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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Putham Puthiya Puthagamae

From Arasa Kattalai · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Arasa Kattalai1967

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Putham puthiya puthagamaeOh brand new book,
Unnai puratti paarkkum pulavan naanI am the poet flipping through your pages.
Putham puthiya puthagamaeOh brand new book,
Unnai puratti paarkkum pulavan naanI am the poet flipping through your pages.
Podhigai valarndha senthamizhaeOh pure Tamil born in the Podhigai mountains,
Unnai paattil vadikkum kavinjan naanI am the poet shaping you into a song.
Podhigai valarndha senthamizhaeOh pure Tamil born in the Podhigai mountains,
Unnai paattil vadikkum kavinjan naanI am the poet shaping you into a song.
Female
Palliyarai ennum palliyilae indruIn this school called the bedchamber today,
Puthidhaai vandha maanavi naanI am the newly arrived female student.
Palliyarai ennum palliyilae indruIn this school called the bedchamber today,
Puthidhaai vandha maanavi naanI am the newly arrived female student.
Yaettai puratti paattai padikkumTurning the pages and reading the verse,
Veettu pulavan naayagi naanI am the heroine of the poet at home.
Yaettai puratti paattai padikkumTurning the pages and reading the verse,
Veettu pulavan naayagi naanI am the heroine of the poet at home.
Female
Palliyarai ennum palliyilae…In this school called the bedchamber today...
Male
Anju viral pattaal ennaWhat if five fingers touch you?
Anjugathai thottaal ennaWhat if they touch the beautiful parrot?
Anju viral pattaal ennaWhat if five fingers touch you?
Anjugathai thottaal ennaWhat if they touch the beautiful parrot?
Female
Thotta sugam ondraa ennaIs the pleasure of touching just one thing?
Thullum ullam pandhaa ennaIs the leaping heart like a ball?
Thotta sugam ondraa ennaIs the pleasure of touching just one thing?
Thullum ullam pandhaa ennaIs the leaping heart like a ball?
Male
Sevvidhazhai kandaal ennaWhat if red lips are seen?
Thaeneduthu undaal ennaWhat if one tastes the nectar from them?
Sevvidhazhai kandaal ennaWhat if red lips are seen?
Thaeneduthu undaal ennaWhat if one tastes the nectar from them?
Female
Kothu malar chendaa ennaIs it a bunch of flowers?
Konjum mannan vandaa ennaIs the fondling king like a beetle?
Kothu malar chendaa ennaIs it a bunch of flowers?
Konjum mannan vandaa ennaIs the fondling king like a beetle?
Male
Putham puthiya puthagamaeOh brand new book,
Unnai puratti paarkkum pulavan naanI am the poet flipping through your pages.
Female
Yaettai puratti paattai padikkumTurning the pages and reading the verse,
Veettu pulavan naayagi naanI am the heroine of the poet at home.
Male
Putham puthiya puthagamae…Oh brand new book...
Male
Kaiyanaikka vandhaal ennaWhat if I come to embrace you with hands?
Meiyanaithu kondaal ennaWhat if I embrace your body tightly?
Kaiyanaikka vandhaal ennaWhat if I come to embrace you with hands?
Meiyanaithu kondaal ennaWhat if I embrace your body tightly?
Female
Mutha mazhai endraal ennaWhat if it showers kisses like rain?
Sorkkam ondru undaa ennaIs there a heaven beyond this?
Mutha mazhai endraal ennaWhat if it showers kisses like rain?
Sorkkam ondru undaa ennaIs there a heaven beyond this?
Male
Vetkam varum vandhaal ennaShyness will come, so what if it comes?
Vaendiyadhai thandhaal ennaWhat if you grant whatever is desired?
Vetkam varum vandhaal ennaShyness will come, so what if it comes?
Vaendiyadhai thandhaal ennaWhat if you grant whatever is desired?
Female
Innum konjam sonnaal ennaWhat if you say a little more?
Inbam inbam endraal ennaWhat if one calls it bliss upon bliss?
Innum konjam sonnaal ennaWhat if you say a little more?
Inbam inbam endraal ennaWhat if one calls it bliss upon bliss?
Male
Putham puthiya puthagamaeOh brand new book,
Unnai puratti paarkkum pulavan naanI am the poet flipping through your pages.
Female
Yaettai puratti paattai padikkumTurning the pages and reading the verse,
Veettu pulavan naayagi naanI am the heroine of the poet at home.
Male
Putham puthiya puthagamae…Oh brand new book...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from 'Arasa Kattalai' uses rich literary metaphors to depict intimacy between newly wedded lovers. The male lead addresses his beloved as a fresh, unread book and as pure Tamil nurtured in the Podhigai hills, casting himself as the eager poet seeking to explore and compose music out of her grace. In response, the female lead playfully views their bedchamber as a classroom where she is the new pupil learning the language of love from her poet husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

“Putham puthiya puthagamae”

Comparing the beloved to a brand new book ('Putham puthiya puthagamae') and pure Tamil ('senthamizhae').

Moonaip (Alliteration)

“Putham puthiya puthagamae / Unnai puratti paarkkum pulavan naan”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across words: Putham, puthiya, puthagamae, puratti, pulavan.

Emonai / Rhyme

“Anju viral pattaal enna / Anjugathai thottaal enna”

Rhyming end sounds in romantic questioning lines ('enna' repeating across lines).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this iconic track showcases lyricist Vaali's mastery in blending classical Tamil literary metaphors with romantic intimacy.

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