Poo Pookum Masam
From Varusham Padhinaaru · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilaiyaraja
- Details
- Varusham Padhinaaru1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pongalu pongalu vekka | To cook the Pongal dish |
| Manjala manjala edu | Take the turmeric |
| Thangachi thangachi thangachi | Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister |
| Chorus | |
| Pongalu pongalu vekka | To cook the Pongal dish |
| Manjala manjala edu | Take the turmeric |
| Thangachi thangachi thangachi | Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister |
| Female | |
| Punjaiyum nanjaiyum | Dry lands and wet lands |
| Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum | This earth and the deity |
| Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi | From now, are on our side, our side, our side |
| Chorus | |
| Punjaiyum nanjaiyum | Dry lands and wet lands |
| Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum | This earth and the deity |
| Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi | From now, are on our side, our side, our side |
| Female | |
| Poo pookkum maasam | The month of blooming flowers |
| Thai maasam | The month of Thai |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Oorengum veesum | Blowing across the whole village |
| Poo vaasam | The fragrance of flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female | |
| Chinna kiligal paranthu aada | As little parrots fly and dance |
| Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada | As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm |
| Chorus :Chinna kiligal paranthu aada | As little parrots fly and dance |
| Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada | As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm |
| Female :Pudhu raagam pudhu thaalam | A new melody and a new rhythm |
| Ondru serum neram inneram | This present moment is when they unite |
| Female | |
| Poo pookkum maasam | The month of blooming flowers |
| Thai maasam | The month of Thai |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Oorengum veesum | Blowing across the whole village |
| Poo vaasam | The fragrance of flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Chorus | |
| Pongalu pongalu vekka | To cook the Pongal dish |
| Manjala manjala edu | Take the turmeric |
| Thangachi thangachi thangachi | Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister |
| Punjaiyum nanjaiyum | Dry lands and wet lands |
| Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum | This earth and the deity |
| Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi | From now, are on our side, our side, our side |
| Female | |
| Vaaikkaalaiyum | The water canals |
| Vayalkkaattaiyum | And the wild farm fields |
| Padaithaal enakkena | Were created for me |
| Graama dhevadhai | By the village goddess |
| Themmaangaiyum | The folk songs |
| Therukkooththaiyum | And the street theater |
| Ninaithaal inithidum | Are sweet to recall |
| Vaazhvu naal varai | Until the end of life's days |
| Female | |
| Kuzhandhaigal kooda | Even children |
| Kumariyum aada | And young women dance |
| Mandha maarudham veesuthu | The soft gentle breeze blows |
| Malaiyamaarudham paaduthu | The mountain breeze sings |
| Chorus | |
| Oo oo oo… | Oo oo oo... |
| Oo…oo…oo… | Oo...oo...oo... |
| Female | |
| Poo pookkum maasam | The month of blooming flowers |
| Thai maasam | The month of Thai |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Oorengum veesum | Blowing across the whole village |
| Poo vaasam | The fragrance of flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm hmm hmm hmm | (Humming) |
| Hmm…mm…mm…mm…mm…mm…. | (Humming) |
| Female | |
| Naan thoongiyae | It has been days |
| Naalaanathu | Since I slept |
| Athu yen enakkoru | Why did a romantic desire |
| Mogam vandhathu | Come upon me? |
| Female | |
| Paal meniyum | My milky fair body |
| Noolaanathu | Has turned thin as a thread |
| Athu yen adharkkoru | Why did a thirst |
| Dhaagam vandhathu | Arise for it? |
| Female | |
| Mandhinil kodi | In my mind, a million |
| Ninaivugal odi | Memories rush by |
| Mannan yaarena thaedudho | Searching for who the king is |
| Unnai paarthathum koodudho | Does it intensify upon seeing you? |
| Chorus | |
| Oo oo oo… | Oo oo oo... |
| Oo..oo…oo…. | Oo..oo...oo.... |
| Female | |
| Poo pookkum maasam | The month of blooming flowers |
| Thai maasam | The month of Thai |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Oorengum veesum | Blowing across the whole village |
| Poo vaasam | The fragrance of flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female | |
| Chinna kiligal paranthu aada | As little parrots fly and dance |
| Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada | As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm |
| Chorus :Chinna kiligal paranthu aada | As little parrots fly and dance |
| Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada | As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm |
| Female :Pudhu raagam pudhu thaalam | A new melody and a new rhythm |
| Ondru serum neram inneram | This present moment is when they unite |
| Female | |
| Poo pookkum maasam | The month of blooming flowers |
| Thai maasam | The month of Thai |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Oorengum veesum | Blowing across the whole village |
| Poo vaasam | The fragrance of flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm | (Humming) |
| Chorus | |
| Pongalu pongalu vekka | To cook the Pongal dish |
| Manjala manjala edu | Take the turmeric |
| Thangachi thangachi thangachi | Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister |
| Punjaiyum nanjaiyum | Dry lands and wet lands |
| Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum | This earth and the deity |
| Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi | From now, are on our side, our side, our side |
இசையைமைபாளர் :
இளையராஜா
To cook the Pongal dish
Take the turmeric
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
பொங்கல பொங்கல வைக்க
மஞ்சள மஞ்சள எடு
தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி
குழு :
பொங்கல பொங்கல வைக்க
மஞ்சள மஞ்சள எடு
தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி
To cook the Pongal dish
Take the turmeric
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
புஞ்சையும் நஞ்சையும்
இந்த பூமியும் சாமியும் இனி
நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி
குழு :
புஞ்சையும் நஞ்சையும்
இந்த பூமியும் சாமியும் இனி
நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி
Dry lands and wet lands
This earth and the deity
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
பூப் பூக்கும் மாசம் தை மாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
ஊரெங்கும் வீசும் பூ வாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
Dry lands and wet lands
This earth and the deity
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
சின்னக் கிளிகள் பறந்து ஆட
சிந்துக் கவிகள் குயில்கள் பாட
குழு :
சின்னக் கிளிகள் பறந்து ஆட
சிந்துக் கவிகள் குயில்கள் பாட
புது ராகம் புதுத் தாளம்
ஒன்று சேரும் நேரம் இந்நேரம்......
The month of blooming flowers
The month of Thai
(Humming)
Blowing across the whole village
The fragrance of flowers
(Humming)
பூப் பூக்கும் மாசம் தை மாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
ஊரெங்கும் வீசும் பூ வாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
As little parrots fly and dance
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
As little parrots fly and dance
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
A new melody and a new rhythm
This present moment is when they unite
பொங்கல பொங்கல வைக்க
மஞ்சள மஞ்சள எடு
தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி
The month of blooming flowers
The month of Thai
(Humming)
Blowing across the whole village
The fragrance of flowers
(Humming)
புஞ்சையும் நஞ்சையும்
இந்த பூமியும் சாமியும் இனி
நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி
To cook the Pongal dish
Take the turmeric
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Dry lands and wet lands
This earth and the deity
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
வாய்க்காலையும்
வயல் காட்டையும்
படைத்தாள் எனக்கென
கிராம தேவதை
The water canals
And the wild farm fields
Were created for me
By the village goddess
The folk songs
And the street theater
Are sweet to recall
Until the end of life's days
தெம்மாங்கையும்
தெருக்கூத்தையும்
நினைத்தால் இனித்திடும்
வாழும் நாள் வரை
Even children
And young women dance
The soft gentle breeze blows
The mountain breeze sings
குழந்தைகள் கூட
குமரியும் ஆட
மந்தமாருதம் வீசுது
மலயமாருதம் பாடுது
குழு :
ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...
ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...
Oo oo oo...
Oo...oo...oo...
பூப் பூக்கும் மாசம் தை மாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
ஊரெங்கும் வீசும் பூ வாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
The month of blooming flowers
The month of Thai
(Humming)
Blowing across the whole village
The fragrance of flowers
(Humming)
ஹ்ஹீம் ஹீஹீம் ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்ஹீம் ஹீஈம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்....
ஹ்ஹீம் ஹீஹீம் ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்ஹீம் ஹீஈம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்....
(Humming)
(Humming)
நான் தூங்கியே
நாள் ஆனது
அது ஏன் எனக்கொரு
மோகம் வந்தது
பால் மேனியும் நூலானது
அது ஏன் அதுக்கொரு
தாகம் வந்தது
It has been days
Since I slept
Why did a romantic desire
Come upon me?
மனதினில் கோடி நினைவுகள் ஓடி
மன்னன் யார் எனத் தேடுதோ
உன்னைப் பார்த்ததும் கூடுதோ
குழு :
ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...
ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...ஊ...
My milky fair body
Has turned thin as a thread
Why did a thirst
Arise for it?
பூப் பூக்கும் மாசம் தை மாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
ஊரெங்கும் வீசும் பூ வாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
In my mind, a million
Memories rush by
Searching for who the king is
Does it intensify upon seeing you?
சின்னக் கிளிகள் பறந்து ஆட
சிந்துக் கவிகள் குயில்கள் பாட
குழு :
சின்னக் கிளிகள் பறந்து ஆட
சிந்துக் கவிகள் குயில்கள் பாட
புது ராகம் புதுத் தாளம்
ஒன்று சேரும் நேரம் இந்நேரம்......
Oo oo oo...
Oo..oo...oo....
பூப் பூக்கும் மாசம் தை மாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
ஊரெங்கும் வீசும் பூ வாசம்
குழு :
ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்
The month of blooming flowers
The month of Thai
(Humming)
Blowing across the whole village
The fragrance of flowers
(Humming)
பொங்கல பொங்கல வைக்க
மஞ்சள மஞ்சள எடு
தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி தங்கச்சி
As little parrots fly and dance
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
As little parrots fly and dance
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
A new melody and a new rhythm
This present moment is when they unite
புஞ்சையும் நஞ்சையும்
இந்த பூமியும் சாமியும் இனி
நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி நம் கட்சி
The month of blooming flowers
The month of Thai
(Humming)
Blowing across the whole village
The fragrance of flowers
(Humming)
To cook the Pongal dish
Take the turmeric
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Dry lands and wet lands
This earth and the deity
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
Pongalu pongalu vekka
To cook the Pongal dish
Manjala manjala edu
Take the turmeric
Thangachi thangachi thangachi
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Pongalu pongalu vekka
To cook the Pongal dish
Manjala manjala edu
Take the turmeric
Thangachi thangachi thangachi
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Punjaiyum nanjaiyum
Dry lands and wet lands
Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum
This earth and the deity
Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
Punjaiyum nanjaiyum
Dry lands and wet lands
Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum
This earth and the deity
Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
Poo pookkum maasam
The month of blooming flowers
Thai maasam
The month of Thai
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Female :Oorengum veesum
Blowing across the whole village
Poo vaasam
The fragrance of flowers
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Chinna kiligal paranthu aada
As little parrots fly and dance
Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
Chorus :Chinna kiligal paranthu aada
As little parrots fly and dance
Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
Female :Pudhu raagam pudhu thaalam
A new melody and a new rhythm
Ondru serum neram inneram
This present moment is when they unite
Poo pookkum maasam
The month of blooming flowers
Thai maasam
The month of Thai
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Female :Oorengum veesum
Blowing across the whole village
Poo vaasam
The fragrance of flowers
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Pongalu pongalu vekka
To cook the Pongal dish
Manjala manjala edu
Take the turmeric
Thangachi thangachi thangachi
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Punjaiyum nanjaiyum
Dry lands and wet lands
Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum
This earth and the deity
Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
Vaaikkaalaiyum
The water canals
Vayalkkaattaiyum
And the wild farm fields
Padaithaal enakkena
Were created for me
Graama dhevadhai
By the village goddess
Themmaangaiyum
The folk songs
Therukkooththaiyum
And the street theater
Ninaithaal inithidum
Are sweet to recall
Vaazhvu naal varai
Until the end of life's days
Kuzhandhaigal kooda
Even children
Kumariyum aada
And young women dance
Mandha maarudham veesuthu
The soft gentle breeze blows
Malaiyamaarudham paaduthu
The mountain breeze sings
Oo oo oo…
Oo oo oo...
Oo…oo…oo…
Oo...oo...oo...
Poo pookkum maasam
The month of blooming flowers
Thai maasam
The month of Thai
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Female :Oorengum veesum
Blowing across the whole village
Poo vaasam
The fragrance of flowers
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Hmmm hmm hmm hmm
(Humming)
Hmm…mm…mm…mm…mm…mm….
(Humming)
Naan thoongiyae
It has been days
Naalaanathu
Since I slept
Athu yen enakkoru
Why did a romantic desire
Mogam vandhathu
Come upon me?
Paal meniyum
My milky fair body
Noolaanathu
Has turned thin as a thread
Athu yen adharkkoru
Why did a thirst
Dhaagam vandhathu
Arise for it?
Mandhinil kodi
In my mind, a million
Ninaivugal odi
Memories rush by
Mannan yaarena thaedudho
Searching for who the king is
Unnai paarthathum koodudho
Does it intensify upon seeing you?
Oo oo oo…
Oo oo oo...
Oo..oo…oo….
Oo..oo...oo....
Poo pookkum maasam
The month of blooming flowers
Thai maasam
The month of Thai
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Female :Oorengum veesum
Blowing across the whole village
Poo vaasam
The fragrance of flowers
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Chinna kiligal paranthu aada
As little parrots fly and dance
Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
Chorus :Chinna kiligal paranthu aada
As little parrots fly and dance
Sindhu kavigal kuyilgal paada
As cuckoos sing songs of Sindhu rhythm
Female :Pudhu raagam pudhu thaalam
A new melody and a new rhythm
Ondru serum neram inneram
This present moment is when they unite
Poo pookkum maasam
The month of blooming flowers
Thai maasam
The month of Thai
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Female :Oorengum veesum
Blowing across the whole village
Poo vaasam
The fragrance of flowers
Chorus :Hmm hmm mmm mmm
(Humming)
Pongalu pongalu vekka
To cook the Pongal dish
Manjala manjala edu
Take the turmeric
Thangachi thangachi thangachi
Younger sister, younger sister, younger sister
Punjaiyum nanjaiyum
Dry lands and wet lands
Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum
This earth and the deity
Ini nam katchi nam katchi nam katchi
From now, are on our side, our side, our side
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Poo Pookkum Maasam' is a iconic folk-pop tracks from the movie Varusham Padhinaaru (1989), composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali. Set during the harvest month of Thai (January-February), the song captures the celebratory spirit, rustic beauty, and festive warmth of rural Tamil Nadu. It blends traditional village rituals like Pongal preparation with the joyous awakening of youth and romance. Through imagery of flowing canals, lush agricultural fields, folk performances (Themmaangu and Therukkoothu), and spring breezes, the song paints a picture of happiness, communal harmony, and delicate romantic longing as the female protagonist expresses her emerging love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition)
“Pongalu pongalu vekka / Manjala manjala edu / Thangachi thangachi thangachi”
Words like 'Pongalu', 'Manjala', and 'Thangachi' are repeated consecutively to evoke the repetitive rhythmic chant characteristic of Tamil folk singing during harvest festivals.
Rhyme / Assonance (Iyaibu & Etukai)
“Punjaiyum nanjaiyum / Intha bhoomiyum saamiyum”
The rhyming of 'Punjaiyum nanjaiyum' with 'bhoomiyum saamiyum' creates a harmonious phonetic rhythm emphasizing the land and divine blessing.
Personification
“Malaiyamaarudham paaduthu”
The mountain wind (Malaiyamaarudham) is personified as a singer praising nature.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Paal meniyum / Noolaanathu”
Comparing a fair body to milk ('Paal meniyum') and its physical slimming due to romantic yearning to a slender thread ('Noolaanathu').
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Trivia
'Poo Pookkum Maasam Thai Maasam' from Varusham Padhinaaru (1989) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. S. Chithra. The film marked the Tamil debut of actress Kushboo opposite Karthik and was directed by Fazil. The song remains one of Tamil cinema's most popular harvest festival anthems played extensively during Thai Pongal.
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