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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pookkadai Pakkam

From Naangu Killadigal · 1969

Lyricist
A. L. Narayanan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Naangu Killadigal1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pookkadai pakkam teakadai oramNear the flower shop, beside the tea stall,
Yekkathodu naan kaathrundhenaeI waited longingly for you.
Ennaathaa neeyum varallaNo matter what, you didn't show up,
En athaan indha kannaathaa thoonghavae illaiMy dear, this Kannatha couldn't sleep at all.
Male
Naan ennaatha solluvendiWhat can I even say,
Ponnaathaa ennai andhaPonnatha, to me, that...
Palalvaram lorry owneruPallavaram lorry owner,
Pokkiri paiyan pogha sonnaan bengalooruThat cheeky fellow told me to head to Bengaluru.
Lorrya eduthu pogha sonnan bengalooruTold me to take the lorry and head to Bengaluru.
Female
Ethini pasangha ponu paarkkaveSo many guys, looking to view a bride,
Vandhanga vootaandaCame right near my home.
Ada ennaannu solluvenAh, what can I say?
Ninnaangaa gateaandaThey stood waiting right at the gate!
On moonji paathu change aanen mutaalu naanuLooking at your face I fell for it, what a fool I am!
On moonji paathu change aanen mutaalu naanuLooking at your face I fell for it, what a fool I am!
Male
Moonjikkenna paaru naan munneriya staruWhat is wrong with my face? Look, I am a self-made star!
Moonjikkenna paaru naan munneriya staruWhat is wrong with my face? Look, I am a self-made star!
Ennadi muzhikkura summaWhy are you staring like that for nothing?
Female :YaaruFemale: Who?
Male :DriveruMale: The driver!
Female
Pookkadai pakkam teakadai oramNear the flower shop, beside the tea stall,
Yekkathodu naan kaathrundhenaeI waited longingly for you.
Ennaathaa neeyum varallaNo matter what, you didn't show up,
En athaan indha kannaathaa thoonghavae illaiMy dear, this Kannatha couldn't sleep at all.
Male
Naan ennaatha solluvendiWhat can I even say,
Ponnaathaa ennai andhaPonnatha, to me, that...
Palalvaram lorry owneruPallavaram lorry owner,
Pokkiri paiyan pogha sonnaan bengalooruThat cheeky fellow told me to head to Bengaluru.
Lorrya eduthu pogha sonnan bengalooruTold me to take the lorry and head to Bengaluru.
Male
Raoatula pora pombalai ellamAll the women walking along the road
Adichanga sightuWere checking me out!
Ada ennada baejaarunnuAh, thinking what a hassle this is,
Kuduthen poo rightuI just waved them off and said go right ahead.
On moonji paathu change aanen mutaalu naanuLooking at your face I fell for it, what a fool I am!
On moonji paathu change aanen mutaalu naanuLooking at your face I fell for it, what a fool I am!
Female
Naanu enna lesa naan kai padatha rosaaAm I so simple? I am an untouched rose!
Naanu enna lesa naan kai padatha rosaaAm I so simple? I am an untouched rose!
Ada ennaiyaa muzhikkura summaHey, why are you staring like that for nothing?
Male :YaaruMale: Who?
Female :Naan thaanFemale: It is me!
Female
Pookkadai pakkam teakadai oramNear the flower shop, beside the tea stall,
Yekkathodu naan kaathrundhenaeI waited longingly for you.
Ennaathaa neeyum varallaNo matter what, you didn't show up,
En athaan indha kannaathaa thoonghavae illaiMy dear, this Kannatha couldn't sleep at all.
Male
Naan ennaatha solluvendiWhat can I even say,
Ponnaathaa ennai andhaPonnatha, to me, that...
Palalvaram lorry owneruPallavaram lorry owner,
Pokkiri paiyan pogha sonnaan bengalooruThat cheeky fellow told me to head to Bengaluru.
Lorrya eduthu pogha sonnan bengalooruTold me to take the lorry and head to Bengaluru.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Naangu Killadigal' (1969) is a playful narrative duet sung in Chennai local dialect (Madras Baashai). The female partner complains about waiting fruitlessly near local shops and losing sleep because her partner failed to show up. In response, the male driver excuses his delay by blaming his lorry owner from Pallavaram who sent him off on a last-minute trip to Bengaluru. The banter continues as both boast about suitors and admirers before affectionately reassuring each other.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Pokkiri paiyan pogha sonnaan bengalooru

The usage of matching end-rhymes like 'owneru' and 'bengalooru' gives the song a catchy folk and urban beat.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naanu enna lesa naan kai padatha rosaa

The speaker compares herself to an 'untouched rose' (kai padatha rosaa) to denote her innocence and beauty.

Madras Slang (Folk Idiom)

Ada ennada baejaarunnu

Use of localized colloquial expressions such as 'sightu' and 'baejaaru' to reflect authentic street dialogue.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naangu Killadigal' (1969) was directed by Modern Theatres' L. Balu and is famed for its authentic use of Madras Baashai dialect in comedy songs, with music composed by S. Vedhachalam.

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