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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pournami Neram

From Palaivana Solai · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Palaivana Solai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pournami neram paavai oruthiDuring full moon time, a young maiden
Minnal polae munnaal ponaalWent ahead like a flash of lightning
Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendruSeeing her hair braid, I followed behind
Ponnu oorukku puthuso endrenI asked if the girl was new to town
Kaalil ullathu puthusu endraalIf she says what is on her feet is new
Oh…. melae ketkaathaeOh... do not ask further!
Male
Pournami neram paavai oruthiDuring full moon time, a young maiden
Minnal polae munnaal ponaalWent ahead like a flash of lightning
Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendruSeeing her hair braid, I followed behind
Ponnu oorukku puthuso endrenI asked if the girl was new to town
Kaalil ullathu puthusu endraalIf she says what is on her feet is new
Oh…. melae ketkaathaeOh... do not ask further!
Male
Paiyil ulla ettanaavaAn eight-anna coin in his pocket
Paththumurai ennuvaarHe will count ten times over
Sathamindri ennuvaar…..He will count it silently...
Kanja rajaaThe king of misers!
Paiyil ulla ettanaavaAn eight-anna coin in his pocket
Paththumurai ennuvaarHe will count ten times over
Sathamindri ennuvaar…..He will count it silently...
Kanja rajaaThe king of misers!
Thaenilavu ponaalum thaniyaaithaanae povaanaeEven if he goes on a honeymoon, he will go all alone
Uppu illai endraalum….. kanneer vittu kolvaanaeIf food lacks salt, he will shed tears to compensate
Ehhhhh … lala lala lala lala laaahhhhhhhhhEhhhhh... lala lala lala lala laaahhhhhhhhh
Aaa….aa….. lala lala lala lala laaahhhhhhhhhAaa....aa..... lala lala lala lala laaahhhhhhhhh
Male
Pournami neram paavai oruthiDuring full moon time, a young maiden
Minnal polae munnaal ponaalWent ahead like a flash of lightning
Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendruSeeing her hair braid, I followed behind
Ponnu oorukku puthuso endrenI asked if the girl was new to town
Kaalil ullathu puthusu endraalIf she says what is on her feet is new
Hmmm …aaa…ha aa aanHmmm...aaa...ha aa aan
Male
Vanavillin naadagathilIn the play of the rainbow
Oomai vedam pottavanThe one who played a mute role
Aamaiyidam thottravan engal veeranThe one who lost to a tortoise, our hero!
Haan vanavillin naadagathilHaan, in the play of the rainbow
Oomai vedam pottavanThe one who played a mute role
Aamaiyidam thottravan engal veeranThe one who lost to a tortoise, our hero!
Male
Raman vedam pottaalumEven if he acts in the role of Lord Rama
Rendu seedhai katpaanaeHe will marry two Sita figures
Rendu seedhai thanthaalumEven if given two Sitas
Soorppanagaiyai paarppaanaeHe will still glance at Surpanakha!
Ye ye ye ye lala lala lala laYe ye ye ye lala lala lala la
Laa aahhhhhhhhhhhhhLaa aahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Haan aaa aaa lala lala lala laHaan aaa aaa lala lala lala la
Laa aahhhhhhhhhhhhhLaa aahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Male
Pournami neram paavai oruthiDuring full moon time, a young maiden
Minnal polae munnaal ponaalWent ahead like a flash of lightning
Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendruSeeing her hair braid, I followed behind
Ponnu oorukku puthuso endrenI asked if the girl was new to town
Kaalil ullathu puthusu endraalIf she says what is on her feet is new
Oh…dont ask me after thatOh... don't ask me after that
Male
Indru pudhu aandu vandhathu…..Today a new year has arrived...
Naatkal ennum pookkal sindhuthuuShedding the flowers called days
Indru pudhu aandu vandhathu…..Today a new year has arrived...
Naatkal ennum pookkal sindhuthuuShedding the flowers called days
Male
Naangal paadum geethangalThe songs that we sing
Naalai ungal vethangalWill become your sacred Vedas tomorrow
Indru engal raagangal neengal kelungalListen to our melodies today
Male
Pournami neram paavai oruthiDuring full moon time, a young maiden
Minnal polae munnaal ponaalWent ahead like a flash of lightning
Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendruSeeing her hair braid, I followed behind
Ponnu oorukku puthuso endrenI asked if the girl was new to town
Kaalil ullathu puthusu endraalIf she says what is on her feet is new
Oh…. melae ketkaathaeOh... do not ask further!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful, jovial song from the movie Palaivana Solai celebrates friendship, youth, and lighthearted teasing among a group of close friends. The chorus sets a romantic and humorous mood detailing an encounter with a maiden, while the verses humorously roast different personality traits within the group—such as an extreme miser who counts an eight-anna coin ten times and goes on a honeymoon alone, and a flirtatious character who would look at Surpanakha even if given two Sitas. The final verse shifts to a hopeful message about the arrival of a new year, comparing days to falling flowers and declaring that the music created by their youthful camaraderie today will serve as inspiration for tomorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Minnal polae munnaal ponaal

Compares the maiden's swift walk to a flash of lightning ('Minnal polae munnaal ponaal').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

Pinnal kandu pinnaal sendru

Use of second-letter rhyming ('ethukai') across consecutive lines: 'Minnal' / 'Pinnal' / 'Ponnu'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Naatkal ennum pookkal sindhuthuu

Metaphorically compares passing days to falling flowers ('Naatkal ennum pookkal').

Hyperbole / Allusion

Raman vedam pottaalum Rendu seedhai katpaanae

Exaggerates character traits using mythological references to Lord Rama, Sita, and Surpanakha.

Did you know?

Trivia

Palaivana Solai (1981) was a hugely successful Tamil film directed by the duo Robert-Rajasekar, featuring music by Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song is a popular youthful group track sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Malaysia Vasudevan celebrating student friendship and bonding.

Keep listening

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