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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poove Thamarai

From Avalukku Nigar Avale · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Avalukku Nigar Avale1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovaeOh flower, lotus flower,
Poovae thaamarai poovaeOh flower, lotus flower,
Indru poojai…..maniyosai….Today there is worship... sound of temple bells...
Indru poojai…..maniyosai….Today there is worship... sound of temple bells...
Minnum ponnin maeniyilOn your gleaming golden body,
Thottil katta aasai…..I desire to tie a cradle...
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovaeOh flower, lotus flower,
Male
Aalilae megalai arasaanik kaalgalBanyan leaf waist-ornament, royal pavilion pillars,
Anantha kumbangal abhishega pookkalPots of bliss, flowers for holy bathing,
Aalilae megalai arasaanik kaalgalBanyan leaf waist-ornament, royal pavilion pillars,
Anantha kumbangal abhishega pookkalPots of bliss, flowers for holy bathing,
Male udai megangal kaarkaala thiraigalClouds floating above, curtains of the monsoon season,
Male udai megangal kaarkaala thiraigalClouds floating above, curtains of the monsoon season,
Mellisai paaduthu rathidevi kalaigalSinging soft music, the arts of the Goddess of love,
Mellisai paaduthu rathidevi kalaigalSinging soft music, the arts of the Goddess of love,
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovaeOh flower, lotus flower,
Indru poojai…..maniyosai….Today there is worship... sound of temple bells...
Minnum ponnin maeniyilOn your gleaming golden body,
Thottil katta aasai…..I desire to tie a cradle...
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovae…Oh flower, lotus flower...
Male
Nettriyil theerththangal panneerin rasangalSacred water on the forehead, essence of rosewater,
Ninaivugal valaraamal thadaipodum karangalHands that prevent memories from growing out of control,
Nettriyil theerththangal panneerin rasangalSacred water on the forehead, essence of rosewater,
Ninaivugal valaraamal thadaipodum karangalHands that prevent memories from growing out of control,
Muttriya sugankaana munnodum vizhigalEyes rushing ahead to behold mature bliss,
Muttriya sugankaana munnodum vizhigalEyes rushing ahead to behold mature bliss,
Mudhal naalai kaanattum oru jodi kiligalLet a pair of parrots witness their first day,
Mudhal naalai kaanattum oru jodi kiligalLet a pair of parrots witness their first day,
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovaeOh flower, lotus flower,
Indru poojai…..maniyosai….Today there is worship... sound of temple bells...
Indru poojai…..maniyosai….Today there is worship... sound of temple bells...
Minnum ponnin maeniyilOn your gleaming golden body,
Thottil katta aasai…..I desire to tie a cradle...
Male
Poovae thaamarai poovae…Oh flower, lotus flower...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poovae Thaamarai Poovae is a romantic classic from the 1974 film Avalukku Nigar Avale, rendered by T. M. Soundararajan with music composed by V. Kumar and lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The protagonist compares his beloved to a pristine lotus and uses sacred imagery like temple bells, holy baths, and ceremonial pots to describe her beauty and their intimate connection. The song gracefully weaves sensual imagery with auspicious wedding rituals, expressing a deep desire to embrace his lover and begin a domestic life together like a pair of devoted lovebirds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamagani / Uruvagam)

Minnum ponnin maeniyil

The lover's body is metaphorically compared to gold ('Minnum ponnin maeniyil'), and the couple is framed as a pair of parrots ('oru jodi kiligal').

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

Anantha kumbangal abhishega pookkal

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'A' in 'Anantha' and 'abhishega' creates rhythmic flow.

Sacred Parallelism

Indru poojai…..maniyosai….

Kannadasan parallels physical intimacy with traditional temple worship (poojai, maniyosai, theerththangal).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar, who was known for his melodic sensibility and collaborative work with Kannadasan, this track stands out for how it subtly mixes sacred temple metaphors with romantic themes, a signature hallmark of Kannadasan's lyricism.

Keep listening

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