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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Potta Kaatil Poovasam

From Pariyerum Perumal · 2018

Lyricist
Vivek
Singers
Yogi Sekar, Fareedha
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Pariyerum Perumal2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Chorus
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Male & Chorus :Male & Chorus :
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Male
Rekkai vechan vaanathai allaHe gave wings to scoop up the sky
Kaththi ninnen karanam illa..aaa…I stood screaming for no reason...
Ooram nikka thevai illaThere is no need to stand on the margins
Oda pakkam pul kanjathuthillaThe grass by the stream side never dries up
Osai ippo yeruthu kaathil mella..aa..A sound is now rising slowly in the ear...
Female
Ikkaraiyil naanumillaI am not on this shore either
Meettuedukka paalam illaThere is no bridge to rescue
Bathiramma paakanumMust look after her safely
Neethan ivalaYou are the one to protect her
Male
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Male
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Female
Aasai vechenI harbored a desire
Pathukanum ullaMust keep it safe inside
Vera mugam kai vasam illaI do not possess another mask or face
Paththu manam nikkavillaA mind filled with ten thoughts won't stand still
Meratturen yen kekkavillaI threaten it, why doesn't it listen?
Venam daa…No, don't...
Aaga padum thaana thavalaA frog trapped by its own actions
Female
Ikkaraiyil naanumillaI am not on this shore either
Meettu edukka paalam illaThere is no bridge to rescue
Bathiramma paakanumMust look after her safely
Neethan ivalaYou are the one to protect her
Male
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Male
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Female
Ninna mazhai koora ottiThe stopped rain clinging to the eaves
Onnu rendu thoovi vaikkumSprinkles one or two drops later
Veedu vanthu serntha pinnumEven after returning home
En nenappil thoovi vachanHe sprinkled thoughts into my mind
Female
Panjarathu thookku naalumEven on the day a rooster is hung in a cage
Rendu nodi kozhi nikkumIt stands still for two seconds before reacting
En manasa maathunaalumEven if I try to change my mind
Nenja avan kottil vachanHe kept my heart inside his shelter
Female
Solla vantha varthai ippoThe words that came up to my mouth
Thonda kuzhi thaanda villaiHave not crossed the pit of my throat
Maya thirai pottu ennaiCasting a veil of illusion
Ullai adaichanHe locked me inside
Male
Rekkai vechan vaanathai allaHe gave wings to scoop up the sky
Kaththi ninnen karanam illa..aa…I stood screaming for no reason...
Female
Ikkaraiyil naanumillaI am not on this shore either
Meettu edukka paalam illaThere is no bridge to rescue
Bathiramma paakanumMust look after her safely
Neethan ivalaYou are the one to protect her
Male
Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…
Male
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Chorus
Potta kaatil poovasamThe fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Male
Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Male :Potta kaatil poovasamMale : The fragrance of flowers in a barren land
Sittu pulla saavasamCompanionship with a young sparrow-like girl
Ennai kaakum un nesamYour love that protects me
Pullu mela aagasamThe sky resting upon the grass
Male
Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Female :Maya thirai pottu puttanFemale : He cast a veil of illusion
Ullai vechu pootti puttanAnd locked me inside
Maya thirai pottu puttanHe cast a veil of illusion
Ullai vechu pootti puttanAnd locked me inside
Female
Maya thirai pottu puttanHe cast a veil of illusion
Ullai vechu pootti puttanAnd locked me inside
Maya thirai pottu puttanHe cast a veil of illusion
Ullai vechu pootti puttanAnd locked me inside
Male
Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaa…..aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Hmmm….mmm…ooo….oooo….Hmmm….mmm…ooo….oooo….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Potta Kaatil Poovasam is an evocative song from the critically acclaimed movie Pariyerum Perumal. The lyrics contrast the harshness of a barren land with tender, pure affection, serving as a metaphor for love and friendship overcoming societal barriers and hostile environments. The protagonist reflects on the comforting presence of a innocent companion, comparing it to flower fragrance blooming in a desolate wasteland and the vast sky lowering to touch simple grass. At the same time, the song captures the emotional distress, social boundaries, and unspoken anxieties experienced by the characters. Through imagery of rain dripping after the storm, birds in cages, and insurmountable shores, lyricist Vivek portrays helplessness, social segregation, and deep emotional captivity created by oppressive caste structures, balanced by a deep, protective affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Potta kaatil poovasam

Potta kaatil poovasam (Flower fragrance in a barren land) metaphorically represents finding pure love and joy amidst harsh societal conditions.

Monorhyme / Etugai (Tamil Prosody)

Potta kaatil poovasam

Rhyming second letter pattern across lines: kaatil, pulla, kaakum, mela.

Imagery

Ninna mazhai koora otti

Visual imagery of lingering raindrops falling from the roof eaves representing persistent memories.

Hyperbole / Surrealism

Rekkai vechan vaanathai alla

Rekkai vechan vaanathai alla (He gave wings to scoop up the sky) exaggerates the boundless feelings of desire and ambition.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pariyerum Perumal was directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Pa. Ranjith. The soundtrack was composed by Santhosh Narayanan, and this track is sung by Yogi Sekar and Ananthu with lyrics by Vivek.

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