Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poo Potta Dhavani

From Kaakki Sattai · 1985

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kaakki Sattai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Oooooo….oooo…..turuthuuuuuuOooooo....oooo.....turuthuuuuuu
Male
{Pooppotta thaavaniThe floral-patterned half-saree
Bothaiyil aduthae} (2)Is dancing in intoxication
Male
KinnamCup
Female :Naan….Female: I...
Male :EnnaiMale: Me...
Female :Paar….Female: Look...
Male :InnumMale: More...
Female :Yen…..Female: Why...
Male :UnnaiMale: You...
Female :Thaa….Female: Give...
Male :Raajaaththi…… aah..Male: My queen... ah..
Female
Pooppotta thaavaniThe floral-patterned half-saree
Bothaiyil aduthae..Is dancing in intoxication..
Chorus
…………………………........................
Female
Raakkaalam selai ketkuthae………Nighttime demands the saree...
Male :hey hey hey heyMale: Hey hey hey hey
Female :Raajaavai paadhi aakkuthae……….Female: It turns the king into half...
Male :Paaba paaba paaba paabaMale: Paaba paaba paaba paaba
Male
Poo vaanameni engumAll over the flower-like soft body
Pottaalae jalatharangamShe played the jalatharanggam
Female :Haa..Female: Haa..
Male :Ho…hoMale: Ho...ho
Female :Koonththal…… …Female: Hair...
Male :Ha -ha aa aaMale: Ha-ha aa aa
Female :Moodum ………..Female: Will cover...
Male :Hey hey eyy ..Male: Hey hey eyy ..
Female :Yekkam …………..Female: Yearning...
Male :Ooo…ooo…oooMale: Ooo...ooo...ooo
Female :Koodum ………….Female: Will increase...
Male :Aa …aa ..aa .aaMale: Aa ...aa ..aa .aa
Female :Raajaangamae….Female: O Kingdom...
Male :AhMale: Ah
Female :Aa..aa.aa……..aa..Female: Aa..aa.aa........aa..
Male
Pooppotta thaavaniThe floral-patterned half-saree
Bothaiyil aduthaeIs dancing in intoxication
Male
KinnamCup
Female :Naan….Female: I...
Male :EnnaiMale: Me...
Female :Paar….Female: Look...
Male :InnumMale: More...
Female :Yen…..Female: Why...
Male :UnnaiMale: You...
Female :Thaa….Female: Give...
Male :Raajaaththi…… aah..Male: My queen... ah..
Female
Pooppotta thaavaniThe floral-patterned half-saree
Bothaiyil aduthae..Is dancing in intoxication..
Male
: Moodaatha kottai vaasalil……At the unclosed fort gate...
Female :Aa aa aa aaFemale: Aa aa aa aa
Male :Nogaamal nottam paakkavo…Male: Shall I take a look without hurting...
Female :Ah ah ah ahFemale: Ah ah ah ah
Female
Kaampodu pooththa mullai……Jasmine bloomed with its stem...
Male :Thaththuum…Male: Will leap...
Female :Kaayangal paaththathillai …Female: Has never seen wounds...
Male :Heyy…Male: Heyy...
Female :Ah…Female: Ah...
Male :Haa ……Male: Haa ......
Female :HeyFemale: Hey
Male :Mogam …Male: Passion...
Female :AaaFemale: Aaa
Male :Theeyil ……Male: In the fire...
Female :Aa-haaFemale: Aa-haa
Male :Vegum ……Male: Will burn...
Female :Aa aa aaFemale: Aa aa aa
Male :Neeyum……Male: You too...
Female :Aa .aa .aaFemale: Aa .aa .aa
Male :Sernthaada vaa…….aah…Male: Come join and dance... aah...
Female :Haa aa .. -haa-aa…hhh..Female: Haa aa .. -haa-aa...hhh..
Male
Pooppotta thaavaniThe floral-patterned half-saree
Bothaiyil aduthaeIs dancing in intoxication
Male
KinnamCup
Female :Naan….Female: I...
Male :EnnaiMale: Me...
Female :Paar….Female: Look...
Male :InnumMale: More...
Female :Yen…..Female: Why...
Male :UnnaiMale: You...
Female :Thaa….Female: Give...
Male :Raajaaththi…… aah..Male: My queen... ah..
Female
Pooppotta thaavani ..The floral-patterned half-saree..
Male :Hey..aahMale: Hey..aah
Female :Bothaiyil aduthae..Female: Is dancing in intoxication..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and playful duet depicts a romantic encounter between two lovers whose passion is heightened in the night. The floral half-saree (thaavani) serves as a central symbol of beauty and intoxication, swaying gracefully as the lovers engage in a rapid, rhythmic call-and-response exchange. Rich with metaphors comparing physical intimacy to playing music and burning in fire, the song captures the intense desire and joyous banter shared between them. As the song progresses, the dialogue deepens into mutual longing, where metaphors like the unclosed fort gate and tender jasmine blossoms evoke vulnerability and passion. The vibrant vocal improvisations mirror the ecstasy of their romantic union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Pottaalae jalatharangam

Compares sensations across the body to the gentle, rhythmic music produced by playing the musical instrument Jalatharanggam.

Sensory Imagery

Pooppotta thaavani Bothaiyil aduthae

Creates a vivid visual and tactile image of a floral half-saree swaying softly as if intoxicated by passion.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Moodum ... Yekkam ... Koodum

Features rhyme between 'Moodum' and 'Koodum', enhancing the musical flow of the call-and-response verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from Kaakki Sattai (1985) is celebrated for its unique staccato conversational style between the lead singers (S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki), where incomplete phrases from each singer join together to form complete romantic thoughts.

Keep listening

More from Kaakki Sattai