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Lyrics & meaning

Sevvali Poove Chithira

From Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam · 1980

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Salil Chowdhury
Movie name
Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
2 Dec 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
Manigaththin mani neeyammaa
Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni
Chorus :Manigaththin mani neeyammaa
Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni
Mattrariyaa thangam amma
Sodhanaiyil theri vanthu sudar veesigindraai
Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe
Alli vantha mannin yogam….mm….mm….mm…
Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe
Alli vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum….
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai
Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum
Chorus :Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai
Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum
Kungumaththin silaiyaai nindraai
Pon silambai kaalaniyum pugazh thedi kondaai
Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe
Alli vantha mannin yogam
Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe
Alli vantha mannin yogam
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
A blessing of this land that reached graceful hands,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
A blessing of this land that reached graceful hands,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
You are the finest ruby among gems, dear girl,
A young woman steadfast in virtue upon this earth!
Chorus: You are the finest ruby among gems, dear girl,
A young woman steadfast in virtue upon this earth!
You are pure gold of untarnished purity,
You passed through your trials and now glow with radiant light!
O untouched pearl, go forth and seek your path,
The fortune of this land gathered in your embrace... mm... mm... mm...
O untouched pearl, go forth and seek your path,
The fortune of this land gathered in your embrace,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
A blessing of this land that reached graceful hands,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
You have brought glory to all womankind,
Cool sandalwood paste applied over your flower-soft body,
Chorus: You have brought glory to all womankind,
Cool sandalwood paste applied over your flower-soft body,
You stood like a sacred statue adorned with kumkum (sacred red powder),
You earned the honor of wearing golden anklets on your feet!
Swim across the floods even on an unbaked clay pot,
The fortune of this land gathered in your embrace,
Swim across the floods even on an unbaked clay pot,
The fortune of this land gathered in your embrace,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
A blessing of this land that reached graceful hands,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
O red water lily flower, O doll as lovely as a painting,
A blessing of this land that reached graceful hands,
Like an oil lamp lit before the Goddess,
Divine light will shine from now on...
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Sevvalli Poove from Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam (1980) is a poetic composition celebrating the purity, resilience, and divine grace of a young woman. Using vivid metaphors from nature and Tamil tradition—such as comparing her to a red lily, pure gold tested by fire, an unworn pearl, and an earthen lamp lit before a deity—the song honors her virtuous path and inner strength. The lyrics weave cultural symbolism including sandalwood, vermilion, and golden anklets to glorify her journey through life's trials, portraying her as an embodiment of light and dignity grounded in the soil of her heritage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai

Compares the maiden directly to a red water-lily ('Sevvalli poove') and a sculpted doll ('chiththira poompaavai').

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Mattrariyaa thangam amma

Compares her purity and virtue to unrefined pure gold that cannot be faulted.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Sodhanaiyil theri vanthu sudar veesigindraai

Repetition of the initial 'S' sound across 'Sodhanaiyil' and 'sudar'.

Imagery

Devi munnaalae agal dheepam

Uses vivid cultural visual imagery of a clay lamp lit in divine presence to represent hope and sanctity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam (1980) was directed by K. Vijayan and featured music composed by the legendary Salil Chowdhury with lyrics penned by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam. The film was critically acclaimed and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film.

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