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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poomali Ondru Poovo

From Pathumatha Bantham · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jikki, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Pathumatha Bantham1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poomalai ondru poovo iranduOne flower garland, but there are two flowers.
Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indruYet today, one does not know the other.
Female
Poomalai ondru poovo iranduOne flower garland, but there are two flowers.
Female : Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indruYet today, one does not know the other.
Female
En peru malligai en thozhi mullaiyoMy name is Jasmine, is my friend a Jasmine too?
Idhayathil vandha anbu nee sonna maalaiyooIs the love from the heart the garland you spoke of?
Female
Poo veru aagalaam thaen kooda maaralaamThe flowers may be different, even the honey may change.
Kondaadum vandu ondru verenna kooralaamThe celebrating bee is one, what else can be said?
Female
Ullam ondruOne heart,
Female :Endhan sondhamMy relation.
Female :Illam ondruOne home,
Female :Undhan sondhamYour relation.
Female :Illai en thozhi nam sondhamNo, my friend, it is our relation.
Female
Poomalai ondru poovo iranduOne flower garland, but there are two flowers.
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indruYet today, one does not know the other.
Female
Nandraaga keladi naam ondru thaanadiListen carefully, my friend, we are one.
Ondrae nam vaazhkai endru nee enni paradiThink and realize that our life is one and the same.
Female
Deivaanai valliya baamava radhaiyaIs it Deivayanai and Valli? Is it Bhama and Radha?
Kannae un kannan nenjil naan innum thevaiyaaMy darling, am I still needed in your Krishna's heart?
Female
Pengal iranduTwo women,
Female :Kanavan ondruOne husband,
Female :Engum unduExists everywhere.
Female :Mudiyadhu endruSaying it is impossible,
Female :Aanaal en nenjil nee unduBut you exist in my heart.
Female
Poomalai ondru poovo iranduOne flower garland, but there are two flowers.
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indruYet today, one does not know the other.
Female
Kaiyodu sandhanam kannoram kungumamSandalpaste in hand, vermilion near the corner of the eyes.
Ellorukkum vaaipadhillai nee kanda sangamamNot everyone gets the confluence that you have seen.
Female
Un vaazhvai maattruven ponmalai sootuvenI will change your life, I will adorn you with a golden garland.
Maapillai nanae thedi aanandhen kaattuvenI myself will search for a groom and show you bliss.
Female
Paal pol ullamA heart pure as milk,
Female :Vaazhga vaazhgaMay you live long, live long!
Female :PalloorunduThere are many palanquins,
Female :Vaazhga vaazhgaMay you live long, live long!
Female :Anbae en thozhi nee vaazhgaMy beloved friend, may you live long!
Female
Poomalai ondru poovo iranduOne flower garland, but there are two flowers.
Female :Aanaalum ondrai ondru ariyadhu indruYet today, one does not know the other.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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