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Isaimozhi
Nizhalgal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poongathave Thaal Thiravai

From Nizhalgal · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Uma Ramanan, Deepan Chakravarthy
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nizhalgal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
8 Nov 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
Poovaai… penpaavaai……
Ponmaalai soodidum poovaai….penpaavaai….
Poongathavae…. thaazh thiravaai…
Hmmm…mmm
Female :Neerottam…pol odum….
Aasai kanavugal oorgolam
Aaha….haa aanandham….
Aadum ninaivugal poovaagum
Kaadhal deivam thaan vaazhthum….
Kaadhalil ooriya raagam …mm….
Poongathavae thaazh thiravaai…..
Poovaai…. penpaavaai….
Hmm mm ….
Male :Thiruthegham…enakkagum…..
Thaenil nanaindhadhu en ullam mm…
Ponnaadham….poovaadai….
Aadum thoranam engengum mm…
Maalai soodum anneram….
Mangala vaazhtholi geetham mm….
Poongathavae…..thaazh thiravaai….
Poongathavae………thaazh thiravaai……
Poovaai… penpaavaai….
Ponmaalai soodidum
Poovaai…….penpaavaai…..
Mmh…mmm….mmm..mmmm…..
Mm….mmm….mm….mmmm…….
O flower door, unlock and open...
O flower door, unlock and open...
O flower-like girl, lovely woman...
O flower-like girl who will wear the golden garland, lovely woman...
O flower door, unlock and open...
Mmm... mmm...
Female: Flowing like a running stream...
A procession of longing dreams...
Aha... what pure joy...
Dancing memories bloom into flowers...
The god of love will bless us...
A melody soaked in love... mm...
O flower door, unlock and open...
O flower-like girl, lovely woman...
Mm mm...
Male: Your precious self will become mine...
My heart is drenched in honey... mm...
Golden glow and the fragrance of flowers...
Festive decorations swaying everywhere... mm...
At that moment when we exchange garlands...
A sacred song of wedding blessings... mm...
O flower door, unlock and open...
O flower door, unlock and open...
O flower-like girl, lovely woman...
You who will wear the golden garland,
O flower-like girl, lovely woman...
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmmm...
Mm... mmm... mm... mmmm...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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