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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Punnai Maram Ondru

From Muthana Muthallavo · 1976

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, Kovai Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Muthana Muthallavo1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Punnai maram onnuOne Alexandrian laurel tree
Thennai maram onnuOne coconut tree
Punnai maram onnuOne Alexandrian laurel tree
Thennai maram onnuOne coconut tree
Male
Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannuStanding close together, they affectionately coax each other, my dear
Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannuStanding close together, they affectionately coax each other, my dear
Kaana kaana yaekkam kaalai ennai thaakkumSeeing this over and over, longing strikes me like a bull
Kaana kaana yaekkam kaalai ennai thaakkumSeeing this over and over, longing strikes me like a bull
Katti vacha aasai etti etti paarkkumThe bundled-up desires peep out reaching far
Katti vacha aasai etti etti paarkkumThe bundled-up desires peep out reaching far
Male
Punnai maram onnuOne Alexandrian laurel tree
Thennai maram onnuOne coconut tree
Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannuStanding close together, they affectionately coax each other, my dear
Female
Thanthaanae thaananaaThanthaanae thaananaa
Thanthaanae thaananaaThanthaanae thaananaa
Thanthaanae thanthaanae thaananaa….oo….Thanthaanae thanthaanae thaananaa....oo....
Thanthaanae naanae….naa…oo…..Thanthaanae naanae....naa...oo.....
Male
Marangkothi paravaigal thaalamidaAs the woodpecker birds keep the beat
Marangkothi paravaigal thaalamidaAs the woodpecker birds keep the beat
Maanguyil poonguyil paattisaikkaAs the mango cuckoo and flower cuckoo sing tunes
Female :Oho ho hoiyyaaOho ho hoiyyaa
Haha haa aa….aa….Haha haa aa....aa....
Male
Marankothi paravaigal thaalamidaAs the woodpecker birds keep the beat
Maanguyil poonguyil paattisaikkaAs the mango cuckoo and flower cuckoo sing tunes
Sarangatti vachen maalaiyidaI have woven a garland to place around you
Adi sammathamaa sollu kooda varaHey girl, tell me your consent to come along with me
Sarangatti vachen maalaiyidaI have woven a garland to place around you
Adi sammathamaa sollu kooda varaHey girl, tell me your consent to come along with me
Male
Punnai maram onnuOne Alexandrian laurel tree
Thennai maram onnuOne coconut tree
Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannuStanding close together, they affectionately coax each other, my dear
Male
Malaradi nogum paaththu nadaWalk carefully so your tender flower-like feet do not hurt
Mamanin poongaram saethu nadaWalk holding hands with your maternal uncle's flower-like hand
Female :Oho ho hoiyyaaOho ho hoiyyaa
Haha haa aa….aa….Haha haa aa....aa....
Male
Malaradi nogum paaththu nadaWalk carefully so your tender flower-like feet do not hurt
Mamanin poongaram saethu nadaWalk holding hands with your maternal uncle's flower-like hand
Idamundu ingae naaththu nadaThere is space here to plant young saplings
Nalla nelmani mella poothu varaFor good grains of paddy to slowly bloom and grow
Idamundu ingae naaththu nadaThere is space here to plant young saplings
Nalla nelmani mella poothu varaFor good grains of paddy to slowly bloom and grow
Male
Punnai maram onnuOne Alexandrian laurel tree
Thennai maram onnuOne coconut tree
Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannuStanding close together, they affectionately coax each other, my dear
Female
Thanthaanae thaananaaThanthaanae thaananaa
Thanthaanae thaananaaThanthaanae thaananaa
Thanthaanae thanthaanae thaananaa….oo….Thanthaanae thanthaanae thaananaa....oo....
Thanthaanae naanae….naa…oo…..Thanthaanae naanae....naa...oo.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic rural song uses pastoral allegories to capture romantic yearning and marital partnership. By comparing the lovers to a Punnai (laurel) tree and a Thennai (coconut) tree standing closely intertwined, the lyricist Vaali portrays intimate togetherness amidst nature. The song incorporates elements of nature—woodpeckers providing rhythm and cuckoos singing melody—to set the atmosphere for a traditional proposal and life journey together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvamaanam)

Punnai maram onnu / Thennai maram onnu

The pairing of the lovers is metaphorically equated to a Punnai tree and a Thennai tree growing side by side and leaning into each other.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Kitta kitta ninnu konjuthammaa kannu

Repetition of words like 'Kitta kitta', 'Kaana kaana', and 'Etti etti' creates a rhythmic cadence and emphasizes proximity and longing.

Personification (Tharutpuyarvu)

Marangkothi paravaigal thaalamida / Maanguyil poonguyil paattisaikka

Nature elements like woodpeckers giving rhythm and cuckoos singing songs are personified as musical accompanists to the romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features music composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics by Vaali, highlighting rural folk-style rhythms blend with traditional Tamil film orchestration.

Keep listening

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