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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovizhi Vaasalil

From Dheepam · 1977

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dheepam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovizhi vaasalilAt the doorway of flower-like eyes
Yaaradi vandhadhuWho is it that has come?
Kiliyae kiliyaeOh parrot, oh parrot
Ilam kiliyae kiliyaeOh young parrot, oh parrot
Angu varavaa thaniyaeShall I come there alone?
Mella thodavaa kaniyaeShall I gently touch you, sweet fruit?
Indha punnagai enbadhuDoes this smile mean
Sammadham endruConsent, as it
Azhaikkudhu enaiyaeCalls out to me?
Male
Poovizhi vaasalilAt the doorway of flower-like eyes
Yaaradi vandhadhuWho is it that has come?
Kiliyae kiliyaeOh parrot, oh parrot
Ilam kiliyae kiliyaeOh young parrot, oh parrot
Angu varavaa thaniyaeShall I come there alone?
Mella thodavaa kaniyaeShall I gently touch you, sweet fruit?
Indha punnagai enbadhuDoes this smile mean
Sammadham endruConsent, as it
Azhaikkudhu enaiyaeCalls out to me?
Female
Arumbaana kaadhal poovaanadhuBudding love has bloomed into a flower
Anubhava sugangalai thedudhuIt seeks blissful experiences
Ninaithaalum nenjam thaenaanadhuJust thinking of it turns the heart sweet like honey
Nerungavum mayangavum odudhuIt rushes to draw near and be mesmerized
Female
Mogam varum oru velaiyilPassion arises at one moment
Naanam varum maru velaiyilShyness arises at another moment
Irandum poraadudhuBoth are battling each other
Thudikkum ilamai thadukkum penmaiPulsating youth is restrained by womanhood
Male
Poovizhi vaasalilAt the doorway of flower-like eyes
Yaaradi vandhadhuWho is it that has come?
Kiliyae kiliyaeOh parrot, oh parrot
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha
Male :Ilam kiliyae kiliyaeMale: Oh young parrot, oh parrot
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha
Male :Angu varavaa thaniyaeMale: Shall I come there alone?
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha
Male :Mella thodavaa kaniyaeMale: Shall I gently touch you, sweet fruit?
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha
Male :Indha punnagai enbadhuMale: Does this smile mean
Sammadham endruConsent, as it
Azhaikkudhu enaiyaeCalls out to me?
Female :Ahaa haaaFemale: Aha haaa
Male
Ila maalai thendral thaalaattudhuThe gentle evening breeze rocks a lullaby
Ilamaiyin kanavugal aadudhuDreams of youth dance along
Malai vaazhai kaalgal thallaadudhuLegs like mountain plantains sway gracefully
Maragadha ilai thirai podudhuEmerald leaves draw a curtain
Male
Kaar megamo kuzhalaanadhuIs that dark cloud your flowing hair?
Oorholamaai adhu pogudhuIt moves along like a grand procession
Naalai kalyaanamo oo…Is tomorrow our wedding day?
Enakkum unakkum porutham thaanaeWe are indeed a perfect match, aren't we?
Female
Poovizhi vaasalilAt the doorway of flower-like eyes
Yaaradi vandhadhuWho is it that has come?
Kiliyae kiliyaeOh parrot, oh parrot
Ilam kiliyae kiliyaeOh young parrot, oh parrot
Ingu varalaam thaniyaeYou may come here alone
Mella thodalaam enaiyaeYou may gently touch me
Indha punnagai enbadhuDoes this smile mean
Sammadham endruConsent, as it
Azhaikkudhu unaiyaeCalls out to you?
Male
Kalaindhadum koondhal paai podumoWill disheveled tresses spread out like a bed?
Female :Kalai idhu arimugam vendumoFemale: This is an art form, does it need an introduction?
Male :Asaindhaadum oonjal naamaagavoMale: Shall we become a gently swaying swing?
Female :Navarasa ninaivugal thondrumoFemale: Will nine-emotion memories arise?
Male
Poo maeniyo malar maaligaiA flower-like body is a floral palace
Female :Pon maalaiyil oru naazhigaiFemale: Just a short moment in the golden evening
Male :Naalum naan aadavoMale: Shall I dance every single day?
Female :AnaikkumFemale: Embracing
Male :ThudikkumMale: Throbbing
Female :Silirkkum maeniFemale: A thrill-struck body
Female
Poovizhi vaasalilAt the doorway of flower-like eyes
Yaaradi vandhadhuWho is it that has come?
Kiliyae kiliyaeOh parrot, oh parrot
Male :AhaaMale: Aha
Female :Ilam kiliyae kiliyaeFemale: Oh young parrot, oh parrot
Male :AhaaMale: Aha
Female :Ingu varalaam thaniyaeFemale: You may come here alone
Male :AhaaMale: Aha
Female :Mella thodalaam enaiyaeFemale: You may gently touch me
Male :AhaaMale: Aha
Female :Indha punnagai enbadhuFemale: Does this smile mean
Sammadham endruConsent, as it
Azhaikkudhu unaiyaeCalls out to you?
Male:AhaaaaMale: Ahaaaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Poovizhi Vaasalil" is a celebrated romantic duet from the 1977 Tamil film Dheepam, featuring Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Pulamaipithan and performed by K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam, the song vividly conveys the intimate emotions, gentle teasing, and mutual consent between two lovers. Through soft lyrical imagery comparing the lover to a parrot, fruit, and blooming flower, the track explores the internal tug-of-war between passion and shyness, building up to an affectionate celebration of marital harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Poovizhi vaasalil

Compares eyes to a doorway ('Poovizhi vaasalil') and tender legs to mountain plantain stems ('Malai vaazhai kaalgal').

Eyalbu Navirtchi (Natural Description / Imagery)

Ila maalai thendral thaalaattudhu

Uses nature imagery like evening breezes ('Ila maalai thendral') and emerald leaf curtains ('Maragadha ilai thirai') to establish mood.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mogam varum oru velaiyil

Rhyming of second consonant across lines ('Mogam varum' / 'Naanam varum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Poovizhi Vaasalil' from Dheepam (1977) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Pulamaipithan, and sung by K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam. It is acclaimed for its lush melodies and remains a classic duet in Tamil cinema.

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