Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sembaruthi Poovin Singaram

From Naanum Oru Thozhilali · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naanum Oru Thozhilali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo ha..hhooo haa…(2)Hoo ha.. hhooo haa...
Male
Sembaruthi poovin singaaram kanduSeeing the beauty of the hibiscus flower
Silirthathu enakku …adhu edhukkuI got goosebumps... why was that?
Ammamaadi amma oiyaaram kanduMy goodness, seeing her graceful elegance
Thudithathu enakku adhu edhukkuMy heart fluttered... why was that?
Male
Vaammaa vaaa valaiyal pottuCome, lady, come wearing bangles
Veerappa enakku kattuTie it around me bravely
Aa ..haaa…hoo..hoooAa.. haaa.. hoo.. hooo
Male
Sembaruthi poovin singaaram kanduSeeing the beauty of the hibiscus flower
Silirthathu enakku …adhu edhukkuI got goosebumps... why was that?
Ammamaadi amma oiyaaram kanduMy goodness, seeing her graceful elegance
Thudithathu enakku adhu edhukkuMy heart fluttered... why was that?
Female
Haa hoo haa hooHaa hoo haa hoo
Haa hoo haa hooHaa hoo haa hoo
Male :Haa haa haa ahaaMale: Haa haa haa ahaa
Male
Ahaa haa onna paartha neram thaanAhaa, from the very moment I saw you
Thulludhadi ullam thaanMy heart is leaping with joy
Yei…chinna ponnu dhegamthaanHey... this young girl's body
Nerungumo en pakkam thaanWill it come close to my side?
Female
Anjurava naan illa azhattumaI am not one to fear, shall I call you out?
Andhapuram vaa oru ooramaCome to the inner palace, to a quiet corner
Anna kkili naan illa kattu puliI am not a gentle parrot, I am a wild tiger
Hoi …sollaponaaa naan oru bruceleeHoi... in fact, I am a Bruce Lee!
Male
Maamanthaanae pandhaadum beeman thaanaeI am your uncle, a powerful Bhima who plays around
Pollaadha sutti pennae chella kannaeOh naughty, mischievous girl, my dear sweet darling
Kattipodum kettikaarandhaan haa..hooI am a clever man who will bind you, haa.. hoo
Female
Sembaruthi poovin singaaram kanduSeeing the beauty of the hibiscus flower
Silirthathu edhukku …adha adakkuWhy did you get goosebumps? Control it!
Ammamaadi amma oiyaaram kanduMy goodness, seeing her graceful elegance
Thudithathu edhukku enna madakkuWhy did your heart flutter? Charm and win me over!
Female
Vaaiya vaaa nadaiya pottuCome along, strutting with style
Veerappa enakku kattuTie it around me bravely
Aa ..haaa…hoo..haaAa.. haaa.. hoo.. haa
Female
Kaiya kaalai odharaadhaeDon't tremble with your hands and feet
Kandapadi thulladhaeDon't jump around recklessly
Yow..engakitta nee vaangaadhae..Hey mister.. don't mess around with me..
Male :Aaa..haaa..Male: Aaa.. haaa..
Female :Killadi thaan thoongaadhaeFemale: A clever player who doesn't sleep
Male
Ennai vida nee enna pokkiriyaaAre you a bigger rogue than me?
Ha…mutta ida naan petta kozhiyaaHa... am I a hen just meant to lay eggs?
Sangadhiya nee ippo paakkuriyaDo you want to see what I am capable of now?
Sammadhichaa vaa sari jodiyaaIf you agree, come as my suitable match
Female
Aattam poda yaaracham aalappaaruLook at who is coming to dance and rule
Enkitta kuthupatta ammammaaaOh my, if anyone picks a fight with me...
Mothathula budhi vilangum..haa hoo….Overall, their senses will be brought to light.. haa hoo....
Male
Sembaruthi poovin singaaram kanduSeeing the beauty of the hibiscus flower
Silirthathu enakku …adhu edhukkuI got goosebumps... why was that?
Female :Ammamaadi amma oiyaaram kanduFemale: My goodness, seeing her graceful elegance
Thudithathu edhukku enna madakkuWhy did your heart flutter? Charm and win me over!
Male
Vaammaa vaaa valaiyal pottuCome, lady, come wearing bangles
Female :Veerappa enakku kattuFemale: Tie it around me bravely
Aa ..haaa…Aa.. haaa...
Male :Hoo..hoooMale: Hoo.. hooo
Male
Sembaruthi poovae singaaram kanduOh hibiscus flower, seeing your beauty
Silirthathu enakku …adhu edhukkuI got goosebumps... why was that?
Female :Ammamaadi amma oiyaaram kanduFemale: My goodness, seeing her graceful elegance
Thudithathu edhukku enna madakkuWhy did your heart flutter? Charm and win me over!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a energetic, romantic banter between the hero and heroine. The song uses metaphors of nature, strength, and pop culture references to depict a playful duel of wits and affection, where both characters boast about their bravado, charm, and beauty while acknowledging their attraction to each other.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Sembaruthi poovin / Ammamaadi amma

The second letter 'm' rhymes across both lines, creating a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Metaphor

Sembaruthi poovin singaaram kandu

Comparing human beauty and grace to a blooming red hibiscus flower (Sembaruthi poovu).

Hyperbole & Pop Culture Allusion

Hoi …sollaponaaa naan oru brucelee

Playful exaggeration referencing Bruce Lee and Bhima to denote martial strength and power.

Anaphora / Repetition

Silirthathu enakku …adhu edhukku

Repetition of chorus lines emphasizing goosebumps ('silirthathu') and heart fluttering ('thudithathu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vaali, this duet highlights SPB and S. Janaki's famous vocal chemistry, blending expressive theatricality with energetic dance rhythms characteristic of 1980s Tamil commercial cinema.

Keep listening

More from Naanum Oru Thozhilali