Poongathave Thaal Thiravai
From Nizhalgal · 1980
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Uma Ramanan, Deepan Chakravarthy
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nizhalgal1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai… | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai… | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Poovaai… penpaavaai…… | O flower-like, doll-like maiden... |
| Ponmaalai soodidum poovaai….penpaavaai…. | O flower-like maiden adorned with the golden evening... |
| Male | |
| Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai… | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Male | |
| Hmmm…mmm | (Humming) |
| Female :Neerottam…pol odum…. | Female: Running like a flowing stream... |
| Aasai kanavugal oorgolam | A procession of cherished dreams |
| Aaha….haa aanandham…. | Aah... pure bliss... |
| Aadum ninaivugal poovaagum | Dancing memories bloom into flowers |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal deivam thaan vaazhthum…. | The god of love himself will bless us... |
| Kaadhalil ooriya raagam …mm…. | A musical melody deeply steeped in love... |
| Female | |
| Poongathavae thaazh thiravaai….. | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Male | |
| Poovaai…. penpaavaai…. | O flower-like, doll-like maiden... |
| Female | |
| Hmm mm …. | (Humming) |
| Male :Thiruthegham…enakkagum….. | Male: Your divine form shall become mine... |
| Thaenil nanaindhadhu en ullam mm… | My heart is drenched in sweet honey... |
| Ponnaadham….poovaadai…. | Golden melody and a floral breeze... |
| Aadum thoranam engengum mm… | Swaying festive decorations everywhere... |
| Female | |
| Maalai soodum anneram…. | At that moment of exchanging garlands... |
| Mangala vaazhtholi geetham mm…. | An auspicious sound of blessings and song... |
| Male | |
| Poongathavae…..thaazh thiravaai…. | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Female | |
| Poongathavae………thaazh thiravaai…… | O flower-like door, open your latch... |
| Male | |
| Poovaai… penpaavaai…. | O flower-like, doll-like maiden... |
| Female | |
| Ponmaalai soodidum | Adorned with the golden garland |
| Poovaai…….penpaavaai….. | O flower-like, doll-like maiden... |
| Mmh…mmm….mmm..mmmm….. | (Humming) |
| Male | |
| Mm….mmm….mm….mmmm……. | (Humming) |
பூங்கதவே தாழ் திறவாய்
பூங்கதவே தாழ் திறவாய்
பூவாய் பெண் பாவாய்
பொன் மாலை சூடிடும் பூவாய் பெண் பாவாய்
O flower-like door, open your latch...
O flower-like door, open your latch...
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
O flower-like maiden adorned with the golden evening...
பூங்கதவே தாழ் திறவாய்
O flower-like door, open your latch...
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
(Humming)
Female: Running like a flowing stream...
A procession of cherished dreams
Aah... pure bliss...
Dancing memories bloom into flowers
நீரோட்டம் போலோடும்
ஆசைக் கனவுகள் ஊர்கோலம்
ஆஹா ஹா ஆனந்தம்
ஆடும் நினைவுகள் பூவாகும்
The god of love himself will bless us...
A musical melody deeply steeped in love...
காதல் தெய்வம் தான் வாழ்த்தும்
காதலில் ஊறிய தாகம்..ம்ம்.
O flower-like door, open your latch...
பூங்கதவே தாள் திறவாய்
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
பூவாய் பெண் பாவாய்
(Humming)
Male: Your divine form shall become mine...
My heart is drenched in sweet honey...
Golden melody and a floral breeze...
Swaying festive decorations everywhere...
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
At that moment of exchanging garlands...
An auspicious sound of blessings and song...
திருத் தேகம் எனக்காகும்
தேனில் நனைந்தது என் உள்ளம்
பொன்னாரம் பூவாழை
ஆடும் தோரணம் எங்கெங்கும்
O flower-like door, open your latch...
மாலை சூடும் மங்கையிடம்
மங்கள வாழ்த்தொலி கீதம்..ம்ம்...
O flower-like door, open your latch...
பூங்கதவே தாழ் திறவாய்
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
பூங்கதவே தாழ் திறவாய்
Adorned with the golden garland
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
(Humming)
பூவாய் பெண் பாவாய்
(Humming)
பொன் மாலை சூடிடும் பூவாய் பெண் பாவாய்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Poovaai… penpaavaai……
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
Ponmaalai soodidum poovaai….penpaavaai….
O flower-like maiden adorned with the golden evening...
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Hmmm…mmm
(Humming)
Female :Neerottam…pol odum….
Female: Running like a flowing stream...
Aasai kanavugal oorgolam
A procession of cherished dreams
Aaha….haa aanandham….
Aah... pure bliss...
Aadum ninaivugal poovaagum
Dancing memories bloom into flowers
Kaadhal deivam thaan vaazhthum….
The god of love himself will bless us...
Kaadhalil ooriya raagam …mm….
A musical melody deeply steeped in love...
Poongathavae thaazh thiravaai…..
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Poovaai…. penpaavaai….
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
Hmm mm ….
(Humming)
Male :Thiruthegham…enakkagum…..
Male: Your divine form shall become mine...
Thaenil nanaindhadhu en ullam mm…
My heart is drenched in sweet honey...
Ponnaadham….poovaadai….
Golden melody and a floral breeze...
Aadum thoranam engengum mm…
Swaying festive decorations everywhere...
Maalai soodum anneram….
At that moment of exchanging garlands...
Mangala vaazhtholi geetham mm….
An auspicious sound of blessings and song...
Poongathavae…..thaazh thiravaai….
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Poongathavae………thaazh thiravaai……
O flower-like door, open your latch...
Poovaai… penpaavaai….
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
Ponmaalai soodidum
Adorned with the golden garland
Poovaai…….penpaavaai…..
O flower-like, doll-like maiden...
Mmh…mmm….mmm..mmmm…..
(Humming)
Mm….mmm….mm….mmmm…….
(Humming)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Poongathave Thaazh Thiravai is a romantic duet from the film Nizhalgal (1980) that metaphorically compares opening one's heart in love to unlocking a door made of flowers. The song captures the joyful anticipation of marriage and romantic union. In the verse, the female singer describes her desires flowing smoothly like a stream and her fond memories blooming like blossoms under the blessings of love. In response, the male singer rejoices in the sweetness of their love, picturing auspicious wedding decorations, garlands, and blessed melodies celebrating their togetherness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…”
The term 'Poongathave' (Flower door) metaphorically refers to a young woman's guarded heart and delicate beauty, asking her to open up to love.
Simile (Upamai)
“Female :Neerottam…pol odum….”
'Neerottam pol' explicitly compares the fluid motion of rising hopes and dreams to a natural flowing stream using 'pol' (like).
Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Ponmaalai soodidum poovaai….penpaavaai….”
Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound at the start of words ('Poongathavae', 'Poovaai', 'Ponmaalai') creates a soft, lyrical rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by his brother Gangai Amaran, this song marked the playback singing debut of Deepan Chakravarthy, who performed the male vocal alongside S. Janaki. The track is renowned for its lush orchestration and timeless Mayamalavagowla ragam influence.
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