- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Kozhi Koovuthu (1982 Film)
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Poovae Ilaya Poovae is a classic romantic song from the film Kozhi Koovuthu (1982). The track celebrates the delicate, enchanting beauty of a beloved through lush natural imagery and vivid poetic comparisons. The protagonist compares her to a blossoming spring, sweet nectar, and marble, expressing deep affection and possessive devotion. In the stanzas, the poet paints intricate visual and sensory imagery—her hair is like dark ocean waves, her eyes an ocean upon which his heart sails like a boat, her voice a cuckoo's sweet rain, and her dark eyebrows a night sky that somehow radiates warm sunshine. It captures the intoxicating feeling of romantic wonder.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vizhi irandum kadalaanathae / Enathu manam padakaanathae”
Compares eyes to a vast ocean and the heart to a small boat navigating across it.
Personification / Hyperbole
“Nilavu athil mugam paarththathae”
Describes the moon looking into her polished nails as if looking at a mirror.
Paradox / Imagery
“Iru puruvam iravaanathu / Irunthum enna veyil kaayuthu”
Juxtaposes night-dark eyebrows with glowing sunshine radiating simultaneously.
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Malar meedhu thaengum thaenae / Varam tharum vasanthamae”
The second letters 'la' and 'ra' match rhythmically in Tamil poetic tradition across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) was directed by Gangai Amaran and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The song 'Poovae Ilaya Poovae' became an enduring hit, celebrated for Vairamuthu's evocative lyrics and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's melodious vocal rendition.
Keep listening
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