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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poo Malai Podum

From Pagaivan · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Anuradha Sriram, Krishnaraj
Music director
Deva
Details
Pagaivan1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poomaalai podum velaiAt the time of exchanging flower garlands
Poontholil seru velaiAt the time of resting on flower-soft shoulders
Ponnaalai kaanum velaiAt the time of witnessing golden days
MounamaaIs there silence?
Male
Poongaattru veesum velaiAt the time when the gentle breeze blows
Poonjolai aadum velaiAt the time when the flower garden sways
Pon maarbil theendum velaiAt the time of touching the golden chest
Mayakkamaa….aa…aa..Is there intoxication?
Female
Enthan moochchuMy breath
Unnai suttrithaan suzhalumWill revolve around you alone
Enthan kangal unnaiMy eyes
Mattumthaan ariyumKnow only you
Male
SaththamindriWithout making any sound
Yuththam ondril saranadaiyumSurrendering in a silent war
Raththam ellaam ushnamAll the blood takes in warmth
Kondu kuliradaiyumAnd turns cool
Female
Poomaalai podum velaiAt the time of exchanging flower garlands
Poontholil saerum velaiAt the time of resting on flower-soft shoulders
Ponnaalai kaanum velaiAt the time of witnessing golden days
MounamaaIs there silence?
Male
Mullai poovai thottuTouching the jasmine flower
Muththam kodi ittuShowering millions of kisses
Sontham sollaamal sugam kandathuPleasure was found without expressing ownership
Female
Kannil thoondil ittuCasting a fishing hook with the eyes
Ennai thoondi vittuEnticing and inciting me
Konji yaethetho kadhai sonnathuTelling various stories affectionately
Male
Thottu unnai eduththaalThinking that if I lift you by hand
Kanni vidum endruYou might get damaged
Nenjil unnai naan pathiththaenI imprinted you within my heart
Female
Pattu vidum munpuBefore getting touched and spoiled
Thottu vida enniWishing to touch
Kotti ennai naan koduththaenI poured out and gave myself away
Male
Thiyaagamaa solladiTell me, is this a sacrifice?
Mannil neeyindri naan yedhadiOn this earth, what am I without you?
Female
Poomaalai podum velaiAt the time of exchanging flower garlands
Poontholil seru velaiAt the time of resting on flower-soft shoulders
Ponnaalai kaanum velaiAt the time of witnessing golden days
MounamaaIs there silence?
Female
Unthan paatham pattaThe earth touched by your feet
Mannai naanum thottuI touch that very soil
Nettri pottaaga naan sooduvaenAnd wear it as a mark on my forehead
Male
Unnai kaattru thottaalIf even the wind touches you
Thalli kaavalittu anbuPushing it away to guard you
Soththaaga kaappattruvaenI will protect you as a treasure of love
Female
Jenmam pala thodarnthaenI followed through many lifetimes
Unnai enni alainthaenI wandered endlessly thinking of you
Indru unnai naan adainthaenToday I have finally attained you
Male
Engum unnai thodarnthaenI followed you everywhere
Angam engum kalanthaenI merged completely into every limb
Vinnil indru naan paranthaenToday I flew in the sky
Female
Jenmamae pothumaeThis single lifetime is enough
Intha aanantham eediyillaiyaeThere is no match for this bliss
Male
Poogaattru veesum velaiAt the time when the gentle breeze blows
Poonjolai aadum velaiAt the time when the flower garden sways
Pon maarbai theendum velaiAt the time of touching the golden chest
Mayakkamaa….aaaa….Is there intoxication?
Female
Enthan moochchuMy breath
Unnai suttrithaan suzhalumWill revolve around you alone
Enthan kangal unnaiMy eyes
Mattumthaan ariyumKnow only you
Male
Saththam indriWithout making any sound
Yuththam ondril saranadaiyumSurrendering in a silent war
Raththam ellaam ushnamAll the blood takes in warmth
Kondu kuliradaiyumAnd turns cool
Female
Poomaalai podum velaiAt the time of exchanging flower garlands
Poontholil seru velaiAt the time of resting on flower-soft shoulders
Ponnaalai kaanum velaiAt the time of witnessing golden days
MounamaaIs there silence?
Male
Poongaattru veesum velaiAt the time when the gentle breeze blows
Poonjolai aadum velaiAt the time when the flower garden sways
Pon maarbil theendum velaiAt the time of touching the golden chest
Mayakkamaa….aa…aa..aa….Is there intoxication?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Poomaalai Podum Velai' from the 1997 movie 'Pagaivan' is a passionate duet expressing deep romantic surrender and eternal devotion between two lovers. The lyrics describe moments of intimate togetherness, comparing love to a quiet war where passion warms the blood yet brings a soothing coolness to the soul. The couple celebrates finding each other after lifetimes of longing, declaring that even a single life filled with such incomparable joy is complete.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Initial Alliteration

Poomaalai podum velai / Poontholil seru velai

Repetition of the initial 'Poo/Pon' sound across consecutive lines creating melodic harmony (Poomaalai, Poontholil, Ponnaalai, Poongaattru, Poonjolai).

Iyaibu / End Rhyme

Poomaalai podum velai... Poontholil seru velai...

Repetition of the refrain 'velai' at the end of consecutive lines emphasizing time and mood.

Uruvagaim / Metaphor

Pon maarbil theendum velai

Describing shoulders as flower-soft ('Poontholil') and chest as golden ('Pon maarbil').

Oxymoron / Paradox

Raththam ellaam ushnam kondu kuliradaiyum

Juxtaposition of warmth and coldness ('ushnam kondu kuliradaiyum') to represent complex physical and emotional sensations.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pagaivan' (1997) starring Ajith Kumar, Sathyaraj, and Anjala Zaveri featured music composed by Deva. The track 'Poomaalai Podum Velai' stands out as one of Deva's signature melodies of the late '90s, sung brilliantly by Krishnaraj and Anuradha Sriram.

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