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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poothirunthu

From Valli Deivanai · 1973

Lyricist
Thenkatchi Bharathisami
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
N. S. Thiyagarajan
Details
Valli Deivanai1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poothirunthu kaathirundhenI blossomed and waited
Nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth
Female
Poothirunthu kaathirundhenI blossomed and waited
Nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth
Naan nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth, I am
Un punnagaiyai paarthirundhenI gazed upon your smile
Kalaimagal polae kalaimagal polaeLike Saraswati, like Saraswati
Female
Poo mudithu pottum veithenI adorned flowers and placed a bindi
Kulamagal polae naan kulamagal polaeLike a traditional woman, like a traditional woman
Un pugal paada aasai vaithenI wished to sing your glory
Thamizh magal polae thamizh magal polaeLike a Tamil maiden, like a Tamil maiden
Female
Kaaviyathin thalavan endrae kadhai ondru kettenI heard a story calling you the hero of an epic
Kaadhalukku iraivan endrae vazhakkondru pottenI made a case calling you the god of love
Kaaviyathin thalavan endrae kadhai ondru kettenI heard a story calling you the hero of an epic
Kaadhalukku iraivan endrae vazhakkondru pottenI made a case calling you the god of love
Female
Thaen malaril maalai sooda naal ondru paarthenI looked for a day to wear a garland of honey-laden flowers
Thaen malaril maalai sooda naal ondru paarthenI looked for a day to wear a garland of honey-laden flowers
Paalodu pazham kodukka kanavondru kandenI saw a dream of offering milk and fruit
Paalodu pazham kodukka kanavondru kandenI saw a dream of offering milk and fruit
Female
Poothirunthu kaathirundhenI blossomed and waited
Nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth
Naan nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth, I am
Un punnagaiyai paarthirundhenI gazed upon your smile
Kalaimagal polae kalaimagal polaeLike Saraswati, like Saraswati
Female
Koyililae deepam yettri karam koopi nindrenI lit a lamp at the temple and stood with folded hands
Kuladeivam thunai irukka varam ondru kettenI asked for a boon that the family deity would protect us
Koyililae deepam yettri karam koopi nindrenI lit a lamp at the temple and stood with folded hands
Kuladeivam thunai irukka varam ondru kettenI asked for a boon that the family deity would protect us
Female
Paasa nenjin anbai alli unakkena thandhenI gathered the love of my affectionate heart and gave it to you
Paasa nenjin anbai alli unakkena thandhenI gathered the love of my affectionate heart and gave it to you
Aaruyirae nee vazha vazhthondru sonnenMy precious soul, I uttered a blessing for you to live long
Aaruyirae nee vazha vazhthondru sonnenMy precious soul, I uttered a blessing for you to live long
Female
Poothirunthu kaathirundhenI blossomed and waited
Nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth
Naan nilamagal polaeLike Mother Earth, I am
Un punnagaiyai paarthirundhenI gazed upon your smile
Kalaimagal polae kalaimagal polaeLike Saraswati, like Saraswati
Female
Poo mudithu pottum veithenI adorned flowers and placed a bindi
Kulamagal polae naan kulamagal polaeLike a traditional woman, like a traditional woman
Un pugal paada aasai vaithenI wished to sing your glory
Thamizh magal polae thamizh magal polaeLike a Tamil maiden, like a Tamil maiden

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a gentle and devotional expression of love and patience spoken from the perspective of a devoted woman. She compares her endless patience to Mother Earth (Nilamagal), her appreciation of beauty and grace to Saraswati (Kalaimagal), her traditional virtue to a family daughter (Kulamagal), and her poetic adoration to a Tamil maiden (Thamizh magal). She dreams of a cherished wedding ritual, prays for her beloved at the temple, and devotes her heart and blessings entirely to his well-being.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nilamagal polae / Kalaimagal polae

The lyricist repeatedly uses 'polae' (like/as) comparing the protagonist's virtues to Mother Earth, Saraswati, a traditional daughter, and a Tamil maiden.

Anaphora & Repetition (Iraithal)

Thamizh magal polae thamizh magal polae

Repetition of comparison lines creates a rhythmic, poetic cadence reinforcing the heroine's devotion.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaaviyathin thalavan endrae kadhai ondru ketten / Kaadhalukku iraivan endrae

Addressing the lover as the god of love and the hero of an epic metaphorically elevates his persona.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Valli Deivanai' (1973) features music by N. S. Thiyagarajan and lyrics by Thenkatchi Bharathisami. P. Susheela's rendering of this melody captures the classical grace and deep sentiment of traditional Tamil romantic poetry.

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