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Naan Potta Savaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Sugame

From Naan Potta Savaal · 1980

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naan Potta Savaal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
2 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanae
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanae
Sontham varum pinnae
Thodum munna sugam kannae
Nenjil vetkamaa konja vendumaa niyaayamaa
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanae
Sontham varum pinnae
Thodum munnae sugam kannaa
Intha pakkam vaa inbam allavaa anbe vaa
Sugam sugamae
Thulla thulla kadhal
Alli kolla aasai
Thookkam illai endraal adhu thagumaa
Mogana punnagai kandaen
Muththu saram kandu nindraen
Thaen mazhai pol ena
Vaalipa naal varumaa aa…aa…aa…
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanae
Sugam sugamae…ae…ae…ae….
Vanji thodarnthaalae
Vaasa malar polae
Pinju manam endraal nilai kollumaa
Sengathir semmal kandaen
Sinthaiyil aayiram kondaen
Panjanai paal pazam
Nee tharum naal varumaa aa….aa…aa…
Sugam sugamae thodathodaththaanae
Sugam sugamae…ae…ae…ae….
Anthi veyil maalai
Aattrangarai solai
Vinthai enna endraal vidai varumaa
Pongiya thaamarai kandaen
Ponmugam kandae nindraen
Anjuga kangalil anantha neer varumaa….aa…aa…aa…
Sugam sugamae yaei thodathodaththaanae
Sontham varum pinnae
Thodum munnae sugam kannaa
Intha pakkam vaa inbam allavaa anbe vaa
Both :Sugam sugamae….ae…ae…ae…
Pleasure is true pleasure only as we touch,
Pleasure is true pleasure, hey, only as we touch!
The bond comes later,
but pleasure begins even before touching, my dear!
Is there shyness in your heart? Do you want to be pampered? Is that fair?
Pleasure is true pleasure, hey, only as we touch!
The bond comes later,
but pleasure begins even before touching, my darling!
Come over here, isn't it pure joy? Come, my love!
Pleasure is true pleasure!
Love leaps with excitement,
with a longing to embrace you close!
Is it fair to lose all sleep?
I saw your enchanting smile,
I stood gazing at your pearl-like teeth!
Like a shower of sweet honey,
will such youthful days come for me?
Pleasure is true pleasure only as we touch,
Pleasure is true pleasure...
When a graceful girl draws near,
just like a fragrant flower,
can a tender heart ever remain calm?
I saw a radiant man like the bright sun,
and a thousand thoughts filled my mind!
A soft bed, milk, and fruit—
will the day you offer them ever come?
Pleasure is true pleasure only as we touch,
Pleasure is true pleasure...
In the fading evening light,
in the grove along the riverbank,
if I wonder at this magic, will I find an answer?
I saw a blooming lotus,
I stood admiring your golden face!
Will tears of joy well up in those gentle eyes?
Pleasure is true pleasure, hey, only as we touch!
The bond comes later,
but pleasure begins even before touching, my darling!
Come over here, isn't it pure joy? Come, my love!
Both: Pleasure is true pleasure...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

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