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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poonthendral Kaatre Vaa

From Manjal Nila · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Susheela, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manjal Nila1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaaCome, gentle breeze of flowers, come
Adhil saernthaadum paatae vaa vaaCome, song that dances along with it, come
Male
Nenjam unathu thanjamMy heart is your refuge
Konjum ninaivu manjamCooing memories are a couch of love
Nenjam unathu thanjamMy heart is your refuge
Konjum ninaivu manjamCooing memories are a couch of love
Female :Aanantha thaagam thaanindru theeraFemale: For this joyful thirst to be quenched today
Female
: Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaaCome, gentle breeze of flowers, come
Adhil saernthaadum paatae vaa vaaCome, song that dances along with it, come
Female
Yaenaamal yaengum ilamaikaalamYouthful time longing without reason
Engengum thondrum inimaikolamA sweet pattern appearing everywhere
En nenjin ninaivil pudhiyathor raagamA new melody in the memory of my heart
Endrendrum thodarum manathil thaagamA thirst in the mind that continues forever
Male :Poovaaramae enthan ponnaaramaeMale: Oh garland of flowers, my golden garland
Naan paada nee vendum anbae…ae…For me to sing, I need you, my love
Female
Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaaCome, gentle breeze of flowers, come
Adhil saernthaadum paatae vaa vaaCome, song that dances along with it, come
Male
Kaanaatha nenjam kanavil vaazhumAn unseen heart lives in dreams
Kaaveri pola ninaivil aaumWaving in memory like the Cauvery river
Kannmoodum neram kavithai paadumWhen eyes close, poetry sings
Kai serum pothum idhayam koodumWhen hands unite, hearts join together
Female :Yaenenpatho ennathaan enbathoFemale: Why it is so, what is it
Nee solla vaaraathathaeno…oo….oo…Why do you not come to tell me?
Female
Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaaCome, gentle breeze of flowers, come
Male :Adhil saernthaadum paatae vaa vaaMale: Come, song that dances along with it, come
Female :Heehhmm heehihmmFemale: Soft humming
Male
Nenjam unathu thanjamMy heart is your refuge
Konjum ninaivu manjamCooing memories are a couch of love
Female :Aanantha thaagam thaanindru theeraFemale: For this joyful thirst to be quenched today
Female
Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaaCome, gentle breeze of flowers, come
Male :Adhil saernthaadum paatae vaa vaa….Male: Come, song that dances along with it, come

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film Manjal Nila (1982) captures the deep longing and emotional union between two lovers. They welcome the soothing flower breeze and the melody accompanying it, framing their yearning as an eternal thirst for togetherness. The lyrics express how youthfulness brings unspoken desires and sweet imaginations, comparing lingering memories to the vast flow of the Cauvery river. Through poetic imagery of floral garlands, refuge, and poetry created in stillness, both partners express how incomplete their song of life remains without each other's presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Etai (Repetition)

Poonthendral kattrae vaa vaa

The phrase 'vaa vaa' is repeated at the end of lines for emphasis and musical rhythm.

Emonical Rhyme / Etukai (Second-letter rhyming)

Nenjam unathu thanjam / Konjum ninaivu manjam

Matching second consonant sounds ('n') in consecutive lines ('Nenjam' / 'Konjum').

Upama (Simile)

Kaaveri pola ninaivil aaum

Compares memories flowing in the mind to the river Cauvery ('Kaaveri pola').

Metaphor / Rupaka

Poovaaramae enthan ponnaaramae

Metaphorically addressing the beloved as a golden floral garland ('ponnaaramae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Manjal Nila is a 1982 Tamil film directed by H. S. Venu. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics written primarily by Gangai Amaran. The song highlights Gangai Amaran's signature style of using nature imagery like breeze ('thendral') and rivers ('Kaaveri') to depict romantic emotions.

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