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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pookum Malarai

From Udhaya · 2004

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Udhaya2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pookum malaraiTo the blooming flower
Kaigal kulukkiShaking hands
Thendral sollumThe gentle breeze says
Kalai vanakkamGood morning
Oho ho hoOho ho ho
Alara cheval adhikaalaiEarly morning rooster crowing
Mella mella vizhikkum therukkalStreets slowly waking up
Male
{Annai vayalgal{Mother-like fields
Pillai manangalChild-like minds
Ullam thirandhuOpening up their hearts
Pesum chanangal}(2)People who converse}(2)
Male
Chinna sirippu podhumaeA small smile is enough
Chella nanbanaeMy dear friend
Kodi selvam yedharkkuWhy do I need crores of wealth?
Netri chulikkum podhilumEven when my brow furrows in distress
Patharum nanbanaeThe friend who worries for me
Uravu podhum enakkuThat relationship is enough for me
Chorus
Chinna sirippu podhumaeA small smile is enough
Chella nanbanaeMy dear friend
Kodi selvam yedharkkuWhy do I need crores of wealth?
Netri chulikkum podhilumEven when my brow furrows in distress
Patharum nanbanaeThe friend who worries for me
Uravu podhum enakkuThat relationship is enough for me
Chorus
Lala la la….lala laaLala la la….lala laa
HeyHey
Lala lala laaaLala lala laaa
Lala la la….lala laaLala la la….lala laa
Lala lala lala laaLala lala lala laa
Male
Pachai thaalilOn a green leaf
Vellai ezhuththuWhite writing
Kalli chediyil kaadhal kavidhaiA love poem on a cactus plant
Kichu kichu yaarWho tickled
MoottivittadhuAnd set it off?
Vedithu sirikkum paruthi chedigalThe cotton plants bursting into laughter
Male
Oho ho hoOho ho ho
Thottu pookkumBlooming at a touch
Pul veligalGrassy fields
Ivai allava suga varangalAren't these blissful blessings?
Chorus
Oho ho hoOho ho ho
Thottu pookkumBlooming at a touch
Pul veligalGrassy fields
Ivai allava suga varangalAren't these blissful blessings?
Male
Chinna sirippu podhumaeA small smile is enough
Chella nanbanaeMy dear friend
Chorus :Kodi selvam yedharkkuChorus: Why do I need crores of wealth?
Male :Netri chulikkum podhilumMale: Even when my brow furrows in distress
Patharum nanbanaeThe friend who worries for me
Chorus :Uravu podhum enakkuChorus: That relationship is enough for me
Male
Kanavae… kanavae …….Oh dream... oh dream...
Male
{Pinnal chedi vizhudhu{Twisted aerial roots of plants
Oonjal aada kodukkumGiving a swing to ride on
Aalamaram kooda thozhi enakku} (2)Even the banyan tree is a friend to me} (2)
Male
Ser padindha vettiA mud-stained veshti
Melliya seruppuLight slippers
Maalai sandhai koochal isai enakkuThe noise of the evening market is music to me
Male
Kaigalai neettiReaching out hands
Nilavai thodumTo touch the moon
Yogam vendum enakkuI desire that fortune
Yogam vendum enakku…I desire that fortune...
Yogam vendum enakku…I desire that fortune...
Yogam vendum enakku…I desire that fortune...
Male
{Chinna sirippu podhumae{A small smile is enough
Chella nanbanaeMy dear friend
Chorus :Kodi selvam yedharkkuChorus: Why do I need crores of wealth?
Male :Netri chulikkum podhilumMale: Even when my brow furrows in distress
Patharum nanbanaeThe friend who worries for me
Chorus :Uravu podhum enakku} (2)Chorus: That relationship is enough for me} (2)
Male :Kodi selvam yedharku……..Male: Why do I need crores of wealth?...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pookum Malarai is a joyful, nature-loving song celebrating the simplicity of rural life, genuine human connections, and peace of mind over material wealth. The protagonist feels that even immense riches are worthless compared to a true friend who empathizes with one's pain and the serene comfort provided by nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Thendral sollum Kalai vanakkam

The gentle breeze is personified as greeting blooming flowers with a good morning, and cotton pods bursting open are described as plants bursting into laughter.

Metaphor

Annai vayalgal Pillai manangal

Fields are metaphorically referred to as a nurturing mother ('Annai vayalgal'), and simple human minds are likened to innocent children ('Pillai manangal').

Imagery

Ser padindha vetti Melliya seruppu

Vivid visual and auditory imagery is used to portray rural life, such as mud-stained veshtis, market noise turned into music, and banyan roots acting as swings.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by A. R. Rahman for the movie Udhaya (2004), starring Vijay and Simran, with lyrics penned by Pazhani Bharathi.

Keep listening

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