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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalai Vaari Poochoodum

From Maanagara Kaaval · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Maanagara Kaaval1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralaeOh gentle breeze, combing your hair and adorned with flowers!
Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalaeOh brilliant lightning dancing upon the earth!
Annan enadhu kannil ezhundhaOh colorful dream that arose in your brother's eyes,
Vanna kanave vanji nilavaeOh delicate maiden, like the soft moon!
Naam engu vaazhndhaalum neengaathu paasamWherever we may live, our sibling affection will never leave us.
Male
Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralaeOh gentle breeze, combing your hair and adorned with flowers!
Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae…kodi minnalaeOh brilliant lightning dancing upon the earth... brilliant lightning!
Male
Malar maalai mangalyam naalai varumTomorrow, the flower garland and auspicious marriage thread will arrive.
Manavaalan thunai serum velai varumThe time will come when your groom joins you as your companion.
Aaa…aa…aa…ellorum unai vaazhthum kaalam varumAah... the time will come when everyone blesses you.
En kannil aanandha kanneer varumTears of joy will well up in my eyes.
Thangai oru thaayaai pillai peralaamMy younger sister may become a mother and bear a child.
Pillaikku indha maaman seergal tharalaamThis maternal uncle can give traditional gifts to that child.
Naan andha thirunaalai ethirpaarkkirenI am eagerly awaiting that auspicious day!
Male
Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralaeOh gentle breeze, combing your hair and adorned with flowers!
Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae…Oh brilliant lightning dancing upon the earth...
Annan enadhu kannil ezhundhaOh colorful dream that arose in your brother's eyes,
Vanna kanave vanji nilavaeOh delicate maiden, like the soft moon!
Naam engu vaazhndhaalum neengaathu paasamWherever we may live, our sibling affection will never leave us.
Male
Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralaeOh gentle breeze, combing your hair and adorned with flowers!
Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae…kodi minnalaeOh brilliant lightning dancing upon the earth... brilliant lightning!
Male
Uyirae nam uravennum agaraathiyilOh my life, in the dictionary of our bond,
Pirivennum oru vaarthai kidaiyaathammaThere is no word such as 'separation', my dear!
Aaa…aaa…aaa…ondraaga irukkindra aagaayam thaanAah... the sky that exists as one whole,
Oru podhum irandaaga udaiyaadhammaWill never break into two!
Vaadi vida koodum vaasa malar thaanFragrant flowers may wither away,
Vaaduvadhu yedhu paasamalar thaanBut can this flower of affection ever wither?
Maaradhu maraiyadhu manam veesumaeIt will neither change nor disappear, but fragrance will keep wafting.
Male
Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralaeOh gentle breeze, combing your hair and adorned with flowers!
Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae…Oh brilliant lightning dancing upon the earth...
Annan enadhu kannil ezhundhaOh colorful dream that arose in your brother's eyes,
Vanna kanave vanji nilavaeOh delicate maiden, like the soft moon!
Naam engu vaazhndhaalum neengaathu paasamWherever we may live, our sibling affection will never leave us.
Male
Hmm mm mm mm hmm mm mm(Humming vocalizations)
Hmm mm mm mm hmmm mm mm hmm mmm(Humming vocalizations)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tender song from 'Maanagara Kaaval' expresses the deep, unshakeable bond between an elder brother and his younger sister. The brother affectionately compares his sister to a gentle breeze, a streak of lightning on earth, and a serene moon, highlighting how cherished she is in his life. He envisions her grand wedding, expressing his eager anticipation for the day she starts her own family, while promising to be a loving maternal uncle to her future children. In the latter verses, the brother reaffirms that distance or time can never break their bond, comparing their love to the sky that can never split in two and a flower of affection that never fades. Written by Vaali, the song captures the essence of selfless sibling devotion in Indian culture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralae / Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae

The sister is directly addressed as a gentle breeze ('ilan thendralae') and a flash of lightning on earth ('kodi minnalae'), heightening her beauty and grace.

Edhukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Thalai vaari poochoodum ilan thendralae / Tharai meedhu vandhaadum kodi minnalae

The second letters of 'Thalai' and 'Tharai' match in consonantal rhythm, adhering to traditional Tamil prosodic conventions.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Uyirae nam uravennum agaraathiyil / Pirivennum oru vaarthai kidaiyaathamma

The relationship is metaphorically described as a 'dictionary' ('agarathi') where the word 'separation' does not exist.

Rhetorical Question & Metaphor

Vaadi vida koodum vaasa malar thaan / Vaaduvadhu yedhu paasamalar thaan

Affection is termed as 'Paasamalar' (flower of affection), and a rhetorical question asks if such a flower could ever wither, emphasizing permanence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maanagara Kaaval' (1991) was landmarked as AVM Productions' 150th film project, starring Vijayakanth and Sumalatha in the lead roles. The film's soundtrack was composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics penned by the veteran poet Vaali. This track remains one of the notable Tamil cinema songs depicting the cherished 'Annan-Thangai' (brother-sister) relationship.

Keep listening

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