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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sembaruthipoove

From Gambeeram · 2004

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singers
Srinivas, Ganga
Music director
Mani Sharma
Details
Gambeeram2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sembaruththi pooveyO hibiscus flower,
Oru pen aanathaaDid you become a woman?
Iru oothaappoo kan aanathaa….aa…Did two purple flowers turn into eyes?
Alli enbathaa unnai malli enbathaaShall I call you a lily, or call you a jasmine?
Mullai enbathaa poovin pillai enbathaaShall I call you a night-flowering jasmine, or a child of blossoms?
Female
Kannellaam…..All in the eyes...
Kadhal enbathaaShall I call it love?
Kanavellam…..asasai enbathaaAll in the dreams... shall I call it desire?
Nee enakku enbathaa naan unakku enbathaaShall I say you are mine, or that I am yours?
Nee enakku enbathaa naan unakku enbathaaShall I say you are mine, or that I am yours?
Meesai enbathaa aththu meerum enbathaaShall I call it a mustache, or crossing boundaries?
Paarai enbathaaShall I call it a rock?
Kulir porvai enbathaa…..ahaan aha…..Or call it a cozy blanket in the cold? Ahaan aha...
Female
Kanavukkulla vanthuComing into my dreams,
Nee kappal vittiyaeYou sailed a boat!
Manasukkulla vanthuEntering inside my heart,
Nee maithaa araichiyaeYou ground soft flour!
Male
Imaiyam pole ninnaeI stood steadfast like the Himalayas,
Nee lesaa thottiyaeYet you touched me gently!
Ilavam panjaa poneenI turned into soft silk-cotton,
Nee yedho senjiyaeYou did something magical to me!
Female
Nee kai sodakki kooppittaaIf you snap your fingers and call,
Konjam koduppaenI will give you a little.
Kannadichchu kooppittaaIf you wink and call,
Saerththuk kodupaenI will give you everything.
Male
Nee poo parikka kooppittaaIf you call me to pluck flowers,
Theanum eduppenI will extract honey for you.
Thaenedukka kooppittaaIf you call me to take honey,
Poovum parippenI will pluck flowers as well.
Female
Aasai paththuchchaaDid desire catch fire?
Intha aasai paththuchchaaDid this desire catch fire?
Male :Meesai kuththuchchaaMale: Did my mustache prick you?
Nam meesai kuththuchchaaDid our mustache prick you?
Male
Oo….mezhugu silaiye unnaOh wax statue, shall I...
Naan urukki paarkkattaaMelt you down and see?
Paruva thimirae unnaOh youthful pride, shall I...
Naan parugi paarkkattaaSip and taste you?
Female
Irumbu siraiyae unnaOh iron prison, shall I...
Irukki kattattaBind you tightly?
Morattu thaname unnaOh rough nature, shall I...
Naan murukki kaattattaaTwist and display my strength?
Male
Un paal mugaththa muththathaalYour milky face with a kiss,
Paththa vaikkattaaShall I ignite it with passion?
Maeni engum thottuththaanBy touching your whole body,
Pookka vaikkattaaShall I make it bloom?
Female
Un kai virala konjamYour fingers, a little,
Naan katti vaikkattaShall I hold and bind them?
Aasaigala moththmmaaAll desires combined,
Pootti vaikkattaa….aa….Shall I lock them up?
Male
Yaenga vaikkattaaShall I make you yearn?
Unna yaenga vaikkattaaShall I make you yearn for me?
Female :Thoonga vaikkattaaFemale: Shall I put you to sleep?
Unna thoonga vaikkattaaShall I put you to sleep?
Male
Sembaruththi pooveyO hibiscus flower,
Oru pen aanathaaDid you become a woman?
Iru oothaappoo kan aanathaa….aa…Did two purple flowers turn into eyes?
Alli enbathaa unnai malli enbathaaShall I call you a lily, or call you a jasmine?
Mullai enbathaa poovin pillai enbathaaShall I call you a night-flowering jasmine, or a child of blossoms?
Female
Kannellaam…..All in the eyes...
Kadhal enbathaaShall I call it love?
Kanavellam…..asasai enbathaaAll in the dreams... shall I call it desire?
Nee enakku enbathaa naan unakku enbathaaShall I say you are mine, or that I am yours?
Nee enakku enbathaa naan unakku enbathaaShall I say you are mine, or that I am yours?
Meesai enbathaa aththu meerum enbathaaShall I call it a mustache, or crossing boundaries?
Paarai enbathaaShall I call it a rock?
Kulir porvai enbathaa…..ahaan aha…..Or call it a cozy blanket in the cold? Ahaan aha...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film Gambeeram depicts a playful, passionate conversation between two lovers. The lyrics use vibrant floral and physical metaphors to express mutual fascination and growing intimacy. The female lead compares her lover's presence to warmth in cold weather, while questioning whether his physical traits symbolize strength or affection. The male lead responds with intense declarations of passion, comparing her to a delicate wax sculpture and expressing his eagerness to embrace and hold her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

Sembaruththi poovey Oru pen aanathaa

The lover is directly metaphorized as a hibiscus flower ('Sembaruththi poovey') turned into a woman.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Imaiyam pole ninnae Nee lesaa thottiyae

The male protagonist compares his firm stance to the immovable Himalayan mountains ('Imaiyam pole').

Anaphora / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Alli enbathaa unnai malli enbathaa

Repetition of sound patterns and structures across consecutive lines ('Alli enbathaa', 'Mullai enbathaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Sembaruththi Poovey' features music composed by Mani Sharma for the 2004 Tamil action film Gambeeram, starring Sarathkumar and Laila. The lyrics were written by prominent lyricist Pa. Vijay.

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