Punnai Vana Poonguyile
From Sevvanthi · 1994
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- Arun Mozhi, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sevvanthi1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa….aah….aah….aaa….. | Vocalization / Melodic humming |
| Aa….aah….aah….aaa…..aa….aa…. | Vocalization / Melodic humming |
| Aa….aah….aah….aa….. | Vocalization / Melodic humming |
| Male | |
| Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa | Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come! |
| Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa | Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come! |
| Poo pookkum pozhuthaachchu | It is time for flowers to blossom. |
| Poo vizhiyum pooththaachchu | The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well. |
| Alainthaaduthae manam alainthaaduthae | The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders. |
| Kanavaanathae pala kanavaanathae | Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream. |
| Male | |
| Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa | Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come! |
| Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa | Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come! |
| Male | |
| Ennodu pesum ilam thendral kooda | Even the youthful breeze speaking to me |
| En kelvikkendru padhil kooruthu | Answers as if responding to my question. |
| Sonnaalae puriyum un kannin mozhiyum | The language of your eyes can be understood if spoken. |
| Munnaalae vanthu padhil kooru nee | Come before me and speak your answer. |
| Female | |
| En kangal sollum….mm….haa…. | What my eyes express... mm... haa... |
| En kangal sollum mozhi kadhalae | Love is the language spoken by my eyes. |
| Endrendrum sellum vilagaamalae | It endures forever without growing distant. |
| Thaniyaaga nindraalum un thaagamae | Even when standing alone, the thirst for you remains. |
| Thunaiyaaga vanthaalum thaniyaathathu | Even when companionship arrives, it is never quenched. |
| Male | |
| Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa | Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come! |
| Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa | Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come! |
| Female | |
| Agal ennum dheepam anaiyaamal veesum | The lamp flame blows continuously without extinguishing. |
| Azhagaaga aadum maruththenna pesum | What does the gently dancing breeze whisper? |
| Thoondaatha vilakku naam konda kadhal | The love we share is a lamp that needs no tending. |
| Yaettraamal oliyai ennaalum veesum | It sheds light forever without needing to be lit. |
| Male | |
| Alai ointhu pogum….mm….hoi | The ocean waves will settle... mm... hoi |
| Alai ointhu pogum kadal meedhi;ae | The waves upon the ocean will settle. |
| Nilaiyaana kadhal ooyaathammaa | But eternal love never ceases, my dear. |
| Yaezhaelu jenmangal eduththaalumae | Even if taking seven times seven rebirths, |
| Ennodu nee thaanae en jeevamae | You alone shall remain my very soul! |
| Male | |
| Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa | Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come! |
| Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa | Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come! |
| Female :Poo pookkum pozhuthaachchu | Female: It is time for flowers to blossom. |
| Poo vizhiyum pooththaachchu | The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well. |
| Alainthaaduthae manam alainthaaduthae | The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders. |
| Kanavaanathae pala kanavaanathae | Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream. |
| Male | |
| Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa | Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come! |
| Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa….aa…. | Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come! |
ஆ....ஆஹ்.....ஆஹ்....ஆஅ.....
ஆ....ஆஹ்.....ஆஹ்....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ...
ஆ....ஆஹ்.....ஆஹ்....ஆ.....
Vocalization / Melodic humming
Vocalization / Melodic humming
Vocalization / Melodic humming
புன்னை வனப் பூங்குயிலே பூ மகளே வா
கன்னித் தமிழ்க் காவிரியே தேன் மொழியே வா
பூப் பூக்கும் பொழுதாச்சு
பூ விழியும் பூத்தாச்சு
அலைந்தாடுதே மனம் அலைந்தாடுதே
கனவானதே பல கனவானதே
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
It is time for flowers to blossom.
The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well.
The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders.
Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream.
புன்னை வனப் பூங்குயிலே பூ மகளே வா
கன்னித் தமிழ்க் காவிரியே தேன் மொழியே வா
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
என்னோடு பேசும் இளம் தென்றல் கூட
என் கேள்விக்கென்று பதில் கூறுது
சொன்னாலே புரியும் உன் கண்ணின் மொழியும்
முன்னாலே வந்து பதில் கூறு நீ
Even the youthful breeze speaking to me
Answers as if responding to my question.
The language of your eyes can be understood if spoken.
Come before me and speak your answer.
என் கண்கள் சொல்லும்......ம்ம்.....ஹா...
என் கண்கள் சொல்லும் மொழி காதலே
என்றென்றும் செல்லும் விலகாமலே
தனியாக நின்றாலும் உன் தாகமே
துணையாக வந்தாலும் தணியாதது...
What my eyes express... mm... haa...
Love is the language spoken by my eyes.
It endures forever without growing distant.
Even when standing alone, the thirst for you remains.
Even when companionship arrives, it is never quenched.
புன்னை வனப் பூங்குயிலே பூ மகளே வா
கன்னித் தமிழ்க் காவிரியே தேன் மொழியே வா
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
அகல் என்னும் தீபம் அணையாமல் வீசும்
அழகாக ஆடும் மறுத்தென்ன பேசும்
தூண்டாத விளக்கு நாம் கொண்ட காதல்
ஏற்றாமல் ஒளியை எந்நாளும் வீசும்
The lamp flame blows continuously without extinguishing.
What does the gently dancing breeze whisper?
The love we share is a lamp that needs no tending.
It sheds light forever without needing to be lit.
அலை ஓய்ந்து போகும்........ம்ம்.....ஹோய்
அலை ஓய்ந்து போகும் கடல் மீதிலே
நிலையான காதல் ஓயாதம்மா
ஏழேழு ஜென்மங்கள் எடுத்தாலுமே
என்னோடு நீ தானே என் ஜீவனே..
The ocean waves will settle... mm... hoi
The waves upon the ocean will settle.
But eternal love never ceases, my dear.
Even if taking seven times seven rebirths,
You alone shall remain my very soul!
புன்னை வனப் பூங்குயிலே பூ மகளே வா
கன்னித் தமிழ்க் காவிரியே தேன் மொழியே வா
பூப் பூக்கும் பொழுதாச்சு
பூ விழியும் பூத்தாச்சு
அலைந்தாடுதே மனம் அலைந்தாடுதே
கனவானதே பல கனவானதே
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Female: It is time for flowers to blossom.
The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well.
The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders.
Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream.
புன்னை வனப் பூங்குயிலே பூ மகளே வா
கன்னித் தமிழ்க் காவிரியே தேன் மொழியே வா.....ஆ.....
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Aa….aah….aah….aaa…..
Vocalization / Melodic humming
Aa….aah….aah….aaa…..aa….aa….
Vocalization / Melodic humming
Aa….aah….aah….aa…..
Vocalization / Melodic humming
Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Poo pookkum pozhuthaachchu
It is time for flowers to blossom.
Poo vizhiyum pooththaachchu
The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well.
Alainthaaduthae manam alainthaaduthae
The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders.
Kanavaanathae pala kanavaanathae
Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream.
Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Ennodu pesum ilam thendral kooda
Even the youthful breeze speaking to me
En kelvikkendru padhil kooruthu
Answers as if responding to my question.
Sonnaalae puriyum un kannin mozhiyum
The language of your eyes can be understood if spoken.
Munnaalae vanthu padhil kooru nee
Come before me and speak your answer.
En kangal sollum….mm….haa….
What my eyes express... mm... haa...
En kangal sollum mozhi kadhalae
Love is the language spoken by my eyes.
Endrendrum sellum vilagaamalae
It endures forever without growing distant.
Thaniyaaga nindraalum un thaagamae
Even when standing alone, the thirst for you remains.
Thunaiyaaga vanthaalum thaniyaathathu
Even when companionship arrives, it is never quenched.
Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Agal ennum dheepam anaiyaamal veesum
The lamp flame blows continuously without extinguishing.
Azhagaaga aadum maruththenna pesum
What does the gently dancing breeze whisper?
Thoondaatha vilakku naam konda kadhal
The love we share is a lamp that needs no tending.
Yaettraamal oliyai ennaalum veesum
It sheds light forever without needing to be lit.
Alai ointhu pogum….mm….hoi
The ocean waves will settle... mm... hoi
Alai ointhu pogum kadal meedhi;ae
The waves upon the ocean will settle.
Nilaiyaana kadhal ooyaathammaa
But eternal love never ceases, my dear.
Yaezhaelu jenmangal eduththaalumae
Even if taking seven times seven rebirths,
Ennodu nee thaanae en jeevamae
You alone shall remain my very soul!
Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Female :Poo pookkum pozhuthaachchu
Female: It is time for flowers to blossom.
Poo vizhiyum pooththaachchu
The flower-like eyes have bloomed as well.
Alainthaaduthae manam alainthaaduthae
The heart sways and wanders, it sways and wanders.
Kanavaanathae pala kanavaanathae
Many thoughts have become a dream, turned into a dream.
Punnai vana poonguyilae poo magalae vaa
Oh cuckoo of the Punnai grove, flower-like maiden, come!
Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa….aa….
Oh maiden of virgin Tamil, sweet as honey like the Kaveri river, come!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Punnai Vana Poonguyilae is a deeply poetic love song from the film Sevvanthi (1994). The song portrays an intense emotional yearning and devotion, where the lover addresses his beloved with classical metaphors—comparing her to the sweet cuckoo of coastal Punnai groves and the pure, honeyed essence of the Kaveri river. The lyrics articulate a love that transcends ordinary worldly limits, describing it as an eternal lamp that shines bright without needing to be lit, and a bond that endures endlessly across seven births.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvam (Metaphor)
“Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae vaa”
Comparing the beloved's speech to Tamil and Kaveri river honey ('Kanni thamizh kaveriyaethaen mozhiyae').
Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)
“Thoondaatha vilakku naam konda kadhal”
Comparing eternal love to a self-sustaining, un-tended lamp ('Thoondaatha vilakku').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Thaniyaaga nindraalum un thaagamae / Thunaiyaaga vanthaalum thaniyaathathu”
Rhyming of second letters 'ni' in 'Thaniyaaga' and 'Thunaiyaaga'.
Anuprasa / Repetition
“Alainthaaduthae manam alainthaaduthae”
Repetition of words like 'poo' and 'alainthaaduthae' to enhance rhythmic musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by renowned lyricist Piraisoodan, the lyrics invoke rich Sangam-style imagery such as 'Punnai Vana' (groves of Alexandrian laurel trees commonly found near coastal regions) and references to the Kaveri river, seamlessly weaving classical Tamil literary motifs into 1990s film music.
Keep listening
More from Sevvanthi
Sevvanthi
Sevvanthi
Sevvanthi
Sevvanthi