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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poongaatre Inge

From Walter Vetrivel · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Walter Vetrivel1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poongaatrae ingae vandhu vaazhthu Poo pondra pillai mugam paarthu Paaraati chollu oru paattu Paal pondra vellai manam paarthu Yaar solluvadhu ingu thaai illai yena Naan konjiduven unai en pillai yena Endrum vaadaamal raajaa nee vaazhgaO gentle breeze, come here and bless, looking at this flower-like child's face; Sing a song in praise, beholding this milk-pure innocent heart.
Male
Poongaatrae ingae vandhu vaazhthu Poo pondra pillai mugam paarthuWho says there is no mother here? I will cherish you as my own child; Live long without ever fading, my young king!
Female
Kaaviri polae gangai polae Un perum un seerum pongida vendum Dhesam unai pesida vendumLike the overflowing Kaveri and Ganga rivers, your fame and prosperity should overflow; the whole nation should speak of you.
Female
Undhan annanai polae Mannin melae Ooraargal paaraatta vaazhndhida vendum Annai manam vaazhthida vendumJust like your elder brother on this earth, you must live praised by all the people; mother's heart shall bless you.
Female
Chinna chinna vaarthai Ondru rendu pesum Thambi undhan vaazhvil Thendral vandhu veesumUttering one or two sweet little words, little brother, a gentle breeze of happiness will blow into your life.
Female
Kaalam un vasamae Yena paadum en manamae Naalum en arugil Manam veesum sandhanamae Endrum vaadaamal raajaa nee vaazhgaTime is in your favor, so sings my heart; every day by my side, you are like fragrant sandalwood; Live long without ever fading, my king!
Male
Ennidam unnai thandhaal annai Kan moodi sendraalae sendraval andru Sonna sollum nenjinil unduMother handed you over to me before she closed her eyes forever; the word given that day remains deeply etched in my heart.
Female
Endhan kangalil paarvai vandhaal Mudhal paarvaiyilae Aiyaa un pon mugam paarppen Pinbu endhan mannanai paarppenIf I ever regain my eyesight, in my very first vision, my dear, I shall look upon your golden face before looking at my husband.
Female
Annan anni polae Dheivam undo kooru Unnai enni naalum Vaazhum ullam paaruTell me, is there any god superior to an elder brother and sister-in-law? Look at this heart that lives thinking of you every day.
Male
Ponnae pon maniyae Engal kannae kan maniyae Pesum chithiramae Oli veesum rathinamae Endrum vaadaamal raajaa nee vaazhgaO golden one, precious gem, light of our eyes, talking picture, radiant ruby; Live long without ever fading, my king!
Female
Yaar solluvadhu ingu thaai illai yenaWho says there is no mother here?
Male
Naan konjiduven unai en pillai yenaI will cherish and cuddle you as my own child.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film Walter Vetrivel (1993) is a deeply emotional lullaby and testament to unconditional familial love. It portrays the immense affection of an elder brother and sister-in-law toward a young child who lost his mother at birth. Fulfilling a promise made to the dying mother, the sister-in-law treats the child as her own offspring, declaring that true motherhood lies in love and upbringing rather than mere birth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Poo pondra pillai mugam paarthu ... Paal pondra vellai manam paarthu

Compares the child's face to a soft flower ('Poo pondra') and his pure heart to white milk ('Paal pondra').

Metaphor (Uvagam)

Pesum chithiramae Oli veesum rathinamae

Metaphorically addresses the child as a talking painting ('Pesum chithiramae') and a glowing ruby ('Oli veesum rathinamae').

Rhyme & Assonance (Edhugai / Monai)

Kaaviri polae gangai polae / Ponnae pon maniyae Engal kannae kan maniyae

Use of matching second-letter consonant sounds (Edhugai) like Kaaviri/Gangai and Ponnae/Engal for rhythmic poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, 'Walter Vetrivel' (1993) was a major blockbuster starring Sathyaraj, Prabhu, and Sukanya. The song beautifully captures the non-biological maternal bond, a recurring emotional motif in 90s Tamil family dramas.

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