Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poonguyilum Paaduthu Ponmayilum

From Muthal Vasantham · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Muthal Vasantham1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poonguyilum paaduthuThe flower cuckoo sings
Ponmayilum aaduthuThe golden peacock dances
Poonguyilum paaduthuThe flower cuckoo sings
Ponmayilum aaduthuThe golden peacock dances
Varappukulla olinjukittuHiding inside the field bunds
Vayalukulla maranjikittuConcealed within the paddy fields
Nellumani jadhi podudhuThe grains of paddy dance to a rhythmic beat
Boomi pudhu vasanthatha paadudhuThe earth sings of a new spring
Nellumani jadhi podudhuThe grains of paddy dance to a rhythmic beat
Boomi pudhu vasanthatha paadudhuThe earth sings of a new spring
Male
Poonguyilum paaduthuThe flower cuckoo sings
Ponmayilum aaduthuThe golden peacock dances
Male
Karisakaatu manmelaeUpon the soil of the black soil land
Kalakalannu mazhai pozhinjaaWhen rain pours down joyfully with sound
Boomikkellaam andru mudhalFor all the earth, from that day on
VasanthamIt is spring
Male
Mottuvitta malliga pooThe jasmine flower that sprouted buds
Ishtapattu vaasamvittaWhen it lovingly releases its scent
Thottathula annikki thaanOn that day in the garden
VasanthamIt is spring
Male
Kanni ponnu kaathirunthuWhen a young maiden waits
Maamana thaan paathirunthuLooking out for her beloved man
Kaippidikkum kalyaana naalThe wedding day when they hold hands
VasanthamIt is spring
Male
Ini pon vasanthamFrom now on, a golden spring
Poo vasanthamA floral spring
Idhu muthal vasantham..mmThis is the first spring... mm
Male
Poonguyilum paaduthuThe flower cuckoo sings
Ponmayilum aaduthuThe golden peacock dances
Male
Ooril ulla aalunga ellaamIf all the people in the village
Oththumaiyaa vaazhnthirunthaLive together in unity and harmony
Naattukkadhu nalladhoruFor that nation, it is a wonderful
VasanthamSpring
Male
Gangaiyilae vantha thanniThe water that came from the Ganges
Kaatu vazhi odi vanthuRunning through the forest path
Kaveriyil kooduchunnaWhen it merges into the Kaveri river
VasanthamIt is spring
Male
Mann paarthu vetha vethachuObserving the soil and sowing seeds
Kann mulichi paadupattaWorking tirelessly with open eyes
Ezhaikkellaam aruvadai naalFor all the poor, the harvest day
VasanthamIt is spring
Male
Ini pon vasanthamFrom now on, a golden spring
Poo vasanthamA floral spring
Idhu muthal vasantham..mmThis is the first spring... mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song celebrates the arrival of spring ('Vasantham') in various forms—nature, personal life, and societal harmony. It begins with vivid pastoral imagery of cuckoos singing, peacocks dancing, and paddy grains swaying rhythmically in the fields as rain refreshes the dry soil. The lyrics expand the definition of 'spring' beyond seasons: it is the blossoming of jasmine in a garden, the joyful wedding day of a waiting maiden, the harvest day rewarding hard-working farmers, and the peaceful unity of villagers living together without conflict. Through these metaphors, the song conveys that true prosperity and rejuvenation happen when love, nature, hard work, and unity converge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)

Poonguyilum paaduthu / Ponmayilum aaduthu

Matching second consonants in initial words across paired lines, such as 'Poo-nguyilum' and 'Po-nmayilum'.

Moonaai (First letter alliteration)

Varappukulla olinjukittu / Vayalukulla maranjikittu

Matching initial consonant sounds, as seen in 'Varappukulla' and 'Vayalukulla'.

Personification

Nellumani jadhi podudhu / Boomi pudhu vasanthatha paadudhu

Attributing human traits like dancing rhythmic 'jati' steps to grains of paddy and singing to the Earth.

Anaphora / Refrain

Ini pon vasantham / Poo vasantham / Idhu muthal vasantham..mm

Repetition of the core refrain 'Vasantham' at the end of each stanza to emphasize the thematic motif of spring.

Metaphor

Ezhaikkellaam aruvadai naal / Vasantham

Equating various societal milestones (unity in a village, harvest for the poor, marriage) to 'Vasantham' (spring).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed without music director and singer details in brief context, 'Muthal Vasantham' (1986) features a acclaimed soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, directed by Manivannan. The film stars Pandiyan, Chandrasekar, Sathyaraj, and Radhika. The phrase 'Muthal Vasantham' means 'First Spring', and Gangai Amaran's lyrics effectively tie nature's renewal with human relationships and social harmony.

Keep listening

More from Muthal Vasantham