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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaazham Poovin

From Thazhampoo · 1965

Lyricist
Thyagaraja
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thazhampoo1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Adhu thaamadhithaalum nirandharamaagaEven if it takes time, permanently,
Manam kodukkum nalla manam kodukkumIt gives a good fragrance, a wonderful scent.
Male
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Female
Panbaana ullamum thunindhu vidumA cultured heart will gather courage,
Adhu paruvathin munnae kanindhu vidumIt will ripen even before its season comes.
Panbaana ullamum thunindhu vidumA cultured heart will gather courage,
Adhu paruvathin munnae kanindhu vidumIt will ripen even before its season comes.
Panbaana ullamum thunindhu vidumA cultured heart will gather courage,
Adhu paruvathin munnae kanindhu vidumIt will ripen even before its season comes.
Male
Unmaiyum sila naal maraindhirukkumThe truth may remain hidden for a few days,
Unmaiyum sila naal maraindhirukkumThe truth may remain hidden for a few days,
Adhu oru naal vandhu badhil alikkumOne day it will return and give an answer.
Oho oo oo oo oo hoo hooOho oo oo oo oo hoo hoo
Female
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Adhu thaamadhithaalum nirandharamaagaEven if it takes time, permanently,
Manam kodukkum nalla manam kodukkumIt gives a good fragrance, a wonderful scent.
Female
Azhagin vazhiyil aasai varumDesire arises along the path of beauty,
Andha aasaiyil kangal thoodhu varumThrough that desire, the eyes act as messengers.
Azhagin vazhiyil aasai varumDesire arises along the path of beauty,
Andha aasaiyil kangal thoodhu varumThrough that desire, the eyes act as messengers.
Male
Kula magal naanam purindhu vidumA woman of noble lineage understands modesty,
Kula magal naanam purindhu vidumA woman of noble lineage understands modesty,
Manam kolgaiyin vazhiyil nadandhu vidumThe mind will walk along the path of principles.
Female
Oho oo oo oo oo hoo hooOho oo oo oo oo hoo hoo
Male
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Female :Adhu thaamadhithaalum nirandharamaagaFemale: Even if it takes time, permanently,
Manam kodukkum nalla manam kodukkumIt gives a good fragrance, a wonderful scent.
Female
Kadalendra maedaiyil alaiyaadumOn the stage called the ocean, waves dance,
Uyir kaadhalin maedaiyil ulagaadumOn the stage of true love, life dances in the world.
Kadalendra maedaiyil alaiyaadumOn the stage called the ocean, waves dance,
Uyir kaadhalin maedaiyil ulaghaadumOn the stage of true love, life dances in the world.
Male
Kadamaiyum kaadhalum niraiverumBoth duty and love will be fulfilled,
Kadamaiyum kaadhalum niraiverumBoth duty and love will be fulfilled,
Andha kaalamum viraivil uruvaagumThat auspicious time will also arrive soon.
Male
Thaazham poovin naru manathilIn the sweet fragrance of the screwpine flower,
Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkumThere resides true quality and high standard.
Female :Adhu thaamadhithaalum nirandharamaagaFemale: Even if it takes time, permanently,
Manam kodukkum nalla manam kodukkumIt gives a good fragrance, a wonderful scent.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thaazham Poovin Naru Manathil' uses the fragrant screwpine flower (Thazhampoo) as a central metaphor for virtue, noble character, and lasting love. Just as the flower's deep scent persists permanently even if slow to reveal itself, true character and concealed truths will eventually prevail over time. The lyrics emphasize that patience, integrity, and adherence to moral principles always yield meaningful outcomes. Furthermore, the song beautifully balances emotional expression with social responsibility, stating that true love coexists with duty. It highlights how modesty and principle guide a virtuous life, reassuring that both moral obligations and heartfelt love will find fulfillment in due course.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thaazham poovin naru manathil Nalla tharamirukkum tharam irukkum

Compares noble character, patience, and truth to the slow-blooming but enduring fragrance of the screwpine flower.

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Kadalendra maedaiyil alaiyaadum

Metaphorically frames the sea as a stage where waves perform, linking it to the stage of life where love plays out.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadamaiyum kaadhalum niraiverum

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words ('Kadamaiyum' and 'Kaadhalum').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kadalendra maedaiyil alaiyaadum / Uyir kaadhalin maedaiyil ulagaadum

The second consonant sound 'd' is matched across lines ('Kadalendra' and 'Uyir kaadhalin').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thazhampoo' (1965) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), K. R. Vijaya, and B. Saroja Devi. The film's music was scored by K. V. Mahadevan, known for his rich classical melodies. The imagery of Thazhampoo is deeply rooted in classical Tamil literature, where the flower is associated with seashore landscapes (Neithal thinai) and subtle romantic messaging.

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