Poovo Poovu
From Raja Veettu Pillai · 1967
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Raja Veettu Pillai1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Poovo poovu..vanna poovu..vasana poovu | Flowers, oh flowers... colorful flowers... fragrant flowers. |
| Pichipoovu mallipoovu allipoovu aralipoovu | Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers. |
| Mullaipoovu magizhampoovu thazhampoovu thamaraipoovu | Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower. |
| Sevvandhi poovu rojapoovu sambangipooovu | Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers. |
| Female | |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday, |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday, |
| Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu | Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully, |
| Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu | Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak, |
| Amma ungalai paarthu | Oh lady, looking right at you. |
| Female | |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday, |
| Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu | Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully, |
| Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu | Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak, |
| Amma ungalai paarthu | Oh lady, looking right at you. |
| Female | |
| Pattu thavani kattiyava | She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree, |
| Pambaramaai kannai vettiyava | She who darted her eyes like a spinning top, |
| Female | |
| Pattu thavani kattiyava | She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree, |
| Pambaramaai kannai vettiyava | She who darted her eyes like a spinning top, |
| Kattu koondhalil poomudikka | To adorn flowers in her bound hair, |
| Kaadhalan varuvaan kai pidikka | Her lover will come to take her hand. |
| Kattu koondhalil poomudikka | To adorn flowers in her bound hair, |
| Kaadhalan varuvaan kai pidikka | Her lover will come to take her hand. |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday. |
| Female | |
| Chithira maasam nilaverikka | When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai, |
| Jillunnu vandhu kaathadikka | And a cool breeze comes blowing softly, |
| Chithira maasam nilaverikka | When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai, |
| Jillunnu vandhu kaathadikka | And a cool breeze comes blowing softly, |
| Pathini thalaiyil poo manakkum | Flowers will spread fragrance on a virtuous woman's hair, |
| Athaan manasu kilukilukkum | And her husband's heart will chime with delight. |
| Ada athaan manasu kilukilukkum | Ah, her husband's heart will chime with delight. |
| Ohoo ammooi | Ohoo ammooi! |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday. |
| Female | |
| Kanakaambaram pol silaperu | Some people are like crossandra flowers (bright but scentless), |
| Kaakithapoo pola pala peru | Many people are like paper flowers (artificial and scentless), |
| Kanakaambaram pol silaperu | Some people are like crossandra flowers, |
| Kaakithapoo pola pala peru | Many people are like paper flowers, |
| Kannukku azhagaai theriyum amma | They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am, |
| Gunamo manamo kedaiyadhu | But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance. |
| Kannukku azhagaai theriyum amma | They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am, |
| Gunamo manamo kedaiyadhu | But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance. |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday. |
| Female | |
| Humming ………….. | (Humming) |
| Female | |
| Sumangali ponnukku malligai poo | Jasmine flower for a married woman, |
| Saamikku yetha saamanthi poo | Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty, |
| Sumangali ponnukku malligai poo | Jasmine flower for a married woman, |
| Saamikku yetha saamanthi poo | Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty, |
| Poosaikku thaguntha thamarai poo | Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship, |
| Pullaikku sootta rosapoo | Rose flower to deck a young child, |
| Poosaikku thaguntha thamarai poo | Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship, |
| Pullaikku sootta rosapoo | Rose flower to deck a young child. |
| Ohoo ammooi | Ohoo ammooi! |
| Female | |
| Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu | It was just a bud yesterday, |
| Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu | Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully, |
| Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu | Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak, |
| Amma ungalai paarthu | Oh lady, looking right at you. |
| Female | |
| Pichipoovu mallipoovu allipoovu aralipoovu | Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers. |
| Mullaipoovu magizhampoovu thazhampoovu thamaraipoovu | Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower. |
| Sevvandhi poovu rojapoovu sambangipooovu | Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers. |
பூவோ பூவு.........வண்ணப்பூவு........வாசனப்பூவு.......
பிச்சிப்பூவு மல்லிப்பூவு அல்லிப்பூவு அரளிப்பூவு
முல்லைப்பூவு மகிழம்பூவு தாழம்பூவு தாமரைபூவு
செவ்வந்திப்பூவு ரோஜாப்பூ சம்பங்கி பூவு.......
Flowers, oh flowers... colorful flowers... fragrant flowers.
Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers.
Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower.
Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers.
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
இது அழகாய் சிரிக்குது பூத்து
வாசனை வீசுது வாவென பேசுது
அம்மா உங்களைப் பார்த்து.....
It was just a bud yesterday,
It was just a bud yesterday,
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Oh lady, looking right at you.
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
இது அழகாய் சிரிக்குது பூத்து
வாசனை வீசுது வாவென பேசுது
அம்மா உங்களைப் பார்த்து.....
It was just a bud yesterday,
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Oh lady, looking right at you.
பட்டுத்தாவணி கட்டியவ
பம்பரமாய் கண்ணை வெட்டியவ
She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree,
She who darted her eyes like a spinning top,
பட்டுத்தாவணி கட்டியவ
பம்பரமாய் கண்ணை வெட்டியவ
கட்டுக் கூந்தலில் பூ முடிக்க
காதலன் வருவான் கைப்பிடிக்க.....
கட்டுக் கூந்தலில் பூ முடிக்க
காதலன் வருவான் கைப்பிடிக்க.....
She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree,
She who darted her eyes like a spinning top,
To adorn flowers in her bound hair,
Her lover will come to take her hand.
To adorn flowers in her bound hair,
Her lover will come to take her hand.
It was just a bud yesterday.
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai,
And a cool breeze comes blowing softly,
When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai,
And a cool breeze comes blowing softly,
Flowers will spread fragrance on a virtuous woman's hair,
And her husband's heart will chime with delight.
Ah, her husband's heart will chime with delight.
Ohoo ammooi!
It was just a bud yesterday.
சித்திர மாசம் நிலவெரிக்க
ஜில்லுன்னு வந்து காத்தடிக்க
சித்திர மாசம் நிலவெரிக்க
ஜில்லுன்னு வந்து காத்தடிக்க
பத்தினி தலையில் பூ மணக்கும்
அத்தான் மனசு கிளுகிளுக்கும்
அட அத்தான் மனசு கிளுகிளுக்கும்
ஓஹோ.அம்மோய்.........
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
Some people are like crossandra flowers (bright but scentless),
Many people are like paper flowers (artificial and scentless),
Some people are like crossandra flowers,
Many people are like paper flowers,
They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am,
But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance.
They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am,
But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance.
It was just a bud yesterday.
கனகாம்பரம் போல் சில பேரு
காகிதப்பூப்போல் பல பேரு
கனகாம்பரம் போல் சில பேரு
காகிதப்பூப்போல் பல பேரு
கண்ணுக்கு அழகாய் தெரியும் அம்மா
குணமோ மனமோ கிடையாது
கண்ணுக்கு அழகாய் தெரியும் அம்மா
குணமோ மனமோ கிடையாது......
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
(Humming)
முனங்கல் .......
Jasmine flower for a married woman,
Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty,
Jasmine flower for a married woman,
Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty,
Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship,
Rose flower to deck a young child,
Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship,
Rose flower to deck a young child.
Ohoo ammooi!
சுமங்கலிப் பொண்ணுக்கு மல்லிகைப்பூ
சாமிக்கு ஏத்த சாமந்திப்பூ
சுமங்கலிப் பொண்ணுக்கு மல்லிகைப்பூ
சாமிக்கு ஏத்த சாமந்திப்பூ
பூசைக்கு தகுந்த தாமரைப்பூ
புள்ளைக்கு சூட்ட ரோசாப்பூ...
பூசைக்கு தகுந்த தாமரைப்பூ
புள்ளைக்கு சூட்ட ரோசாப்பூ......
ஓஹோ.அம்மோய்.........
It was just a bud yesterday,
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Oh lady, looking right at you.
அரும்பாய் இருந்தது நேத்து
இது அழகாய் சிரிக்குது பூத்து
வாசனை வீசுது வாவென பேசுது
அம்மா உங்களைப் பார்த்து.....
Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers.
Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower.
Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers.
பிச்சிப்பூவு மல்லிப்பூவு அல்லிப்பூவு அரளிப்பூவு
முல்லைப்பூவு மகிழம்பூவு தாழம்பூவு தாமரைபூவு
செவ்வந்திப்பூவு ரோஜாப்பூ சம்பங்கி பூவு.......
Poovo poovu..vanna poovu..vasana poovu
Flowers, oh flowers... colorful flowers... fragrant flowers.
Pichipoovu mallipoovu allipoovu aralipoovu
Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers.
Mullaipoovu magizhampoovu thazhampoovu thamaraipoovu
Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower.
Sevvandhi poovu rojapoovu sambangipooovu
Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers.
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday,
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday,
Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Amma ungalai paarthu
Oh lady, looking right at you.
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday,
Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Amma ungalai paarthu
Oh lady, looking right at you.
Pattu thavani kattiyava
She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree,
Pambaramaai kannai vettiyava
She who darted her eyes like a spinning top,
Pattu thavani kattiyava
She who wrapped herself in a silk half-saree,
Pambaramaai kannai vettiyava
She who darted her eyes like a spinning top,
Kattu koondhalil poomudikka
To adorn flowers in her bound hair,
Kaadhalan varuvaan kai pidikka
Her lover will come to take her hand.
Kattu koondhalil poomudikka
To adorn flowers in her bound hair,
Kaadhalan varuvaan kai pidikka
Her lover will come to take her hand.
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday.
Chithira maasam nilaverikka
When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai,
Jillunnu vandhu kaathadikka
And a cool breeze comes blowing softly,
Chithira maasam nilaverikka
When the moonlight shines bright in the spring month of Chithirai,
Jillunnu vandhu kaathadikka
And a cool breeze comes blowing softly,
Pathini thalaiyil poo manakkum
Flowers will spread fragrance on a virtuous woman's hair,
Athaan manasu kilukilukkum
And her husband's heart will chime with delight.
Ada athaan manasu kilukilukkum
Ah, her husband's heart will chime with delight.
Ohoo ammooi
Ohoo ammooi!
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday.
Kanakaambaram pol silaperu
Some people are like crossandra flowers (bright but scentless),
Kaakithapoo pola pala peru
Many people are like paper flowers (artificial and scentless),
Kanakaambaram pol silaperu
Some people are like crossandra flowers,
Kaakithapoo pola pala peru
Many people are like paper flowers,
Kannukku azhagaai theriyum amma
They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am,
Gunamo manamo kedaiyadhu
But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance.
Kannukku azhagaai theriyum amma
They look pretty to the eyes, ma'am,
Gunamo manamo kedaiyadhu
But they possess neither inner character nor true fragrance.
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday.
Humming …………..
(Humming)
Sumangali ponnukku malligai poo
Jasmine flower for a married woman,
Saamikku yetha saamanthi poo
Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty,
Sumangali ponnukku malligai poo
Jasmine flower for a married woman,
Saamikku yetha saamanthi poo
Chrysanthemum flower suited for the Almighty,
Poosaikku thaguntha thamarai poo
Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship,
Pullaikku sootta rosapoo
Rose flower to deck a young child,
Poosaikku thaguntha thamarai poo
Lotus flower proper for temple ritual worship,
Pullaikku sootta rosapoo
Rose flower to deck a young child.
Ohoo ammooi
Ohoo ammooi!
Arumbaai irundhadhu naethu
It was just a bud yesterday,
Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu
Today it blooms and smiles so beautifully,
Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu
Wafting fragrance, calling out as if to speak,
Amma ungalai paarthu
Oh lady, looking right at you.
Pichipoovu mallipoovu allipoovu aralipoovu
Wild jasmine, jasmine, lily, and oleander flowers.
Mullaipoovu magizhampoovu thazhampoovu thamaraipoovu
Jasmine, bullet wood flower, screw pine flower, and lotus flower.
Sevvandhi poovu rojapoovu sambangipooovu
Chrysanthemum, rose, and tuberose flowers.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Poovo Poovu' from the 1967 film 'Raja Veettu Pillai' uses the metaphor of blooming flowers and various types of blossoms to reflect human relationships, joy, and societal values. Through the vendor's vibrant call cataloging flowers like jasmine, lotus, and rose, lyricist Vaali draws clever parallels between floral qualities and human nature—contrasting showy but scentless flowers (paper flowers, crossandra) with genuinely virtuous individuals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kanakaambaram pol silaperu / Kaakithapoo pola pala peru”
Comparing people with superficial beauty but no inner substance to scentless 'paper flowers' (Kaakithapoo) and 'crossandra' (Kanakaambaram).
Personification (Uruvagarn)
“Idhu azhagaai sirikkudhu poothu / Vasanai veesudhu vaavena pesudhu”
Attributing human traits like smiling, speaking, and gazing to the blooming flowers.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Pambaramaai kannai vettiyava”
Comparing the playful, quick movement of the young woman's eyes to a top ('pambaram').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by veteran music director S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and sung with characteristic energy by L. R. Eswari, 'Poovo Poovu' is one of Tamil cinema's most famous flower-vending songs. Vaali's clever lyricism embeds social commentary and moral philosophy within a lighthearted street-song framework.
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