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Lyrics & meaning

Poove Sempoove Male

From Solla Thudikuthu Manasu · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Solla Thudikuthu Manasu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Vaasal en vaasal un poongaavanamMy doorstep is your flower garden
Vaai pesidum pullanguzhalA flute that speaks words
Nee thaan oru poovin madalYou are a petal of a flower
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Poovae sempoovaeO flower, red flower
Male
Nizhal pola naanummm aaaaaa…ahaahaaa..Like a shadow, I... aaaaaa... ahaahaaa..
Nizhal pola naanumLike a shadow, I
Nadai poda neeyumAs you walk ahead
Thodargindra sonthamA continuing bond of kinship
Nedungaala banthamAn eternal relationship
Male
Kadal vaanam koodaEven the sea and sky
Niram maara koodumMay change their colors
Manam konda paasamThe love held in my heart
Thadam maaridaathuWill never deviate from its path
Male
Naan vaazhum vaazhvaeThe life that I live
Unakaaga thaanaeIs solely for your sake
Naal thorum nenjilEvery day within my heart
Naanenthum thenaeO honey that I carry
Ennaalum sangeetham santhosamaeAlways, music brings pure joy
Vaai pesidum pullanguzhalA flute that speaks words
Nee thaan oru poovin madalYou are a petal of a flower
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Vaasal en vaasal un poongaavanamMy doorstep is your flower garden
Vaai pesidum pullaanguzhalA flute that speaks words
Nee thaan oru poovin madalYou are a petal of a flower
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Poovae sempoovaeO flower, red flower
Male
Unnai pola naanumJust like you, I am
Oru pillai thaanaeOnly an innocent child
Palar vanthu konjumFondled by many people
Kili pillai thaanaeA tiny parrot child
Male
Unnai pola naanumJust like you, I am
Malar soodum penmaiA woman adorned with flowers
Vithi ennum noolilOn the string called fate
Vilaiyaadum bommaiA dancing puppet
Male
Naan seitha paavamThe sins I have committed
Ennodu pogumWill perish with me
Nee vaazhnthu naan thaanFor you to live well and for me
Paarthalae pothumTo just witness it is enough
Innaalum ennaalum ullaasamaeToday and forever, it is bliss
Vaai pesidum pullanguzhalA flute that speaks words
Nee thaan oru poovin madalYou are a petal of a flower
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Vaasal en vaasal un poongaavanamMy doorstep is your flower garden
Vaai pesidum pullanguzhalA flute that speaks words
Nee thaan oru poovin madalYou are a petal of a flower
Male
Poovae sempoovae un vaasam varumO flower, red flower, your fragrance reaches me
Poovae sempoovae…O flower, red flower...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poove Sempoove is an iconic classical melody expressing deep emotional affection, sacrifice, and unconditional love. The singer addresses a loved one tenderly, comparing them to a sweet blossom and a speaking flute, while reflecting on the enduring nature of their connection that transcends even the changing elements of nature like the sea and sky. As the song progresses, a bittersweet undertone of selflessness emerges, where the narrator views themselves as a puppet of destiny willing to bear their own pain so that the beloved may live happily.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaai pesidum pullanguzhal

Comparing a speaking person directly to a flute ('Vaai pesidum pullanguzhal') and fate to a controlling thread ('Vithi ennum noolil').

Simile (Uwamai)

Nizhal pola naanum

Comparing oneself following the beloved to a shadow following a person ('Nizhal pola naanum').

Second-letter Rhyming (Edhukai)

Kadal vaanam kooda / Niram maara koodum

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Kadal' and 'Thadam' or 'Nizhal' and 'Nadai'.

Personification

Vaai pesidum pullanguzhal

Attributing human traits like speaking ('Vaai pesidum') to an inanimate musical instrument (flute).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas with lyrics by Vaali for the 1988 film 'Solla Thudikuthu Manasu', 'Poove Sempoove' is set in the classical Carnatic ragam Keeravani. It remains one of the most celebrated solo compositions in Tamil cinema, renowned for its intricate flute preludes and soulful rendition.

Keep listening

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