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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poongatre Thendathey

From Kunguma Chimil · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kunguma Chimil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aaa…aaaa… aaa…aaaa…Vocalizing melodies...
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa….aaa..aaa..Vocalizing melodies...
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa….aaa..Vocalizing melodies...
Female
Poongaatrae theendathaeO gentle breeze, do not touch me,
En nenjai thoondathaeDo not provoke my heart.
Poovizhi maadhivalThis flower-eyed woman,
Nee thodum pothivalWhen you touch her,
Poraadum ennangal thaangathaeCannot bear the conflicting thoughts that arise.
En ponmeni kanmoodi thoongathaeMy golden body cannot close its eyes to sleep.
Female
Poongaatrae theendathaeO gentle breeze, do not touch me,
En nenjai thoondathaeDo not provoke my heart.
Female
Velli ratha megangalaeO silver chariot clouds,
Sellugindra podhilaeAs you travel across the sky,
Ennarumai mannanaiSeek out my beloved king,
Kandu varuvaaiGo and meet him.
Female
Kanni ilam poongodiTell him that this young maiden, like a tender vine,
Kaadhal enum viyathiyaalIs suffering from the sickness called love,
Thunba padum seidhiyaiCarry this news of her agony,
Solli vandhu seruvaaiAnd deliver it to him.
Female
Dhegathil moga theeThe fire of desire in my body
AaraamalIs unquenched;
Theendidum soodathilIn this burning warmth that touches me,
Dhegathin maadathilOn the balcony of my body,
En kannan kai sera solvaayooWill you ask my Kannan to come embrace me?
Adi en poojaiOh, my worshipful prayer,
Nee solla selvaayoWill you go and convey it?
Female
Poongaatrae theendathaeO gentle breeze, do not touch me,
En nenjai thoondathaeDo not provoke my heart.
Chorus
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…Vocalizing melodies...
Aaa….aaa…aaaa….Vocalizing melodies...
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…Vocalizing melodies...
Aaa….aaa…aaaa….Vocalizing melodies...
Aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…..Vocalizing melodies...
Female
Kannan avan kaaladiAt the feet of Lord Kannan,
Kandu dhinam seradiSeek and reach every day,
Endrum unthan paadhaiyilAlways along your path,
InbangaladiJoy will lie, my dear girl.
Female
Gangai nadhi polavaeLike the river Ganges flowing,
Mangai manam ooduthaeThis young woman's heart rushes,
Pongi pala raagamaeOverflowing with many ragas,
Intha manam paaduthaeThis heart sings out.
Female
Pallaakil oorgolam pogathoWill there not be a palanquin procession?
Maadhival maaninamShe is deer-like with flower eyes,
Poovidhal thaeninamWith sweet floral honey-like lips,
Unnaamal yengadho ennullamWill my heart not long if it does not taste love?
Ini ennodu ondraagum unnullamHereafter, your heart shall become one with mine.
Female
Poongaatrae theendathaeO gentle breeze, do not touch me,
En nenjai thoondathaeDo not provoke my heart.
Poovizhi maadhivalThis flower-eyed woman,
Nee thodum pothivalWhen you touch her,
Poraadum ennangal thaangathaeCannot bear the conflicting thoughts that arise.
En ponmeni kanmoodi thoongathaeMy golden body cannot close its eyes to sleep.
Female
Poongaatrae theendathaeO gentle breeze, do not touch me,
En nenjai thoondathaeDo not provoke my heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Poongaatrae Theendathae' captures the deep romantic yearning and restless passion of a young woman longing for her beloved (Kannan). She addresses the gentle breeze, pleading with it not to touch her or stir her emotions further, as its cool caress only heightens her inner turmoil and sleeplessness. She urges passing clouds to act as messengers to convey the pain of her love-sickness and unquenched desire to her hero, expressing a deep hope for their eventual union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Poongaatrae theendathae / En nenjai thoondathae

The second consonant sound 'ndh' (ந்) rhymes across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic symmetry.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Poovizhi maadhival / Nee thodum pothival

Lines end with matching suffixes ('-thae' and '-val'), providing a lyrical musicality.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kaadhal enum viyathiyaal / Dhegathil moga thee

Love is directly equated to a disease ('viyathi'), and passion to a fire ('moga thee').

Uvamai (Simile)

Gangai nadhi polavae / Mangai manam ooduthae

The woman's surging emotional heart is explicitly compared to the flowing river Ganges using 'polavae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in some historical logs, 'Kunguma Chimil' (1985) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, directed by R. Sundarrajan, and starred Mohan, Revathi, and Ilavarasi. The lyrics were written by Gangai Amaran.

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