Punnagaiyo Poomazhaiyo
From Delhi To Madras · 1972
- Lyricist
- Mayavanathan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Delhi To Madras1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo | Is it a smile or a shower of flowers? |
| Pongi varum thaamaraiyo | Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty? |
| Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo | Is it a smile or a shower of flowers? |
| Pongi varum thaamaraiyo | Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty? |
| Maaninamo naadagamo | Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play? |
| Matharasi yaar uravo…. | Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related? |
| Female | |
| Then pothigai santhanamo | Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills? |
| Sinthi vizhum senthamizho | Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down? |
| Then pothigai santhanamo | Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills? |
| Sinthi vizhum senthamizho | Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down? |
| Mangaiyarin maaligaiyo | Is it a palace for young women? |
| Mannavanin maarbagamo… | Or is it the broad chest of the king...? |
| Male | |
| Ennai panthaadum nadaiyallavaa | Is that gait tossing me around like a ball? |
| Kanni pazhamaana idhazhalallavaa | Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit? |
| Ennai panthaadum nadaiyallavaa | Is that gait tossing me around like a ball? |
| Kanni pazhamaana idhazhalallavaa | Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit? |
| Vanthu vilaiyaada manamillaiyaa | Do you not have the heart to come and play? |
| Ini vidigindra pozhuthillaiyaa | Is there no dawn approaching anymore? |
| Female | |
| Naan pennendra ninaivillaiyaa | Do you not remember that I am a woman? |
| Idhu pesaatha uravillaiyaa | Is this a silent relationship that speaks not? |
| Naan pennendra ninaivillaiyaa | Do you not remember that I am a woman? |
| Idhu pesaatha uravillaiyaa | Is this a silent relationship that speaks not? |
| Ingu vilaiyaada idamillaiyaa | Is there no place to play here? |
| Pozhuthu vidinthaalum namathillaiyaa | Even if the day breaks, does it not belong to us? |
| Male | |
| Nalla iravillaiyaa | Is this not a fine night? |
| Thendral varavillaiyaa | Has the cool breeze not arrived? |
| Muzhu nilavillaiyaa thanai idamillaiyaa | Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place? |
| Female | |
| Then pothigai santhanamo | Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills? |
| Sinthi vizhum senthamizho | Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down? |
| Male: Maaninamo naadagamo | Male: Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play? |
| Matharasi yaar uravo…. | Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related? |
| Female | |
| Idhu virigindra malarallavaa | Is this not a blossoming flower? |
| Madhu vazhigindra kudamallavaa | Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar? |
| Idhu virigindra malarallavaa | Is this not a blossoming flower? |
| Madhu vazhigindra kudamallavaa | Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar? |
| Kayil vizhigindra kaniyallavaa | Is it not a fruit falling into hands? |
| Innum sariyendru naan sollavaa | Should I say it is right even now? |
| Male | |
| : Udal kalvaazhai ilaiyallavaa | Is not her body like a plantain leaf? |
| Kuzhal kadalora alaiyallavaa | Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore? |
| Udal kalvaazhai ilaiyallavaa | Is not her body like a plantain leaf? |
| Kuzhal kadalora alaiyallavaa | Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore? |
| Kadhal pollaatha kalaiyallavaa | Is love not a wicked art? |
| Naam poraadum kalamallavaa | Is this not the battlefield where we struggle? |
| Female | |
| Nalla iravillaiyaa | Is this not a fine night? |
| Thendral varavillaiyaa | Has the cool breeze not arrived? |
| Muzhu nilavillaiyaa thanai idamillaiyaa | Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place? |
| Male | |
| Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo | Is it a smile or a shower of flowers? |
| Pongi varum thaamaraiyo | Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty? |
| Female :Mangaiyarin maaligaiyo | Female: Is it a palace for young women? |
| Mannavanin maarbagamo… | Or is it the broad chest of the king...? |
| Male :Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo…. | Male: Is it a smile or a shower of flowers...? |
பெண்
: .......................
...
புன்னகையோ பூமழையோ
பொங்கி வரும் தாமரையோ
புன்னகையோ பூமழையோ
பொங்கி வரும் தாமரையோ
மானினமோ நாடகமோ
மாதரசி யார் உறவோ...
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play?
Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related?
தென்பொதிகை சந்தனமோ
சிந்தி விழும் செந்தமிழோ
தென்பொதிகை சந்தனமோ
சிந்தி விழும் செந்தமிழோ
மங்கையரின் மாளிகையோ
மன்னவனின் மார்பகமோ.....
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Is it a palace for young women?
Or is it the broad chest of the king...?
என்னை பந்தாடும் நடையல்லவா
கன்னிப் பழமான இதழல்லவா
என்னை பந்தாடும் நடையல்லவா
கன்னிப் பழமான இதழல்லவா
வந்து விளையாட மனமில்லையா
இனி விடிகின்ற பொழுதில்லையா....
Is that gait tossing me around like a ball?
Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit?
Is that gait tossing me around like a ball?
Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit?
Do you not have the heart to come and play?
Is there no dawn approaching anymore?
நான் பெண்ணென்ற நினைவில்லையா
இது பேசாத உறவில்லையா
நான் பெண்ணென்ற நினைவில்லையா
இது பேசாத உறவில்லையா
இங்கு விளையாட இடமில்லையா
பொழுது விடிந்தாலும் நமதில்லையா
Do you not remember that I am a woman?
Is this a silent relationship that speaks not?
Do you not remember that I am a woman?
Is this a silent relationship that speaks not?
Is there no place to play here?
Even if the day breaks, does it not belong to us?
நல்ல இரவில்லையா
தென்றல் வரவில்லையா
முழு நிலவில்லையா தனி இடமில்லையா
Is this not a fine night?
Has the cool breeze not arrived?
Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place?
தென்பொதிகை சந்தனமோ
சிந்தி விழும் செந்தமிழோ
மானினமோ நாடகமோ
மாதரசி யார் உறவோ...
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Male: Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play?
Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related?
இது விரிகின்ற மலரல்லவா
மது வழிகின்ற குடமல்லவா
இது விரிகின்ற மலரல்லவா
மது வழிகின்ற குடமல்லவா
கையில் விழுகின்ற கனியல்லவா
இன்னும் சரியென்று நான் சொல்லவா
Is this not a blossoming flower?
Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar?
Is this not a blossoming flower?
Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar?
Is it not a fruit falling into hands?
Should I say it is right even now?
உடல் கல்வாழை இலையல்லவா
குழல் கடலோர அலையல்லவா
உடல் கல்வாழை இலையல்லவா
குழல் கடலோர அலையல்லவா
காதல் பொல்லாத கலையல்லவா
நாம் போராடும் களமல்லவா
Is not her body like a plantain leaf?
Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore?
Is not her body like a plantain leaf?
Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore?
Is love not a wicked art?
Is this not the battlefield where we struggle?
நல்ல இரவில்லையா
தென்றல் வரவில்லையா
முழு நிலவில்லையா தனி இடமில்லையா
Is this not a fine night?
Has the cool breeze not arrived?
Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place?
புன்னகையோ பூமழையோ
பொங்கி வரும் தாமரையோ
மங்கையரின் மாளிகையோ
மன்னவனின் மார்பகமோ.....
புன்னகையோ பூமழையோ....
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Female: Is it a palace for young women?
Or is it the broad chest of the king...?
Male: Is it a smile or a shower of flowers...?
……………..
...
Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Pongi varum thaamaraiyo
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Pongi varum thaamaraiyo
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Maaninamo naadagamo
Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play?
Matharasi yaar uravo….
Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related?
Then pothigai santhanamo
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Sinthi vizhum senthamizho
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Then pothigai santhanamo
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Sinthi vizhum senthamizho
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Mangaiyarin maaligaiyo
Is it a palace for young women?
Mannavanin maarbagamo…
Or is it the broad chest of the king...?
Ennai panthaadum nadaiyallavaa
Is that gait tossing me around like a ball?
Kanni pazhamaana idhazhalallavaa
Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit?
Ennai panthaadum nadaiyallavaa
Is that gait tossing me around like a ball?
Kanni pazhamaana idhazhalallavaa
Are those lips like ripe, tender fruit?
Vanthu vilaiyaada manamillaiyaa
Do you not have the heart to come and play?
Ini vidigindra pozhuthillaiyaa
Is there no dawn approaching anymore?
Naan pennendra ninaivillaiyaa
Do you not remember that I am a woman?
Idhu pesaatha uravillaiyaa
Is this a silent relationship that speaks not?
Naan pennendra ninaivillaiyaa
Do you not remember that I am a woman?
Idhu pesaatha uravillaiyaa
Is this a silent relationship that speaks not?
Ingu vilaiyaada idamillaiyaa
Is there no place to play here?
Pozhuthu vidinthaalum namathillaiyaa
Even if the day breaks, does it not belong to us?
Nalla iravillaiyaa
Is this not a fine night?
Thendral varavillaiyaa
Has the cool breeze not arrived?
Muzhu nilavillaiyaa thanai idamillaiyaa
Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place?
Then pothigai santhanamo
Is it the sandalwood from the sweet Pothigai hills?
Sinthi vizhum senthamizho
Or pure Tamil flowing and dripping down?
Male: Maaninamo naadagamo
Male: Is it a deer's grace or a theatrical play?
Matharasi yaar uravo….
Who is this girl from Madras to whom I am related?
Idhu virigindra malarallavaa
Is this not a blossoming flower?
Madhu vazhigindra kudamallavaa
Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar?
Idhu virigindra malarallavaa
Is this not a blossoming flower?
Madhu vazhigindra kudamallavaa
Is this not a pot overflowing with nectar?
Kayil vizhigindra kaniyallavaa
Is it not a fruit falling into hands?
Innum sariyendru naan sollavaa
Should I say it is right even now?
: Udal kalvaazhai ilaiyallavaa
Is not her body like a plantain leaf?
Kuzhal kadalora alaiyallavaa
Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore?
Udal kalvaazhai ilaiyallavaa
Is not her body like a plantain leaf?
Kuzhal kadalora alaiyallavaa
Is not her hair like ocean waves on the shore?
Kadhal pollaatha kalaiyallavaa
Is love not a wicked art?
Naam poraadum kalamallavaa
Is this not the battlefield where we struggle?
Nalla iravillaiyaa
Is this not a fine night?
Thendral varavillaiyaa
Has the cool breeze not arrived?
Muzhu nilavillaiyaa thanai idamillaiyaa
Is there no full moon? Is there no secluded place?
Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo
Is it a smile or a shower of flowers?
Pongi varum thaamaraiyo
Is it a lotus overflowing with beauty?
Female :Mangaiyarin maaligaiyo
Female: Is it a palace for young women?
Mannavanin maarbagamo…
Or is it the broad chest of the king...?
Male :Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo….
Male: Is it a smile or a shower of flowers...?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and poetic duet from the film 'Delhi To Madras' (1972) celebrates youthful romance and mutual fascination. The lovers use lush visual imagery and traditional Tamil literary tropes—comparing each other's features to sandalwood from the Pothigai hills, sweet Tamil poetry, blossoming flowers, and gentle breezes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo / Sinthi vizhum senthamizho”
Compares smile to a shower of flowers and speech to pure Tamil flowing from Pothigai hills.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Punnagaiyo poomazhaiyo / Pongi varum thaamaraiyo”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'P' in 'Punnagaiyo' and 'Pongi'.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kuzhal kadalora alaiyallavaa”
Comparing hair to ocean waves along the shore.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Mayavanathan, 'Delhi To Madras' stars Jaishankar and R. Muthuraman. V. Kumar's light classic melody sung by T.M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela remains a fondly remembered romantic track from 1970s Tamil cinema.
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