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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pootukkal Pottalum

From Chatriyan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chatriyan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poottukkal pottaalumEven if you put locks,
Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatruThe wind will not stay inside the house.
Thottathu malligaiWill not the garden jasmine
Koottathil paadadho paattuSing a song in a group?
Paatteduppom vaa vaaCome, let us sing a song,
Poothiruppom poovaaShall we bloom like flowers?
Kattu kaaval vittu pogaTo break free from strict control,
Pattu poochi vattam podum naaldhaanToday is the day the butterfly circles around.
Female
Poottukkal pottaalumEven if you put locks,
Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatruThe wind will not stay inside the house.
Thottathu malligaiWill not the garden jasmine
Koottathil paadadho paattuSing a song in a group?
Female
Paadaththai thallivaippomLet us put aside the lessons,
Paattukkal allivaippomLet us gather songs together.
Aanandha kolathukkuFor a festive design of joy,
Aaramba pullivaippomLet us place the starting dot.
Female
Paravai polaLike a bird,
Parandhu parandhuFlying and flying,
Padippai konjamForgetting studies
Marandhu marandhuLittle by little,
Aanaiyittu aadavaithaalIf you command it to dance,
Thaamarai poongodi aadidumaaWill the lotus vine dance to orders?
Female
Poottukkal pottaalumEven if you put locks,
Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatruThe wind will not stay inside the house.
Thottathu malligaiWill not the garden jasmine
Koottathil paadadho paattuSing a song in a group?
Paatteduppom vaa vaaCome, let us sing a song,
Poothiruppom poovaaShall we bloom like flowers?
Kattu kaaval vittu pogaTo break free from strict control,
Pattu poochi vattam podum naaldhaanToday is the day the butterfly circles around.
Female
Poottukkal pottaalumEven if you put locks,
Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatruThe wind will not stay inside the house.
Thottathu malligaiWill not the garden jasmine
Koottathil paadadho paattuSing a song in a group?
Female
Maamara chittukkalaeO little sparrows of the mango tree,
Maadhulai mottukkalaeO pomegranate buds,
Kaalangal ullavaraiAs long as time exists,
Naan ungal pakkathilaeI will be by your side.
Female
Arivai naalumAs your knowledge
Valara valaraGrows day by day,
Dhinamum naanumEvery day I too
Kadhaigal kooraWill tell you stories.
Poonguruvi thaenaruviThe little bird and honey stream
Aadida vandhadhen kai thazhuviCame to dance, embracing my hand.
Female
Poottukkal pottaalumEven if you put locks,
Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatruThe wind will not stay inside the house.
Thottathu malligaiWill not the garden jasmine
Koottathil paadadho paattuSing a song in a group?
Paatteduppom vaa vaaCome, let us sing a song,
Poothiruppom poovaaShall we bloom like flowers?
Kattu kaaval vittu pogaTo break free from strict control,
Pattu poochi vattam podum naaldhaanToday is the day the butterfly circles around.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Poottukkal Pottaalum' is a heartwarming and joyful song from the 1990 Tamil film Chatriyan. Written by Vaali and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the track captures the free-spirited nature of children and celebrates innocent joy. Through vivid metaphors comparing children to wind, birds, and blooming flowers, the lyrics convey that true spirit and creativity cannot be confined or restricted by strict boundaries.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Poottukkal pottaalum / Veettukkul nirkaadhu kaatru

Compares the unrestricted freedom of children to wind that cannot be trapped inside a home by locks.

Alliteration (Monai)

Paravai pola / Parandhu parandhu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' in consecutive words or lines creating musical harmony.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Parandhu parandhu / Marandhu marandhu

Repeating words to emphasize continuous motion and spirit.

Rhyme (Edhugai)

Paadaththai thallivaippom / Paattukkal allivaippom

Matching secondary consonants between lines to give a poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chatriyan (1990), written and produced by Mani Ratnam and directed by K. Subash, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The track 'Poottukkal Pottaalum' was sung by S. Janaki and K. S. Chithra, serving as an iconic lighthearted melody amidst the film's gritty action-drama narrative.

Keep listening

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