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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pottu Vacha Kiliye

From Poovarasan · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poovarasan1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pottu vacha kiliyaeOh parrot adorned with a bindi,
Etti paaru veliyaeTake a peep outside!
Male
Pottu vacha kiliyaeOh parrot adorned with a bindi,
Etti paaru veliyaeTake a peep outside!
Pothi vecha uravaeOh relation treasured and kept safe,
Poo mudikkum iniyaeOh sweet one who wears flowers in her hair!
Male
Maalai ingirukkuThe garland is right here,
Ketti melam vanthirukkuThe grand wedding drums have arrived!
Chorus :Ooru vanthirukkuChorus: The entire village has gathered,
Siru thaeru vanthirukkuA small temple chariot has arrived!
Male :Alli edukanumMale: We must scoop up in hands,
Santhanam santhanamSandalwood paste, sandalwood paste!
Mangai udambulaOn the young maiden's body,
Posanum posanumWe must smear it, smear it!
Male
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Chorus
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Chorus
Pottu vacha kiliyaeOh parrot adorned with a bindi,
Etti paaru veliyaeTake a peep outside!
Pothi vecha uravaeOh relation treasured and kept safe,
Poo mudikkum kiliyaeOh parrot who wears flowers in her hair!
Chorus
Heyy heyy heyy ehyy heyyy eeyyyHeyy heyy heyy ehyy heyyy eeyyy
Heyy heyy heyy ehyy heyyy eeyyyHeyy heyy heyy ehyy heyyy eeyyy
Thaanaana thandhana naaThaanaana thandhana naa
Thaanaana thandhana naa naaa…aaa….Thaanaana thandhana naa naaa…aaa….
Male
Eppavum sila kaadhalUsually, some love stories,
Ezundhaalae thadukki vilumStumble and fall as soon as they begin.
Male
Innum sila kaadhal ellamSome other love stories,
Arai kinaru thaandi vidumOnly manage to cross half a well.
Male
Mothathula kaadhalukkuOverall, for love,
Engaeyum edhirppu varumOpposition arises everywhere.
Male
Unnoda kaadhal mattumHowever, your love alone,
Manam pola manam mudikkumWill lead to a marriage after your own heart.
Male
Villanunga vambhu thumbhuWithout villains causing any trouble,
Pannaama naeraaDirectly,
Male :Utchakattam vandhiruchuMale: The climax has arrived,
Un kaadhal jooraaYour love story is grand!
Male
Poochuudum poonguyilaeOh flower-adorned songbird,
Chorus :Hey hey hey heyChorus: Hey hey hey hey
Male :Un kooda aan kuyilaeMale: Along with you, male songbird,
Chorus :Hey hey hey heyChorus: Hey hey hey hey
Male
Paayai virikkavumTo spread out the mat,
Paatu padikkavumTo sing songs,
Yogam vanthathadi hoiGood fortune has arrived, oh dear!
Male
Pottu vacha kiliyaeOh parrot adorned with a bindi,
Etti paaru veliyaeTake a peep outside!
Pothi vecha uravaeOh relation treasured and kept safe,
Poo mudikkum iniyaeOh sweet one who wears flowers in her hair!
Male
Maalai ingirukkuThe garland is right here,
Ketti melam vanthirukkuThe grand wedding drums have arrived!
Chorus :Ooru vanthirukkuChorus: The entire village has gathered,
Siru thaeru vanthirukkuA small temple chariot has arrived!
Male :Alli edukanumMale: We must scoop up in hands,
Santhanam santhanamSandalwood paste, sandalwood paste!
Mangai udambulaOn the young maiden's body,
Posanum posanumPosanum posanum!
Male
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Male
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Chorus
Hoo ooo ooo ooHoo ooo ooo oo
Valli vanapukkumFor Valli's charm,
Vadivazhagi tholukkumAnd her beautiful shoulders,
Andha aarumugam thoolaachudhuThat Lord Murugan was mesmerized.
Indha manja mugathukkumFor this turmeric-complexioned face,
Marudhaani poochukkumAnd the henna-stained hands,
Indha maachaan mugam enaagumoWhat will happen to this cousin's face?
Chorus
Hoo ooo oo oooHoo ooo oo ooo
Hoo ooo oo oooHoo ooo oo ooo
Male
Nallabadi kanavanukkuIn a proper way, for your husband,
Nizhalaattam nadanthidanumYou should walk like his shadow.
Male
Ellu endru sollum munnaeBefore he even says 'Sesame',
Ennai pol irunthidanumYou should stand ready like 'Oil'.
Male
Onnu rendu pothuminnuThinking one or two children are enough,
Azhavodu sumanthidanumYou should bear them within limits.
Male
Ullatha thaan vechikittuKeeping happiness deep inside the heart,
Niraivaaga suga padanumYou should enjoy life to the fullest.
Male
Kannagiya pola unnaLike Kannagi,
Oor pesa vaazhuLive so the town praises you!
Male :Maadhaviya thaedikittuMale: Searching for Madhavi,
Pogaama paaruEnsure he doesn't wander off!
Male
Maaman mel saanjikittuLeaning against your uncle's shoulder,
Chorus :Hey hey hey heyChorus: Hey hey hey hey
Male :Maarbodu thonjikittuMale: Hugging close to his chest,
Chorus :Hey hey hey heyChorus: Hey hey hey hey
Male
Kaalai varaiyilaeUntil the morning light,
Kattil araiyilaeInside the bedroom,
Konjidu kanmani hoiCuddle him, my darling!
Male
Pottu vacha kiliyaeOh parrot adorned with a bindi,
Etti paaru veliyaeTake a peep outside!
Pothi vecha uravaeOh relation treasured and kept safe,
Poo mudikkum iniyaeOh sweet one who wears flowers in her hair!
Male
Maalai ingirukkuThe garland is right here,
Ketti melam vanthirukkuThe grand wedding drums have arrived!
Chorus :Ooru vanthirukkuChorus: The entire village has gathered,
Siru thaeru vanthirukkuA small temple chariot has arrived!
Male :Alli edukanumMale: We must scoop up in hands,
Santhanam santhanamSandalwood paste, sandalwood paste!
Mangai udambulaOn the young maiden's body,
Posanum posanumWe must smear it, smear it!
Male
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Chorus
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!
Chorus
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaamIt is wedding time, it is wedding time,
KalyaanamA joyful wedding!
Nalla vaibogamaam vaibogamaamIt is a grand celebration, a grand celebration,
VaibogamA lavish celebration!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-wedding song celebrates the joyful upcoming marriage of a young bride. The lyrics urge the bride to peep outside and witness the grand wedding preparations, including the arrival of wedding music, sandalwood paste, garlands, and the entire festive village. The stanzas offer traditional advice and blessings, comparing love stories that fail with this fortunate match that succeeds smoothly without villainous interference.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Pottu vacha kiliyae

Addressing the bride as 'Pottu vacha kiliyae' (bindi-adorned parrot) and 'Poochuudum poonguyilae' (flower-adorned cuckoo bird).

Proverbial / Idiomatic Allusion (பழமொழி/உவமை)

Ellu endru sollum munnae

Uses the classical Tamil idiom 'Ellu endru sollum munnae ennai pol' (standing like oil before even sesame is requested) to represent prompt understanding and obedience.

Literary Allusion (இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)

Kannagiya pola unna

References Kannagi and Madhavi from Silappatikaram to urge virtuous, devoted marital life.

Repetition / Monotony (அடுக்குத்தொடர்)

Santhanam santhanam

Repetition of words like 'Santhanam santhanam' and 'Kalyaanamaam kalyaanamaam' for rhythmic celebration.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt notes the composer as unknown, 'Poovarasan' (1996) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vaali, starring Karthik and Rachana Banerjee.

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