Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovae Ithu

From Gramathu Athiyayam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gramathu Athiyayam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamaeOh flower, this is the time for worship
Ilam poovai dhaagamaeThe thirst of a young maiden
Manam thaavi vandha vaegam theerkkaTo satisfy the speed with which the mind leaped and came
Naalum vaendumaeIs needed every day
Naalum unnai ninaithu ninaithuEvery day, thinking of you repeatedly
Thavithu thavithu yaengum ullam paadaadhoWill not the yearning heart sing in struggle?
Vaazhai yena valarndhu valarndhuGrowing and growing like a plantain tree
Dhinamum thudippadhoDoes it throb every day?
Female
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamaeOh flower, this is the time for worship
Female
Salangai paadamaeThe lesson of the tinkling anklets
Endhan kaadhil kaetkumoWill it be heard in my ears?
Kuyilae… ae… ae…Oh cuckoo...
Female
Salangai paadamaeThe lesson of the tinkling anklets
Endhan kaadhil kaetkumoWill it be heard in my ears?
Vaazhai maavilai manjalPlantain leaves, mango leaves, and turmeric
Vaasam thondrumoWill their fragrance arise?
Panivaadai kaatru veesum podhuWhen the cold wintry wind blows
Paavai maeni vaadudhaeThe maiden's body wilts
Female
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamaeOh flower, this is the time for worship
Female
Kannai moodiyumEven with eyes closed
Manam thoongavillaiyaeThe mind does not sleep
Nenjae… ae… ae…Oh heart...
Female
Kannai moodiyumEven with eyes closed
Manam thoongavillaiyaeThe mind does not sleep
Kannan nyaabagam unnil neengavillaiyaeThe memory of Kannan has not left you
Iru maalai saerndha dhaevi yaekkamThe longing of the maiden joined by two garlands
Theera vaendi yaengudhaeYearns for its fulfillment
Female
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamaeOh flower, this is the time for worship
Ilam poovai dhaagamaeThe thirst of a young maiden
Manam thaavi vandha vaegam theerkkaTo satisfy the speed with which the mind leaped and came
Naalum vaendumaeIs needed every day
Naalum unnai ninaithu ninaithuEvery day, thinking of you repeatedly
Thavithu thavithu yaengum ullam paadaadhoWill not the yearning heart sing in struggle?
Vaazhai yena valarndhu valarndhuGrowing and growing like a plantain tree
Dhinamum thudippadho poovae…Does it throb every day, oh flower...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic Tamil song portrays the deep emotional longing, passion, and anticipation of a young woman yearning for her beloved. Frame as a metaphor of a flower ready for divine worship, her youthful desires seeking fulfillment. The song captures her restlessness—where her mind refuses to sleep even when her eyes are shut, consumed entirely by thoughts of her partner. Through vivid imagery of auspicious wedding elements like mango leaves, turmeric, flower garlands, and cold breezes, the lyrics convey both the pain of isolation and the hopeful eagerness for ultimate union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Vaazhai yena valarndhu valarndhu

Comparing the continuous growth of love and desire to the flourishing growth of a plantain tree ('Vaazhai yena valarndhu').

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Thavithu thavithu yaengum ullam paadaadho

Repeated words like 'ninaithu ninaithu' and 'thavithu thavithu' emphasize the intense, relentless pain of yearning.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Ilam poovai dhaagamae

Comparing the young maiden to a soft flower ('ilam poovai') experiencing thirst for love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gramathu Athiyayam (1980) was directed by C. Rudhraiya and featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran.

Keep listening

More from Gramathu Athiyayam