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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovarasam Poo

From Kizhakke Pogum Rail · 1978

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kizhakke Pogum Rail1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadho…Won't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing?
Female
Koo….Choo...
Chukkuchukku chukkuchukkuChukku-chukku chukku-chukku
Chukkuchukku chukkuchukkuChukku-chukku chukku-chukku
Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadhoWon't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing?
Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadhoWon't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing?
Female
………………………………(Instrumental musical interlude)
Female
Thoodhu po rayilae rayilaeGo as a messenger, oh train, oh train
Thudikkudhoru kuyilae kuyilaeOh trembling cuckoo, oh cuckoo
Ennennavo en nenjilaeOh, so many thoughts in my heart
Female
Thoodhu po rayilae rayilaeGo as a messenger, oh train, oh train
Thudikkudhoru kuyilae kuyilaeOh trembling cuckoo, oh cuckoo
Ennennavo en nenjilaeOh, so many thoughts in my heart
Pattanam ponaa paapaayaaWill you see him if you go to the city?
Paathoru sangadhi kaeppaayaaWill you ask news about the one you see?
Kezhakkae pogum rayilae nee thaanOh train going east, you alone are
Enakkoru thozhiA friend to me
Thoodhu povaayo… oo….Will you go as my messenger?
Female
Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadhoWon't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing?
Female
Nadappadho maargazhi maasamThe current month is Margazhi
Thayilae nichayadhaarthamIn the month of Thai, the engagement will happen
Naadhasuram maelam varumThe Nadaswaram and drums will play
Nadappadho maargazhi maasamThe current month is Margazhi
Thayilae nichayadhaarthamIn the month of Thai, the engagement will happen
Naadhasuram maelam varumThe Nadaswaram and drums will play
Nedhamum nellu soraakkiCooking rice from paddy harvest daily
Nethili meena kolambaakkiMaking curry out of anchovy fish
Machaan vandhaa aakki koduppaenWhen my beloved comes, I will cook and serve him
Maarula saanju podhaiyal eduppenaeLeaning on his chest, I will uncover a treasure
Female
Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadhoWon't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing?
Female
Karagara vandi kaamaatchi vandiRattling cart, Kamakshi cart
Kezhakkae poradhu pollaachi vandi koo… oo…The train heading east is the Pollachi train... choo...
Kirikirikirikiri kirikirikirikiri aa…(Sound of train wheels spinning)
Female
Naalellaam yaengikkittirukkaenAll day long I am yearning
Saamikku vaendikkittirukkaenI am praying to the Almighty
Thookkam indri kaathirukkaenI am waiting sleeplessly
Veera paandi koyililae varugira thai pongalilaeAt the Veerapandi temple during the coming Thai Pongal festival
Vaendina padiyae pongalum vappaenI will offer Pongal cooked as per my vow
Kaettadhai ellaam kodukkura saamikkuTo the God who grants everything asked for
Female
{Poovarasam poo poothaachuThe Portia tree flower has bloomed
Ponnukku saedhiyum vandhaachuThe good news for the girl has arrived
Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadho} (2)Won't the heart overflowing like the Cauvery river sing? (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poovarasam Poo Poothaachu is a celebrated rural Tamil song from the movie Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978). The song captures the pure joy and tender anticipation of a village maiden who has come of age and awaits her impending marriage. Through rich country imagery—such as the blooming Portia flower, the surging Cauvery river, and traditional village delicacies—she expresses her deep affection for her beloved who is away in the city. Treating the train heading east as her intimate friend and messenger, she confides her feelings to it, eagerly dreaming of the engagement festivities in the upcoming Tamil month of Thai and promising religious offerings in gratitude for her lover's safe return.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu paadaadho

Comparing the joy and emotions surging in the girl's heart to the overflowing waters of the Cauvery river in 'Kaavaeri pola pongura manasu'.

Personification

Kezhakkae pogum rayilae nee thaan Enakkoru thozhi Thoodhu povaayo

Addressing the inanimate train as a close female companion and messenger, asking it to carry news to her lover in the city.

Onomatopoeia

Chukkuchukku chukkuchukku

Use of sound words like 'Chukkuchukku' and 'Kirikirikirikiri' to vocally mimic the mechanical rhythmic sounds of a steam engine train moving along the tracks.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Ethirai / Monai)

Thoodhu po rayilae rayilae Thudikkudhoru kuyilae kuyilae

Harmonious sound repetition between lines such as 'Thoodhu po rayilae' and 'Thudikkudhoru kuyilae', creating a pleasant folk lyric cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, rendered by S. Janaki, and written by Gangai Amaran. It marked the cinema debut of veteran actress Radhika Sarathkumar in Director Bharathiraja's hit film Kizhakke Pogum Rail.

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