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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovoma Oorgolam

From Chinna Thambi · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Thambi1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Povomaa oorgolam boologam engengumShall we go on a procession everywhere in this world?
Odum ponni aarum paadum gaanam noorumThe flowing River Ponni sings a hundred songs.
Kaalam yaavum per inbamAll times are filled with great joy.
Kaanum neram aanandhamEvery moment we see is bliss.
Povomaa oorgolam boologam engengumShall we go on a procession everywhere in this world?
Male
Aranmana annakili tharaiyila nadapadhu nadakumaa adukumaaIs it right or realistic for a palace swan-like bird to walk on bare ground?
Female
Paniyilum vettaveli veyililum ulla sugam aranmana kodukumaCan a palace give the joy found in the open air, dew, and sun?
Male
Kulukulu araiyila konji konji thavazhndhadhu kudisaiya VirumbumaaWill a bird that crawled coddled in an air-conditioned room prefer a hut?
Female
Silusilu siluvena ingirukum kaathu anga adikumaa KedaikumaaWill the cool breezy air blowing here ever blow or be available there?
Male
Palingu polae un veedu vazhiyila pallam meduYour home is like crystal marble, but the path here has ups and downs.
Female
Varapu medu vayalodum parandhu poven paaruWatch me fly over the field ridges and open fields!
Male
Adhisayamana pendhaanaeYou are indeed a wondrous woman.
Female
Pudhusugam thedi vandhenaeI came searching for a new kind of joy.
Male
Povomaa oorgolam boologam engengumShall we go on a procession everywhere in this world?
Odum ponni aarum paadum gaanam noorumThe flowing River Ponni sings a hundred songs.
Kaalam yaavum per inbamAll times are filled with great joy.
Kaanum neram aanandhamEvery moment we see is bliss.
Povomaa oorgolam boologam engengumShall we go on a procession everywhere in this world?
Female
Kottugira aruviyum mettukattum kuruviyum adadadaa AdhisayamThe cascading waterfall and the chirping sparrow composing tunes are a marvel!
Male
Karpanaiyil medhakudhu kandadhaiyum rasikudhu idhilena oru SugamFloating in imagination, relishing whatever it sees, what a supreme joy this is!
Female
Rathinangal therikudhu muthumani jolikudhu nadandhidum NadhiyilaeRubies splash and pearls sparkle in the flowing river!
Male
Uchandala sozhaludhu ullukulla mayangudhu enakonum puriyalaMy head is spinning, my inner mind feels dizzy, I do not understand a thing.
Female
Kavidhai paadum kaaveri jadhiya serthu aadumThe river Cauvery sings poetry and dances to rhythmic beats.
Male
Anaigal nooru pottaalum adangidamal odumEven if a hundred dams are built, it flows without being restrained.
Female
Podhum podhum om paatuEnough, enough of your song!
Male
Porapada poren nippatuI am about to leave, stop it now!
Female
Povomaa oorgolam boologam engengumShall we go on a procession everywhere in this world?
Male
Odum ponni aarum paadum gaanam noorumThe flowing River Ponni sings a hundred songs.
Female
Kaalam yaavum per inbamAll times are filled with great joy.
Kaanum neram aanandhamEvery moment we see is bliss.
Male
Povomaa oorgolamShall we go on a procession?
Female
Boologam engengumEverywhere in this world?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Povomaa Oorgolam is a playful, romantic duet from the 1991 Tamil movie Chinna Thambi. The song depicts a dialogue between an innocent, nature-loving rural man and a sheltered, wealthy young woman. He invites her to step out of her restrictive palace and experience the boundless freedom and joy of the natural world, comparing nature's simple comfort with urban luxuries.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Aranmana annakili tharaiyila nadapadhu nadakumaa adukumaa

Compares the rich heroine to an 'Aranmana annakili' (palace swan/bird) unused to the rugged ground.

Onomatopoeia (Oli Kurippu)

Silusilu siluvena ingirukum kaathu anga adikumaa Kedaikumaa

The word 'Silusilu siluvena' phonetically mimics the cool, refreshing sensation of a soft breeze.

Simile (Uvamai)

Palingu polae un veedu vazhiyila pallam medu

Uses 'Palingu polae' (like crystal/marble) to describe the heroine's luxurious home.

Personification

Kavidhai paadum kaaveri jadhiya serthu aadum

Personifies the river Cauvery as a poet composing verse and a dancer performing to rhythmic beats.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Swarnalatha, Chinna Thambi (1991) was a massive blockbuster that ran for over 350 days in theaters. The soundtrack won widespread acclaim and became one of the highest-selling audio cassettes in Tamil cinema history.

Keep listening

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