Skip to content

IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Poovagi Kaayagi Sad

From Annai · 1962

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: Bhanumathi
Music director: R. Sudharsanam
Movie name: Annai
Movie release year: 1962
Lyrics added on: 26 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Kaaikkaadha marathadiyil

Thaenaaru paayudhadaa…

Kanindhu vitta chinna maram

Kanneeril aadudhadaa

Kanneeril aadudhadaa

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Oorukkellaam naan koduthaen

Thiruppi ketkavillai

Uravai ellaam vaazha vaithaen

Kadanai ketkavillai

Oorukkellaam naan koduthaen

Thiruppi ketkavillai

Uravai ellaam vaazha vaithaen

Kadanai ketkavillai

Enakku thandha selvathaiyae

Thiruppi ketka vandhaar

Enakku thandha selvathaiyae

Thiruppi ketka vandhaar

Indha selvam thiruppi tharum

Selvam illai kannae

Selvam illai kannae

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Blossoming and bearing fruit,

there was a tree that ripened.

Without flowering or bearing fruit,

there was a tree that lay barren,

lying there all alone.

Blossoming and bearing fruit,

there was a tree that ripened.

Without flowering or bearing fruit,

there was a tree that lay barren,

lying there all alone.

Beneath that barren tree,

a river of honey flows, my child...

While the little tree that bore fruit

wilts away in tears,

wilts away in tears.

Blossoming and bearing fruit,

there was a tree that ripened.

Without flowering or bearing fruit,

there was a tree that lay barren,

lying there all alone.

I gave to everyone in town,

and never asked for anything back.

I helped all my kin thrive,

and never demanded repayment.

I gave to everyone in town,

and never asked for anything back.

I helped all my kin thrive,

and never demanded repayment.

Yet the treasure they once gave me,

they have come to ask back!

Yet the treasure they once gave me,

they have come to ask back!

But this precious treasure

is not one that can be returned, my child,

not a treasure to be given back, my child.

Blossoming and bearing fruit,

there was a tree that ripened.

Without flowering or bearing fruit,

there was a tree that lay barren,

lying there all alone.

Blossoming and bearing fruit,

there was a tree that ripened.

Without flowering or bearing fruit,

there was a tree that lay barren,

lying there all alone.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Poovaagi Kaayaagi' from the movie Annai (1962) uses a poignant metaphor of two trees—one that bore fruit and another that remained childless—to represent biological and adoptive motherhood. The adoptive mother, symbolized by the barren tree, showers unconditional sweetness and love ('a river of honey') onto her foster child. In contrast, the biological mother grieves in tears, seeking her child back after circumstances separated them. The adoptive mother reflects on a lifetime of selfless giving where she asked for nothing in return, yet agonizes over the demand to give back her child, affirming that maternal bond is an unreturnable treasure rather than material property.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Poovaagi kaayaagi kanindha maram ondru... poovaamal kaaikkaamal kidandha maram ondru”

Compares biological and foster mothers to a fruit-bearing tree and a barren tree, symbolizing fertility, affection, and grief.

Antithesis / Contrast (Etirnilai)

“Poovaagi kaayaagi ... Poovaamal kaaikkaamal”

Contrasts the tree that flowered and bore fruit with the tree that remained childless to highlight contrasting life fates.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

“Oorukkellaam naan koduthaen ... Uravai ellaam vaazha vaithaen”

Presents initial-line structural harmony with second letter rhyme across parallel couplets.

Did you know?

Trivia

Annai (1962) was a landmark drama film produced by AVM Productions and directed by Krishnan-Panju. The film featured music composed by R. Sudarsanam with lyrics by Kannadasan. P. Bhanumathi, who played the lead role of the adoptive mother, sang this emotionally charged song herself, delivering one of the most iconic performances in Tamil cinema history.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kuthiraiyilee Naan1977

Avar Enakke SonthamNatureImpermanence

Pattathu Rajavukku1972

Kanna NalamaFamilyMelancholic

Azhagana Kovil1976

Veedu Varai UravuSacrificeMelancholic

Kadavul Amaithu Vaitha1974

Aval Oru ThodarkathaiNatureContemplative

Kaaviri Penne1964

PoompuharSacrificeNature

Vasantha Kala Thendralil1962

Konjum SalangaiLossNature

From the same album

More songs from Annai

Azhagiya Mithilai1962

Oh Buck Buck1962

Orey Oru Ooriley1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Annai Enbaval1962

Buddhiyulla1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Poovagi Kaayagi1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.