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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poomel Veesum Poonkaatrae

From Echchil Iravugal · 1982

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Echchil Iravugal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Male
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Female
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoiYou whispered in my ear, hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoiThe music of love, hoi hoi
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoiYou whispered in my ear, hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoiThe music of love, hoi hoi
Kann vaasalil un vaasamoIs your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Male :Kann vaasalil un vaasamoMale: Is your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Male
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Male
Theruvoram dhinam paadalA daily song by the roadside
Paadum nenjil neeyaeYou reside in the heart that sings
Pudhidhaaga pala thaalamSetting many new rhythms
Podum kannil yaaroWho is that in the eyes?
Naano dhinam dhaanamAs for me, asking daily for alms
Ketkum kaadhal pichaikkaaranI am a beggar for love
Female
Un maarbil naan saaindhaadumLeaning upon your chest
Ponnaana naal vaaraadhoWill that golden day not arrive?
Un maarbil naan saaindhaadumLeaning upon your chest
Ponnaana naal vaaraadhoWill that golden day not arrive?
Ninaithaal koduppenIf you wish, I shall grant it
Kannaa innum yen dhaagamoOh my beloved, why this thirst still?
Kann vaasalil un vaasamoIs your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Male
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Female
Nadai paadhai engal naaduThe pavement is our kingdom
Neeyae angu raajaaYou are the king there
Iravaagi varumbodhuWhen night falls
Naanae undhan raaniI am your queen
Naano dhinam dhaanam ketkkumAs for me, begging daily for alms
Kaadhal pichaikkaariI am a female beggar for love
Male
Achchaaram dhaan rojaapooThe rose flower is the advance token
Muthaada vaa raajaathiCome to kiss, my princess
Achchaaram dhaan rojaapooThe rose flower is the advance token
Muthaada vaa raajaathiCome to kiss, my princess
Sirippaai virippaaiSpreading your smile like a mat
Paayil ennai paaraattuvaaiYou will cherish me on the mat
Kann vaasalil un vaasamoIs your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Female
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?
Male
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoiYou whispered in my ear, hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoiThe music of love, hoi hoi
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoiYou whispered in my ear, hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoiThe music of love, hoi hoi
Kann vaasalil un vaasamoIs your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Female :Kann vaasalil un vaasamoFemale: Is your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Male
Poomel veesum poongaatraeGentle breeze blowing over flowers
Female :En mel veesa maattaayaaFemale: Won't you blow over me too?
Both :En mel veesa maattaayaaBoth: Won't you blow over me too?
En mel veesa maattaayaaWon't you blow over me too?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poomel veesum poongaatrae from Echchil Iravugal (1982) is a tender duet expressing the deep emotional and romantic longings of two lovers living on the streets/pavement. They view their humble sidewalk as their kingdom where they reign as king and queen of love. Using metaphors of love as alms and themselves as beggars for affection, the song highlights how pure romance transcends material poverty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Poomel veesum poongaatrae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Poo' in 'Poomel' and 'poongaatrae'.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoi

Rhyming of the second letter 'dhi'/'dha' in 'Kaadhil' and 'Kaadhal'.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Ketkum kaadhal pichaikkaaran

Describing the lover as a beggar seeking love ('Kaadhal pichaikkaaran') and comparing a smile to a mat ('Sirippaai virippaai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Echchil Iravugal (1982) was directed by A. S. Pragasam. The soundtrack features lyrics by M.G. Vallaban and music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, depicting the lives and emotional world of pavement dwellers in urban Tamil Nadu.

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