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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poonnkuyil Paadinal

From Nammavar · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Mahesh Mahadevan
Movie name
Nammavar
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
3 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poonguyil paadinaal
Nalla sangeetham
Male :Kuzhandhaiyin azhugaiyum
Nalla sangeetham
Osai ellaam theerndhu ponaal
Yaedhu sangeetham
Male :Sathangal illaadha
Maunangal sangeetham
Sandaiyum sangeetham
Poonguyil paadinaal nalla sangeetham
Male :Kuzhandhaiyin azhugaiyum
Nalla sangeetham
Osai ellaam theerndhu ponaal
Yaedhu sangeetham
Male :Sathangal illaadha
Maunangal sangeetham
Sandaiyum sangeetham
Laalalaalallaa lallaalalaa…
Laalalaa laalalaa lallaa…
Female :Laalla laalaallaa…
Male :Hmm hmm mmm
Female :Laalla laalaallaa…
Male :Hmm hmm mmm
Female :Lalla laalaallalaa laallalaa…
Male :hmm mm mm hmmm
Sruthiyil serum raagam
Endrum karkandu
Male :Poovil paadum vandu
Enna sudhi kondu
Neengal podum sandham
Inbam aanandham
Male :Mazhaiyin sandham ondrae
Endrum suya sandham
Naesamaaga neengal
Ketpadhenna paattu
Moongil meedhu kaatru
Modhiya pazhampaattu
Poonguyil paadinaal
Nalla sangeetham
Male :Kuzhandhaiyin azhugaiyum
Nalla sangeetham
Engum kadavul thaedum
Dheiva sangeetham
Male :Edhilum manidham thaedum
Engal sangeetham
Dhevalogam ketkum
Jeeva sangeetham
Ezhai kudisai ketkum
Engal sangeetham
Kaasu maalai thaanae
Kalaiyin sanmaanam
Kannin thuligal thaanae
Kalaigalin vegumaanam
Poonguyil paadinaal
Nalla sangeetham
Male :Kuzhandhaiyin azhugaiyum
Nalla sangeetham
Osai ellaam theerndhu ponaal
Yaedhu sangeetham
Male :Sathangal illaadha
Maunangal sangeetham
Sandaiyum sangeetham
When a cuckoo sings,
it is sweet music.
[Male]: Even a baby's cry
is sweet music.
If all sounds fade away,
where is music?
[Male]: Even a soundless
silence is music.
Even an argument is music.
When a cuckoo sings, it is sweet music.
[Male]: Even a baby's cry
is sweet music.
If all sounds fade away,
where is music?
[Male]: Even a soundless
silence is music.
Even an argument is music.
La la la la la la la la...
La la la la la la la...
[Female]: La la la la...
[Male]: Mmm mmm mmm
[Female]: La la la la...
[Male]: Mmm mmm mmm
[Female]: La la la la la la...
[Male]: Mmm mmm mmm mmm
A melody in tune with the pitch
is always sweet as candy.
[Male]: The bee that hums over a flower,
what pitch does it follow?
The rhythm you create
is pure joy and delight.
[Male]: The rhythm of the rain alone
is truly its own rhythm forever.
With so much love,
what song are you listening to?
The wind brushing against the bamboo—
it is an ancient song.
When a cuckoo sings,
it is sweet music.
[Male]: Even a baby's cry
is sweet music.
Everywhere, God seeks
divine music.
[Male]: In everything, humanity seeks
our music.
The heavens listen to
the music of life.
A poor person's hut listens to
our music.
A garland of coins
may be payment for art,
but tears from the eyes
are the true reward of art.
When a cuckoo sings,
it is sweet music.
[Male]: Even a baby's cry
is sweet music.
If all sounds fade away,
where is music?
[Male]: Even a soundless
silence is music.
Even an argument is music.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poetic track from the movie Nammavar explores the philosophical nature of music and sound. It redefines music beyond formal classical tunes, expanding it to encompass everyday soundscapes—a baby's cry, falling rain, wind whistling through bamboo groves, and even silence itself. The song emphasizes that genuine art is rooted in human emotion, warmth, and natural existence rather than material rewards.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron / Paradox

“Sathangal illaadha Maunangal sangeetham”

Describing silence ('Maunangal') and arguments ('Sandaiyum') as music ('Sangeetham') presents a poetic paradox that redefines music as any auditory or emotional presence.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Sruthiyil serum raagam Endrum karkandu”

Comparing a melodic raga in tune to the sweetness of rock candy ('karkandu').

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

“Kaasu maalai thaanae / Kannin thuligal thaanae”

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds across lines like 'Kaasu' and 'Kannin'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Nammavar (1994) was composed by Mahesh Mahadevan, who received a Special Mention at the National Film Awards for his work on the film. The movie starred Kamal Haasan and Gautami, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.

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