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Thazhuvatha Kaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poonguil

From Thazhuvatha Kaigal · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thazhuvatha Kaigal
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
28 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
Paadudhae paadal
Veenaiyae un polavae
Enakkumaa kaaval
Iruvarum penn allavo
Yaaridam sollavo
Iruvarum penn allavo
Yaaridam sollavo
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
Paadudhae paadal
Thanitha idangalil nee vaazhvadhen
Ninaitha vazhigalil nee povadhen
Thudikkum ilamaiyum pollaadhadho
Thavikkum thavippinai sollaadhadho
Pirakkalaam inikkum edhirkaalam
Kizhakkugal velukkum ennaalum
Parakkalaam paravai engaeyum
Padikkalaam kavidhai eppodhum
Ilamai inimai
Irandum kalandha pudhumai
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
Iniyum edharkku thanimai
Raagam ilaiya thaalam inaiya
Moga ninaivilae
Idhaya kadalil alaigalum ezha
Iniyadhu isai adhu perugida
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
Paadudhae paadal
Veenaiyae un polavae
Enakkumaa kaaval
Iruvarum penn allavo
Yaaridam sollavo
Kodhikkum erimalai aaraadhadho
Kulirndha nilam yena maaraadhadho
Odhungi iruppadhil sandhoshamoo
Oruthi nerungida sandhaegamoo
Vasanthamum varalaam ninaithaalae
Ninaithadhai peralaam manathaalae
Nilavinil kalangam irundhaalum
Oliyinai vazhangum ennaalum
Oru naal thiru naal
Viraivil arumbi varalaam
Ninaikkum sugangal
Anaithum unakku tharalaam
Naadha mazhaiyil geetha mazhaiyil
Neendhum pozhudhilae
Iniyum kanavil ila manam vizha
Vizhiyadhu isaiyadhu pozhindhida
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
Paadudhae paadal
Veenaiyae un polavae
Enakkumaa kaaval
Iruvarum penn allavo
Yaaridam sollavo
Iruvarum penn allavo
Yaaridam sollavo
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
Paadudhae paadal
Veenaiyae un polavae
Enakkumaa kaaval
In the golden evening, the sweet cuckoo
Sings its song.
Oh veena, just like you,
Am I guarded too?
Aren't we both women?
To whom can I share my heart?
Aren't we both women?
To whom can I share my heart?
In the golden evening, the sweet cuckoo
Sings its song.
Why do you live in lonely places?
Why do you wander wherever your mind takes you?
Is this restless youth so cruel?
Does it not express this aching longing?
A sweet future may soon be born,
The eastern sky will brighten every dawn,
A bird can fly anywhere it wishes,
A poem can be read at any time.
Youth and sweetness,
A fresh beauty blended from both,
This is it, yes this is it,
Why remain in loneliness anymore?
As melody and gentle rhythm
Blend in thoughts of deep desire,
Waves rise in the ocean of the heart,
And sweet music overflows...
In the golden evening, the sweet cuckoo
Sings its song.
Oh veena, just like you,
Am I guarded too?
Aren't we both women?
To whom can I share my heart?
Will a boiling volcano never cool down?
Will it never turn into cool, gentle ground?
Is there any joy in staying hidden away?
Is there hesitation when a woman comes near?
Spring can arrive if you only wish it,
You can gain what you desire with your heart.
Even if the moon has a blemish,
It still gives its light every day.
A special day of joy
May soon blossom and arrive,
All the pleasures you dream of,
It may grant them all to you.
In the shower of notes and sweet melodies,
While swimming through it all,
As this young heart falls into dreams again,
Dawn breaks with music pouring down...
In the golden evening, the sweet cuckoo
Sings its song.
Oh veena, just like you,
Am I guarded too?
Aren't we both women?
To whom can I share my heart?
Aren't we both women?
To whom can I share my heart?
In the golden evening, the sweet cuckoo
Sings its song.
Oh veena, just like you,
Am I guarded too?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Thazhuvatha Kaigal' is a poignant composition where the female protagonist draws a parallel between herself and the musical instrument Veena, personifying both as women subject to societal restrictions and emotional solitude. Set against the serene backdrop of a golden evening, she addresses a lonely figure, questioning the necessity of self-imposed isolation and encouraging hope for a brighter future filled with love and warmth. The lyrics use evocative imagery of nature, music, and celestial bodies to convey that just as a volcano eventually cools or the moon radiates light despite its spots, life too can blossom into springtime if one opens their heart. Through musical metaphors and gentle persuasion, the song serves as a lyrical meditation on hope, companionship, and emotional liberation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam / Maandharakkiyaal)

“Veenaiyae un polavae / Enakkumaa kaaval”

The speaker addresses the musical instrument 'Veena' as a fellow female companion enduring similar restraints.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Idhaya kadalil alaigalum ezha”

'Idhaya kadal' compares the human heart to a boundless ocean full of rising emotional waves.

Contrast / Analogy (Edhirnilai / Uvamai)

“Kodhikkum erimalai aaraadhadho / Kulirndha nilam yena maaraadhadho”

Compares a raging volcano cooling into fertile land to intense human anguish transforming into tranquility.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

“Parakkalaam paravai engaeyum / Padikkalaam kavidhai eppodhum”

The second consonant sound 'ra' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Parakkalaam' / 'Padikkalaam').

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

“Iruvarum penn allavo / Yaaridam sollavo”

The singer asks to whom she can express her grief when both she and the Veena are bound by feminine expectations.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thazhuvatha Kaigal' (1986) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by the legendary Vaali. The film stars Vijayakanth and Ambika, and this classic track is admired for its soulful melody and deep poetic personification of the Veena.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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