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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Potta Pulla

From Cuckoo · 2014

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Sean Roldan
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Cuckoo2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oththa nodiyilathan enakkuJust in a single second, for me
Sitham kalangiruchaeMy mind became completely confused and dazed
Moththa ulagamumae adadaOh my, the entire world itself
Suththa maranthuruchaeWas completely forgotten
Male
Neththi naduvulaIn the middle of my forehead
Langaru suthuthuAn anchor is spinning round and round
Nenju kuzhyilaIn the pit of my chest
Kavuli kathuthuA lizard is chirping with anticipation
Thekgankula paal satiyaLike a pot of sweet coconut milk boiling over
Pol pongurenaeI am overflowing with joy
Male
Hei potta pulla thottathumaeHey, as soon as that young girl touched me
Kottam adangiruchaeMy mischief and stubbornness subsided
Oru kannukutti pulla kanduLike a young calf sighting fresh grass
Thulli kuthichiruchaeMy heart leaped and bounded with delight
Male
Ethanaiyo mettugalilAmong so many mesmerizing melodies of
Ilayaraja…Ilaiyaraaja...
Ennai thottathupolJust like how his music touched my soul
Thottuvittal azhagu rojaThat beautiful rose touched me too
Male
Pethavalum kattugiraThe soothing warmth of the saree worn by
Pudavai vaasamThe mother who gave birth to me
Athai othathuthanResembles exactly that comforting sensation
Pennavalin puthiya nesamThis girl's newly discovered affection
Male
Pothi vecha antha pullaThat girl who kept tender feelings hidden
Gundu malli nenjukkullaLike round jasmine buds inside her heart
Vera sollu illaa naanum sollaLeft me with no other words to describe it
Male
Hei potta pulla thottathumaeHey, as soon as that young girl touched me
Kottam adangiruchaeMy mischief and stubbornness subsided
Oru kannukutti pulla kanduLike a young calf sighting fresh grass
Thulli kuthichiruchaeMy heart leaped and bounded with delight
Male
Sorkalilae vithakaramMasterful with words was the grand poet
KannadaasanKannadasan
Aval thottathanaal aagivittenBecause she touched me, I became
Vanna daasanA colorful servant of true passion
Mukkanyil sakkaraiyamLike sweet sugar mixed into the three sacred fruits
Avalin pechuHer sweet voice and speech feel
Athu ullathilae seithiduthaeAnd inside my heart, it establishes
Kodunkol aachiA total and absolute rule
Male
Ippadi nan innum sollaFor me to describe her further like this
Sinthanaiyum odavillaMy thoughts are not even flowing anymore
Yaavum antha pulla senja leela..aaa..Everything is a magical divine play performed by that girl
Male
Hei potta pulla thottathumaeHey, as soon as that young girl touched me
Kottam adangiruchaeMy mischief and stubbornness subsided
Oru kannukutti pulla kanduLike a young calf sighting fresh grass
Thulli kuthichiruchaeMy heart leaped and bounded with delight

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie 'Cuckoo' (2014) captures the overwhelming bliss and euphoria experienced by a young man upon feeling the gentle, transformative touch of the girl he loves. The sensory overload makes his head spin and his heart leap with childlike innocence, completely turning his world upside down in a fraction of a second. He poetically compares her touch to the immortal, soul-stirring melodies of Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and her comforting presence to the familiar fragrance of a mother's saree. Expressing how her sweet speech rules over his heart like a sweet monarch, he admits that he is rendered speechless and utterly lost in her charm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Thekgankula paal satiya Pol pongurenae

Compares the sudden surge of emotions inside his heart to sweet coconut milk boiling and overflowing from a pot.

Cultural Allusion & Metaphor

Ethanaiyo mettugalil Ilayaraja… Ennai thottathupol

Alludes to the legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, comparing the emotional depth of her touch to the soul-touching power of his music.

Rhyme (Edhukai / End Rhyme)

Kannadaasan / Aval thottathanaal aagivitten Vanna daasan

Uses rhythmic wordplay linking the great poet Kannadasan with 'Vanna daasan' (a slave/servant to vibrant colors of love).

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is from the critically acclaimed Tamil romantic drama 'Cuckoo' (2014), directed by Raju Murugan, which follows the lives of two visually impaired individuals falling in love. The film's musical score was composed by Santhosh Narayanan, with lyricist Yugabharathi penning the lyrics that vividly draw on rural imagery and sensory metaphors.

Keep listening

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