Skip to content

IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Poovagi Kaayagi

From Annai · 1962

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: Bhanumathi
Music director: R. Sudharsanam
Movie name: Annai
Movie release year: 1962
Lyrics added on: 13 Apr 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

Pettredukka manam irundhum

Pillai kani illai

Pettredutha mara kilaikku

Mattra sugam illai

Pettredukka manam irundhum

Pillai kani illai

Pettredutha mara kilaikku

Mattra sugam illai

Sutramennum paravai ellaam

Kudi irukkum veettil

Thottil katti thaalaattum

Peru mattum illai

Peru mattum illai

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Vendum endru ketpavarkku

Illai illai enbaar

Veruppavarkkum maruppavarkkum

Alli alli tharuvaar

Aandavanaar thiruvullaththai

Yaar arindhaar kannae

Yaar vayittril yaar pirappaar

Yaararivaar kannae

Yaararivaar kannae

Poovaagi kaayaagi

Kanindha maram ondru

Poovaamal kaaikkaamal

Kidandha maram ondru

Kidandha maram ondru

Flowering and budding,

there is a tree that bore sweet fruit;

neither blossoming nor yielding fruit,

there is a tree that lies barren.

There is a tree that lies barren.

Flowering and budding,

there is a tree that bore sweet fruit;

neither blossoming nor yielding fruit,

there is a tree that lies barren.

There is a tree that lies barren.

Beneath the barren tree,

a river of honey flows, my child...

While the little tree that bore fruit

withers away in tears, my dear.

Withers away in tears, my dear.

Flowering and budding,

there is a tree that bore sweet fruit;

neither blossoming nor yielding fruit,

there is a tree that lies barren.

There is a tree that lies barren.

Though the heart longs to give birth,

there is no sweet fruit of a child;

and for the branch that bore a child,

there is no other comfort in life.

Though the heart longs to give birth,

there is no sweet fruit of a child;

and for the branch that bore a child,

there is no other comfort in life.

In a home where relatives

live together like flocking birds,

to hang a cradle and sing a lullaby,

that blessing alone is missing.

That blessing alone is missing.

Flowering and budding,

there is a tree that bore sweet fruit;

neither blossoming nor yielding fruit,

there is a tree that lies barren.

There is a tree that lies barren.

To those who yearn and plead for one,

He says, "No, there is none,"

yet to those who resent and refuse,

He gives with both hands full.

The divine will of the Lord,

who can ever understand, my child?

In whose womb each child will be born,

who can ever know, my child?

Who can ever know, my child?

Flowering and budding,

there is a tree that bore sweet fruit;

neither blossoming nor yielding fruit,

there is a tree that lies barren.

There is a tree that lies barren.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track from Annai (1962) uses an extended botanical metaphor to reflect on motherhood, destiny, and divine irony. Kannadasan compares two women to two distinct trees: one tree blossoms and bears fruit (a mother who gives birth) yet suffers in tears without other life comforts, while the other tree remains barren (a childless woman) despite being surrounded by wealth ('a river of honey') and kin.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Extended Metaphor)

“Kanindha maram ondru / Pillai kani illai”

Compares a mother to a fruit-bearing tree ('maram') and a child to a fruit ('pillai kani').

Muran (Anthesis / Contrast)

“Poovaagi kaayaagi vs Poovaamal kaaikkaamal”

Contrasts the states of flowering/fruiting with being barren to highlight life's ironies.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Pettredukka / Pettredutha”

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Pettredukka manam irundhum / Pillai kani illai”

Matching initial sounds in words within the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by R. Sudarsanam for the film Annai (1962), this song was sung by the versatile actress and singer P. Bhanumathi herself, who played the lead role of the childless foster mother in the movie.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Engal Kula Nayagiye1959

Thanga PadhumaiGriefFate

Oru Alayamagum Mangai Manadhu1971

Sumathi En SundariMotherhoodSpirituality

Kattila ThottilaMelancholicContemplative

Azhagana Vazhai Marathottam1963

Dharmam Thalai KaakkumMotherhoodNature

Vilakketri Vaikkiren1971

SoodhattamNatureMarried

Katha Pola Thonum1998

Veera ThalattuMotherhoodMelancholic

From the same album

More songs from Annai

Azhagiya Mithilai1962

Oh Buck Buck1962

Orey Oru Ooriley1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Annai Enbaval1962

Buddhiyulla1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Poovagi Kaayagi Sad1962

AnnaiMelancholic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.