Poonguil
From Thazhuvatha Kaigal · 1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Poonguyil pon maalaiyil | The songbird in the golden evening |
| Paadudhae paadal | Sings a sweet song |
| Veenaiyae un polavae | O Veena instrument, just like you |
| Enakkumaa kaaval | Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me? |
| Iruvarum penn allavo | Are we not both of the feminine nature? |
| Yaaridam sollavo | To whom shall I express my anguish? |
| Iruvarum penn allavo | Are we not both of the feminine nature? |
| Yaaridam sollavo | To whom shall I express my anguish? |
| Female | |
| Poonguyil pon maalaiyil | The songbird in the golden evening |
| Paadudhae paadal | Sings a sweet song |
| Female | |
| Thanitha idangalil nee vaazhvadhen | Why do you reside in secluded places? |
| Ninaitha vazhigalil nee povadhen | Why do you walk along chosen lonely paths? |
| Thudikkum ilamaiyum pollaadhadho | Isn't vibrant youth fraught with intense desires? |
| Thavikkum thavippinai sollaadhadho | Does it not express the agony of longing? |
| Female | |
| Pirakkalaam inikkum edhirkaalam | A sweet and bright future may be born |
| Kizhakkugal velukkum ennaalum | The eastern horizons will brighten every day |
| Parakkalaam paravai engaeyum | The bird can fly freely anywhere |
| Padikkalaam kavidhai eppodhum | Poetry can be read and savored at any time |
| Female | |
| Ilamai inimai | Youthfulness and sweetness |
| Irandum kalandha pudhumai | A novel combination blending both together |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This is indeed the truth |
| Iniyum edharkku thanimai | Why endure solitude any longer? |
| Raagam ilaiya thaalam inaiya | As melody and youthful rhythm blend seamlessly |
| Moga ninaivilae | In memories of passionate desire |
| Idhaya kadalil alaigalum ezha | As waves rise within the ocean of the heart |
| Iniyadhu isai adhu perugida | As sweet music surges forth abundantly |
| Female | |
| Poonguyil pon maalaiyil | The songbird in the golden evening |
| Paadudhae paadal | Sings a sweet song |
| Veenaiyae un polavae | O Veena instrument, just like you |
| Enakkumaa kaaval | Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me? |
| Iruvarum penn allavo | Are we not both of the feminine nature? |
| Yaaridam sollavo | To whom shall I express my anguish? |
| Female | |
| Kodhikkum erimalai aaraadhadho | Will a boiling volcano not eventually cool down? |
| Kulirndha nilam yena maaraadhadho | Will it not transform into pleasant, cool land? |
| Odhungi iruppadhil sandhoshamoo | Is there true happiness in staying isolated? |
| Oruthi nerungida sandhaegamoo | Is there hesitation when a woman approaches with love? |
| Female | |
| Vasanthamum varalaam ninaithaalae | Springtime will arrive if you simply welcome it in your thoughts |
| Ninaithadhai peralaam manathaalae | You can achieve your desires through conviction of the mind |
| Nilavinil kalangam irundhaalum | Even if the moon has a minor flaw or dark spot |
| Oliyinai vazhangum ennaalum | It continues to bestow light every single day |
| Female | |
| Oru naal thiru naal | One sacred, auspicious day |
| Viraivil arumbi varalaam | May bloom and arrive very soon |
| Ninaikkum sugangal | All the dreamed-of pleasures and joys |
| Anaithum unakku tharalaam | May all be bestowed upon you |
| Naadha mazhaiyil geetha mazhaiyil | In the pouring rain of musical notes and songs |
| Neendhum pozhudhilae | While swimming gracefully in that bliss |
| Iniyum kanavil ila manam vizha | As the young heart falls into sweet dreams once more |
| Vizhiyadhu isaiyadhu pozhindhida | As eyes and melodies shower feelings together |
| Female | |
| Poonguyil pon maalaiyil | The songbird in the golden evening |
| Paadudhae paadal | Sings a sweet song |
| Veenaiyae un polavae | O Veena instrument, just like you |
| Enakkumaa kaaval | Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me? |
| Iruvarum penn allavo | Are we not both of the feminine nature? |
| Yaaridam sollavo | To whom shall I express my anguish? |
| Iruvarum penn allavo | Are we not both of the feminine nature? |
| Yaaridam sollavo | To whom shall I express my anguish? |
| Female | |
| Poonguyil pon maalaiyil | The songbird in the golden evening |
| Paadudhae paadal | Sings a sweet song |
| Veenaiyae un polavae | O Veena instrument, just like you |
| Enakkumaa kaaval | Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me? |
பூங்குயில் பொன் மாலையில்
பாடுதே பாடல்
வீணையே உன் போலவே
எனக்குமா காவல்
இருவரும் பெண் அல்லவோ
யாரிடம் சொல்லவோ
இருவரும் பெண் அல்லவோ
யாரிடம் சொல்லவோ
The songbird in the golden evening
Sings a sweet song
O Veena instrument, just like you
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
To whom shall I express my anguish?
பூங்குயில் பொன் மாலையில்
பாடுதே பாடல்
The songbird in the golden evening
Sings a sweet song
தனித்த இடங்களில் நீ வாழ்வதேன்
நினைத்த வழிகளில் நீ போவதேன்
துடிக்கும் இளமையும் பொல்லாததோ
தவிக்கும் தவிப்பினை சொல்லாததோ
Why do you reside in secluded places?
Why do you walk along chosen lonely paths?
Isn't vibrant youth fraught with intense desires?
Does it not express the agony of longing?
பிறக்கலாம் இனிக்கும் எதிர்காலம்
கிழக்குகள் வெளுக்கும் எந்நாளும்
பறக்கலாம் பறவை எங்கேயும்
படிக்கலாம் கவிதை எப்போதும்
A sweet and bright future may be born
The eastern horizons will brighten every day
The bird can fly freely anywhere
Poetry can be read and savored at any time
இளமை இனிமை
இரண்டும் கலந்த புதுமை
இதுதான் இதுதான்
இனியும் எதற்கு தனிமை
ராகம் இளைய தாளம்
இணைய மோக நினைவிலே
இதயக் கடலில் அலைகளும் எழ
இனியது இசையது பெருகிட
Youthfulness and sweetness
A novel combination blending both together
This is indeed the truth
Why endure solitude any longer?
As melody and youthful rhythm blend seamlessly
In memories of passionate desire
As waves rise within the ocean of the heart
As sweet music surges forth abundantly
பூங்குயில் பொன் மாலையில்
பாடுதே பாடல்
வீணையே உன் போலவே
எனக்குமா காவல்
இருவரும் பெண் அல்லவோ
யாரிடம் சொல்லவோ
The songbird in the golden evening
Sings a sweet song
O Veena instrument, just like you
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
To whom shall I express my anguish?
கொதிக்கும் எரிமலை ஆறாததோ
குளிர்ந்த நிலம் என மாறாததோ
ஒதுங்கி இருப்பதில் சந்தோஷமோ
ஒருத்தி நெருங்கிட சந்தேகமோ
Will a boiling volcano not eventually cool down?
Will it not transform into pleasant, cool land?
Is there true happiness in staying isolated?
Is there hesitation when a woman approaches with love?
வசந்தமும் வரலாம் நினைத்தாலே
நினைத்ததை பெறலாம் மனத்தாலே
நிலவினில் களங்கம் இருந்தாலும்
ஒளியினை வழங்கும் எந்நாளும்
Springtime will arrive if you simply welcome it in your thoughts
You can achieve your desires through conviction of the mind
Even if the moon has a minor flaw or dark spot
It continues to bestow light every single day
ஒரு நாள் திருநாள்
விரைவில் அரும்பி வரலாம்
நினைக்கும் சுகங்கள்
அனைத்தும் உனக்கு தரலாம்
நாத மழையில் கீத மழையில்
நீந்தும் பொழுதிலே
இனியும் கனவில் இள மனம் விழ
விடியுது இசையது பொழிந்திட
One sacred, auspicious day
May bloom and arrive very soon
All the dreamed-of pleasures and joys
May all be bestowed upon you
In the pouring rain of musical notes and songs
While swimming gracefully in that bliss
As the young heart falls into sweet dreams once more
As eyes and melodies shower feelings together
பூங்குயில் பொன் மாலையில்
பாடுதே பாடல்
வீணையே உன் போலவே
எனக்குமா காவல்
இருவரும் பெண் அல்லவோ
யாரிடம் சொல்லவோ
இருவரும் பெண் அல்லவோ
யாரிடம் சொல்லவோ
The songbird in the golden evening
Sings a sweet song
O Veena instrument, just like you
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
To whom shall I express my anguish?
பூங்குயில் பொன் மாலையில்
பாடுதே பாடல்
வீணையே உன் போலவே
எனக்குமா காவல்
The songbird in the golden evening
Sings a sweet song
O Veena instrument, just like you
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
The songbird in the golden evening
Paadudhae paadal
Sings a sweet song
Veenaiyae un polavae
O Veena instrument, just like you
Enakkumaa kaaval
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Iruvarum penn allavo
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
Yaaridam sollavo
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Iruvarum penn allavo
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
Yaaridam sollavo
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
The songbird in the golden evening
Paadudhae paadal
Sings a sweet song
Thanitha idangalil nee vaazhvadhen
Why do you reside in secluded places?
Ninaitha vazhigalil nee povadhen
Why do you walk along chosen lonely paths?
Thudikkum ilamaiyum pollaadhadho
Isn't vibrant youth fraught with intense desires?
Thavikkum thavippinai sollaadhadho
Does it not express the agony of longing?
Pirakkalaam inikkum edhirkaalam
A sweet and bright future may be born
Kizhakkugal velukkum ennaalum
The eastern horizons will brighten every day
Parakkalaam paravai engaeyum
The bird can fly freely anywhere
Padikkalaam kavidhai eppodhum
Poetry can be read and savored at any time
Ilamai inimai
Youthfulness and sweetness
Irandum kalandha pudhumai
A novel combination blending both together
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This is indeed the truth
Iniyum edharkku thanimai
Why endure solitude any longer?
Raagam ilaiya thaalam inaiya
As melody and youthful rhythm blend seamlessly
Moga ninaivilae
In memories of passionate desire
Idhaya kadalil alaigalum ezha
As waves rise within the ocean of the heart
Iniyadhu isai adhu perugida
As sweet music surges forth abundantly
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
The songbird in the golden evening
Paadudhae paadal
Sings a sweet song
Veenaiyae un polavae
O Veena instrument, just like you
Enakkumaa kaaval
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Iruvarum penn allavo
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
Yaaridam sollavo
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Kodhikkum erimalai aaraadhadho
Will a boiling volcano not eventually cool down?
Kulirndha nilam yena maaraadhadho
Will it not transform into pleasant, cool land?
Odhungi iruppadhil sandhoshamoo
Is there true happiness in staying isolated?
Oruthi nerungida sandhaegamoo
Is there hesitation when a woman approaches with love?
Vasanthamum varalaam ninaithaalae
Springtime will arrive if you simply welcome it in your thoughts
Ninaithadhai peralaam manathaalae
You can achieve your desires through conviction of the mind
Nilavinil kalangam irundhaalum
Even if the moon has a minor flaw or dark spot
Oliyinai vazhangum ennaalum
It continues to bestow light every single day
Oru naal thiru naal
One sacred, auspicious day
Viraivil arumbi varalaam
May bloom and arrive very soon
Ninaikkum sugangal
All the dreamed-of pleasures and joys
Anaithum unakku tharalaam
May all be bestowed upon you
Naadha mazhaiyil geetha mazhaiyil
In the pouring rain of musical notes and songs
Neendhum pozhudhilae
While swimming gracefully in that bliss
Iniyum kanavil ila manam vizha
As the young heart falls into sweet dreams once more
Vizhiyadhu isaiyadhu pozhindhida
As eyes and melodies shower feelings together
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
The songbird in the golden evening
Paadudhae paadal
Sings a sweet song
Veenaiyae un polavae
O Veena instrument, just like you
Enakkumaa kaaval
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Iruvarum penn allavo
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
Yaaridam sollavo
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Iruvarum penn allavo
Are we not both of the feminine nature?
Yaaridam sollavo
To whom shall I express my anguish?
Poonguyil pon maalaiyil
The songbird in the golden evening
Paadudhae paadal
Sings a sweet song
Veenaiyae un polavae
O Veena instrument, just like you
Enakkumaa kaaval
Do I also have restrictions imposed upon me?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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