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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovil Vandu Koodum

From Kadhal Oviyam · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kadhal Oviyam1982

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Aaaa…aaa…aaa[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Haaa….aaa….aaa…[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Haa…aaa…haha…[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Aaa…..aaa….aaa…aaa….[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Male
Nam tham nam thanam[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Nam tham thanam[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Thamtha nam tham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Male
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Male
Aaaa…aaa…aaa[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Haaa….aaa….aaa…[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Haa…aaa…haha…[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Aaa…..aaa….aaa…aaa….[Vocalizing / Classical Solfege]
Male
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Male
Poovinam maanaadu podumThe realm of flowers holds a convention,
Vandugal sangeedham paadumAnd the bees sing divine music in harmony.
Poovinam maanaadu podumThe realm of flowers holds a convention,
Vandugal sangeedham paadumAnd the bees sing divine music in harmony.
Male
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Male
Raagam jeevanaagumMelody becomes my very life force,
Nenjin oosai thaalamaagumThe beat of my heart becomes the rhythm.
Geetham vaanam pogumThe song ascends high into the sky,
Andha megam paalamaagumAnd that cloud transforms into a bridge.
Devi enthan paadal kanduBeholding my song, the Goddess
Maarbil nindru aadumStands upon my chest and dances.
Male
Naadham ondru pothumA single musical note is sufficient,
Endhan aayul kodi maadhamMy lifespan extends to millions of months.
Theeyil nindra pothumEven if I were to stand amidst fire,
Andha theeyae vendhu pogumThat very fire would burn away and perish.
Naanae naadham mmm aaa…aa..I myself am the music... mmm aaa... aa..
Male
Thanamtha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Male
Vaanam en vidhaanamThe sky is my grand canopy,
Indha bhoomi sannidhaanamThis earth is my holy sanctum.
Paadham meedhu modhumLapping gently against my feet,
Aaru paadum suprabaathamThe river sings a morning hymn.
Raagam meedhu dhaagam konduThirsting for the sacred melody,
Aarum nindru pogumEven the flowing river comes to a standstill.
Male
Kaatrin desam engumAcross the entire realm of the wind,
Endhan gaanam sendru thangumMy song travels and resides.
Endhan raagam sendru aadumMy melody travels and sways in joy,
Vaagai soodum aa…aaWearing the crown of triumph, aa... aa.
Male
Thanamtha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Male
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Poovinam maanaadu podumThe realm of flowers holds a convention,
Vandugal sangeedham paadumAnd the bees sing divine music in harmony.
Thamdhanam dhamtha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Thamthanam dhamtha dham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Male
Dhamthamtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Poovil vandu koodum kanduSeeing the bee gather on the flower,
Poovum kangal moodumEven the flower closes its eyes in bliss.
Namtham dhamdha namtham dhamdha[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]
Namtham dhamdha namtham[Rhythmic Solfege Scatting]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poovil Vandu Koodum Kandu from the film Kadhal Oviyam (1982) is a deeply romantic and poetic ode to music, nature, and divine devotion. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu, the song illustrates a musician's supreme connection with the universe, where melody is not merely an art form but the breath of life itself. Nature reacts intimately to this sound: flowers close their eyes in ecstasy, bees assemble to sing, clouds turn into bridges for his song, and even flowing rivers pause their course to listen. The lyrics express the transcendent power of music capable of overcoming any physical hardship. The singer feels so immersed in music that he identifies himself as the sound itself, claiming that his song gains divine grace from the Goddess and conquers all elements—even fire itself would be consumed by his musical fire. The song stands as a masterclass in blending classical Carnatic nuances with rich romantic imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (மாந்தருருவகப்படுத்துதல்)

“Poovinam maanaadu podum / Vandugal sangeedham paadum”

Attributing human traits like holding a conference ('maanaadu podum') to flowers and singing classical music ('sangeedham paadum') to bees.

Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

“Theeyil nindra pothum / Andha theeyae vendhu pogum”

An intentional exaggeration depicting the supreme power of music, asserting that even fire would get burned away if the singer stands in it.

Metaphor (உருவக அணி)

“Vaanam en vidhaanam / Indha bhoomi sannidhaanam”

Metaphorically portraying the open sky as a grand ceiling/canopy ('vidhaanam') and the earth as a temple sanctum sanctorum ('sannidhaanam').

Second Letter Rhyme / Etukai (எதுகை)

“Vaanam en vidhaanam / Indha bhoomi sannidhaanam”

The second consonant sound 'na' matches across adjacent lines ('Vaanam' / 'Sannidhaanam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kadhal Oviyam (1982), directed by P. Bharathiraja, centers around a blind musician played by Kannan. The soundtrack, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, is celebrated for its heavy classical Carnatic roots, with 'Poovil Vandu Koodum' prominently based on the ragam Mohanam.

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