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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poothu Poothu Kulungudhadi

From Kumbakarai Thangaiah · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kumbakarai Thangaiah1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Female
Oru achaaram dhaan vaikaamalae hooooiWithout even placing an advance token of promise, oh my!
Pudhu machaan vandhaan.. machaan vandhaan hoooiThe new suitor has arrived.. the suitor has arrived, oh my!
Male
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Female
Vekkaadha sendhooran dhaanIt is unapplied red vermilion
Vachi vandhen unnodu naanI came with you carrying it
Ippodhu nee thandhaal enna muthaaram dhaanWhat if you give me a pearl-like kiss right now?
Male
Vandaadum kannoram dhaanBeside the eyes where honeybees hover
Vanji ilam pennodu naanTogether with this young, vine-like girl
Vandhenammaa kondaadathaan inneram dhaanI have come to celebrate at this very moment
Female
Mottaanadhae ilam maeni maeniThe youthful body has blossomed into a tender bud
Thottaadavae varum maaaaman neeYou are the suitor who comes to touch and play
Male :Melam oru idi idikkidhuMale: The drum beats thunderously like a clap of thunder
Vaanam pudhu koda pudikkidhuThe sky opens up holding a new umbrella
Vaa vaa vaa maanae……Come, come, come, my deer-like girl...
Female
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Male
Oru achaaram dhaan vaikaamalae hooooiWithout even placing an advance token of promise, oh my!
Pudhu machaan vandhaan.. machaan vandhaan hoooiThe new suitor has arrived.. the suitor has arrived, oh my!
Male
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Chorus
…………………………...
Male
Pattoda ponnaada thaanDressed in silk and gold
Paartha manam onnodu dhaanThe heart that saw you is now bound with yours
Kattaamalae yettaamalae thallaadudhaeWithout being tied or reached, it wobbles in desire
Female
Tholodu tholaaga thaanShoulder to shoulder together
Meloda melaagathaanDraped closely over one another
Thullamalae nillaamalae vandhaan machaanWithout leaping or stopping, the suitor came
Male
Semmaeniyaa sendhaazham poovaa…Is it a crimson body or a fragrant screw-pine flower?
Adhu unmaeniyaa ah.. ponmaeniyaa..Is that your real form or a golden form?
Female :Paarthaa udal silusilukkudhuFemale: Just looking at you makes my body thrill and shiver
Paarvai pada kilukilukkudhuAs your glance falls, my heart jingles with joy
Vaa vaa vaa.. maama……Come, come, come.. my beloved uncle/suitor...
Male
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaanThe drums beat in celebration and pure delight
Female
Oru achaaram dhaan vaikaamalae hooooiWithout even placing an advance token of promise, oh my!
Pudhu machaan vandhaan.. machaan vandhaan hoooiThe new suitor has arrived.. the suitor has arrived, oh my!
Male
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within
Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovuThe flower blooms fully and sways, oh friend
Adha paathu paathu manasukkulla novuLooking at it repeatedly, my heart aches within

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful, romantic duet from the film 'Kumbakarai Thangaiah' captures the joyful longing and flirtatious banter between two young lovers. The heroine compares her budding youth and longing to a fully bloomed flower that sways in the wind, expressing a sweet ache in her heart as she awaits her beloved's arrival. The hero responds warmly, celebrating her beauty, comparing her to fragrant flowers and precious gold, and inviting her to embrace the romantic moment. Packed with traditional rural folk imagery, the song evokes the festive atmosphere of village courtship, where nature, rain clouds, drums, and flowers mirror the passion and excitement felt by the lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Poothu poothu kulungudhadi poovu

Words like 'Poothu poothu' (blooming blooming) and 'paathu paathu' (looking looking) are repeated consecutively to accentuate the ongoing, intensifying actions.

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Mathaalam dhaan kottum pudhu kuthaalam dhaan

In 'Mathaalam' and 'Kuthaalam', the second letters rhyme ('tha' / 'thaa'), giving a rhythmic cadence characteristic of Tamil folk poetry.

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

Semmaeniyaa sendhaazham poovaa…

The lover's body is metaphorically compared to a fragrant screw-pine flower ('sendhaazham poovaa') and gold ('ponmaeniyaa').

Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeia)

Paarthaa udal silusilukkudhu

Words like 'silusilukkudhu' and 'kilukilukkudhu' represent sensations and jingling sounds that cannot be split into independent meaningful words.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kumbakarai Thangaiah' (1991) was directed by Gangai Amaran, who also penned the lyrics for this track. The music for the film was composed by his brother, Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, showcasing their iconic folk duet chemistry.

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