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Narthagi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poovin Manam Poovil Illai

From Narthagi · 2011

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Tippu, Harini
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Movie name
Narthagi
Movie release year
2011
Lyrics added on
14 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hey eeyyy heyy…(4)
Poovin manam poovil illai
Poonthendralo thodavae illai
Theeyin gunam theeyil illai
Theendum viral sudavae illai
Hey eeyyy heyy…(4)
Poovin manam poovil illai
Poonthendralo thodavae illai
Theeyin gunam theeyil illai
Theendum viral sudavae illai
Hoo… udal ennum padagu
Thanneeril aada
Iru karaigal naduvil
Midhanthen alainthen
Orupuramum malaraai
En dhaegam maara
Marupuramum theeyaai
Thagithen erinthen anbae
Udhirumbodhum
Saram korkkiren
Alaigal modha manal serkkiren
Idiyin naduvae isai ketkkiren
Enai naan thotru unai meetkiren….
Hey eeyyy heyy…(4)
Paruvathil pei aattangal
Paalina thadumaatrangal
Male :Uruvaththai… urumaatravaa
Ullaththai adhu maatrumaa
Ho… enakkullae aanmai
Nee theda vendum
Unakkullae penmai
Naan theda vendum
Vaeppammarakkilaiyil
Ver yedho chedithaan
Valarvadhai pola
Valiyai unarndhen
Hey eeyyy heyy…(4)
Poovin manam poovil illai
Poonthendralo thodavae illai
Theeyin gunam theeyil illai
Theendum viral sudavae illai
…………………..
Kaanalin neerodaiyil
Meengalai nee ketkkiraai
Male :Kelvigal puriyaamalae
Badhilgalai nee serkkiraai
Sila neram vilakkin
Velichangal eerkkum
Vilakkukkum keezhae
Iruttondru irukkum
Irulum oliyum
Ondraaga theenda
Kuzhappathilae naanum
Thaviththen thudithen
Hey eeyyy heyy…(4)
Hey eee hey... (4)
The scent of the flower is not in the flower,
The gentle breeze has not touched it at all.
The nature of fire is not in the fire,
The touching finger does not burn at all.
Hey eee hey... (4)
The scent of the flower is not in the flower,
The gentle breeze has not touched it at all.
The nature of fire is not in the fire,
The touching finger does not burn at all.
Hoo... As the boat of this body
Rocks upon the water,
Between the two shores,
I drifted and wandered.
On one side, like a flower,
As my body changed,
On the other side, like fire,
I burned and scorched, my love.
Even as petals fall,
I string them into a garland.
As waves crash, I gather the sand.
Amidst thunder, I listen for music.
Losing myself, I rescue you...
Hey eee hey... (4)
The wild turmoil of youth,
The confusions of gender identity,
Should I transform my outer body?
Will that change the heart within?
Ho... The masculinity in me,
You must search for.
The femininity in you,
I must search for.
On the branch of a neem tree,
Like an alien plant with different roots
Growing out of place,
I felt the pain.
Hey eee hey... (4)
The scent of the flower is not in the flower,
The gentle breeze has not touched it at all.
The nature of fire is not in the fire,
The touching finger does not burn at all.
...
In the flowing waters of a mirage,
You are looking for fish.
Without understanding the questions,
You are gathering answers.
At times, the glow of a lamp
Draws us in,
Yet right beneath the lamp,
A darkness always stays.
As darkness and light
Touch me together,
In utter confusion,
I struggled and suffered.
Hey eee hey... (4)
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
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Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This evocative song from the film 'Narthagi' deeply explores the psychological, emotional, and identity struggles faced by transgender individuals. Through profound lyrical metaphors—such as a flower lacking fragrance, fire lacking heat, and a parasite growing on a neem tree—lyricist Na. Muthukumar captures the internal dissonance between physical form and inner self-identity. The protagonist navigates social judgment, gender dysphoria, and the quest for true selfhood amidst confusion and societal blindness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

“udal ennum padagu”

Comparing the physical human body to a boat floating helplessly between two banks (masculinity and femininity).

Oxymoron / Paradox (Muran)

“Vilakkukkum keezhae iruttondru irukkum”

Juxtaposing fire and softness, or light and darkness existing simultaneously beneath a lamp.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Poovin manam poovil illai / Poonthendralo thodavae illai”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Poovin' and 'Poonthendralo'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Narthagi' (2011) directed by G. Vijayapadma is one of the rare mainstream Tamil films focused entirely on the lives, struggles, and identity of the transgender community. The soundtrack was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, featuring poignant lyrics written by late national-award winning lyricist Na. Muthukumar.

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