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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poove Pani Poove

From Nilavu Suduvathillai · 1984

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nilavu Suduvathillai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poovae pani poovaeOh flower, dew-dropped flower
Naanum malar thaanaeAm I not a flower as well?
Poonthalir thaalangal podumThe tender flower shoots beat the rhythm
Pudhu poonguyil raagangal paadumThe new flower-cuckoo sings melodic raagas
Poonthalir thaalangal podumThe tender flower shoots beat the rhythm
Pudhu poonguyil raagangal paadumThe new flower-cuckoo sings melodic raagas
Poovae pani poovaeOh flower, dew-dropped flower
Naanum malar thaanaeAm I not a flower as well?
Female
{En maeniyae{My delicate body
Ilam paniyil vegudhuBurns in this tender morning mist
Unnodu pesavaeTo speak with you
Mozhiyum naanudhu} (2)Even language feels bashful} (2)
Female
Poo kolam kannil kanduSeeing a floral pattern in your eyes
Yengudhae manamThe heart yearns deeply
Paarkkaadha naalil nenjamOn days I do not see you, will my heart
Thoongumaa iniEver sleep again?
Kannodu sallaabamPlayful intimacy through the eyes
Ennaalum ullaasamJoy forever and always
Female
Poonthalir thaalangal podumThe tender flower shoots beat the rhythm
Pudhu poonguyil raagangal paadumThe new flower-cuckoo sings melodic raagas
Poovae pani poovaeOh flower, dew-dropped flower
Naanum malar thaanaeAm I not a flower as well?
Female
{Kaadhoram aayiram{Whispering beside your ear, a thousand
Kadhai naan kooruvenStories I shall tell
Ezhezhu jenmamumAcross seven times seven lifetimes
Unai thaan paaduven} (2)It is only you I will sing of} (2)
Female
Un maalai maarbil soodumTo grace your garlanded chest
Naalai thediyaeSearching for that day
Pon mega vaanil paadumSinging in the golden cloud sky
Vaanampaadi naanI am a skylark bird
Nenjellaam sangeethamMusic fills my entire heart
Naalellaam sandhoshamHappiness fills all my days
Female
Poonthalir thaalangal podumThe tender flower shoots beat the rhythm
Pudhu poonguyil raagangal paadumThe new flower-cuckoo sings melodic raagas
Poovae pani poovaeOh flower, dew-dropped flower
Naanum malar thaanaeAm I not a flower as well?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poovae Pani Poovae from the 1984 film Nilavu Suduvathillai is a gentle, romantic song centered on the expression of delicate love and romantic longing. The protagonist compares herself to a flower and a singing skylark, finding rhythm and music in nature as her heart awakens to the feeling of romance. The lyrics express the sweet torture of longing for her beloved, the bashfulness that prevents her from speaking freely, and a devotion that transcends a single lifetime.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Naanum malar thaanae

The speaker directly compares herself to a flower ('Naanum malar thaanae') and a skylark ('Vaanampaadi naan'), representing innocence, beauty, and melodic expression.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Poonthalir thaalangal podum / Pudhu poonguyil raagangal paadum

Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound at the start of words ('Poonthalir', 'podum', 'Pudhu', 'paadum') creates a lyrical, rhythmic flow.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kannodu sallaabam / Ennaalum ullaasam

Matching ending sounds 'sallaabam' and 'ullaasam' enhance the musicality of the stanza.

Hyperbole (Adukkuthodar / Imagery)

Ezhezhu jenmamum / Unai thaan paaduven

Expressing devotion across 'seven times seven' (49) lifetimes ('Ezhezhu jenmamum') emphasizes eternal love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist M.G. Vallaban was a prominent dialogue writer and lyricist in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s and 1980s, known for his close collaborations with major directors and his poetic nature imagery.

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