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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poove Poove Panneer

From Sattathai Thiruthungal · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Sattathai Thiruthungal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………….....
Male
Poovae poovae panneer poovaeOh flower, oh rose-water sprinkled flower!
Unnai kanavil paarththaen netruI saw you in my dream yesterday.
Antha kanavai nanavaai maatruTurn that dream into reality!
Neththu raththiri ammammaaYesterday night, oh my!
Paarththa nyapagam appappaa….hae…..The memory of seeing you, ah dear... hae...
Male
Poovae poovae panneer poovaeOh flower, oh rose-water sprinkled flower!
Unnai kanavil paarththaen netruI saw you in my dream yesterday.
Antha kanavai nanavaai maatruTurn that dream into reality!
Male
Haei vangi poga vantahenHey, I have come to take away...
Female :LalalalaaFemale: Lalalalaa
Male :Vaasa poovin senthaenMale: The sweet honey of the fragrant flower!
Female :LalalalaaFemale: Lalalalaa
Male
Haei vaangi poga vanthaenHey, I have come to take away...
Female :LalalalaaFemale: Lalalalaa
Male :Vaasa poovin senthaenMale: The sweet honey of the fragrant flower!
Female
Oru bodhai yaerum nadai paathai maarumAn intoxication rises, changing my walking path...
Male :Nooru idha poovidhazhae kodi malaraeMale: Oh hundred soft flower petals, oh crore flowers!
Nee paada naan aada kadhal mazhaiyaeAs you sing and I dance, oh rain of love!
Female
Poovae poovae panneer poovaeOh flower, oh rose-water sprinkled flower!
Unnai kanavil paarththaen netruI saw you in my dream yesterday.
Male :Antha kanavai nanavaai maatruMale: Turn that dream into reality!
Male
…………….....
Female
Netru netru endruSaying yesterday, yesterday...
Male :RapappaaMale: Rapappaa
Female :Veenai ketkkum indruFemale: Today the Veena is heard...
Male :RabappaMale: Rabappa
Female
Netru netru endruSaying yesterday, yesterday...
Male :RapappaaMale: Rapappaa
Female :Veenai ketkkum indruFemale: Today the Veena is heard...
Female
Viral meetta varavaa sugam kaatta varavaaShall I come to pluck the strings with fingers, shall I come to show bliss?
Koodum pozhuthu kooda varavaaShall I come to join you when we unite?
Ponmeni en meni mooda varavaaShall I come to cover your golden body with my body?
Male
Poovae poovae panneer poovaeOh flower, oh rose-water sprinkled flower!
Unnai kanavil paarththaen netruI saw you in my dream yesterday.
Female :Antha kanavai nanavaai maatruFemale: Turn that dream into reality!
Male :Neththu raththiri ammammaaMale: Yesterday night, oh my!
Female :Paarththa nypagam appappaa….hae…..Female: The memory of seeing you, ah dear... hae...
Male
Poovae poovae panneer poovaeOh flower, oh rose-water sprinkled flower!
Unnai kanavil paarththaen netruI saw you in my dream yesterday.
Female :Antha kanavai nanavaai maatruFemale: Turn that dream into reality!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Poovae Poovae Panneer Poovae' is a romantic duet from the 1984 movie 'Sattathai Thiruthungal', composed by Gangai Amaran and penned by Vaali. The song portrays two lovers expressing their deep passion, longing, and intimacy through poetic metaphors of flowers, rain, and music. The lovers reminisce about seeing each other in dreams and long to turn those romantic dreams into living reality. The female voice and male voice alternate playfulness and passion, comparing intimacy to playing a veena and covering each other in warmth. Gangai Amaran's vibrant composition paired with SPB and S. Janaki's seductive vocals creates an evergreen romantic atmosphere.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagathani (Metaphor)

Poovae poovae panneer poovae

Comparing the beloved to 'panneer poovae' (rose-water flower) and 'kadhal mazhaiyae' (rain of love).

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Poovae poovae panneer poovae

Repetition of 'Poovae poovae' and 'Netru netru' to enhance rhythm and emotional warmth.

Emoni / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Viral meetta varavaa sugam kaatta varavaa

Alliteration of consonants at the start of words like 'Viral' and 'Veena'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Viral meetta varavaa sugam kaatta varavaa / Koodum pozhuthu kooda varavaa

Rhyming ending words such as 'varavaa... varavaa... varavaa' across adjacent lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features iconic vocal ad-libs by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, borrowing nostalgic vocal cues like 'Neththu raththiri ammammaa / Paarththa nyapagam appappaa', which references the famous vintage song 'Netru Rathiri Ammamma' from Sakthi Leelai.

Keep listening

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