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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaalattum Poovondru

From Poovum Puyalum · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singer
S. A. Rajkumar
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Poovum Puyalum1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaalattum poovondruA flower that lulls to sleep
Poraadum puyal ondruA storm that fights
Thaalattum poovondruA flower that lulls to sleep
Poraadum puyal ondruA storm that fights
Veyilendrum nizhal endrumSun heat at times, shade at other times
Kalangum paedhai manam ondruA naive heart that gets confused
Thaalattum poovondru poraadum puyal ondruA flower that lulls and a storm that fights
Male
Ullam enum vellai nilavinilIn the white moon that is the heart
Kallangal yaar thandhaarWho threw deceitful stones?
Ennam adhu sellum vazhiyinilIn the path where thought travels
Pallangal yaar seidhaarWho dug the deep pits?
Male
Puyal indru malar kanduSeeing the flower today, can the storm
Poonthendral aagathooNot turn into a gentle breeze?
Poovondru thuyar konduFilled with sorrow, can a flower
Puyalendru maaaradhooNot turn into a storm?
Yaar inghu edhanai kandaarWho here has seen what lies ahead
Naalum maarum vaazhkaiyilIn a life that changes every single day?
Male
Thaalattum poovondruA flower that lulls to sleep
Poraadum puyal ondruA storm that fights
Veyilendrum nizhal endrumSun heat at times, shade at other times
Kalangum paedhai manam ondruA naive heart that gets confused
Thaalattum poovondru poraadum puyal ondruA flower that lulls and a storm that fights
Male
Thottil mudhal thoongum varaiFrom the cradle until final sleep
Ingu ooyaadha porattamHere is an unending struggle
Vittil ena vaazhum manidhargalHumans living like moths to a flame
Kannengum neerottamTears flowing everywhere in their eyes
Male
Vazhiyengae mudivengaeWhere is the path, where is the end?
Mudiyaadha soodhaattamThis endless game of gambling
Puyal soozhum vidhi maarumSurrounded by storm, fate will change
Iniyenna thaerottamWhat grand chariot procession comes next?
Por varum vazhiyinil nindruStanding in the path where war approaches
Vaedham sonnaal aagumooWill reciting scriptures work?
Male
Thaalattum poovondruA flower that lulls to sleep
Poraadum puyal ondruA storm that fights
Veyilendrum nizhal endrumSun heat at times, shade at other times
Kalangum paedhai manam ondruA naive heart that gets confused
Thaalattum poovondru poraadum puyal ondruA flower that lulls and a storm that fights

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful philosophical track contrasts the tender, soothing aspects of human nature (represented by a flower) with violent, turbulent struggles (represented by a storm). It reflects on the inherent duality of existence—shifting continuously between joy and hardship, light and shadow—and questions why deceit and obstacles corrupt innocent hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ullam enum vellai nilavinil

Compares the innocent human heart to a pure white moon ('vellai nilavinil') and life to an endless game of gambling ('mudiyaadha soodhaattam').

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Thaalattum poovondru / Poraadum puyal ondru

Pairs opposing concepts like flower (gentleness) vs. storm (fury), and heat/sunlight vs. shade to portray life's dual nature.

Simile (Uvamai)

Vittil ena vaazhum manidhargal

Compares humans destructively pursuing worldly illusions to moths attracted to a flame ('Vittil ena vaazhum manidhargal').

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Thottil mudhal / Vittil ena

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'tt' between 'Thottil' and 'Vittil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Poovum Puyalum' (1988), S. A. Rajkumar multi-tasked as the song's lyricist, composer, and solo playback singer, showcasing his early versatility before becoming one of Tamil cinema's top melody hit-makers in the 1990s.

Keep listening

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