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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poo Meedhu

From Dishyum · 2006

Lyricist
Pugazhendhi
Singer
Malgudi Subha
Music director
Vijay Antony
Details
Dishyum2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poo meedhu yaanaiAn elephant standing on a flower,
Poo valiyai thaanggumoCan the flower bear the pain?
Thee methu veenaiA veena placed upon fire,
Poi vizhunthal paadumoIf it falls into it, will it sing?
Female
Po endru sonnalIf you tell them to go away,
Varum ninaivum poogumoWill incoming memories also leave?
Poradum anbil adaIn love that constantly struggles, oh,
En thaan kayamoWhy is there a wound?
Female
Kannir kavithaigalPoems of tears,
Intha kangal ezluthuthaeThese eyes are writing.
Kavithai varigalaalWith lines of poetry,
Enthan kannam niraiyuthaeMy cheek is being filled.
Ilaigal uthirvathalAs leaves fall off,
Kilaiyum sumaigal kuduthaeThe branch's burdens increase.
Uthirum kilaigaloDo the falling branches
Maranthu kattril poguthaeForget everything and drift away in the wind?
Female
Poo meedhu yaanaiAn elephant standing on a flower,
Poo valiyai thaanggumoCan the flower bear the pain?
Thee methu veenaiA veena placed upon fire,
Poi vizhunthal paadumoIf it falls into it, will it sing?
Female
Hei..Hey..
Udaiththu paarkkum idhayam unathuYour heart is one that breaks things to see,
Padaiththu paarpathai ariyathaeIt does not know how to view things by creating.
Kulathil vilunthu therikkum nilavuThe moon that shatters when falling into a pond,
Nijathin ulagathil udaiyathaeDoes not actually break in the real world.
Udaiyaathaee……It doesn't break...
Female
Udaiththu paarkkum idhayam unathuYour heart is one that breaks things to see,
Padaiththu paarpathai ariyathaeIt does not know how to view things by creating.
Kulathil vilunthu therikkum nilavuThe moon that shatters when falling into a pond,
Nijathin ulagathil udaiyathaeDoes not actually break in the real world.
Female
Kaadhal polavaeJust like love,
Noiyum ellaiyaeThere is no other disease.
Yavum unmai thaanaeIs it not all true?
Idhai kaalam kaalamaiThough ages after ages,
Palarum solliyumMany people have warned about this,
Ketka villai naanaeI was the one who didn't listen.
Female
Poo meedhu yaanaiAn elephant standing on a flower,
Poo valiyai thaanggumoCan the flower bear the pain?
Thee methu veenaiA veena placed upon fire,
Poi vizhunthal paadumoIf it falls into it, will it sing?
Female
Vilagum pothuWhen you move away,
Nerunggum kaadhalLove comes closer.
Arugil ponal vilagidumoIf you go near it, will it move away?
Vilanggu maatti siraiyil puttiPutting on handcuffs and locking in prison,
Viruppum pola athuAs per its own desires,
Vali tharamooo…aaaa…haaa…Will it inflict pain... ah... ha...
Female
Vilagum pothuWhen you move away,
Nerunggum kaadhalLove comes closer.
Arugil ponal vilagidumoIf you go near it, will it move away?
Vilanggu maatti siraiyil puttiPutting on handcuffs and locking in prison,
Viruppum pola athuAs per its own desires,
Vali tharamooo..Will it inflict pain...
Female
Vera vera naaWhen memories wander off
Ninaivu poogayilIn different directions,
Kaadhal kolvathu pavamTo fall in love is a sin.
Athu serum variyilaeUntil it unites,
Yarum thunai illaiThere is no companion for anyone;
Aathi kaala saabamIt is an ancient, primordial curse.
Female
Poo meedhu yaanaiAn elephant standing on a flower,
Poo valiyai thaanggumoCan the flower bear the pain?
Thee methu veenaiA veena placed upon fire,
Poi vizhunthal paadumoIf it falls into it, will it sing?
Female
Po endru sonnalIf you tell them to go away,
Varum ninaivum poogumoWill incoming memories also leave?
Poradum anbil adaIn love that constantly struggles, oh,
En thaan kayamoWhy is there a wound?
Female
Kannir kavithaigalPoems of tears,
Intha kangal ezluthuthaeThese eyes are writing.
Kavithai varigalaalWith lines of poetry,
Enthan kannam niraiyuthaeMy cheek is being filled.
Ilaigal uthirvathalAs leaves fall off,
Kilaiyum sumaigal kuduthaeThe branch's burdens increase.
Uthirum kilaigaloDo the falling branches
Maranthu kattril poguthaeForget everything and drift away in the wind?
Female
Poo meedhu yaanaiAn elephant standing on a flower,
Poo valiyai thaanggumoCan the flower bear the pain?
Thee methu veenaiA veena placed upon fire,
Poi vizhunthal paadumoIf it falls into it, will it sing?
Padumooo…..Will it sing...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Poo Meedhu Yaanai' from Dishyum (2006) expresses deep heartache, sorrow, and the tragic nature of unrequited or painful love. Using vivid metaphors such as an elephant crushing a fragile flower and a musical instrument falling into fire, the protagonist laments how delicate human emotions are destroyed by harsh realities and unfeeling partners. The lyrics detail how love acts as both a prison and an ancient curse, causing pain that feels unbearable yet impossible to escape.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaai)

Poo meedhu yaanai / Poo valiyai thaanggumo

Comparing a fragile heart enduring emotional distress to a delicate flower carrying the weight of an elephant.

Visual Imagery

Thee methu veenai / Poi vizhunthal paadumo

Creating a vivid image of a veena falling into flames to depict how art, emotion, and music are destroyed in destructive situations.

Personification

Kannir kavithaigal / Intha kangal ezluthuthae

Attributing human traits like writing poetry to non-human or abstract physical concepts like tears/eyes flowing down cheeks.

Monorhyme / Edhugai (Tamil Assonance)

Udaiththu paarkkum idhayam unathu / Padaiththu paarpathai ariyathae

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Udaiththu' and 'Padaiththu', creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poo Meedhu Yaanai' was composed by Vijay Antony for Dishyum (2006), directed by Sasi. The song features soulful vocals by Vijay Antony and Maha, with lyrics written by Pugazhendhi. The film marked one of Vijay Antony's early breakthrough soundtracks as a music director before he transitioned into acting.

Keep listening

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