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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Punnagai Minnidum Arasi

From Asthivaram · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Asthivaram1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Punnagai minnidum arasiThe queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Punnagai minnidum arasiThe queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Male
Ival pol intha penn vaazhgaMay this bride live like her,
Imai thaen malar kannaagaWith eyes like honey-filled flowers beneath eyelids.
Ival pol intha penn vaazhgaMay this bride live like her,
Imai thaen malar kannaagaWith eyes like honey-filled flowers beneath eyelids.
Manjalodu mangala kungumamWith turmeric and auspicious vermilion,
Ponmagal kondaada….For the golden lady to celebrate...
Female
Anbilum panbilum thangamPure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Anbilum panbilum thangamPure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Female
Ivar pol thambi nee vaazhgaMay you live like him, my younger brother,
Inaiththaen iru kannaagaJoined like two eyes.
Ivar pol thambi nee vaazhgaMay you live like him, my younger brother,
Inaiththaen iru kannaagaJoined like two eyes.
Sonthangalil paasamum nesamumWhere affection and fondness among relatives
Kaaviyam endraagaBecome a grand epic.
Male
Punnagai minnidum arasiThe queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Female :Anbilum panbilum thangamFemale: Pure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Female
Yaerai pidiththavan yaettram peruvathuThe one who holds the plow gains prosperity,
Paanai pidiththaval panpaalaeThe one who holds the cooking pot succeeds by virtue.
Male :Kodi irunthaalum konjam irunthaalumMale: Whether possessing millions or just a little,
Koodi irukkanum anbaalaeAll must stay together with love.
Female
Anbu ennum poovaalaeWith the flower called love,
Katti vaiththa poomaalaiIt is a garland tied together.
Male :Vannam kondu vaadaamalMale: Without losing color or fading,
Minnugindra ponmaalaiA golden garland that shines.
Female
Anbilum panbilum thangamPure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Male :Punnagai minnidum arasiMale: The queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Male
Mooththa uravugal koorum arivuraiThe advice given by elders,
Yaettru nadappathu panpaaduAccepting and following it is true culture.
Female :Koottu kudumpaththin kootti pirikkaamalFemale: Without breaking the joint family apart,
Kaaththu kidappathu penn paaduProtecting it is a woman's duty.
Male
Mooththa uravugal koorum arivuraiThe advice given by elders,
Yaettru nadappathu panpaaduAccepting and following it is true culture.
Female :Koottu kudumpaththin kootti pirikkaamalFemale: Without breaking the joint family apart,
Kaaththu kidappathu penn paaduProtecting it is a woman's duty.
Male
Suttrangalai eppothumTowards relatives, always,
Kuttram sollakoodaathuOne should never point out faults.
Female :Sakkarangal illaamalFemale: Without wheels,
Vandi mattu odaathuA bullock cart cannot run.
Male
Punnagai minnidum arasiThe queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Female :Anbilum panbilum thangamFemale: Pure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Male
Maalai koduththavan thaali mudiththavanHe who gave the garland and tied the sacred thread,
Thevai arinthaval pendaattiA wife is one who knows his needs.
Female :Kaalam muzhuvathum kooda nadakkaiyilFemale: As they walk together through a lifetime,
Kondavanae kaikkaattiThe husband is her guiding star.
Male
Maalai koduththavan thaali mudiththavanHe who gave the garland and tied the sacred thread,
Thevai arinthaval pendaattiA wife is one who knows his needs.
Female :Kaalam muzhuvathum kooda nadakkaiyilFemale: As they walk together through a lifetime,
Kondavanae kaikkaattiThe husband is her guiding star.
Male
Nalla makkal thaayaaga naayagiyae nee vaazhgaAs the mother of good children, may you live long, heroine!
Female :Naayagiyae neengaamal naayaganae nee vaazhgaFemale: Without leaving the heroine, may you live long, hero!
Male
Punnagai minnidum arasiThe queen with a glittering smile,
Nalla punniyam panniya thalaiviThe leader who has done virtuous deeds.
Male
Ival pol intha penn vaazhgaMay this bride live like her,
Imai thaen malar kannaagaWith eyes like honey-filled flowers beneath eyelids.
Manjalodu mangala kungumamWith turmeric and auspicious vermilion,
Ponmagal kondaada….For the golden lady to celebrate...
Female
Anbilum panbilum thangamPure gold in love and character,
Pirar inbaththai ennidum nenjamA heart that wishes for the happiness of others.
Female
Ivar pol thambi nee vaazhgaMay you live like him, my younger brother,
Inaiththaen iru kannaagaJoined like two eyes.
Sonthangalil paasamum nesamumWhere affection and fondness among relatives
Kaaviyam endraaga….Become a grand epic...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful celebratory song, typically sung during a wedding or auspicious family gathering. The elders and family members shower blessings on the newlywed couple, praising the bride and groom for their noble character, virtue, and love for others. It emphasizes traditional Tamil values such as living together in a joint family, respecting elders, maintaining harmony, and supporting one another through life's journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Monostich Rhyme)

Punnagai minnidum arasi / Nalla punniyam panniya thalaivi

Second letter rhyming across lines, e.g., 'Punnagai' and 'Nalla' (nn and ll / sound harmony) or 'Anbilum' and 'Pirar' (n and r harmony in classic verse).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbu ennum poovaalae / Katti vaiththa poomaalai

Comparing love directly to a flower that binds people into a garland ('Anbu ennum poovaalae').

Simile (Uvamai)

Inaiththaen iru kannaaga

Comparing the togetherness of the couple to a pair of eyes ('iru kannaaga') working together.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Asthivaram' (1982) features lyrics by the legendary Tamil poet Vaali. The song emphasizes traditional Tamil household harmony, joint family ideals, and auspicious marital customs like turmeric and kumkum.

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