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Lyrics & meaning

Poopookkum Oosai

From Minsara Kanavu · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Sujatha, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Minsara Kanavu1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of flowers blooming,
Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of grass unfurling.
Female
Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of flowers blooming,
Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of grass unfurling.
Patchigalin kuukukoo poochigalin ring ring ringThe cooing of birds and the buzzing of insects...
Sangeedham sollitharumae thangappennae...will teach us music, my golden girl!
Kaaloodu salangai pootti karaiyellaam veenai meettiWearing anklets on its feet and playing the veena along its banks...
Nadhipaadum paadal kelaai pattuppennae...listen to the song sung by the river, my silken girl!
Bhoomi oru veenai adhai kaatrin kaigal meettudhaeThe Earth is a veena, played by the hands of the wind.
Ketkum oliyellamEvery sound that is heard...
Ada sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa ri…...is music (Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa Ri...).
Female
Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of flowers blooming,
Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of grass unfurling.
Female
Kanthoongum nerathil maunathin jaamathilIn the quiet midnight hours when eyes are asleep,
Gadigaara satham sangeedhamThe ticking of a clock is music.
Kankanaa dhoorathil suthiserum thaalathilIn the far horizon, in perfect rhythm,
Rayil poagum oosai sangeedhamThe chugging sound of a passing train is music.
Pasikonda naeram thaalikkum oosaiWhen hungry, the sizzling sound of tempering spices...
Sandhosha sangeedham...is joyful music.
Thaalaattum annaikkellaam thangal pillai maarbai muttiFor every nursing mother, the sound of her baby nuzzling her chest...
Paalunnum satham sangeedham...and drinking milk is music.
Male
Hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkoraeHilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae (Choral refrain)
Mangalaarae mangalaarae dhoori dhoori baiyyaaMangalaarae mangalaarae dhoori dhoori baiyyaa (Choral refrain)
Hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkoraeHilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae (Choral refrain)
Jangalaarae jangalaarae dhoomeeraadhae dhaiyyaaJangalaarae jangalaarae dhoomeeraadhae dhaiyyaa (Choral refrain)
Female
Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of flowers blooming,
Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of grass unfurling.
Female
Chitchittu kuruvigalum chillenru neeraadiTiny sparrows taking a cool splash of bath...
Siragularthum oosai sangeedham...and fluttering their wings dry is music.
Karaikonda paaraimel kadal konda alaivandhuOcean waves crashing against the rocky shore...
Kaithattum oosai sangeedham...and making a clapping sound is music.
Kaatrodu thennai asaigindra oosaiThe sound of coconut trees swaying in the wind...
Sirungaara sangeedham...is romantic music.
Muthaadum neerin melae thathiSkimming across the kissing waters,
Thathi thaavi chellumHopping and leaping forward,
Thavalaikkal oosai sangeedhamThe sound of skipping stones on water is music.
Male
Hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkoraeHilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae (Choral refrain)
Mangalaarae mangalaarae dhoori dhoori baiyyaaMangalaarae mangalaarae dhoori dhoori baiyyaa (Choral refrain)
Hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkoraeHilkorae hilkorae hilkorae hilkorae (Choral refrain)
Jangalaarae jangalaarae dhoomeeraadhae dhaiyyaaJangalaarae jangalaarae dhoomeeraadhae dhaiyyaa (Choral refrain)
Female
Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of flowers blooming,
Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasaiI long to hear the sound of grass unfurling.
Patchigalin kuukukoo poochigalin ring ring ringThe cooing of birds and the buzzing of insects...
Sangeedham sollitharumae thangappennae...will teach us music, my golden girl!
Kaaloodu salangai pootti karaiyellaam veenai meettiWearing anklets on its feet and playing the veena along its banks...
Nadhipaadum paadal kelaai pattuppennae...listen to the song sung by the river, my silken girl!
Bhoomi oru veenai adhai kaatrin kaigal meettudhaeThe Earth is a veena, played by the hands of the wind.
Ketkum oliyellamEvery sound that is heard...
Ada sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa ri…...is music (Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa Ri...).
Hilkorae ….woooo aahhhh wwuuu yeahhh …Hilkorae... (vocalizing and ad-libs)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poo Pookkum Oosai is a joyful celebration of nature and the subtle everyday sounds that compose the soundtrack of human life. Poet Vairamuthu presents the idea that music isn't merely confined to formal classical notes, but exists everywhere—from the silent blooming of a flower to the ticking clock in the dead of night, the sizzling of cooked food, and the tender sound of an infant nursing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Bhoomi oru veenai adhai kaatrin kaigal meettudhae

Compares the planet Earth to a veena instrument, and the gentle wind to the hands plucking its strings.

Personification

Karaikonda paaraimel kadal konda alaivandhu Kaithattum oosai sangeedham

Attribute human traits to nature: ocean waves clapping against rocks, and rivers wearing anklets to sing songs.

Onomatopoeia

Patchigalin kuukukoo poochigalin ring ring ring

Use of natural sounds transformed into musical rhythm, such as bird cooing and insect buzzing.

Anaphora / Emonai (Tamil Rhyme)

Poopookkum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasai / Pulviriyum oosai adhai ketkathaan aasai

Repetition of sound structure and initial theme across opening couplets to create a rhythmic hook.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman for Rajiv Menon's Minsara Kanavu (1997), this track features vocal performances by Sujatha Mohan and Unni Menon along with a unique choral arrangement. A.R. Rahman won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for this film's soundtrack.

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