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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poonkaathu Adhu

From Nilave Mugam Kaattu · 1999

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nilave Mugam Kaattu1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aei haei poongaathuHey, gentle breeze
Adhu boomi engum neranjirukkuIt is filled all across the earth
Male
Aei haei anbaalaeHey, through love
Manam aanandhathil nanainjirukkuThe heart is soaked in joy
Male
Nenjinikkum nanbaaFriend who sweetens the heart
Ullam kavar kalvaaThief who steals the soul
Vaazhkkai ingu vaazhvadharkkae… haeLife here is meant to be lived... hey
Male
Iru kannukkul nenjukkulInside both eyes and inside the heart
Unnai kandenI saw you
Un anbukkum panbukkumTo your love and good nature
Ennai thandhenaeI surrendered myself
Male
Iru kannukkul nenjukkulInside both eyes and inside the heart
Unnai kandenI saw you
Un anbukkum panbukkumTo your love and good nature
Ennai thandhenaeI surrendered myself
Male
PoongaathuGentle breeze
Adhu boomi engum neranjirukkuIt is filled all across the earth
Male
Aei haei anbaalaeHey, through love
Manam aanandhathil nanainjirukkuThe heart is soaked in joy
Male
Ullaasa malargalai polLike joyful flowers
Naam eppodhum sirithiruppomMay we always keep smiling
Chorus
Sirikkum poovu thaanOnly a smiling flower
Kaathil aadudhu paadudhuDances and sings in the wind
Male
Sandhosha kadhavugalaiThe doors of happiness
Naam sollaamal thirandhiduvomWe shall open without being told
Chorus
Thirandha ullam thaanOnly an open heart
Vaazhvil nalladhu nalladhuIs a good, wonderful thing in life
Male
Thol kodukka nanban inguWhen a friend comes close
Pakkam vandhaalTo lend a supportive shoulder
Inbam enna thunbam ennaWhat is joy and what is sorrow?
Rendum ondrae thaanBoth are just the same
Male
Ullam rendum anbu konduIf two hearts stand united
Serndhu nindraalFilled with love
Pallam enna maedum ennaWhat is a valley and what is a peak?
Rendum ondrae thaanBoth are just the same
Male
Vaanam konda neela niramThe blue color possessed by the sky
Adhai vittu vittu pogaadhappaa hoiDoes not leave and go away, my friend
Nammudaiya natpin niramThe color of our friendship
Andha vaanam pola maaraadhappaaWill not change, just like that sky
Male
PoongaathuGentle breeze
Adhu boomi engum neranjirukkuIt is filled all across the earth
Male
Aei haei anbaalaeHey, through love
Manam aanandhathil nanainjirukkuThe heart is soaked in joy
Chorus
………………………....
Male
Or thaai vayitril pirakkavillaiWe were not born from the same mother's womb
Namakku thaalaattu ondru thaanaeYet our lullaby is the same
Chorus
Raagam maaralaamThe melody may change
Nesam maarumaa maarumaaWill affection ever change, will it change?
Male
Yaar yaaraaga pirandhaalumWhoever we are born as
Namakku vendiyadhu anbu thaanaeAll we need is love, isn't it?
Chorus
Saami maaralaamThe deity may change
Boomi maarumaa maarumaaWill mother earth change, will it change?
Male
Anbu ullam kondu inguIf you reside here
Nee irundhaalPossessing a loving heart
Sutterikkum paalai vanamWon't the scorching desert
Solai aagaadhoTurn into a green grove?
Male
Nalla manam boomiyilaeAs long as good hearts
Ulla varaiExist on this earth
Sutri chutri megam vandhuWon't clouds gather again and again
Thooral podaadhoAnd shower gentle drizzle?
Male
Odum nadhi polavaeJust like a running river
Indha mannil naam odalaam haaLet us run upon this earth, haa
Serum kadal polavaeJust like the merging sea
Ingu anbil naam koodalaamLet us unite here in love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting track from 'Nilave Mugam Kaattu' celebrates the timeless, universal power of true friendship and unconditional love. The song draws rich parallels between human affection and elements of nature, asserting that true love and companionship transcend blood relations, status, and life's inevitable ups and downs. Through joyous imagery of rivers, clouds, groves, and breeze, the lyrics convey that a loving heart can turn life's desert-like hardships into vibrant gardens.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Inbam enna thunbam enna / Rendum ondrae thaan

Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Inbam' and 'Ullam' or 'Pallam' and 'Rendum'.

Upamai (Simile)

Odum nadhi polavae / Indha mannil naam odalaam

Comparing human life and companionship to flowing rivers and the endless ocean ('Odum nadhi polavae', 'Serum kadal polavae').

Metaphor & Imagery

Sutterikkum paalai vanam / Solai aagaadho

Comparing a friend's love transforming hardship to a scorching desert turning into a green grove.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Deva with lyrics by Pazhani Bharathi, 'Nilave Mugam Kaattu' starring Karthik and Devayani features classic late 90s Tamil cinema melodies highlighting emotional warmth and friendship.

Keep listening

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