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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovilae Medai

From Pagal Nilavu · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pagal Nilavu1985

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Poovilae medai naan podavaaShall I set up a bed made of flowers?
Poovizhi mooda naan paadavaaShall I sing to close your flower-like eyes?
Tholirandil ..iru poongkodiTwo flowering vines upon my two shoulders...
En sondham ellaam idhu thaanadiAll my family and wealth is just this, my dear.
Male
Poovilae medai naan podavaaShall I set up a bed made of flowers?
Poovizhi mooda naan paadavaaShall I sing to close your flower-like eyes?
Male
Poovidhazh polaLike a soft flower petal,
Mullai en pillaiJasmine is my child.
Punnagai seithaal kanpadumIf she smiles, she might attract the evil eye.
Kanmani pillaiMy precious darling child,
Konjamum vaadaIf she wilts even a little bit,
Kanda en nenjam punpadumMy heart hurts upon seeing it.
Female
Annai thandhai yaavumMother and father, everything
Annan thaanadiIs her elder brother, my dear.
Anbu kondu vaazhumLiving with pure love,
Sondham thaanadiIs our true bond, my dear.
Male
Nooru nooru jenmamFor hundreds and hundreds of births,
Koodi nindru vaazhumTo stay reunited and live together,
Varavum vendi dhinamumRequesting this boon daily,
ThavamirukkumI perform a penance.
Male
Poovilae medai naan podavaaShall I set up a bed made of flowers?
Poovizhi mooda naan paadavaaShall I sing to close your flower-like eyes?
Tholirandil iru poongkodiTwo flowering vines upon my two shoulders...
En sontham ellaam idhu thaanadiAll my family is just this, my dear.
Male
Poovilae medai naan podavaaShall I set up a bed made of flowers?
Poovizhi mooda naan paadavaaShall I sing to close your flower-like eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic lullaby-style song highlights the deep and selfless bond between siblings. An elder brother tenderly sings to his younger sister, holding her close like a flowering vine and describing her as delicate as a jasmine petal. He expresses how protective he feels, fearing that even her sweet smile might attract the evil eye, and how seeing her distressed breaks his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Poovizhi mooda naan paadavaa”

'Poovizhi' compares the eyes directly to flowers, and 'Poongkodi' compares the loved one to a blossoming creeper vine clinging to his shoulders.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Poovidhazh pola”

'Poovidhazh pola' explicitly uses 'pola' (like) to compare the child's soft nature to delicate flower petals.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Poovilae medai naan podavaa”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Poo' ('Poovilae' and 'Poovizhi') creates a rhythmic and melodic opening.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pagal Nilavu' (1985) was directed by Mani Ratnam, marking his Tamil directorial debut. Although the prompt lists the music as unknown, the soundtrack was famously composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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