Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnula Ponnula Pannuna

From Chittu Kuruvi · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chittu Kuruvi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ish aahIsh aah
Male
Ponnula ponnula pannunaMade of pure gold, made of pure gold
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Minnudhu minnudhu oththa kalShines and glitters, the single stone
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Pokkiri ponnuku panguni maasamFor the feisty girl, in the month of Panguni
Kalyanam pattu katcheriWedding, silk attire, and a musical concert
Ada poi kaalu kurudhayilae oorgolamHey, a procession on a wooden dummy horse!
Male
Ponnula ponnula pannunaMade of pure gold, made of pure gold
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Minnudhu minnudhu oththa kalShines and glitters, the single stone
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Pokkiri ponnuku panguni maasamFor the feisty girl, in the month of Panguni
Kalyanam pattu katcheriWedding, silk attire, and a musical concert
Ada poi kaalu kurudhayilae oorgolamHey, a procession on a wooden dummy horse!
Male
{Vendhampatti vaenga kutti{ The tiger cub of Vendhampatti
Vella vetti varinju kattiTightly draping the crisp white dhoti
Paanjaandi jeyichaandiPounced forward and emerged victorious
Pandhayam thaandi} (2)Crossed the finish line of the wager } (2)
Male
Sinna chittu sikkikittuThe little bird got caught in a trap
Paavam thavikkidhuPoor creature, it suffers helplessly
Kovam porakkudhuAnger flares up within
Pakkam vara vekkam vandhuAs he approaches, shyness steps in
PoraadudhuAnd wages a inner battle
Male
Ponnula ponnula pannunaMade of pure gold, made of pure gold
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Minnudhu minnudhu oththa kalShines and glitters, the single stone
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Pokkiri ponnuku panguni maasamFor the feisty girl, in the month of Panguni
Kalyanam pattu katcheriWedding, silk attire, and a musical concert
Ada poi kaalu kurudhayilae oorgolamHey, a procession on a wooden dummy horse!
Male
{Arasaani alliyamma{ Queen Alli sitting on the throne
Arjunan mel aaththiramaaFurious towards Lord Arjuna
Aan vaada vendannaEven if she refuses the male scent
Aasayum vidumaa} (2)Will her underlying desire go away? } (2)
Male
Indha pullae nenjukullaeDeep inside this girl's heart
Nesam irukudhu neram kadathudhuLove exists, yet she stalls for time
Pallaakku polLike a swaying palanquin
Ullam rendum thallaadudhuBoth their hearts teeter back and forth
Male
Ponnula ponnula pannunaMade of pure gold, made of pure gold
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Minnudhu minnudhu oththa kalShines and glitters, the single stone
MookkuththiThe nose ring
Pokkiri ponnuku panguni maasamFor the feisty girl, in the month of Panguni
Kalyanam pattu katcheriWedding, silk attire, and a musical concert
Ada poi kaalu kurudhayilae oorgolamHey, a procession on a wooden dummy horse!
Ada poi kaalu kurudhayilae oorgolamHey, a procession on a wooden dummy horse!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and rhythmic folk-style song portrays a lighthearted romantic banter between a feisty, independent young woman and a determined suitor. The lyrics highlight the girl's dazzling single-stone gold nose ring, symbolizing her charm and proud demeanor, while celebrating traditional village festivities, weddings, and fun processions. Through cultural metaphors like 'Alli' (the proud warrior queen who resists Arjuna), the lyricist describes how despite her outward resistance and feigned anger, her heart harbors deep love for him, causing both their hearts to sway in sweet anticipation like a palanquin.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ponnula ponnula pannuna / Minnudhu minnudhu oththa kal

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Ponnula' and 'Minnudhu', or 'Sinna' and 'Pakkam'.

Mona i (Initial Alliteration)

Pokkiri ponnuku panguni maasam

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in words within the same line, as seen in 'Pokkiri ponnuku panguni'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Sinna chittu sikkikittu / Paavam thavikkidhu

Matching end syllables creating a rhythmic bounce, seen in 'sikkikittu', 'thavikkidhu', 'porakkudhu', 'poraadudhu'.

Upamai (Simile)

Pallaakku pol / Ullam rendum thallaadudhu

Comparing the unsteady, fluttering hearts of lovers to the swaying motion of a palanquin ('Pallaakku pol').

Cultural Allusion

Arasaani alliyamma / Arjunan mel aaththiramaa

Referencing the legendary queen Alliyarasani (Alli) and her pride against Arjuna from Tamil folklore to mirror the heroine's resistance.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chittu Kuruvi' (1978) is a Tamil film starring Sivakumar and Sumithra, with iconic music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The track features classic folk rhythms and vivid rural imagery crafted by Vaali, capturing the traditional folk art of 'Poi Kaal Kuthirai' (dummy horse dance) in its chorus lines.

Keep listening

More from Chittu Kuruvi