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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pottene Poovilangu

From Poovilangu · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poovilangu1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adangu} (2)Yield to me with love
Female
PenmaiyinWomanhood's
Aanaiyai meeradhaeDo not disobey the command
Kangalai kadanthu pogadhaeDo not cross beyond my sight
Intha penmaiyin aanaiyai meeradhaeDo not disobey this command of womanhood
Enthan kangalai kadanthu pogadhaeDo not cross beyond my eyes
Pogadhae…Do not go...
Female
Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adanguYield to me with love
Female
Malaiyai pizhiyumSqueezing a mountain
Aanmai thaanIs indeed masculinity
Marukkavillai unmai thaanI do not deny, it is the truth
Thaanda mudinthaal thaandu idhuCross this line if you can
Un seedhai kizhiththa koduthaanThis is the line drawn for your Sita
Female
Indrodu maarividuChange starting today
En kaadhal mannavaaMy king of love
En nenjin aasaigaliThe desires of my heart
Un kaadhil sollavaaShall I whisper in your ears?
Kai serthaal antha kobamIf our hands join, that anger
Aari pogum vaaWill cool down, come
Female
Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adanguYield to me with love
Female
Penmaiyin aanaiyai meeradhaeDo not disobey the command of womanhood
Enthan kangalai kadanthu pogadhaeDo not cross beyond my eyes
Pogadhae…Do not go...
Female
Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adanguYield to me with love
Female
Aalai kollum thimingilamA man-killing whale
Noolil thanae agappadumGets caught in a mere thread
Anbu ennum pidiyin ullaeWithin the grip called love
Malaiyum kooda vasappadumEven a mountain can be tamed
Female
Kannoram kaadhal isaiThe music of love at the corner of the eyes
Inneram paaduvenI shall sing at this time
Kaiyodu poo vilanguA handcuff of flowers around the hands
Ennaalum poduvenI will always wear
Kannalae unnai aalumRuling you with my eyes
Thaali naan seidhenI made a sacred thali thread
Female
Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adanguYield to me with love
Penmaiyin aanaiyai meeradhaeDo not disobey the command of womanhood
Enthan kangalai kadanthu pogadhaeDo not cross beyond my eyes
Pogadhae…Do not go...
Female
Pottenae poo vilanguI have placed a handcuff of flowers on you
Anbaalae nee adanguYield to me with love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Pottenae Poo Vilangu' from the 1984 film Poovilangu, the heroine playfully asserts her romantic hold over her lover, describing love as a gentle fetter made of flowers ('poovilangu'). She commands him affectionately not to cross the boundary of her gaze, balancing playful authority with deep surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Ruupakam)

Pottenae poo vilangu

The term 'Poo vilangu' (flower handcuff) metaphorically represents the soft, sweet restraint of love.

Mythological Allusion

Un seedhai kizhiththa koduthaan

Refers to the protective line drawn for Sita (Lakshmana Rekha), asking her lover not to cross the boundaries of love.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Aalai kollum thimingilam noolil thanae agappadum

Exaggerates the power of love by stating a deadly whale can be caught in a simple thread and mountains can be tamed by affection.

Assonance / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Pottenae / Anbaalae

Syllabic rhyming and matching sounds across line beginnings enhance the musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the 1984 Tamil film Poovilangu, which served as the breakthrough debut for actor Murali, earning him the popular title 'Poovilangu Murali'. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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