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Muthal Mariyathai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poongatru Thirumbuma

From Muthal Mariyathai · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Muthal Mariyathai
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
5 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poongaatru thirumbumaa
En paatta virumbumaa
Paaraatta madiyil vechu thaalaatta
Enakkoru thaai madi kedaikumaa
Poongaatru thirumbumaa
En paatta virumbumaa
Raasaavae varuthamaa
Raasaavae varuthamaa
Aagaayam surungumaa
Yengaadhae adha olagham thaangaadhae
Adukkumaa sooriyan karukkuma
Enna solluven.. ennullam thaangala
Metha vaanginen thookkatha vaangala
Indha vedhana yaarukuthaan illa
Unna meeravae oorukkul aal illa
Yedho en paattuku naan paattu paadi
Sollaadha sogatha sonnen adi
Soga raagam sogam thaanae
Soga raagam sogam thaanae
Male :Yaaradhu poradhu
Female :Kuyil paadalaam than mugam kaatuma
Poongaatru thirumbumaa
En paatta virumbumaa
Paaraatta madiyil vechu thaalaatta
Enakkoru thaai madi kedaikumaa
Ulla azhuguren veliya sirikiren
Nalla veshamdhaan veluthu vaanguren
Ungha veshamdhaan
Konjam maaranum
Engha saamikku magudam yeranum
Maanae en nenjuku
Paal vaartha thaenae
Munnae en paarvaikku vaavaa pennae
Esa paattu padichen naanae
Esa paattu padichen naanae
Poonkuyil yaaradhu
Female :Konjam paarunga pen kuyil naanungha
Adi needhaanaa andha kuyil
Yaar veettu sondha kuyil
Aathaadi manasukulla kaathaadi
Parandhadhae olaghamae marandhadhae
Naandhaanae andha kuyil
Thaanaagha vandha kuyil
Aathaadi manasukulla kaathaadi
Parandhadhaa olagham dhaan marandhadhaa
Will the gentle breeze return?
Will it care for my song?
To cherish me, hold me on a lap, and sing a lullaby,
will I ever find a mother's lap?
Will the gentle breeze return?
Will it care for my song?
My dear king, are you in sorrow?
My dear king, are you in sorrow?
Can the wide sky ever shrink?
Do not grieve; the world cannot bear your sadness.
Is it fair for the sun to grow dark?
What can I say? My heart cannot bear this.
I bought a soft bed, but I could not buy sleep.
Who in this world is free from such pain?
There is no one in this village greater than you.
To myself, I simply sang my song,
and shared sorrows I had never spoken of, girl.
A melody of sorrow brings only sorrow, doesn't it?
A melody of sorrow brings only sorrow, doesn't it?
Male: Who is that walking by?
Female: A cuckoo may sing, but will it show its face?
Will the gentle breeze return?
Will it care for my song?
To cherish me, hold me on a lap, and sing a lullaby,
will I ever find a mother's lap?
Inside I weep, but outside I smile.
I put on a brave face and play the part well.
This mask you wear
needs to change a little.
A crown must sit upon our master's head.
My gentle deer, to my heart,
you are sweet honey that brought soothing comfort.
Come before my eyes, dear girl.
I sang a song in reply to yours.
I sang a song in reply to yours.
Who is that sweet cuckoo bird?
Female: Look over here, I am that female cuckoo!
Ah, is it you, that sweet cuckoo?
Whose home do you belong to?
Oh my! Inside my heart, like a kite,
it soared high, and I forgot the entire world!
I am indeed that cuckoo,
the cuckoo that came to you on her own.
Oh my! Inside your heart, like a kite,
did it soar high? Did you forget the entire world?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic duet from the movie 'Muthal Mariyathai' portrays a poignant conversation between an elderly, respected village chief (Malaichami) and a young boatwoman (Kuyil). Malaichami expresses his deep internal loneliness and unfulfilled emotional needs, lamenting that despite his status, he lacks comforting love and sleep. Kuyil reassures him, offering respect and subtle affection while singing from behind the reeds. As they converse through song, their mutual affection blossoms into joy, metaphorically flying like a kite soaring freely in the sky, oblivious to social boundaries and the surrounding world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Personification

“Poongaatru thirumbumaa En paatta virumbumaa”

Addressing the gentle breeze ('Poongaatru') directly as an empathetic listener who might return and appreciate his songs.

Contrast / Irony

“Metha vaanginen thookkatha vaangala”

Contrasting physical wealth/comfort with mental peace; purchasing a luxury bed cannot buy true restful sleep.

Metaphor

“Aathaadi manasukulla kaathaadi Parandhadhae olaghamae marandhadhae”

Comparing the soaring feelings of joy and liberation in the heart to a kite flying freely in the sky.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Poongaatru thirumbumaa / En paatta virumbumaa”

Tamil poetic rhyming scheme where the second letter of consecutive lines match ('thirumbumaa' / 'virumbumaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu, 'Poongaatru thirumbumaa' is one of the most iconic Tamil film songs from Bharathiraja's award-winning film 'Muthal Mariyathai' (1985). Sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, the song highlights the subtle, unspoken bond between Sivaji Ganesan and Radha's characters along the banks of the Vaigai river.

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