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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sembaruthi Sembaruthi

From Vasanthakala Paravai · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Deva
Details
Vasanthakala Paravai1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Koopitaa malar thediIf called, seeking the flower
Vandu varumA beetle will come
Thethi kurippittaa koiyyavaiIf a date is specified, guavas
Kiligal koththumParrots will peck
Sinthithaal varukindra kavithai polaeLike poetry that flows when thought of
Kangal santhithaal varavendumWhen eyes meet, it should arrive
Unmai kaadhalTrue love
Male
Sembaruthi sembaruthiHibiscus, hibiscus
Poovai pola pen oruthiA woman like a flower
Kadhalana thedi vandhaalCame searching for her lover
Kannil vanna mai yezhuthiWearing colorful kohl in her eyes
Melum keelum aadukindraSwaying up and down
Noolidaithaan..aa..Her waist like a slender thread
Meendum meendum naan padikkumAgain and again I read
Noolagam dhaanShe is a library
Naal ellaamAll day long
Meendum meendum naan padikkumAgain and again I read
Noolagam dhaanShe is a library
Female
Sembaruthi sembaruthiHibiscus, hibiscus
Poovai pola pennoruthiA woman like a flower
Male
Palliyarai naandhanaeI am the bedchamber
Paari jatha poondhenaeI am the sweet honey of the Parijatha flower
Kalvi pol kaadhalaiLove, just like education
Kattruthara vandhenaeI came to teach you
Female
Kattrukkodu kannalaeTeach me with your darling eyes
Kannimayil unnalaeThe maiden peacock, because of you
Yennavo yennavoSomething unknown
Inbangalai kandaalaeShe found sheer bliss
Male
Paruva kanavuYouthful dreams
Pirakkum poozhudhuWhen they are born
Iragu mulaiththuGrowing wings
Parakkum manadhuThe mind flies away
Female
Unarchi alaigalWaves of emotions
Thirandu thiranduGathering and swelling
Karaiyai kadakkumCrossing the banks
Nadhigal iranduAre two rivers
Male
ImaidhanaeJust as the eyelids
Kannai serndhadhuBelong to the eye
Endhan ilam nenjamMy young heart
Unnai serndhadhuHas reached you
Male
Sembaruthi sembaruthiHibiscus, hibiscus
Poovai pola pen oruthiA woman like a flower
Female
Eppozhudhum ennaalumAt all times and every day
Unnudaiya boopaalamYour morning raga melody
Illaiyel yengumaeWithout it, nowhere
Ennudaiya aagayamDoes my sky exist
Male
Jannal vazhi naal dhorumThrough the window every day
Minnal ondru kai kaattumA flash of lightning gestures a hand
Ammamma ennaithaanOh my, it bathes me
Aasaigalil neeraattumIn waves of desire
Female
Ennakkum unakkumBetween you and me
Irukkum nerukkamThe intimacy that exists
Ilamai thodarndhuContinuing from youth
Mudhumai varaikkumUntil old age
Male
Iravum pagalumDay and night
Uravai valarkkumNurtures the bond
Idaiyil irukkumIn between existing
Thadayai thagarkkumShattering all barriers
Female
Vilagadhu sondhamanathuAn inseparable kinship
Dheivam mudi pottu bandham anadhuA divine bond tied with a nuptial knot
Female
Sembaruthi sembaruthiHibiscus, hibiscus
Poovai pola pen oruthiA woman like a flower
Kadhalanai thedi vandhaalCame searching for her lover
Kannil vanna mai yezhuthiWearing colorful kohl in her eyes
Naarbin meedhu kann mayangiFainting with love upon his chest
SainthidaththaanTo lean gently
Meni engum kaviri polAll over the body like the Cauvery river
PainthidaththaanTo flow rapidly
Kai thodum meni engumWherever the hand touches all over the body
Kaviri pol painthidaththaanTo flow like the Cauvery river
Male
Sembaruthi sembaruthiHibiscus, hibiscus
Poovai pola pen oruthiA woman like a flower

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from Vasanthakala Paravai celebrates the flowering of romantic love between two souls. The lyrics compare the heroine to a delicate hibiscus ('Sembaruthi') and describe the intense attraction, intimacy, and emotional unity between the lovers. Through beautiful nature imagery—bees seeking flowers, parrots pecking fruit, and rivers overflowing their banks—the song expresses how love naturally blossoms and bonds the lovers together for a lifetime.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Poovai pola pen oruthi

Compares the heroine to a hibiscus flower ('Poovai pola pen oruthi') and her slender waist to a library to be read continuously ('Noolagam dhaan').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Paruva kanavu / Pirakkum poozhudhu

Uses rhythmic Tamil rhyming patterns across lines such as 'Paruva kanavu / Pirakkum poozhudhu / Iragu mulaiththu / Parakkum manadhu'.

Uvamai (Simile)

Meni engum kaviri pol

Compares the rush of physical and emotional passion to the flowing waters of the River Cauvery ('Kaviri pol painthidaththaan').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Sembaruthi Sembaruthi' from Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) was composed by Deva and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Directed by Pavithran and produced by K. T. Kunjumon, the song's catchy melody and poet Vaali's playful metaphors made it one of the biggest chartbusters of 1991.

Keep listening

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