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Lyrics & meaning

Poo Sumanthu Pogiral

From Policekaran Magal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Policekaran Magal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poo sumandhu pogindraalShe goes carrying flowers
Potteduthu pogindraalShe goes wearing a bindi on her forehead
Punnagaiyai sertheduthaeGathering her sweet smile along with her
Kanni magal pogindraalThe young maiden goes away
Male
Malargalilae aval veithaAmong all the flowers, the flower she placed
Malar ellam deivam ammaEvery flower becomes divine, oh mother
Mangaiyaval kungumamaeThe auspicious vermillion of that young woman
Thanganira kovil ammaIs a golden temple itself, oh mother
Male
Ivvulagam aval vaazhaFor her to live in this earthly world
Yettra edam illaiyammaThere is no suitable place, oh mother
Avvulagam azhaithathammaThat heavenly world called out to her, oh mother
Azhagu mayil paranthathammaThe beautiful peacock has flown away, oh mother
Amma ammma ammaaMother, oh mother, mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poo Sumandhu Pogindraal from the 1962 film Policekaran Magal is a soulful emotional lament composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and written by Kannadasan. The song mourns the passing or departure of a pure, virtuous young maiden, describing her divinity and innocence. The lyrics express that the maiden was so pure and sacred that the earthly world was not worthy of her presence. Consequently, the divine heavenly world summoned her back, and her soul, depicted as a beautiful peacock, has flown away to the heavens, leaving behind grief and reverence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Poo sumandhu pogindraal / Potteduthu pogindraal / Punnagaiyai sertheduthae

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound across the opening lines ('Poo', 'Pot', 'Punnagaiyai') creates a soft melodic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Azhagu mayil paranthathamma

The young woman's soul is metaphorically compared to a 'beautiful peacock' ('azhagu mayil') taking flight to the heavens.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ivvulagam aval vaazha / Avvulagam azhaithathamma

Matching of the second consonant sound 'vv' in 'Ivvulagam' and 'Avvulagam' across adjacent lines.

Anaphora / Repetition (Etonai)

Amma ammma ammaa

The mournful repetition of 'Amma' at the end of lines and in the closing refrain builds deep emotional urgency and grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is one of Sirkazhi Govindarajan's iconic grief-laden tracks in Tamil cinema, renowned for his resonant operatic voice. Directed by C. V. Sridhar, 'Policekaran Magal' featured a memorable soundtrack where Kannadasan's philosophical lyricism brilliantly complemented the narrative drama.

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