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Pathumatha Bantham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poomali Ondru Poovo

From Pathumatha Bantham · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jikki, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Pathumatha Bantham
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
3 Apr 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poomalai ondru poovo irandu
Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indru
Poomalai ondru poovo irandu
Female : Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indru
En peru malligai en thozhi mullaiyo
Idhayathil vandha anbu nee sonna maalaiyoo
Poo veru aagalaam thaen kooda maaralaam
Kondaadum vandu ondru verenna kooralaam
Ullam ondru
Female :Endhan sondham
Female :Illam ondru
Female :Undhan sondham
Female :Illai en thozhi nam sondham
Poomalai ondru poovo irandu
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indru
Nandraaga keladi naam ondru thaanadi
Ondrae nam vaazhkai endru nee enni paradi
Deivaanai valliya baamava radhaiya
Kannae un kannan nenjil naan innum thevaiyaa
Pengal irandu
Female :Kanavan ondru
Female :Engum undu
Female :Mudiyadhu endru
Female :Aanaal en nenjil nee undu
Poomalai ondru poovo irandu
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indru
Kaiyodu sandhanam kannoram kungumam
Ellorukkum vaaipadhillai nee kanda sangamam
Un vaazhvai maattruven ponmalai sootuven
Maapillai nanae thedi aanandhen kaattuven
Paal pol ullam
Female :Vaazhga vaazhga
Female :Palloorundu
Female :Vaazhga vaazhga
Female :Anbae en thozhi nee vaazhga
Poomalai ondru poovo irandu
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indru
There is one flower garland, but two flowers.
Yet today, neither knows the other.
There is one flower garland, but two flowers.
Yet today, neither knows the other.
My name is Malligai—is my friend Mullai?
Is the love born in the heart the garland you spoke of?
The flowers may differ, the honey too may change,
Yet the bee that enjoys them is only one; what else can be said?
One heart...
...belongs to me.
One home...
...belongs to you.
No, my friend, it belongs to both of us!
There is one flower garland, but two flowers.
Yet today, neither knows the other.
Listen closely, my friend, we are truly one.
Just think about it—our life is one and the same.
Are we Deivayanai and Valli? Or Bhama and Radha?
My dear, in your Kannan's heart, am I still needed?
Two women...
...sharing one husband...
...can be found everywhere!
Though they say it cannot be,
Yet, you will always have a place in my heart!
There is one flower garland, but two flowers.
Yet today, neither knows the other.
Sandalwood paste on the hands, kumkum near the eyes—
Not everyone is blessed with the union you have found.
I will transform your life and adorn you with a golden garland.
I will find you a groom myself and show you true happiness!
May your pure, milk-like heart...
...live long, live long!
For hundreds of years to come,
...live long, live long!
My dearest friend, may you live a long and happy life!
There is one flower garland, but two flowers.
Yet today, neither knows the other.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Poomalai Ondru Poovo Irandu from the 1974 film Pathumatha Bantham is a heartfelt duet highlighting the emotional depth and selfless companionship between two women. Metaphorically comparing two flowers bound in a single garland to their interconnected lives, the song touches upon themes of affection, sacrifice, and unconditional support. One friend promises to secure happiness and a bright future for the other, reaffirming that their hearts are inseparable despite societal complexities. Written by Kannadasan and set to music by Shankar-Ganesh, the song shines with deep emotional clarity through the voices of P. Susheela and Jikki.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poomalai ondru poovo irandu

Compares two women sharing a single life context to two flowers bound together in one garland.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Paal pol ullam

Compares a pure and innocent heart to milk using the comparative word 'pol'.

Alliteration (Monaai)

En peru malligai en thozhi mullaiyo

Repetition of the 'm' sound across Malligai and Mullai.

Mythological Allusion

Deivaanai valliya baamava radhaiya

References divine pairs (Deivayanai-Valli for Murugan, Bhama-Radha for Krishna) to highlight complex relationships shared with a single love figure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pathumatha Bantham (1974) was directed by P. Bhanumathi and featured Jayalalithaa alongside Sivakumar. The song stands out as a rare duet between veteran playback legends P. Susheela and Jikki under Shankar-Ganesh's musical composition, with classic metaphorical lyrics by Kannadasan.

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