Sembaruthi Poovukku
From Dharma · 1998
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu sellammaa | A saree, my dear girl |
| Naanirukken kattikko | I am here, embrace me |
| Naanam enna sollammaa | Why shyness, tell me dear girl |
| Poongaathu neruppaachu | The gentle breeze turned into fire |
| Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu | It boiled deep within me |
| Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanammaa | Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion |
| Thunai nee thaanammaa | You alone are my companion |
| Female | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa | Are you giving a saree? |
| Kai pudichu azhagaa | Holding my hands beautifully |
| Katti vida vaariyaa | Will you come to drape it around me? |
| Male | |
| Vatta vatta nilaavukku pottu vachu | Placing a dot on the round round moon |
| Vanji vanji vandhaa nenja thottu vachu | When the graceful girl came, she touched the heart |
| Chorus | |
| Othukkittaa thappu enna | What is wrong if agreed? |
| Male | |
| Konjam vetti vetti sittu pogaiyilae | As the little sparrow flutters away slightly |
| Vacha vacha kanna ooru vaangalaiyae | Didn't the whole town gaze without taking their eyes off? |
| Chorus | |
| Vasiyam pannudhu um manasu | Your mind performs magic |
| Mella valachu podudhu un sirippu | Your smile slowly entraps me |
| Female | |
| Um pera ezhudhi | Writing your name |
| Oru nooru tharam padichen | I read it a hundred times |
| Um pera ezhudhi | Writing your name |
| Oru nooru tharam padichen | I read it a hundred times |
| Paai virikkum pozhudhu un nenappu varudhu | When I lay out the bed, thoughts of you arrive |
| Ennannu solluven raasaa | How shall I express it, my king? |
| Male | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu sellammaa | A saree, my dear girl |
| Naanirukken kattikko | I am here, embrace me |
| Naanam enna sollammaa | Why shyness, tell me dear girl |
| Female | |
| Poongaathu neruppaachu | The gentle breeze turned into fire |
| Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu | It boiled deep within me |
| Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanaiyaa | Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion |
| Thunai nee thaanaiyaa | You alone are my companion |
| Female | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa | Are you giving a saree? |
| Kai pudichu azhagaa | Holding my hands beautifully |
| Katti vida vaariyaa | Will you come to drape it around me? |
| Female | |
| Sinna patti thotti engum un peraiyaa | Your name echoes across every small village hamlet |
| Nethi pottu onnu vachu nee vaariyaa | Will you come putting a bindi on your forehead? |
| Chorus | |
| Pacha kili vachu vidu | Place a green parrot mark |
| Female | |
| Villu villu vandi katti vandhaa enna | What if you hitch a bow-chariot and come? |
| Indha ponna kattikkittu ponaa enna | What if you marry this girl and take her away? |
| Chorus | |
| Mayakkum kannilae thandhi kodu | Send a telegram through your captivating eyes |
| Avan manasu pola nee mundhi kodu | Yield beforehand as per his heart's desire |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalae manakkum | Just saying it spreads fragrance |
| Indha nenjukkullae inikkum | It tastes sweet within this heart |
| Sonnaalae manakkum | Just saying it spreads fragrance |
| Indha nenjukkullae inikkum | It tastes sweet within this heart |
| Manja thaali irukku | The yellow sacred thread is ready |
| Maala kooda irukku | Even the wedding garland is ready |
| Mangala vaathiyam venum | Only the auspicious music is needed |
| Female | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa | Are you giving a saree? |
| Kai pudichu azhagaa | Holding my hands beautifully |
| Katti vida vaariyaa | Will you come to drape it around me? |
| Male | |
| Poongaathu neruppaachu | The gentle breeze turned into fire |
| Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu | It boiled deep within me |
| Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanammaa | Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion |
| Thunai nee thaanammaa | You alone are my companion |
| Female | |
| Sembaruthi poovukku | To the hibiscus flower |
| Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa | Are you giving a saree? |
| Kai pudichu azhagaa | Holding my hands beautifully |
| Katti vida vaariyaa | Will you come to drape it around me? |
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு செல்லம்மா
நானிருக்கேன் கட்டிக்கோ
நாணமென்ன சொல்லம்மா
பூங்காத்து நெருப்பாச்சு
அது உள்ளுக்குள்ளே கொதிப்பாச்சு
குத்தாலக் குயிலே துணை நீதானம்மா
துணை நீதானம்மா
To the hibiscus flower
A saree, my dear girl
I am here, embrace me
Why shyness, tell me dear girl
The gentle breeze turned into fire
It boiled deep within me
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
You alone are my companion
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு தாரியா
கை புடிச்சு அழகா
கட்டி விட வாரியா
To the hibiscus flower
Are you giving a saree?
Holding my hands beautifully
Will you come to drape it around me?
வட்ட வட்ட நிலாவுக்கு பொட்டு வச்சு
வஞ்சி வஞ்சி வந்தா நெஞ்ச தொட்டு வச்சு
Placing a dot on the round round moon
When the graceful girl came, she touched the heart
ஒத்துக்கிட்டா தப்பு என்ன
What is wrong if agreed?
கொஞ்சம் வெட்டி வெட்டி
சிட்டு போகையிலே
வச்ச வச்ச கண்ண ஊரு வாங்கலையே
As the little sparrow flutters away slightly
Didn't the whole town gaze without taking their eyes off?
வசியம் பண்ணுது உம் மனசு
மெல்ல வளைச்சு போடுது உன் சிரிப்பு
Your mind performs magic
Your smile slowly entraps me
உம் பேர எழுதி
ஒரு நூறு தரம் படிச்சேன்
உம் பேர எழுதி
ஒரு நூறு தரம் படிச்சேன்
பாய் விரிக்கும் பொழுது உன் நெனப்பு வருது
என்னன்னு சொல்லுவேன் ராசா
Writing your name
I read it a hundred times
Writing your name
I read it a hundred times
When I lay out the bed, thoughts of you arrive
How shall I express it, my king?
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு செல்லம்மா
நானிருக்கேன் கட்டிக்கோ
நாணமென்ன சொல்லம்மா
பூங்காத்து நெருப்பாச்சு
அது உள்ளுக்குள்ளே கொதிப்பாச்சு
குத்தாலக் குயிலே துணை நீதானம்மா
துணை நீதானம்மா
To the hibiscus flower
A saree, my dear girl
I am here, embrace me
Why shyness, tell me dear girl
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு தாரியா
கை புடிச்சு அழகா
கட்டி விட வாரியா
The gentle breeze turned into fire
It boiled deep within me
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
You alone are my companion
சின்னப் பட்டி தொட்டி
எங்கும் உன் பேரையா
நெத்திப் பொட்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சு நீ வாரியா
To the hibiscus flower
Are you giving a saree?
Holding my hands beautifully
Will you come to drape it around me?
பச்சக் கிளி வச்சு விடு
Your name echoes across every small village hamlet
Will you come putting a bindi on your forehead?
வில்லு வில்லு வண்டி கட்டி வந்தா என்ன
இந்தப் பொண்ண கட்டிக்கிட்டு போனா என்ன
Place a green parrot mark
மயக்கும் கண்ணிலே தந்தி கொடு
அவன் மனசு போல நீ முந்தி கொடு
What if you hitch a bow-chariot and come?
What if you marry this girl and take her away?
சொன்னாலே மணக்கும்
இந்த நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே இனிக்கும்
சொன்னாலே மணக்கும்
இந்த நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே இனிக்கும்
மஞ்சத் தாலி இருக்கு
மால கூட இருக்கு
மங்கள வாத்தியம் வேணும்
Send a telegram through your captivating eyes
Yield beforehand as per his heart's desire
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு தாரியா
கை புடிச்சு அழகா
கட்டி விட வாரியா
Just saying it spreads fragrance
It tastes sweet within this heart
Just saying it spreads fragrance
It tastes sweet within this heart
The yellow sacred thread is ready
Even the wedding garland is ready
Only the auspicious music is needed
பூங்காத்து நெருப்பாச்சு
அது உள்ளுக்குள்ளே கொதிப்பாச்சு
குத்தாலக் குயிலே துணை நீதானம்மா
துணை நீதானம்மா
To the hibiscus flower
Are you giving a saree?
Holding my hands beautifully
Will you come to drape it around me?
செம்பருத்திப் பூவுக்கு
சேலையொன்னு தாரியா
கை புடிச்சு அழகா
கட்டி விட வாரியா
The gentle breeze turned into fire
It boiled deep within me
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
You alone are my companion
To the hibiscus flower
Are you giving a saree?
Holding my hands beautifully
Will you come to drape it around me?
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu sellammaa
A saree, my dear girl
Naanirukken kattikko
I am here, embrace me
Naanam enna sollammaa
Why shyness, tell me dear girl
Poongaathu neruppaachu
The gentle breeze turned into fire
Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu
It boiled deep within me
Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanammaa
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
Thunai nee thaanammaa
You alone are my companion
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa
Are you giving a saree?
Kai pudichu azhagaa
Holding my hands beautifully
Katti vida vaariyaa
Will you come to drape it around me?
Vatta vatta nilaavukku pottu vachu
Placing a dot on the round round moon
Vanji vanji vandhaa nenja thottu vachu
When the graceful girl came, she touched the heart
Othukkittaa thappu enna
What is wrong if agreed?
Konjam vetti vetti sittu pogaiyilae
As the little sparrow flutters away slightly
Vacha vacha kanna ooru vaangalaiyae
Didn't the whole town gaze without taking their eyes off?
Vasiyam pannudhu um manasu
Your mind performs magic
Mella valachu podudhu un sirippu
Your smile slowly entraps me
Um pera ezhudhi
Writing your name
Oru nooru tharam padichen
I read it a hundred times
Um pera ezhudhi
Writing your name
Oru nooru tharam padichen
I read it a hundred times
Paai virikkum pozhudhu un nenappu varudhu
When I lay out the bed, thoughts of you arrive
Ennannu solluven raasaa
How shall I express it, my king?
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu sellammaa
A saree, my dear girl
Naanirukken kattikko
I am here, embrace me
Naanam enna sollammaa
Why shyness, tell me dear girl
Poongaathu neruppaachu
The gentle breeze turned into fire
Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu
It boiled deep within me
Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanaiyaa
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
Thunai nee thaanaiyaa
You alone are my companion
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa
Are you giving a saree?
Kai pudichu azhagaa
Holding my hands beautifully
Katti vida vaariyaa
Will you come to drape it around me?
Sinna patti thotti engum un peraiyaa
Your name echoes across every small village hamlet
Nethi pottu onnu vachu nee vaariyaa
Will you come putting a bindi on your forehead?
Pacha kili vachu vidu
Place a green parrot mark
Villu villu vandi katti vandhaa enna
What if you hitch a bow-chariot and come?
Indha ponna kattikkittu ponaa enna
What if you marry this girl and take her away?
Mayakkum kannilae thandhi kodu
Send a telegram through your captivating eyes
Avan manasu pola nee mundhi kodu
Yield beforehand as per his heart's desire
Sonnaalae manakkum
Just saying it spreads fragrance
Indha nenjukkullae inikkum
It tastes sweet within this heart
Sonnaalae manakkum
Just saying it spreads fragrance
Indha nenjukkullae inikkum
It tastes sweet within this heart
Manja thaali irukku
The yellow sacred thread is ready
Maala kooda irukku
Even the wedding garland is ready
Mangala vaathiyam venum
Only the auspicious music is needed
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa
Are you giving a saree?
Kai pudichu azhagaa
Holding my hands beautifully
Katti vida vaariyaa
Will you come to drape it around me?
Poongaathu neruppaachu
The gentle breeze turned into fire
Adhu ullukkullae kodhippaachu
It boiled deep within me
Kuthaala kuyilae thunai nee thaanammaa
Oh cuckoo of Courtallam, you alone are my companion
Thunai nee thaanammaa
You alone are my companion
Sembaruthi poovukku
To the hibiscus flower
Saelaiyonnu thaariyaa
Are you giving a saree?
Kai pudichu azhagaa
Holding my hands beautifully
Katti vida vaariyaa
Will you come to drape it around me?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet depicts a playful exchange between two lovers expressing their deep affection and desire to marry. The heroine is poetically compared to a vivid red hibiscus flower ('Sembaruthi poovukku'), while the hero offers to wrap her in love and care like a fine saree. They share their intimate feelings of longing, where even the gentle breeze feels warm with passion, and eagerly anticipate their upcoming wedding with traditional customs like the yellow sacred thread and garlands.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagom)
“Sembaruthi poovukku”
The woman is compared to a vibrant hibiscus flower ('Sembaruthi poovukku') and the moon ('Vatta vatta nilaavukku').
Alliteration / Monai
“Vatta vatta nilaavukku pottu vachu”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Va' in 'Vatta vatta nilaavukku / Vanji vanji vandhaa'.
Oxymoron / Contrast
“Poongaathu neruppaachu”
Contrasting the gentle cool breeze ('Poongaathu') with fire ('neruppaachu') to signify intense passionate longing.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Sembaruthi Poovukku' belongs to the 1998 Tamil action film 'Dharma', starring Vijayakanth and Preetha Vijayakumar. Composed with rich rural folk motifs, the lyrics penned by veteran lyricist Pulamaipithan blend romantic metaphors with traditional Tamil wedding imagery.
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