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Gramathu Athiyayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poovae Ithu

From Gramathu Athiyayam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Gramathu Athiyayam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
17 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamae
Ilam poovai dhaagamae
Manam thaavi vandha vaegam theerkka
Naalum vaendumae
Naalum unnai ninaithu ninaithu
Thavithu thavithu yaengum ullam paadaadho
Vaazhai yena valarndhu valarndhu
Dhinamum thudippadho
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamae
Salangai paadamae
Endhan kaadhil kaetkumo
Kuyilae… ae… ae…
Salangai paadamae
Endhan kaadhil kaetkumo
Vaazhai maavilai manjal
Vaasam thondrumo
Panivaadai kaatru veesum podhu
Paavai maeni vaadudhae
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamae
Kannai moodiyum
Manam thoongavillaiyae
Nenjae… ae… ae…
Kannai moodiyum
Manam thoongavillaiyae
Kannan nyaabagam unnil neengavillaiyae
Iru maalai saerndha dhaevi yaekkam
Theera vaendi yaengudhae
Poovae idhu poojai kaalamae
Ilam poovai dhaagamae
Manam thaavi vandha vaegam theerkka
Naalum vaendumae
Naalum unnai ninaithu ninaithu
Thavithu thavithu yaengum ullam paadaadho
Vaazhai yena valarndhu valarndhu
Dhinamum thudippadho poovae…
O flower, this is the season for worship
The melody of a young woman
To soothe the rush of this eager heart
I need you every day...
Thinking of you day after day,
Won't this aching, yearning heart sing?
Growing tall like a plantain tree,
Must it throb with longing every day?
O flower, this is the season for worship
The rhythm of ankle bells,
Will it ever reach my ears?
O cuckoo bird...
The rhythm of ankle bells,
Will it ever reach my ears?
Will the fragrance of plantain stalks, mango leaves, and turmeric
Ever fill the air?
When the chilly winter breeze blows,
My poor body withers and aches
O flower, this is the season for worship
Even when I close my eyes,
My mind cannot fall asleep
O my heart...
Even when I close my eyes,
My mind cannot fall asleep
The thought of Kannan never leaves you
Longing for the union of two wedding garlands,
This heart yearns for its ache to end
O flower, this is the season for worship
The melody of a young woman
To soothe the rush of this eager heart
I need you every day...
Thinking of you day after day,
Won't this aching, yearning heart sing?
Growing tall like a plantain tree,
Must it throb with longing every day, O flower?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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Trivia

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

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