Sembaruthi Poovidhu
From Thangamani Rangamani · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thangamani Rangamani1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram | This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence, |
| Etti etti yaarai paakkutho | Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at? |
| Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho | Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater? |
| Male | |
| Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka | As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me', |
| Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka… | As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'... |
| Female | |
| Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram | This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence, |
| Etti etti yaarai paakkutho | Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at? |
| Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho | Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater? |
| Female | |
| Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka | As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me', |
| Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka… | As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'... |
| Male | |
| Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram | This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence, |
| Etti etti yaarai paakkutho | Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at? |
| Female :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho | Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater? |
| Chorus | |
| Thannaanaa…..thanthana thaanaa | Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa |
| Thannaanaa…..thanthana thaanaa | Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa |
| Male | |
| Kai viral nagangal theenda | When fingers and nails gently touch, |
| Innum koochcham edharkku idhu koottal kanakku | Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition! |
| Kai viral nagangal theenda | When fingers and nails gently touch, |
| Innum koochcham edharkku idhu koottal kanakku | Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition! |
| Female | |
| Thendralthaan nerunga | When the gentle breeze approaches, |
| Thennaiththaan kulungum | The coconut tree sways, |
| Ondruthaan irukka ovvondraai vilangum | When two become one, everything becomes clear one by one. |
| Male :Uchchi velai veyyil polae ushnam yaera | Male: As heat rises like the midday sun, |
| Female :Unnai naanum ennai neeyum pinnum neramo… | Female: Is it time for you and me to intertwine with each other?... |
| Male | |
| Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram | This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence, |
| Etti etti yaarai paakkutho | Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at? |
| Female :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho | Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Anthiyil arumbum aasai | Desire that buds during the twilight hour, |
| Ennai paadaai paduththa pattu paayum uruththa | Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless. |
| Anthiyil arumbum aasai | Desire that buds during the twilight hour, |
| Ennai paadaai paduththa pattu paayum uruththa | Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless. |
| Male | |
| Unnai naan edupaen oththadam koduppean | I will hold you close and comfort you, |
| Ottu maanj sedi pol otti naaniruppaen | I will cling to you like a grafted mango plant. |
| Female :antha thaedhi anthi maalai unnai saera | Female: To join you in the evening on that promised date, |
| Male :Antha neram arththa jaamam anbin vellamo | Male: At that midnight hour, will it be a flood of love? |
| Female | |
| Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram | This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence, |
| Etti etti yaarai paakkutho | Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at? |
| Male :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho | Male: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater? |
| Female | |
| Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka | As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me', |
| Male :Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka… | Male: As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'... |
| Both :Lalala laallaa….lalala laallaa | Both: Lalala laallaa....lalala laallaa |
| Lalala laallaa laallaa laa | Lalala laallaa laallaa laa |
| Lalala laallaa laallaa laa | Lalala laallaa laallaa laa |
..................................
...
செம்பருத்தி பூவிது பூவிது வேலியோரம்
எட்டி எட்டி யாரைப் பாக்குதோ
பூமேனி ஈர மழை நீரைக் கேக்குதோ
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
தொடு தொடுன்னு இள மலர் துடிக்க
கொடு கொடுன்னு வண்டு சிறகடிக்க....
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
செம்பருத்தி பூவிது பூவிது வேலியோரம்
எட்டி எட்டி யாரைப் பாக்குதோ
பூமேனி ஈர மழை நீரைக் கேக்குதோ
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
தொடு தொடுன்னு இள மலர் துடிக்க
கொடு கொடுன்னு வண்டு சிறகடிக்க....
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
செம்பருத்தி பூவிது பூவிது வேலியோரம்
எட்டி எட்டி யாரைப் பாக்குதோ
பூமேனி ஈர மழை நீரைக் கேக்குதோ
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
தன்னானா......தந்தன தானா
தன்னானா......தந்தன தானா
Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa
Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa
கை விரல் நகங்கள் தீண்ட
இன்னும் கூச்சம் எதற்கு இது கூட்டல் கணக்கு
கை விரல் நகங்கள் தீண்ட
இன்னும் கூச்சம் எதற்கு இது கூட்டல் கணக்கு
When fingers and nails gently touch,
Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition!
When fingers and nails gently touch,
Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition!
தென்றல்தான் நெருங்க
தென்னைத்தான் குலுங்கும்
ஒன்றுதான் இருக்க ஒவ்வொன்றாய் விளங்கும்
உச்சி வேளை வெய்யில் போலே உஷ்ணம் ஏற
உன்னை நானும் என்னை நீயும் பின்னும் நேரமோ...
When the gentle breeze approaches,
The coconut tree sways,
When two become one, everything becomes clear one by one.
Male: As heat rises like the midday sun,
Female: Is it time for you and me to intertwine with each other?...
செம்பருத்தி பூவிது பூவிது வேலியோரம்
எட்டி எட்டி யாரைப் பாக்குதோ
பூமேனி ஈர மழை நீரைக் கேக்குதோ
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
தானனானா தானனானா
தானனானா தானனானா
தான நான தான நானனா
தான நான தான நானனா
...
அந்தியில் அரும்பும் ஆசை
என்னைப் பாடாய் படுத்த பட்டுப் பாயும் உறுத்த
அந்தியில் அரும்பும் ஆசை
என்னைப் பாடாய் படுத்த பட்டுப் பாயும் உறுத்த
Desire that buds during the twilight hour,
Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless.
Desire that buds during the twilight hour,
Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless.
உன்னை நான் எடுப்பேன் ஒத்தடம் கொடுப்பேன்
ஒட்டு மாஞ்செடிப் போல் ஒட்டி நானிருப்பேன்
அந்த தேதி அந்தி மாலை உன்னை சேர
அந்த நேரம் அர்த்தஜாமம் அன்பின் வெள்ளமோ
I will hold you close and comfort you,
I will cling to you like a grafted mango plant.
Female: To join you in the evening on that promised date,
Male: At that midnight hour, will it be a flood of love?
செம்பருத்தி பூவிது பூவிது வேலியோரம்
எட்டி எட்டி யாரைப் பாக்குதோ
பூமேனி ஈர மழை நீரைக் கேக்குதோ
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Male: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
தொடு தொடுன்னு இள மலர் துடிக்க
கொடு கொடுன்னு வண்டு சிறகடிக்க....
இருவர் :
லலல லால்லா.....லலல லால்லா...
லலல லால்லா லால்லா லா
லலல லால்லா லால்லா லா.....
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
Male: As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
Both: Lalala laallaa....lalala laallaa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
………………..
...
Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Etti etti yaarai paakkutho
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho
Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka…
As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Etti etti yaarai paakkutho
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho
Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka…
As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Etti etti yaarai paakkutho
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Female :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho
Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
Thannaanaa…..thanthana thaanaa
Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa
Thannaanaa…..thanthana thaanaa
Thannaanaa.....thanthana thaanaa
Kai viral nagangal theenda
When fingers and nails gently touch,
Innum koochcham edharkku idhu koottal kanakku
Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition!
Kai viral nagangal theenda
When fingers and nails gently touch,
Innum koochcham edharkku idhu koottal kanakku
Why still feel shy? This is a simple sum of addition!
Thendralthaan nerunga
When the gentle breeze approaches,
Thennaiththaan kulungum
The coconut tree sways,
Ondruthaan irukka ovvondraai vilangum
When two become one, everything becomes clear one by one.
Male :Uchchi velai veyyil polae ushnam yaera
Male: As heat rises like the midday sun,
Female :Unnai naanum ennai neeyum pinnum neramo…
Female: Is it time for you and me to intertwine with each other?...
Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Etti etti yaarai paakkutho
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Female :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho
Female: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
…………………
...
Anthiyil arumbum aasai
Desire that buds during the twilight hour,
Ennai paadaai paduththa pattu paayum uruththa
Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless.
Anthiyil arumbum aasai
Desire that buds during the twilight hour,
Ennai paadaai paduththa pattu paayum uruththa
Torments me, making even the silk bed feel rough and restless.
Unnai naan edupaen oththadam koduppean
I will hold you close and comfort you,
Ottu maanj sedi pol otti naaniruppaen
I will cling to you like a grafted mango plant.
Female :antha thaedhi anthi maalai unnai saera
Female: To join you in the evening on that promised date,
Male :Antha neram arththa jaamam anbin vellamo
Male: At that midnight hour, will it be a flood of love?
Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram
This hibiscus flower is at the edge of the fence,
Etti etti yaarai paakkutho
Reaching out and leaning, whom is it looking at?
Male :Poomaeni eera mazhai neerai kekkutho
Male: Is her flower-like body asking for the cool rainwater?
Thodu thodunnu ila malar thudikka
As the tender flower throbs saying 'touch me, touch me',
Male :Kodu kodunnu vandu sirakadikka…
Male: As the honeybee flutters its wings saying 'give me, give me'...
Both :Lalala laallaa….lalala laallaa
Both: Lalala laallaa....lalala laallaa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
Lalala laallaa laallaa laa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Sembaruththi Poovithu is a romantic duet from the 1989 Tamil film Thangamani Rangamani, written by legendary lyricist Vaali. The song uses rich natural imagery—specifically a hibiscus flower blossoming by a fence waiting for rain, and a honeybee hovering near it—as an allegory for a woman's physical and emotional longing for her partner. The couple playfully dialogues about letting go of shyness, comparing union to simple addition and passion to the intense heat of midday. In the second movement, the lovers express their impatience for twilight and midnight rendezvous, comparing intimacy to a grafted plant that holds on tight. Vaali cleverly combines pastoral metaphors with sensual undertones to portray youthful passion and deep companionship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Metaphor / Allegory)
“Sembaruththi poovithu poovithu veliyoram”
The hibiscus flower ('Sembaruththi poovithu') and honeybee ('Vandu') serve as central metaphors for the heroine blooming with youth and the hero drawn to her.
Adukkuthodar (Repetitive Words for Sound Mimicry)
“Etti etti yaarai paakkutho”
'Etti etti' and 'Thodu thodunnu' use doubled words to create rhythmic intensity and reflect physical actions vividly.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Uchchi velai veyyil polae ushnam yaera”
'Veyyil polae ushnam yaera' compares the rising temperature of romantic passion to the intensity of midday sunlight.
Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)
“Ottu maanj sedi pol otti naaniruppaen”
'Ottu maanj sedi pol' uses the simile of a grafted mango plant to represent tight physical and emotional closeness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thangamani Rangamani is a 1989 comedy-drama film. Lyricist Vaali was famed for using botanical and agricultural metaphors—such as hibiscus flowers, coconut trees, breeze, and grafted plants—to convey romantic and sensual themes gracefully in Tamil cinema while keeping within censorial decorum.
Keep listening
More from Thangamani Rangamani
Thangamani Rangamani
Thangamani Rangamani
Thangamani Rangamani
Thangamani Rangamani
Thangamani Rangamani