Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Senthoora Netri Pottin

From Chithrapournami · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Chithrapournami1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sendhoora nettri pottin nalinamThe grace of the vermillion bindi on the forehead
Adhu chiththira kolam aaa chiththira kolamIt is a picturesque art, ah, a picturesque art
Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolamLips resembling rich ruby-red pomegranate seeds
Female
Sendhoora nettri pottin nalinamThe grace of the vermillion bindi on the forehead
Adhu chiththira kolam aaa chiththira kolamIt is a picturesque art, ah, a picturesque art
Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolamLips resembling rich ruby-red pomegranate seeds
Male
Thaen mandabam mangalamA pavilion of honey, auspiciousness
Manthiram sangamam nenjamChants of mantras and the union of hearts
Female :Vaan minnidum gopuramFemale: The sky-glittering temple tower
Thannidam en manam thanjamMy heart seeks sanctuary with him
Male
Sendhoora nettri pottin nalinamThe grace of the vermillion bindi on the forehead
Adhu chiththira kolam aaa chiththira kolamIt is a picturesque art, ah, a picturesque art
Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolamLips resembling rich ruby-red pomegranate seeds
Female
Panneeril midhakkum venn neela vizhigalBright blue eyes floating in rose water
Paaraatta thudikkindrana aa….aa…Are eager to shower appreciation, ah... ah...
Panneeril midhakkum venn neela vizhigalBright blue eyes floating in rose water
Paaraatta thudikkindrana aa….aa…Are eager to shower appreciation, ah... ah...
Pollaatha ninaivum sallaaba kanavumMischievous thoughts and playful romantic dreams
Ullaasam ketkindranaAre asking for blissful ecstasy
Adhu sinthanai kolam adhil santhana vaasamThat is a design of deep thought infused with the scent of sandalwood
Namm ullangal kaanbathu sugapogamWhat our hearts experience is supreme happiness
Female
Sendhoora nettri pottin nalinamThe grace of the vermillion bindi on the forehead
Adhu chiththira kolam aaa chiththira kolamIt is a picturesque art, ah, a picturesque art
Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolamLips resembling rich ruby-red pomegranate seeds
Male
Ponnodam eduththu pooththoovi mudiththuTaking a golden boat and scattering blossoms
Vinnodu poe varuvomLet us travel to the celestial realm and return
Vinnodum nilavil manjangal amaiththuArranging bridal beds upon the sky's moon
Vilaiyaadi vaazhnthiduvomLet us play and live joyously
Adhu innoru vedham antha indhira geethamThat is another sacred Veda, that divine song of Indra
Sugam thaalaattum aanantha thalirkolam…A delightful tender art form where joy lulls us to sleep...
Female
Manthaara kodiyin singaara malargalThe attractive blossoms of the Mandhara creeper
Vaanaththai paarkindranaAre gazing up at the heavens
Male :Poovodu kalakkum ponnaana meengalMale: The golden fish mingling with blossoms
Bhoomiyai paarkkindranaAre gazing down at the earth
Female
Adhu nyaanigal kolamThat is the serene pattern of the enlightened sages
Male :Ilamaenigal raagamMale: The melody of youthful bodies
Both :Pirar kaanaatha mogana kalaikkolamBoth: An enchanting artistic form unseen by any other
Sendhoora nettri pottin nalinamThe grace of the vermillion bindi on the forehead
Adhu chiththira kolam aaa chiththira kolamIt is a picturesque art, ah, a picturesque art
Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolamLips resembling rich ruby-red pomegranate seeds

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sendhoora Nettri Pottin Nalinam is a classic romantic duet from the 1976 Tamil movie Chithrapournami, composed by M. S. Viswanathan and penned by Kannadasan. The song celebrates the breathtaking beauty of the beloved, comparing her features to intricate kolam artwork, pomegranate pearls, and celestial wonders. The lyrics weave romantic passion with divine and natural metaphors, portraying love as a sanctuary of bliss. As the song progresses, the lovers express their desire to ascend beyond mundane reality, taking a golden boat across the heavens and resting upon the moon. Kannadasan's evocative imagery combines sensory delight—such as rose water, sandalwood, and sweet melodies—with transcendent emotional togetherness, brilliantly brought to life by the legendary vocals of T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhazh semmaantha maadhulai manikkolam

Compares the reddish lips directly to pomegranate seeds/jeweled patterns (maadhulai manikkolam).

Visual Imagery (Katchi Bimbam)

Panneeril midhakkum venn neela vizhigal

Creates a vivid picture of deep blue eyes gently floating on fragrant rose water.

Hyperbole (Uruvagam / Uuyarvu Navitchi)

Vinnodum nilavil manjangal amaiththu

An exaggerated romantic fantasy of making a bed on the moon to live out their love.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Panneeril midhakkum venn neela vizhigal / Paaraatta thudikkindrana

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' in adjacent words.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chithrapournami (1976) starred Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan alongside Jayalalithaa. The film's soundtrack is widely praised for M. S. Viswanathan's lush orchestral arrangements and Kannadasan's high poetic Tamil vocabulary.

Keep listening

More from Chithrapournami