Udanpattu thunai nindru
Agreeing and standing beside as support,
Sugam tharum ilakkanamae
Oh grammar that brings joy!
Oru porul marai porul
One explicit meaning and one hidden meaning,
Vivarikkum ilakkiyamae
Oh literature that describes them both!
Udanpattu thunai nindru
Agreeing and standing beside as support,
Sugam tharum ilakkanamae
Oh grammar that brings joy!
Male :Edhugaiyil un mugam
Male: Your face shines in the rhyming rhythm,
Female :Monaiyil un mugam
Female: Your face shines in the alliterative flow.
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male :Poovukenna perumai
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Poovukenna perumai
What pride a flower carries!
Kamba rasa kinnam adhilae
In the cup of Kamban's poetic essence,
Katti vella kannam
Cheeks soft like a block of sweet jaggery,
Kaama devan vaaganangal
The chariots of the god of love,
Kaattrilae aaduthae….ae….
Swaying gracefully in the gentle wind...
Cheran magal vanji edhirae
Standing before the Chera kingdom's maiden,
Senai kandu anji
Fearing the approaching army,
Kadhal devan maarbin meedhu
Upon the chest of the god of love,
Kaavalai theduthae….yae….
Seeking safe protection...
Minnum neelamani pol
Like a gleaming blue sapphire,
Indru en mael aadi kannae
Dancing upon me today, my dear.
Female :Innum enna yaekkam
Female: Why this lingering yearning still?
Inba vannam paadu kannaa
Sing a colorful song of bliss, my beloved!
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male :Poovukenna perumai
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Aasaiyulla panthu isaikkum
A loving ball making rhythmic music,
Osaiyull sindhu
A melody filled with rich sound,
Anthi veyil manjal maeni
The golden body bathed in twilight sun,
Ennavo theduthae
Is searching for something unknown.
Naalu pakkam kootti idaiyil
Gathering together from four directions,
Naana kalai kaatti
Displaying the art of modest shyness,
Kanni maadam thantha vegam
The rush granted by the maiden's chamber,
Engaengo poguthae
Is flowing everywhere.
Ondrae kaana vendum
One thing must be witnessed,
Adhai nandrae kaana vendum
And it must be witnessed properly.
Male :Nandrae kaana vendum
Male: It must be witnessed properly,
Adhai indrae kaana vendum
And it must be witnessed today itself.
Ponnukkenna azhagu
What beauty a woman holds!
Female :Aaha haa haa hmm
Female: Aaha haa haa hmm
Male :Poovukenna perumai
Male: What pride a flower carries!
Female :Aaha haa haa…..
Female: Aaha haa haa...
Un kann ezhuthum tamizh kolangal
The Tamil artful patterns drawn by your eyes,
Pothaavo Vannakkiliyae
Are they not enough, my colorful parrot?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ponnukkenna Azhagu is a classic romantic duet from the 1974 Tamil film En Magan, written by Poet Kannadasan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan. In this song, the lovers express their admiration for each other by comparing their romance and beauty to Tamil literary arts. The male and female leads cleverly equate each other's charm to classical prosody elements like Ilakkiyam (literature), Ilakkanam (grammar), Monai (alliteration), and Edhugai (rhyme). The song weaves poetic metaphors involving classical legends, Kamban's poetic juice, twilight aesthetics, and precious gems to depict their intimate bond.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Male :Edhugaiyil un mugam”
Kannadasan explicitly refers to Edhugai (the classical Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines match) as a metaphor for the lover's face.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Female :Monaiyil un mugam”
The heroine responds using Monai (alliteration in Tamil poetry), keeping the literary banter alive.
Metaphor (Uvamaoorithu)
“Vivarikkum ilakkiyamae... Sugam tharum ilakkanamae”
Comparing the beloved to literature (Ilakkiyam) that explains both obvious and hidden meanings, and grammar (Ilakkanam) that brings structure and joy.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Minnum neelamani pol”
Comparing the heroine's radiance to a shining blue sapphire (neelamani).
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan famously integrated formal Tamil prosody terminology—such as Monai, Edhugai, Ilakkiyam, and Ilakkanam—into a mainstream romantic film song, showcasing his unique ability to bridge academic Tamil grammar with accessible, popular cinema lyrics.
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