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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sala Sala Yena

From Ponnu Pakka Poren · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
K. Bhagyaraj
Details
Ponnu Pakka Poren1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sala sala ena odum kulirThe cold water that flows with a gushing sound
Odaiyin sangeethamaeOh, music of the stream!
Silusilu ena veesumBlowing with a gentle, cool breeze
Pani vaadaiyin sandhosameOh, happiness of the chilly winter wind!
Male
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Female
Sala sala ena odum kulirThe cold water that flows with a gushing sound
Odaiyin sangeethamaeOh, music of the stream!
Silusilu ena veesumBlowing with a gentle, cool breeze
Pani vaadaiyin sandhosameOh, happiness of the chilly winter wind!
Female
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Male
Nilamum vaanum neerum saatchiThe earth, sky, and water are witnesses
Female :Nilaiyaai vaazhum kaadhal saatchiFemale: Everlasting love is the witness
Male :Nilamum vaanum neerum saatchiMale: The earth, sky, and water are witnesses
Female :Nilaiyaai vaazhum kaadhal saatchiFemale: Everlasting love is the witness
Male
Irundhaal iruppen unnoduIf I live, I will live with you
Female :Irandhaal varuven pinnoduFemale: If I die, I will follow behind you
Male :Malare ….maalai sooduMale: Oh flower... wear the garland
Female
Sala sala ena odum kulirThe cold water that flows with a gushing sound
Odaiyin sangeethamaeOh, music of the stream!
Silusilu ena veesumBlowing with a gentle, cool breeze
Pani vaadaiyin sandhosameOh, happiness of the chilly winter wind!
Male
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Female
Nirangal maarum pookkal unduThere are flowers that change colors
Male :Thadangal maarum kaalgal unduMale: There are feet that change paths
Female :Nirangal maarum pookkal unduFemale: There are flowers that change colors
Male :Thadangal maarum kaalgal unduMale: There are feet that change paths
Female
Idhayam adhupol maaradhuThe heart will not change like that
Male :Enakkor thunaivi veryedhuMale: Do I have any other companion?
Female :Uravae …maatram yedhuFemale: Oh my love... what change can there be?
Male
Sala sala ena odum kulirThe cold water that flows with a gushing sound
Odaiyin sangeethamaeOh, music of the stream!
Silusilu ena veesumBlowing with a gentle, cool breeze
Pani vaadaiyin sandhosameOh, happiness of the chilly winter wind!
Male
Un madi than en sorgamYour lap alone is my heaven
Female :Adi veenae yen thukkamFemale: Oh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?
Both :Un madi than en sorgamBoth: Your lap alone is my heaven
Adi veenae yen thukkamOh my dear, why sorrow unnecessarily?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic duet expressing deep emotional commitment and togetherness between lovers. The lovers compare their joy and intimacy to natural elements such as the soothing music of a rippling cold stream and the refreshing chill of a winter breeze. Finding heavenly solace in each other's presence, they comfort each other against needless sorrow and pledge eternal devotion. In the stanzas, they invoke natural forces—earth, sky, and water—as eternal witnesses to their love. They declare that while physical things like flowers changing color or feet altering paths may change, their hearts will remain steadfast forever. They vow to stay together in both life and death, affirming that no substitute exists for their unique bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi)

Sala sala ena odum kulir

Use of sound-mimicking double words 'Sala sala' (sound of flowing water) and 'Silusilu' (sensation/sound of cool breeze) to create sensory imagery.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Un madi than en sorgam

Comparing the stream's sound to music ('Odaiyin sangeethamae') and a lover's lap to heaven ('Un madi than en sorgam').

Anaphora & Rhyme (Monai / Etukai)

Irundhaal iruppen unnodu

Repetition of sound patterns and initial consonants across couplets such as 'Nilamum' / 'Nilaiyaai' and 'Irundhaal' / 'Irandhaal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'En Rathathin Rathame' (often associated with 'Ponnu Pakka Poren') featured music composed by K. Bhagyaraj himself, who was a rare multi-hyphenate director-actor-composer in Tamil cinema. Lyricist Vaali crafted simple yet deeply poetic nature imagery using classical Tamil poetic constructs like 'Irattai Kilavi' (Sala sala, Silusilu).

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