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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poo Mottu Ponnu Ithu

From Yamanukku Yaman · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Chakravarthy
Details
Yamanukku Yaman1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaThis girl is like a flower bud, she is not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaThis girl is like a flower bud, she is not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Therukkoru saelai katti ooru pakkam vandhadhadiDraped in a fine saree street by street, she entered the town side.
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal,
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal.
Female
Kaadhalukku rendu pakkam kannillaeLove doesn't have two eyes on its sides (it is blind/unbiased),
Kaadhalilae sikkaatti ponnillaeWithout getting caught in love, there is no real valuable gold.
Kaadhalukku rendu pakkam kannillaeLove doesn't have two eyes on its sides (it is blind/unbiased),
Kaadhalilae sikkaatti ponnillaeWithout getting caught in love, there is no real valuable gold.
Kaalaiyil mottaachu maalaiyil poovaachuA bud in the morning, it blossomed into a flower by evening,
Kalyaana vayasaachu adeyamma enenna therinjaachuShe reached marriageable age; Oh my, look at all the things she has come to know!
Kalyaana vayasaachu adeyamma enenna therinjaachuShe reached marriageable age; Oh my, look at all the things she has come to know!
Male
Vattatha pottu vachu vilaiyaaduPlace a round bindi mark and play,
Om machaana kai erandil edai poduWeigh yourself in the arms of your cousin/lover.
Vattatha pottu vachu vilaiyaaduPlace a round bindi mark and play,
Om machaana kai erandil edai poduWeigh yourself in the arms of your cousin/lover.
Sendhura vaayil sindhu kavi paaduSing a melody song with your crimson red mouth,
Siru punnagaiyai vidalaama …bodhaiyoduCan you let go of that gentle smile... with intoxication?
Female
Aaa…aaa….idhuthaane onga aasaiAah... aah... is this your desire?
Eduthu kondaal ketpaenaaIf you take it, would I object?
Idhuthaane onga aasaiIs this your desire?
Eduthu kondaal ketpaenaaIf you take it, would I object?
Mazhaiyil vellam varumaanal nadhikkuthaanae sandhosamIf floodwaters arrive in rain, isn't it joy for the river?
Mazhaiyil vellam varumaanal nadhikkuthaanae sandhosamIf floodwaters arrive in rain, isn't it joy for the river?
Female
Koodu katti meththai ittu jodigalai aada vittaaBuilding a nest, laying out a bed, letting the pair dance,
Kondaattam kuraiyadhuThe celebration will never fade,
Thodar kadhai eppodhum mudiyaadhuThe ongoing story will never end.
Ammammammaa kondaattam kuraiyadhuAmmammamma! The celebration will never fade,
Thodar kadhai eppodhum mudiyaadhuThe ongoing story will never end.
Male
Adadadae poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaAh! This girl is like a flower bud, she is not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaThis girl is like a flower bud, she is not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Therukkoru saelai katti ooru pakkam vandhadhadiDraped in a fine saree street by street, she entered the town side.
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal,
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal.
Male
Pallakku pola oru odambaachuHer body has become soft like a palanquin,
Pasi vandha velaiyilae karumbaachuIn times of hunger, she has become sweet like sugarcane.
Pallakku pola oru odambaachuHer body has become soft like a palanquin,
Pasi vandha velaiyilae karumbaachuIn times of hunger, she has become sweet like sugarcane.
Thottaakka mella mella suttadhadi moochuUpon touching, her breath softly burned with warmth,
Nee solla vandha kadhai ellaam ..enga pochuWhere did all those stories you came to tell disappear?
Female
Aaa….aaa….polladha rasiganaiyyaAah... aah... what a mischievous admirer you are!
Purindhu konden maharaasaI have understood, my dear king!
Polladha rasiganaiyyaWhat a mischievous admirer you are!
Purindhu konden maharaasaI have understood, my dear king!
Marathil undu elaneeru parichupoga naal paaruTender coconut exists on the tree; pick a good auspicious day to pluck it,
Marathil undu elaneeru parichupoga naal paaruTender coconut exists on the tree; pick a good auspicious day to pluck it.
Female
Thaalam thatti melam kottiBeating the rhythm, sounding the drums,
Maalaiyittu kaiya thottaaGarlanding and touching hands in marriage,
Samsaaram nadakkadhaWon't family life commence?
Adikadi sangeetham pirakaadhaWon't music be born frequently?
Ammammamma samsaaram nadakkadhaAmmammamma! Won't family life commence?
Adikadi sangeetham pirakaadhaWon't music be born frequently?
Male
Adadada poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaAh! This girl is like a flower bud, she is not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Poo mottu ponnu idhu ponnallaThis girl is like a flower bud, she is Not mere gold,
Pon vandu kannu idhu kannallaHer eyes are like golden beetles, these are no ordinary eyes.
Therukkoru saelai katti ooru pakkam vandhadhadiDraped in a fine saree street by street, she entered the town side.
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal,
Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polaeLike a beautiful parrot, like a smiling fragrant screw-pine flower petal.
Female
Aaa….aa…kaadhalukku rendu pakkam kannillaeAah... aah... love doesn't have two eyes on its sides,
Kaadhalilae sikkaatti ponnillaeWithout getting caught in love, there is no real valuable gold.
Kaadhalukku rendu pakkam kannillaeLove doesn't have two eyes on its sides,
Kaadhalilae sikkaatti ponnillaeWithout getting caught in love, there is no real valuable gold.
Kaalaiyil mottaachu maalaiyil poovaachuA bud in the morning, it blossomed into a flower by evening,
Kalyaana vayasaachu adeyamma enenna therinjaachuShe reached marriageable age; Oh my, look at all the things she has come to know!
Ammammamma kalyaana vayasaachuAmmammamma! She reached marriageable age,
Adeyamma enenna therinjaachuOh my, look at all the things she has come to know!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic duet from Yamanukku Yaman (1980) portrays a lively exchange between two lovers celebrating youth, beauty, and budding romance. The hero admires the heroine's grace, comparing her delicate demeanor to a flower bud and her alluring eyes to golden beetles, while playfully urging her to embrace love and marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Singaara kili polae sirikkindra senthaazha madal polae

Comparing the heroine to a flower bud (Poo mottu ponnu) and a pretty parrot (Singaara kili).

Metaphor

Pasi vandha velaiyilae karumbaachu

Comparing her body to sugarcane when hungry (karumbaachu), symbolizing sweetness and desire.

Mondai / Rhyme & Alliteration (Edhugai / Monai)

Kaalaiyil mottaachu maalaiyil poovaachu

Use of matching internal rhymes and alliterative sounds like 'Kaalaiyil mottaachu' and 'maalaiyil poovaachu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Yamanukku Yaman (1980) is a Tamil fantasy-comedy film directed by Y. R. Swamy, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sripriya. The song features lyrics penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, filled with trademark sensual and folk-inspired allegories.

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