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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sithagathi Pookale

From Rajakumaran · 1994

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rajakumaran1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Athi mara thopilaeIn the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Aththa maganae aththa maganaeOh my cousin, oh my cousin,
Soththu sogam yaavum neethaan hoiYou are all my wealth and happiness, hoi!
Male
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Athi mara thopilaeIn the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Aththa magalae aththa magalaeOh my cousin, oh my cousin,
Soththu sogam yaavum neethaan hoiYou are all my wealth and happiness, hoi!
Female
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Athi mara thopilaeIn the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Chorus
………………………………...
Female
Naal paathu paathuWatching for the auspicious day,
Aalaana naathuThe young shoot that has grown,
Thol sera thaanae veesumTo join shoulders, blows
PoongaathuThe gentle breeze.
Male
Aanantha koothuA dance of joy,
Naanaada paathuSeeing me dance,
Poo oram thaanae oorumNear the flower's edge oozes
Thaen oothuA spring of honey.
Female
Naan maalai soodaFor me to wear the wedding garland,
Naal paaraiyaLook for an auspicious day, sir,
Athaaram neethaan veraaraiyaYou are my only support, who else is there, sir?
Male :Patti rotti melamMale: With grand village drums,
Kotti muzhangaBeating and resounding,
Thottu vida naanam vittu vilagaFor shyness to leave as I touch you,
Female
Thittamittu vaazhaTo live a well-planned life,
Vaaren mamaaI am coming, uncle,
Sattam onnu poden hoiLay down a rule, hoi!
Male
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Athi mara thopilaeIn the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Female :Aththa maganae aththa maganaeFemale: Oh my cousin, oh my cousin,
Soththu sogam yaavum neethaan hoiYou are all my wealth and happiness, hoi!
Female
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Male :Athi mara thopilaeMale: In the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Male
Aaaa…poontheril yeriAaaa... climbing on a flower chariot,
Ezhezhu logamTo the seven worlds,
Oorgolamaaga naanumIn a grand procession, shall I and you
PovoamaGo together?
Female
Paaralam jodiAs an admirable pair,
Naamendrum paadiSinging forever,
Ooraarum naalum vaazhthaFor the entire village to bless us every day,
Naamum vaazhvomaShall we live too?
Male
Neerindri vaazhumIs there any fish that lives
Meen ethammaWithout water, my dear?
Nee indri naanumWithout you, I too
VeenthaanammaAm useless, my dear.
Female
Pattudal meetuPlucking the silk-like body,
Thottu anaikkaTo touch and embrace,
Thottil onnu aadaFor a cradle to swing,
Muthu pirakkaAnd a pearl to be born,
Male
Kattil arai paadamLessons of the bedroom
Thaaren maanaeI shall teach you, my dear,
Kattalaiya podu hoii….Give me the order, hoii...
Male
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Athi mara thopilaeIn the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.
Female :Aththa maganae aththa maganaeFemale: Oh my cousin, oh my cousin,
Soththu sogam yaavum neethaan hoiYou are all my wealth and happiness, hoi!
Female
Sithagathi pookalaeOh Sithagathi flowers,
Suthivara paakuthaeAre looking around,
Male :Athi mara thopilaeMale: In the fig tree grove,
Othigaiya kekuthaeRehearsal is heard.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sithagathi Pookalae is a classic romantic duet from the 1994 Tamil film Rajakumaran. The song depicts the romantic banter and deep devotion between cross-cousins who are eager to unite in marriage. Set amidst pastoral scenery, the couple uses rich rural metaphors to express their longing, comparing their deep bond to a fish requiring water and expressing dreams of building a joyous family together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sithagathi pookalae / Suthivara paakuthae

The second letter 'th' rhymes between 'Sithagathi' and 'Suthivara', adhering to classical Tamil poetic meter.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Suthivara paakuthae / Othigaiya kekuthae

Matching end sounds in 'paakuthae' and 'kekuthae' create a rhythmic melodious pattern.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Neerindri vaazhum meen ethamma / Nee indri naanum veenthaanamma

Compares the absolute necessity of the beloved in life to a fish needing water to survive.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rajakumaran was actor Prabhu's landmark 100th film. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and the lyrics were penned by the film's director R.V. Udhaya Kumar.

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