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Echchil Iravugal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poomel Veesum Poonkaatrae

From Echchil Iravugal · 1982

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Echchil Iravugal
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
26 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoi
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoi
Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Male :Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Theruvoram dhinam paadal
Paadum nenjil neeyae
Pudhidhaaga pala thaalam
Podum kannil yaaro
Naano dhinam dhaanam
Ketkum kaadhal pichaikkaaran
Un maarbil naan saaindhaadum
Ponnaana naal vaaraadho
Un maarbil naan saaindhaadum
Ponnaana naal vaaraadho
Ninaithaal koduppen
Kannaa innum yen dhaagamo
Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Nadai paadhai engal naadu
Neeyae angu raajaa
Iravaagi varumbodhu
Naanae undhan raani
Naano dhinam dhaanam ketkkum
Kaadhal pichaikkaari
Achchaaram dhaan rojaapoo
Muthaada vaa raajaathi
Achchaaram dhaan rojaapoo
Muthaada vaa raajaathi
Sirippaai virippaai
Paayil ennai paaraattuvaai
Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
En mel veesa maattaayaa
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoi
Kaadhil sonnayae hoi hoi
Kaadhal sangeetham hoi hoi
Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Female :Kann vaasalil un vaasamo
Poomel veesum poongaatrae
Female :En mel veesa maattaayaa
Both :En mel veesa maattaayaa
En mel veesa maattaayaa
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
You whispered in my ear, hoy hoy,
a melody of love, hoy hoy!
You whispered in my ear, hoy hoy,
a melody of love, hoy hoy!
Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Male: Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
Every day on the roadside,
you fill the heart that sings.
Setting so many new rhythms,
who is that inside my eyes?
As for me, every day,
I am a beggar asking for love.
The golden day when I rest upon your chest,
will it never come?
The golden day when I rest upon your chest,
will it never come?
If you want it, I will give it to you,
my darling, why are you still thirsting?
Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
The pavement is our kingdom,
and you are the king there.
When the night arrives,
I am your queen.
As for me, begging every day,
I am a beggar of love.
This rose is just a token of promise,
come let me kiss you, my queen!
This rose is just a token of promise,
come let me kiss you, my queen!
With a smile, you will spread a mat,
and cherish me upon it.
Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
won't you blow over me too?
You whispered in my ear, hoy hoy,
a melody of love, hoy hoy!
You whispered in my ear, hoy hoy,
a melody of love, hoy hoy!
Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
Female: Is that your fragrance at the doorway of my eyes?
O gentle breeze blowing over flowers,
Female: won't you blow over me too?
Both: won't you blow over me too?
Won't you blow over me too?
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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