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Lyrics & meaning

Poo Uranguthu

From Thaai Sollai Thattadhe · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaai Sollai Thattadhe1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poo urangudhuThe flower sleeps,
Pozhudhum urangudhuThe night sleeps too,
Nee urangavillai nilavaeYet you do not sleep, oh Moon.
Kaanurangudhu kaattrum urangudhuThe forest sleeps, and the wind sleeps,
Naan urangavillai… naan urangavillai…I have not slept... I have not slept...
Female
Poo urangudhuThe flower sleeps,
Pozhudhum urangudhuThe night sleeps too,
Nee urangavillai nilavaeYet you do not sleep, oh Moon.
Kaanurangudhu kaattrum urangudhuThe forest sleeps, and the wind sleeps,
Naan urangavillai… naan urangavillai…I have not slept... I have not slept...
Female
Maan urangudhuThe deer sleeps,
Mayilum uranghudhuThe peacock sleeps too,
Manam urangavillaiMy mind has not slept,
Maan urangudhuThe deer sleeps,
Mayilum urangudhuThe peacock sleeps too,
Manam urangavillai enMy mind has not slept; my
Vazhi urangudhuPath sleeps,
Mozhiyum urangudhuLanguage itself sleeps,
Vizhi urangavillaiYet my eyes have not slept.
Female
Poo urangudhuThe flower sleeps,
Pozhudhum urangudhuThe night sleeps too,
Nee urangavillai nilavaeYet you do not sleep, oh Moon.
Kaanurangudhu kaattrum urangudhuThe forest sleeps, and the wind sleeps,
Naan urangavillai… naan urangavillai…I have not slept... I have not slept...
Female
Thendralilae enadhu udalIn this gentle breeze, my body
Thaeindhadhu paadhi adhuHas worn away by half;
Thindradhellaam poga ingaeAfter all that was consumed,
Iruppadhu meedhiOnly a remnant remains here.
Female
Thingal neeyum pen kulamumYou, the moon, and womanhood
Oru vagai jaadhiAre of the very same kind.
Thingal neeyum pen kulamumYou, the moon, and womanhood
Oru vagai jaadhiAre of the very same kind.
Therindhirundhum kolla vandhaaiKnowing this well, you came to torment me;
Ennadi needhiWhat kind of justice is this?
Female
Poo urangudhuThe flower sleeps,
Pozhudhum urangudhuThe night sleeps too,
Nee urangavillai nilavaeYet you do not sleep, oh Moon.
Kaanurangudhu kaattrum urangudhuThe forest sleeps, and the wind sleeps,
Naan urangavillai… naan urangavillai…I have not slept... I have not slept...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep pangs of yearning and insomnia caused by love and separation. The protagonist points out how all of nature—flowers, wind, forests, deer, and peacocks—has surrendered to peaceful sleep during the night. However, only the sleepless moon, the protagonist's eyes, and their restless mind remain wide awake. The lyrics highlight the emotional torment where even the soft southern breeze feels like a harsh force consuming the protagonist's physical and mental strength.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora and Contrast

Poo urangudhu... Naan urangavillai

The persistent refrain comparing elements of nature that are sleeping ('urangudhu') against the protagonist and the moon who remain awake ('urangavillai') emphasizes loneliness and distress.

Mōnai (Initial Alliteration)

Maan urangudhu / Mayilum uranghudhu / Manam urangavillai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across successive lines (Maan / Mayil / Manam) creates a rhythmic melancholic flow.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vazhi urangudhu / Mozhiyum urangudhu / Vizhi urangavillai

Matching second consonants across lines (Vazhi / Mozhi / Vizhi) enhances lyrical cohesion.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1961 Tamil hit movie 'Thaai Sollai Thattadhe' starring M. G. Ramachandran and Saroja Devi, this iconic song features lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan set to music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.

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Poo Uranguthu Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi