Sevvali Poove Chithira
From Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam · 1980
- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Salil Chowdhury
- Details
- Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam | The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…… | From now on, divine light will shine... |
| Chorus | |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam | The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…… | From now on, divine light will shine... |
| Female | |
| Manigaththin mani neeyammaa | You are the jewel among gems, oh mother |
| Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni | A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity |
| Chorus :Manigaththin mani neeyammaa | Chorus: You are the jewel among gems, oh mother |
| Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni | A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity |
| Female | |
| Mattrariyaa thangam amma | You are pure, unalloyed gold, dear mother |
| Sodhanaiyil theri vanthu sudar veesigindraai | You emerged tested through trials and now shine brilliantly |
| Female | |
| Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe | Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path |
| Alli vantha mannin yogam….mm….mm….mm… | The good fortune of the earth gathered up...mm...mm...mm... |
| Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe | Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path |
| Alli vantha mannin yogam | The good fortune of the earth gathered up |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…. | From now on, divine light will shine... |
| Chorus | |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam | The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…… | From now on, divine light will shine... |
| Female | |
| Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai | You witnessed the glory of womanhood |
| Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum | You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood |
| Chorus :Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai | Chorus: You witnessed the glory of womanhood |
| Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum | You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood |
| Female | |
| Kungumaththin silaiyaai nindraai | You stood like a statue sculpted of vermilion |
| Pon silambai kaalaniyum pugazh thedi kondaai | You earned the fame of wearing golden anklets on your feet |
| Female | |
| Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe | Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go |
| Alli vantha mannin yogam | The good fortune of the earth gathered up |
| Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe | Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go |
| Alli vantha mannin yogam | The good fortune of the earth gathered up |
| Female | |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam | The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…… | From now on, divine light will shine... |
| Chorus | |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai | Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden |
| Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam | The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands |
| Devi munnaalae agal dheepam | An oil lamp lit before the Goddess |
| Ini dheiveega oli veesum…… | From now on, divine light will shine... |
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
சிங்கார கையில் வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.........
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
சிங்கார கையில் வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.........
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
மாணிக்கத்தின் மணி நீயம்மா
மாநிலத்தின் கற்பின் வழி மாறாத கன்னி
குழு :
மாணிக்கத்தின் மணி நீயம்மா
மாநிலத்தின் கற்பின் வழி மாறாத கன்னி
You are the jewel among gems, oh mother
A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity
Chorus: You are the jewel among gems, oh mother
A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity
மாற்றறியா தங்கம் அம்மா
சோதனையில் தேறி வந்து சுடர் வீசிகின்றாய்
You are pure, unalloyed gold, dear mother
You emerged tested through trials and now shine brilliantly
சூடாத முத்தே நீ தேடிப்போய்
அள்ளி வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்....
சூடாத முத்தே நீ தேடிப்போய்
அள்ளி வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.......
Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path
The good fortune of the earth gathered up...mm...mm...mm...
Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
சிங்கார கையில் வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.....
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
பெண் குலத்தின் பெருமை கண்டாய்
சந்தனத்தின் சாறெடுத்துப் பூமேனி பூசும்
குழு :
பெண் குலத்தின் பெருமை கண்டாய்
சந்தனத்தின் சாறெடுத்துப் பூமேனி பூசும்
You witnessed the glory of womanhood
You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood
Chorus: You witnessed the glory of womanhood
You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood
குங்குமத்தின் சிலையாய் நின்றாய்
பொன் சிலம்பை காலணியும் புகழ் தேடிக் கொண்டாய்
You stood like a statue sculpted of vermilion
You earned the fame of wearing golden anklets on your feet
வேகாத மண் குடத்தில் நீந்திப்போய்
அள்ளி வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
வேகாத மண் குடத்தில் நீந்திப்போய்
அள்ளி வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம் இனி
தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும் .......
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
சிங்கார கையில் வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.........
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
From now on, divine light will shine...
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
செவ்வல்லிப் பூவே சித்திரப் பூம்பாவை
சிங்கார கையில் வந்த மண்ணின் யோகம்
தேவி முன்னாலே அகல் தீபம்
இனி தெய்வீக ஒளி வீசும்.........
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
From now on, divine light will shine...
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
From now on, divine light will shine...
Manigaththin mani neeyammaa
You are the jewel among gems, oh mother
Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni
A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity
Chorus :Manigaththin mani neeyammaa
Chorus: You are the jewel among gems, oh mother
Maanilaththin karpin vazhi maaraatha kanni
A maiden on earth who never strays from the path of chastity
Mattrariyaa thangam amma
You are pure, unalloyed gold, dear mother
Sodhanaiyil theri vanthu sudar veesigindraai
You emerged tested through trials and now shine brilliantly
Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe
Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path
Alli vantha mannin yogam….mm….mm….mm…
The good fortune of the earth gathered up...mm...mm...mm...
Soodaatha muththae nee thedi poe
Oh unworn pearl, go in search of your path
Alli vantha mannin yogam
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum….
From now on, divine light will shine...
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
From now on, divine light will shine...
Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai
You witnessed the glory of womanhood
Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum
You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood
Chorus :Penn kulaththin perumai kandaai
Chorus: You witnessed the glory of womanhood
Santhanaththin saareduththu poomaeni poosum
You smear your soft body with the essence of sandalwood
Kungumaththin silaiyaai nindraai
You stood like a statue sculpted of vermilion
Pon silambai kaalaniyum pugazh thedi kondaai
You earned the fame of wearing golden anklets on your feet
Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe
Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go
Alli vantha mannin yogam
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
Veagaatha mann kudaththil neenthi poe
Swim through the unbaked clay pot and go
Alli vantha mannin yogam
The good fortune of the earth gathered up
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
From now on, divine light will shine...
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sevvalli poove chiththira poompaavai
Red water-lily flower, beautiful doll-like maiden
Sinaara kaiyil vantha mannin yogam
The fortune of the soil that came into tender hands
Devi munnaalae agal dheepam
An oil lamp lit before the Goddess
Ini dheiveega oli veesum……
From now on, divine light will shine...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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