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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poothu Nikkudhu

From Echchil Iravugal · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jency Anthony, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Echchil Iravugal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Male
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Female
Orae paarvai paarthuCasting a single glance
Edho kelvi kettuAsking some kind of question
Male
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Male
Irandum vayasu elasu sirusuBoth are young in age, young and small
Female :Ellaam pudhusu aasai perusuFemale: Everything is new, the desire is immense
Male :Onnodu onnu thaan kanakku…uuuMale: One plus one is the true count
Female :Onnodu onnu thaan kanakku…uuuFemale: One plus one is the true count
Male :Unmaikku yedhamma vilakkuMale: What explanation is needed for the truth, my dear?
Female :Adho andha megam nilavoda sarasamFemale: Look at that cloud flirting with the moon
Male
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Orae paarvai paarthuCasting a single glance
Edho kelvi kettuAsking some kind of question
Male
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Male
Yelaayelaeloo…..yelooyelooyeloo…..Yelaayelaeloo... yelooyelooyeloo... (Folk refrain)
Yelooyelaeloo….yelaeloo…..Yelooyelaeloo... yelaeloo... (Folk refrain)
Yelaayelaeloo….. yelaayelaeloo…..Yelaayelaeloo... yelaayelaeloo... (Folk refrain)
Female
Kadalil vizhuntha azha thaan theriyumOnly if one falls into the ocean, one understands its depth
Male :Kanavil medhantha sugam thaan puriyumMale: Only when floating in a dream, one understands the bliss
Female :Aaru kalakuthu angae thaan…aaa…aaa…aa..nnFemale: The river merges over there...
Male :Aaru kalakuthu angae thaan..Male: The river merges over there...
Female :Aasai kalakuthu ingae thaanFemale: Desire merges right here
Male :Sadhaa paathu paathu orae aasai kaathuMale: Constantly looking and looking, waiting with a single desire
Female
Poothu nikkudhu kaaduThe forest stands in full bloom
Paathu nikkudhu aaduThe goat stands watching it
Male :Orae paarvai paarthuMale: Casting a single glance
Edho kelvi kettuAsking some kind of question

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poothu Nikkudhu Kaadu from Echchil Iravugal (1982) is a vibrant pastoral folk-style duet rich in nature metaphors. Using imagery such as a blooming forest, a watching goat, clouds floating near the moon, and rivers merging, the lovers convey their blossoming romance and youthful passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Poothu nikkudhu kaadu / Paathu nikkudhu aadu

The second letters of 'Poothu' and 'Paathu' match ('th'), creating a rhythmic internal rhyme.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Poothu nikkudhu kaadu / Paathu nikkudhu aadu

The lines end with matching rhyming words 'kaadu' and 'aadu'.

Personification / Metaphor

Adho andha megam nilavoda sarasam

The cloud and moon are personified as lovers engaging in playful flirting ('sarasam').

Parallelism / Imagery

Aaru kalakuthu angae thaan / Aasai kalakuthu ingae thaan

Draws a parallel between the physical river merging into the sea and emotional desires merging between lovers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Echchil Iravugal (1982) was directed by A. S. Pragasam. The lyrics were penned by Kannadasan, who masterfully blended rustic folk rhythms with poetic romantic metaphors.

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