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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Sugame

From Naan Potta Savaal · 1980

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naan Potta Savaal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously, hey
Sontham varum pinnaeThe bond of relationship will follow later
Thodum munna sugam kannaeThe pleasure felt before touching is pure bliss, my dear
Nenjil vetkamaa konja vendumaa niyaayamaaIs there shyness in your heart? Should I cuddle you? Is this fair?
Female
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously, hey
Sontham varum pinnaeThe bond of relationship will follow later
Thodum munnae sugam kannaaThe pleasure felt before touching is pure bliss, my darling
Intha pakkam vaa inbam allavaa anbe vaaCome to this side, isn't this joy? Come, my love
Sugam sugamaePleasure is absolute delight
Female
Thulla thulla kadhalLove leaps and bounds with excitement
Alli kolla aasaiA desire to embrace completely
Thookkam illai endraal adhu thagumaaIf sleep is lost, is that appropriate?
Male
Mogana punnagai kandaenI saw a charming smile
Muththu saram kandu nindraenI stood beholding a string of pearls
Female
Thaen mazhai pol enaLike a shower of sweet honey
Vaalipa naal varumaa aa…aa…aa…Will those days of youthful passion arrive? Ah...
Male
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously
Sugam sugamae…ae…ae…ae….Pleasure is delight...
Male
Vanji thodarnthaalaeWhen the slender woman follows
Vaasa malar polaeFragrant like a blossoming flower
Pinju manam endraal nilai kollumaaCan an innocent heart remain steady?
Female
Sengathir semmal kandaenI saw a red lotus blossom
Sinthaiyil aayiram kondaenA thousand thoughts flooded my mind
Male
Panjanai paal pazamBed of cushions, milk, and fruit
Nee tharum naal varumaa aa….aa…aa…Will the day you give them all arrive? Ah...
Female
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously
Sugam sugamae…ae…ae…ae….Pleasure is delight...
Female
Anthi veyil maalaiDusk in the evening sun
Aattrangarai solaiThe grove by the riverbank
Vinthai enna endraal vidai varumaaIf one asks what the wonder is, will an answer come?
Male
Pongiya thaamarai kandaenI saw a lotus in full bloom
Ponmugam kandae nindraenI stood mesmerized looking at the golden face
Anjuga kangalil anantha neer varumaa….aa…aa…aa…Will tears of joy flow from beautiful eyes? Ah...
Male
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanaePleasure comes only as we touch each other continuously, hey
Sontham varum pinnaeThe bond of relationship will follow later
Thodum munnae sugam kannaaThe pleasure felt before touching is pure bliss, my darling
Female
Intha pakkam vaa inbam allavaa anbe vaaCome to this side, isn't this joy? Come, my love
Both :Sugam sugamae….ae…ae…ae…Both: Pleasure is delight...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sugam Sugamae' from the 1980 film Naan Potta Savaal is a playful romantic duet that captures the anticipation and sweet intimacy between two lovers. The lyricist Puratchi Dasan weaves themes of gentle romance, tender shyness, and youthful longing, describing how anticipation of touch and emotional closeness can be as pleasurable as togetherness itself. Rich in romantic imagery of riverbanks, lotus blossoms, and evening hues, the song celebrates love's joyful promise. Ilaiyaraaja's melodious composition, rendered with vibrant charm by Malaysia Vasudevan and Vani Jairam, brings an alluring balance of folk rhythm and classical romance, creating an evergreen duet of Rajinikanth's early 1980s filmography.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thaen mazhai pol ena

Comparing the sweetness of love and youthful days to a shower of honey ('Thaen mazhai pol').

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Muththu saram kandu nindraen

Comparing a bright, smiling set of teeth to a string of shiny pearls ('Muththu saram').

Ethirukai (Second letter rhyme)

Thulla thulla kadhal / Alli kolla aasai

Rhyming second letters across lines ('Thulla' and 'Alli') to create rhythmic symmetry in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naan Potta Savaal' (1980) is an action drama starring Rajinikanth and Reena Roy. Directed by Puratchi Dasan (who also wrote the lyrics for this song), the film features a memorable soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with 'Sugam Sugamae' standing out as one of its most popular romantic tracks.

Keep listening

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