Pottu Vaitha Mugamo
From Sumathi En Sundari · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B. Vasantha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Sumathi En Sundari1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pottu vaitha mugamo | Is it a face adorned with a bindi? |
| Katti vaitha kuzhalo | Is it neatly bound tresses of hair? |
| Pon mani charamo | Is it a string of golden beads? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky? |
| Male | |
| Pottu vaitha mugamo | Is it a face adorned with a bindi? |
| Aaa….aa…katti vaitha kuzhalo | Aaa... Is it neatly bound tresses of hair? |
| Pon mani charamo | Is it a string of golden beads? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky? |
| Male | |
| Tharaiyodu vaanam vilaiyadum kolam | A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth, |
| Tharaiyodu vaanam vilaiyadum kolam | A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth, |
| Idaiyodu paarthaen vilaiyaaga ketten | I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully, |
| Idaiyodu paarthaen vilaiyaaga ketten | I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully, |
| Sevvaanam polae punnagai purindhaal | She smiled like the reddish evening twilight sky, |
| Punnagai purindhaal | She smiled. |
| Male | |
| Pottu vaitha mugamo | Is it a face adorned with a bindi? |
| Katti vaitha kuzhalo | Is it neatly bound tresses of hair? |
| Pon mani charamo | Is it a string of golden beads? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky? |
| Female | |
| Aa… aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa… | Aa… aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa… |
| Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Haa…aa….aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa.. | Haa…aa….aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa.. |
| Male | |
| Maru veedu thaedi kadhir pogum neram | At the time when the sun seeks its western home, |
| Maru veedu thaedi kadhir pogum neram | At the time when the sun seeks its western home, |
| Manamaedai thaedi nadai podum dhevi | The goddess walks gracefully towards the wedding altar, |
| Pon oonjal aadi ennudan kalandhaal | Swinging on a golden swing, she merged with me, |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
| Male | |
| Ennudan kalandhaal | She merged with me, |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
| Female | |
| Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…hoo oo oo oo | Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…hoo oo oo oo |
| Male | |
| Malai thotta poovil manamillai endru | Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance, |
| Malai thotta poovil manamillai endru | Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance, |
| Kalai thotta raani kai veesi vandhaal | The queen skilled in arts walked in swinging her arms, |
| Oliyaaga thondri nizhal pol maraindhaal | Appearing like light, she vanished like a shadow, |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
| Male | |
| Nizhal pol maraindhaal | She vanished like a shadow, |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
| Male | |
| Pottu vaitha mugamo | Is it a face adorned with a bindi? |
| Female :Ooo….oo…oo… | Female: Ooo….oo…oo… |
| Male :Katti vaittha kuzhalo | Male: Is it neatly bound tresses of hair? |
| Female :Ooo….oo…oo… | Female: Ooo….oo…oo… |
| Male :Pon mani charamo | Male: Is it a string of golden beads? |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or the golden yellow color of twilight? |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
| Male | |
| Andhi manjal niramo | Or the golden yellow color of twilight? |
| Female | |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… | Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa… |
பொட்டு வைத்த முகமோ
கட்டி வைத்த குழலோ
பொன்மணிச் சரமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Is it a string of golden beads?
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
பொட்டு வைத்த முகமோ
ஆஅ......ஆ......கட்டி வைத்த குழலோ
பொன்மணிச் சரமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Aaa... Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Is it a string of golden beads?
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
தரையோடு வானம் விளையாடும் கோலம்
தரையோடு வானம் விளையாடும் கோலம்
இடையோடு பார்த்தேன் விளையாடக் கேட்டேன்
இடையோடு பார்த்தேன் விளையாடக் கேட்டேன்
செவ்வானம் போலே புன்னகைப் புரிந்தாள்
புன்னகைப் புரிந்தாள்
A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth,
A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth,
I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully,
I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully,
She smiled like the reddish evening twilight sky,
She smiled.
பொட்டு வைத்த முகமோ
கட்டி வைத்த குழலோ
பொன்மணிச் சரமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Is it a string of golden beads?
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....ஆ......ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ.......ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆஅ......ஆஆ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
ஹா......ஆ......ஆஅ.....ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
Aa… aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aa….aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..
மறுவீடு தேடி கதிர் போகும் நேரம்
மறுவீடு தேடி கதிர் போகும் நேரம்
மணமேடை தேடி நடைப் போடும் தேவி
பொன் ஊஞ்சல் ஆடி என்னுடன் கலந்தாள்
At the time when the sun seeks its western home,
At the time when the sun seeks its western home,
The goddess walks gracefully towards the wedding altar,
Swinging on a golden swing, she merged with me,
லலலா லலலா லல லல்லலா......
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
என்னுடன் கலந்தாள்
She merged with me,
லலலா லலலா லல லல்லலா......
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
ஆஅ.....ஆஆ......ஆ.......ஆஅ.....ஹோ ஊ ஓ ஓ
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…hoo oo oo oo
மலைத்தோட்டப் பூவில் மணமில்லை என்று
மலைத்தோட்டப் பூவில் மணமில்லை என்று
கலைத்தோட்ட ராணி கை வீசி வந்தாள்
ஒளியாகத் தோன்றி நிழல் போல் மறைந்தாள்
Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance,
Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance,
The queen skilled in arts walked in swinging her arms,
Appearing like light, she vanished like a shadow,
லலலா லலலா லல லல்லலா......
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
நிழல் போல் மறைந்தாள்
She vanished like a shadow,
லலலா லலலா லல லல்லலா......
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
பொட்டு வைத்த முகமோ
ஓஒ......ஓ....ஓ.....
கட்டி வைத்த குழலோ
ஓஒ......ஓ....ஓ.....
பொன்மணிச் சரமோ
அந்தி மஞ்சள் நிறமோ
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Female: Ooo….oo…oo…
Male: Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Female: Ooo….oo…oo…
Male: Is it a string of golden beads?
Or the golden yellow color of twilight?
லலலா லலலா லல லல்லலா......
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Or the golden yellow color of twilight?
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Pottu vaitha mugamo
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Katti vaitha kuzhalo
Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Pon mani charamo
Is it a string of golden beads?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Pottu vaitha mugamo
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Aaa….aa…katti vaitha kuzhalo
Aaa... Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Pon mani charamo
Is it a string of golden beads?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Tharaiyodu vaanam vilaiyadum kolam
A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth,
Tharaiyodu vaanam vilaiyadum kolam
A decorative pattern where the sky plays with the earth,
Idaiyodu paarthaen vilaiyaaga ketten
I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully,
Idaiyodu paarthaen vilaiyaaga ketten
I saw it at her waist and asked her playfully,
Sevvaanam polae punnagai purindhaal
She smiled like the reddish evening twilight sky,
Punnagai purindhaal
She smiled.
Pottu vaitha mugamo
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Katti vaitha kuzhalo
Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Pon mani charamo
Is it a string of golden beads?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or is it the golden yellow color of the twilight sky?
Aa… aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…
Aa… aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haa…aa….aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..
Haa…aa….aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..
Maru veedu thaedi kadhir pogum neram
At the time when the sun seeks its western home,
Maru veedu thaedi kadhir pogum neram
At the time when the sun seeks its western home,
Manamaedai thaedi nadai podum dhevi
The goddess walks gracefully towards the wedding altar,
Pon oonjal aadi ennudan kalandhaal
Swinging on a golden swing, she merged with me,
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Ennudan kalandhaal
She merged with me,
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…hoo oo oo oo
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…hoo oo oo oo
Malai thotta poovil manamillai endru
Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance,
Malai thotta poovil manamillai endru
Saying that flowers touched by the evening garland have no fragrance,
Kalai thotta raani kai veesi vandhaal
The queen skilled in arts walked in swinging her arms,
Oliyaaga thondri nizhal pol maraindhaal
Appearing like light, she vanished like a shadow,
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Nizhal pol maraindhaal
She vanished like a shadow,
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Pottu vaitha mugamo
Is it a face adorned with a bindi?
Female :Ooo….oo…oo…
Female: Ooo….oo…oo…
Male :Katti vaittha kuzhalo
Male: Is it neatly bound tresses of hair?
Female :Ooo….oo…oo…
Female: Ooo….oo…oo…
Male :Pon mani charamo
Male: Is it a string of golden beads?
Andhi manjal niramo
Or the golden yellow color of twilight?
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Andhi manjal niramo
Or the golden yellow color of twilight?
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Lalalaa lalalaa lala lallallaa…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Pottu Vaitha Mugamo is an iconic romantic song from the 1971 Tamil film Sumathi En Sundari. In this song, the protagonist passionately praises the radiant beauty of his beloved. He expresses his wonder through lyrical questions, comparing her facial features, hair, skin tone, and gentle smile to mesmerising natural phenomena like the golden evening sky, bright turmeric hues, and fine jewelry. The lyrics progressively build a vivid romantic atmosphere filled with imagery of sunset, wedding altars, and ethereal presence. Written by master lyricist Kannadasan, the song encapsulates playful romance, visual elegance, and emotional warmth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Sevvaanam polae punnagai purindhaal”
Comparing her radiant smile to the red evening twilight sky using the word 'polae'.
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Tharaiyodu vaanam... / Idaiyodu paarthaen...”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'rai' and 'dai' across consecutive lines.
Metaphor & Visual Imagery
“Oliyaaga thondri nizhal pol maraindhaal”
Describing the heroine's movement as light appearing and then fading into a shadow.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Pottu vaitha mugamo / Katti vaitha kuzhalo / Pon mani charamo”
Repeated end sounds creating a musical rhythm in descriptive questions.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sumathi En Sundari (1971) features Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa in the lead roles. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this classic duet was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, becoming one of the most beloved romantic tracks in Tamil cinema history.
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