Poovattam Ponnana
From Nenjukku Neethi(1979) · 1979
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nenjukku Neethi(1979)1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Poovaattam ponnana theraattam | Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving |
| Minnaatho ennaattam | Won't my dance shine brilliantly? |
| Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna | When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have |
| Manathukkul poraattam | A conflict inside your heart? |
| Female | |
| Naanaada ellorum thaanaada | When I dance, everyone dances along |
| Ennodu neeyaada | Come and dance with me |
| Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil | When I call you with rightful affection |
| Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam | Why should there be confusion in our relationship? |
| Female | |
| Poovaattam ponnana theraattam | Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving |
| Minnaatho ennaattam | Won't my dance shine brilliantly? |
| Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna | When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have |
| Manathukkul poraattam | A conflict inside your heart? |
| Female | |
| Naanaada ellorum thaanaada | When I dance, everyone dances along |
| Ennodu neeyaada | Come and dance with me |
| Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil | When I call you with rightful affection |
| Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam | Why should there be confusion in our relationship? |
| Female | |
| Naagaareegam illaatha | Lacking civilization and culture |
| Naalum ketta jenmangal | Wicked beings born every day |
| Sonnaalae pollaapputhaan | If mentioned, it only leads to trouble |
| Aasaiyattra perukku | For those claiming to have no desires |
| Aadaiyenna melukku | What is the point of fine clothes on the body? |
| Aanaattam veeraapputhaan | It is merely a grand pretension! |
| Female | |
| Ulaginil sila komaaligal | A few clowns in this world |
| Adhai nampum pala yaemaaligal | And many fools who fall for them |
| Ulaginil sila komaaligal | A few clowns in this world |
| Adhai nampum pala yaemaaligal | And many fools who fall for them |
| Female | |
| Poovaattam ponnana theraattam | Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving |
| Minnaatho ennaattam | Won't my dance shine brilliantly? |
| Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna | When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have |
| Manathukkul poraattam | A conflict inside your heart? |
| Female | |
| Naanaada ellorum thaanaada | When I dance, everyone dances along |
| Ennodu neeyaada | Come and dance with me |
| Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil | When I call you with rightful affection |
| Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam | Why should there be confusion in our relationship? |
| Female | |
| Kozhi vanthaa munnaalae | When the hen comes ahead |
| Seval varum pinnaalae | The rooster follows behind |
| Yaenendru puriyaathatho | Don't you understand why that is? |
| Maalaiyitta mangaithaan | Is the wedded woman |
| Aalaiyitta karumpo | Like sugarcane put into a crushing mill? |
| Thevaigal theriyaathatho | Are her needs not understood? |
| Female | |
| Sirikkuthu oru poochendu | A bouquet of flowers smiles |
| Sinuguthu oru ponvandu | A golden beetle hums sweetly |
| Sirikkuthu oru poochendu | A bouquet of flowers smiles |
| Sinuguthu oru ponvandu | A golden beetle hums sweetly |
| Female | |
| Poovaattam ponnana theraattam | Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving |
| Minnaatho ennaattam | Won't my dance shine brilliantly? |
| Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna | When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have |
| Manathukkul poraattam | A conflict inside your heart? |
| Female | |
| Naanaada ellorum thaanaada | When I dance, everyone dances along |
| Ennodu neeyaada | Come and dance with me |
| Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil | When I call you with rightful affection |
| Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam | Why should there be confusion in our relationship? |
| Female | |
| Netruvarai samsaari indru enna sanniyaasi | A family man until yesterday, why turn an ascetic today? |
| Penn paavam polaathaiyyaa | The plight of a woman is terrible, sir |
| Oravizhi kannaalae nooru tharam sonnaenae | I expressed it a hundred times through sidelong glances |
| Inimael solluthaiyyaa | Now you speak out, sir |
| Female | |
| Sabhaiyinil ennai paaraattu | Praise me in public gatherings |
| Araiyinil ennai thaalaattu | Lull me to sleep in the privacy of our room |
| Sirikkuthu oru poochendu | A bouquet of flowers smiles |
| Sinunguthu oru ponvandu | A golden beetle hums sweetly |
| Female | |
| Poovaattam ponnana theraattam | Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving |
| Minnaatho ennaattam | Won't my dance shine brilliantly? |
| Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna | When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have |
| Manathukkul poraattam | A conflict inside your heart? |
| Female | |
| Naanaada ellorum thaanaada | When I dance, everyone dances along |
| Ennodu neeyaada | Come and dance with me |
| Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil | When I call you with rightful affection |
| Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam | Why should there be confusion in our relationship? |
பூவாட்டம் பொன்னான தேராட்டம்
மின்னாதோ என்னாட்டம்
அனைவரும் ரசிக்கையில் உனக்கென்ன
மனதுக்குள் போராட்டம்
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
A conflict inside your heart?
நானாட எல்லோரும் தானாட
என்னோடு நீயாட
உரிமையில் அழைக்கையில்
நமக்கென்ன உறவுக்குள் மாறாட்டம்
When I dance, everyone dances along
Come and dance with me
When I call you with rightful affection
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
பூவாட்டம் பொன்னான தேராட்டம்
மின்னாதோ என்னாட்டம்
அனைவரும் ரசிக்கையில் உனக்கென்ன
மனதுக்குள் போராட்டம்
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
A conflict inside your heart?
நானாட எல்லோரும் தானாட
என்னோடு நீயாட
உரிமையில் அழைக்கையில்
நமக்கென்ன உறவுக்குள் மாறாட்டம்
When I dance, everyone dances along
Come and dance with me
When I call you with rightful affection
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
நாகரீகம் இல்லாத
நாலும் கெட்ட ஜென்மங்கள்
சொன்னாலே பொல்லாப்புதான்
ஆசையற்ற பேருக்கு
ஆடையென்ன மேலுக்கு
ஆணாட்டம் வீராப்புதான்
Lacking civilization and culture
Wicked beings born every day
If mentioned, it only leads to trouble
For those claiming to have no desires
What is the point of fine clothes on the body?
It is merely a grand pretension!
உலகினில் சில கோமாளிகள்
அதை நம்பும் பல ஏமாளிகள்
உலகினில் சில கோமாளிகள்
அதை நம்பும் பல ஏமாளிகள்
A few clowns in this world
And many fools who fall for them
A few clowns in this world
And many fools who fall for them
பூவாட்டம் பொன்னான தேராட்டம்
மின்னாதோ என்னாட்டம்
அனைவரும் ரசிக்கையில் உனக்கென்ன
மனதுக்குள் போராட்டம்
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
A conflict inside your heart?
நானாட எல்லோரும் தானாட
என்னோடு நீயாட
உரிமையில் அழைக்கையில்
நமக்கென்ன உறவுக்குள் மாறாட்டம்
When I dance, everyone dances along
Come and dance with me
When I call you with rightful affection
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
கோழி வந்தா முன்னாலே
சேவல் வரும் பின்னாலே
ஏனென்று புரியாததோ
மாலையிட்ட மங்கைதான்
ஆலையிட்ட கரும்போ
தேவைகள் தெரியாததோ
When the hen comes ahead
The rooster follows behind
Don't you understand why that is?
Is the wedded woman
Like sugarcane put into a crushing mill?
Are her needs not understood?
சிரிக்குது ஒரு பூச்செண்டு
சிணுங்குது ஒரு பொன்வண்டு...
சிரிக்குது ஒரு பூச்செண்டு
சிணுங்குது ஒரு பொன்வண்டு...
A bouquet of flowers smiles
A golden beetle hums sweetly
A bouquet of flowers smiles
A golden beetle hums sweetly
பூவாட்டம் பொன்னான தேராட்டம்
மின்னாதோ என்னாட்டம்
அனைவரும் ரசிக்கையில் உனக்கென்ன
மனதுக்குள் போராட்டம்
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
A conflict inside your heart?
நானாட எல்லோரும் தானாட
என்னோடு நீயாட
உரிமையில் அழைக்கையில்
நமக்கென்ன உறவுக்குள் மாறாட்டம்
When I dance, everyone dances along
Come and dance with me
When I call you with rightful affection
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
நேற்றுவரை சம்சாரி இன்று என்ன சந்நியாசி
பெண் பாவம் பொல்லாதய்யா
ஓரவிழிக் கண்ணாலே நூறு தரம் சொன்னேனே
இனிமேல் சொல்லாதய்யா
A family man until yesterday, why turn an ascetic today?
The plight of a woman is terrible, sir
I expressed it a hundred times through sidelong glances
Now you speak out, sir
சபையினில் என்னைப் பாராட்டு
அறையினில் என்னைத் தாலாட்டு.......
சிரிக்குது ஒரு பூச்செண்டு
சிணுங்குது ஒரு பொன்வண்டு...
Praise me in public gatherings
Lull me to sleep in the privacy of our room
A bouquet of flowers smiles
A golden beetle hums sweetly
பூவாட்டம் பொன்னான தேராட்டம்
மின்னாதோ என்னாட்டம்
அனைவரும் ரசிக்கையில் உனக்கென்ன
மனதுக்குள் போராட்டம்
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
A conflict inside your heart?
நானாட எல்லோரும் தானாட
என்னோடு நீயாட
உரிமையில் அழைக்கையில்
நமக்கென்ன உறவுக்குள் மாறாட்டம்
When I dance, everyone dances along
Come and dance with me
When I call you with rightful affection
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Poovaattam ponnana theraattam
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Minnaatho ennaattam
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
Manathukkul poraattam
A conflict inside your heart?
Naanaada ellorum thaanaada
When I dance, everyone dances along
Ennodu neeyaada
Come and dance with me
Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil
When I call you with rightful affection
Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Poovaattam ponnana theraattam
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Minnaatho ennaattam
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
Manathukkul poraattam
A conflict inside your heart?
Naanaada ellorum thaanaada
When I dance, everyone dances along
Ennodu neeyaada
Come and dance with me
Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil
When I call you with rightful affection
Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Naagaareegam illaatha
Lacking civilization and culture
Naalum ketta jenmangal
Wicked beings born every day
Sonnaalae pollaapputhaan
If mentioned, it only leads to trouble
Aasaiyattra perukku
For those claiming to have no desires
Aadaiyenna melukku
What is the point of fine clothes on the body?
Aanaattam veeraapputhaan
It is merely a grand pretension!
Ulaginil sila komaaligal
A few clowns in this world
Adhai nampum pala yaemaaligal
And many fools who fall for them
Ulaginil sila komaaligal
A few clowns in this world
Adhai nampum pala yaemaaligal
And many fools who fall for them
Poovaattam ponnana theraattam
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Minnaatho ennaattam
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
Manathukkul poraattam
A conflict inside your heart?
Naanaada ellorum thaanaada
When I dance, everyone dances along
Ennodu neeyaada
Come and dance with me
Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil
When I call you with rightful affection
Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Kozhi vanthaa munnaalae
When the hen comes ahead
Seval varum pinnaalae
The rooster follows behind
Yaenendru puriyaathatho
Don't you understand why that is?
Maalaiyitta mangaithaan
Is the wedded woman
Aalaiyitta karumpo
Like sugarcane put into a crushing mill?
Thevaigal theriyaathatho
Are her needs not understood?
Sirikkuthu oru poochendu
A bouquet of flowers smiles
Sinuguthu oru ponvandu
A golden beetle hums sweetly
Sirikkuthu oru poochendu
A bouquet of flowers smiles
Sinuguthu oru ponvandu
A golden beetle hums sweetly
Poovaattam ponnana theraattam
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Minnaatho ennaattam
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
Manathukkul poraattam
A conflict inside your heart?
Naanaada ellorum thaanaada
When I dance, everyone dances along
Ennodu neeyaada
Come and dance with me
Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil
When I call you with rightful affection
Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Netruvarai samsaari indru enna sanniyaasi
A family man until yesterday, why turn an ascetic today?
Penn paavam polaathaiyyaa
The plight of a woman is terrible, sir
Oravizhi kannaalae nooru tharam sonnaenae
I expressed it a hundred times through sidelong glances
Inimael solluthaiyyaa
Now you speak out, sir
Sabhaiyinil ennai paaraattu
Praise me in public gatherings
Araiyinil ennai thaalaattu
Lull me to sleep in the privacy of our room
Sirikkuthu oru poochendu
A bouquet of flowers smiles
Sinunguthu oru ponvandu
A golden beetle hums sweetly
Poovaattam ponnana theraattam
Like a flower swaying, like a golden chariot moving
Minnaatho ennaattam
Won't my dance shine brilliantly?
Anaivarum rasikkaiyil unakkenna
When everyone is enjoying it, why do you have
Manathukkul poraattam
A conflict inside your heart?
Naanaada ellorum thaanaada
When I dance, everyone dances along
Ennodu neeyaada
Come and dance with me
Urimaiyil azhaikkaiyil
When I call you with rightful affection
Nammakenna uravukkul maaraattam
Why should there be confusion in our relationship?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic dance song features a heroine addressing her partner with playful coaxing, affectionate teasing, and romantic demands. She contrasts the joy and energy of her dance—which enthralls everyone—with her lover's aloofness or internal hesitation, questioning why he acts distant despite their close bond.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Poovaattam ponnana theraattam”
Compares the heroine's dance to the delicate movement of a flower ('Poovaattam') and the grand motion of a golden chariot ('ponnana theraattam').
Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Poovaattam ponnana theraattam / Minnaatho ennaattam”
Second-letter rhyming across lines: 'Poovaattam' and 'Minnaatho' (double consonant matching patterns) and internal rhyme 'Poovaattam' / 'theraattam'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sirikkuthu oru poochendu / Sinuguthu oru ponvandu”
Metaphorically compares a smiling woman to a flower bouquet ('poochendu') and a coy lover to a golden beetle ('ponvandu').
Contrast / Antithesis
“Netruvarai samsaari indru enna sanniyaasi”
Contrasts yesterday's domestic life ('samsaari') with today's ascetic indifference ('sanniyaasi').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nenjukku Neethi' (1979) features music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and highlights veteran playback singer P. Susheela's vocal range in expressive dance-drama style numbers crafted by lyricist Vaali.
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