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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pookkalathan Parikkatheenga

From Pookkalai Parikkatheergal · 1986

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Pookkalai Parikkatheergal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poo onnu vaaduthammaaOne flower is fading, O mother
Adhan jodi poova theduthammaaIt is searching for its pair flower, O mother
Veli onnu thadukkuthammaA fence blocks its path, O mother
Adhan vizhigalunthan thavikkuthammaaIts eyes are yearning in pain, O mother
Male
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Male
Kangalunthaan paaththu kondaaWhen eyes meet and look at each other
Kadhalungae oottredukumLove springs forth right there
Kangalunthaan paaththu kondaaWhen eyes meet and look at each other
Kadhalungae oottredukumLove springs forth right there
Male
Idhayamathai koduththuvitaaOnce the heart is given away
Yaar thaduththu adhuvum nikkumCan anyone stop it from staying given?
Idhayamathai koduththuvitaaOnce the heart is given away
Yaar thaduththu adhuvum nikkumCan anyone stop it from staying given?
Male
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Male
Koottukkul paravai vachachaanHe placed the bird inside the nest
Vaanaththil nilava vachchaanHe placed the moon in the sky
Malarukkul thaena vachchaanHe placed honey inside the flower
Madhuvukkul bodhai vachchaanHe placed intoxication inside wine
Male
Manasukkul kadhal vachchaanHe placed love inside the heart
Manushanthaan adhana pirichchaanYet man separated it
Manasukkul kadhal vachchaanHe placed love inside the heart
Manushanthaan adhana pirichchaanYet man separated it
Male
Iyarkkaiyavan padaikkaiyilaeWhen nature created everything
Idaiyil ivan piraippathennaWhy did man intervene in between?
Ila manasu thavikkaiyilaeWhen young hearts are yearning in pain
Irakkamattru thaduppathennaWhy stop them mercilessly?
Male
Kangalunthaan paaththukondaaWhen eyes meet and look at each other
Kadhalangae oottrdukkumLove springs forth right there
Idhayamathai koduththu vittaaOnce the heart is given away
Yaar thaduththu adhuvum nikkumCan anyone stop it from staying given?
Male
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Male
Chedi valanthaa poovaa pookkumWhen a plant grows, it blooms into flowers
Poo pooththaa kaayaa kaaikkumWhen flowers bloom, they yield unripe fruit
Kaai kaninjaa pazhamaa maarumWhen unripe fruit ripens, it becomes fruit
Pazham virinjaa vidhaiyaa thoovumWhen fruit splits open, it scatters seeds
Male
Vidhai meendum poovai kodukkumSeeds again yield flowers
Poo meendum vidhaiya kodukkumFlowers again yield seeds
Vidhai meendum poovai kodukkumSeeds again yield flowers
Poo meendum vidhaiya kodukkumFlowers again yield seeds
Male
Idhuvum oru sakkaram aiyyaaThis too is a endless cycle, sir
Idha niruththa mudiyaathaiyyaaThis cycle cannot be stopped, sir
Adha pola kadhalumaiyyaLove is just like that cycle, sir
Adha thadukka mudiyaathaiyyaaIt cannot be stopped, sir
Male
Kangalunthaan paaththu kondaaWhen eyes meet and look at each other
Kadhalungae oottredukumLove springs forth right there
Idhayamathai koduththuvitaaOnce the heart is given away
Yaar thaduththu adhuvum nikkumCan anyone stop it from staying given?
Male
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love
Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheengaDo not pluck the flowers
Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheengaDo not break true love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song composed and written by T. Rajendar is a passionate appeal against societal interference in true love. The narrator compares love to natural phenomena created by God—such as birds in nests, honey in blossoms, and the endless biological cycle of seed to flower—arguing that love is an unstoppable force of nature. By comparing lovers to flowers that should not be plucked, the song pleads with elders and society to show mercy and allow love to bloom freely.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor (Uruvam)

Pookkalaththaan parikkaatheenga / Kadhalaththaan murikkaatheenga

Comparing the act of ruining love to plucking flowers, establishing nature as a symbol of pure romantic attachment.

Anaphora / Repetition

Koottukkul paravai vachachaan / Vaanaththil nilava vachchaan

Rhythmic repetition of 'vachchaan' (He placed/created) at the line endings to emphasize God's deliberate natural design.

Analogy

Idhuvum oru sakkaram aiyyaa... Adha pola kadhalumaiyya

Comparing the nature of love to the perpetual biological wheel of seed, flower, and fruit.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar for the 1986 film of the same name, this song became an iconic anthem for youth romance in Tamil cinema, showcasing Malaysia Vasudevan's signature expressive vocal style.

Keep listening

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