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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sindhunadhi Poove

From Sankar Saleem Simon · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sankar Saleem Simon1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sindhu nadhi poovaeO flower of the Indus river!
Adi chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little parrot-like maiden!
Siru anna nadai pinnalidaMaking the swan's gentle walk lag behind,
Odum kalai yaenadi lailaaWhy are you running like a startled deer, my Laila?
Female
…………..
Female
Sindhu nadhi poovaeO flower of the Indus river!
Adi chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little parrot-like maiden!
Siru anna nadai pinnalidaMaking the swan's gentle walk lag behind,
Odum kalai yaenadi lailaaWhy are you running like a startled deer, my Laila?
Female
……………
Female
Thottilitta pothaeRight from the time in the cradle,
Thottilitta pothaeRight from the time in the cradle,
Idhu solli vaiththa uravoIs this a relationship ordained from birth?
Unthan sinthanaigal valarnthathennaWhy have your thoughts grown like this?
Santhana kudangal ennaWhat are these pots of sandalwood paste?
Maanae nee mayanguvathennaOh deer-like maiden, why are you so mesmerized?
Male
……………
Female
Sindhu nadhi poovaeO flower of the Indus river!
Adi chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little parrot-like maiden!
Siru anna nadai pinnalidaMaking the swan's gentle walk lag behind,
Odum kalai yaenadi lailaaWhy are you running like a startled deer, my Laila?
Male
……………
Female
Anaargali azhagai paarththuLooking at Anarkali's beauty,
Saleemsha kadhal seithaanPrince Saleem fell in love.
Chorus :……………
Female
Shajakhan mumtaj thannaiShah Jahan made Mumtaz his own,
Tharkaavil nikkaa seithaanUniting with her in sacred marriage.
Jodikal maariponathaeThe couples seem to have swapped,
Saleem jodi mumtaj aanathaeSaleem's pair has now become Mumtaz!
Jodikal maariponathaeThe couples seem to have swapped,
Saleem jodi mumtaj aanathaeSaleem's pair has now become Mumtaz!
Female
Ponnazhagu raniOh golden beautiful queen,
Un kannazhagu thiraatchaiYour beautiful eyes are like luscious grapes,
Kattazhagi mella mellaOh well-crafted beauty, slowly and gently,
Kattavizhunthu ullamellaamUnraveling throughout the heart,
Maanae yaen mayanguthu nenjamOh deer-like maiden, why is your heart captivated?
Male
……………….
Female
Sindhu nadhi poovaeO flower of the Indus river!
Adi chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little parrot-like maiden!
Siru anna nadai pinnalidaMaking the swan's gentle walk lag behind,
Odum kalai yaenadi lailaaWhy are you running like a startled deer, my Laila?
Male
……………….
Female
Kaalamithu vaalipa kaalamThis is the age of youthfulness,
Kadhalukku idhuthaan neramThis is indeed the right time for love!
Chorus :………………….
Female
Kannangal chiththirai maathamYour cheeks are like the pleasant month of Chithirai,
Koondhalo karthigai maathamYour dark hair is like the cool month of Karthigai!
Aadiyil vaanampaadiLike a skylark singing in the month of Aadi,
Aavaniyil serum jodigalCouples unite in the month of Aavani!
Female
Panguniyil kodai sugam maargazhi vaadaiThe warmth of summer in Panguni and the chill breeze of Maargazhi,
Sorkkam adhu ennavendruWhat heaven truly feels like,
Pakkaththilae nindru kolvomWe shall stand close together and experience.
Naalai nee kann vaikka vendaamYou need not cast an evil eye tomorrow!
Male
…………..
Female
Sindhu nadhi poovaeO flower of the Indus river!
Adi chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little parrot-like maiden!
Siru anna nadai pinnalidaMaking the swan's gentle walk lag behind,
Odum kalai yaenadi lailaaWhy are you running like a startled deer, my Laila?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Sindhu nadhi poovae" is a romantic duet from the 1978 movie 'Sankar Saleem Simon', composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song features a lover admiring his beloved's grace and bashful beauty, playfully comparing her to iconic romantic figures like Laila, Anarkali, and Mumtaz. Through poetic metaphors of nature, rivers, and historical romances, he coaxingly asks why she retreats when their love is destined. The song also poetically traverses the Tamil calendar months to illustrate how love blossoms through different seasons—from the radiance of Chithirai to the cool breeze of Maargazhi. It celebrates youth, affection, and the sweet anticipation of lifelong togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Sindhu nadhi poovae / Adi chinnanjiru kiliyae

Compares the heroine to a delicate flower blooming by the Indus river ('Sindhu nadhi poovae') and a gentle parrot ('chinnanjiru kiliyae').

Uvameyam (Metaphor)

Un kannazhagu thiraatchai

Compares the beauty of her eyes to luscious grapes ('thiraatchai').

Kaala Uvamai (Seasonal Allegory)

Kannangal chiththirai maatham / Koondhalo karthigai maatham

Uses Tamil months (Chithirai, Karthigai, Aadi, Aavani, Panguni, Maargazhi) as metaphors for different emotions, warmth, and phases of love.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalamithu vaalipa kaalam / Kadhalukku idhuthaan neram

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of consecutive phrases ('Kaalamithu' / 'Kadhalukku').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sankar Saleem Simon' (1978) was directed by P. Madhavan and starred Rajinikanth, Vijayakumar, and Latha. The song 'Sindhu Nadhi Poovae' is notable because legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan sang it himself alongside S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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