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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Saram Saramai Shenbagapoo

From Porter Ponnusamy · 1979

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Porter Ponnusamy1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Saram saramaai shenbagapooGarland upon garland of champak flowers,
Tharai ellaam thazhampooScrewpine flowers scattered all over the floor.
Saram saramaai shenbagapooGarland upon garland of champak flowers,
Tharai ellaam thazhampooScrewpine flowers scattered all over the floor.
Sadaiyila manakkudhu shenbagapooThe champak flower blossoms fragrantly in the hair braid,
Tharaiyila kedakkudhu thaazhampooThe screwpine flower lies strewn on the floor.
Thaazhampoo.. thaazhampooScrewpine flower.. screwpine flower.
Sadaiyila manakkudhu shenbagapooThe champak flower blossoms fragrantly in the hair braid,
Tharaiyila kedakkudhu thaazhampooThe screwpine flower lies strewn on the floor.
Thaazhampoo.. thaazhampooScrewpine flower.. screwpine flower.
Female
Mangala vaathiyamAuspicious music plays,
Sangugal muzhanga muzhangaAs conch shells resound and reverberate,
Female
Mangala vaathiyamAuspicious music plays,
Sangugal muzhangaAs conch shells resound,
Manavarai yeri kanavarai kaanumAscending the marriage dais to behold her husband,
Mangaiyin manamae manamaeOh the heart of the young bride, her heart!
Manamae manamaeOh heart, oh heart!
Female
Sadaiyil manakkudhu shenbagapooThe champak flower blossoms fragrantly in the hair braid,
Tharaiyila kedakkudhu thaazhampooThe screwpine flower lies strewn on the floor.
Thaazhampoo.. thaazhampooScrewpine flower.. screwpine flower.
Female
Mottavizha madhi vadhanamA moon-like face blossoming open like a bud,
Thottuvittal pani vadhanamA face soft and dew-kissed upon a tender touch.
Mottavizha madhi vadhanamA moon-like face blossoming open like a bud,
Thottuvittal pani vadhanamA face soft and dew-kissed upon a tender touch.
Yen andha nei viklakkuWhy need that lamp lit with ghee?
Yettrivittaan mei vilakkuHe has kindled the true lamp of the soul!
Yen andha nei viklakkuWhy need that lamp lit with ghee?
Yettrivittaan mei vilakkuHe has kindled the true lamp of the soul!
Manamae manamae manamae manamaeOh heart, oh heart, oh heart, oh heart!
Female
Sadaiyil manakkudhu shenbagapooThe champak flower blossoms fragrantly in the hair braid,
Tharaiyila kedakkudhu thaazhampooThe screwpine flower lies strewn on the floor.
Thaazhampoo.. thaazhampooScrewpine flower.. screwpine flower.
Female
Saram saramaai shenbagapooGarland upon garland of champak flowers,
Tharai ellaam thazhampooScrewpine flowers scattered all over the floor.
Saram saramaai shenbagapooGarland upon garland of champak flowers,
Tharai ellaam thazhampooScrewpine flowers scattered all over the floor.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Saram Saramaai Shenbagapoo is a festive wedding song sung by Vani Jayaram, composed by M. S. Vishwanathan for the 1979 film Porter Ponnusamy. The song captures the fragrant and auspicious atmosphere of a traditional Tamil marriage hall decorated with strands of champak and screwpine flowers. It depicts the emotions of the young bride as she ascends the wedding altar amidst the sounding of auspicious instruments and conch shells. The song beautifully expresses the blossoming of love, describing the bride's glowing moon-like face and the symbolic lighting of the soul's lamp through marital union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monai-Edhukai

Sadaiyila manakkudhu shenbagapoo / Tharaiyila kedakkudhu thaazhampoo

Repetition of sound patterns between 'Sadaiyila' and 'Tharaiyila' creates a melodious rhythm.

Metaphor

Mottavizha madhi vadhanam

Comparing the bride's face (vadhanam) directly to a blossoming moon (madhi).

Wordplay / Juxtaposition

Yen andha nei viklakku / Yettrivittaan mei vilakku

Play on similar sounding words 'Nei vilakku' (ghee lamp) and 'Mei vilakku' (lamp of truth/body/soul) to highlight spiritual devotion over ritualistic lighting.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan, this song relies on rich traditional imagery of flowers, conch shells (sangu), and ritual lamps to evoke the authentic ambiance of a South Indian wedding ceremony.

Keep listening

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