Thamarai Poovukum
From Pasumpon · 1995
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Sujatha Mohan, Krishnachandran
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Pasumpon1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thaamara poovukkum | Between the lotus flower |
| Thannikkum ennikkum | and the water, there has never |
| Sandaiyae vandhadhilla | been any fight ever. |
| Maamana alli nee | To gather your maternal uncle |
| Dhaavani pottukka | and drape him like a half-saree, |
| Machini yaarum illa | there is no sister-in-law like you. |
| Female | |
| Kambangoozhil potta uppu | Like the salt added to millet porridge |
| Kanji ellaam serdhal pola | blending completely with the gruel, |
| Kanda podhae indha moonji | the moment I saw your face, |
| Neranju pochu nenjukkulla | it filled inside my heart. |
| Male | |
| Naakkula mookkaiyae | My nose touching my tongue, |
| Yehae thottavan naanadi | I am the man who did that accomplishment! |
| Paarvaiyaal usuraiyae | With just a single glance, my very life, |
| Oho thottava neeyadi | you are the woman who touched it! |
| Female | |
| Thaamara poovukkum | Between the lotus flower |
| Thannikkum ennikkum | and the water, there has never |
| Sandaiyae vandhadhilla | been any fight ever. |
| Male | |
| Maamana alli nee | To gather your maternal uncle |
| Dhaavani pottukka | and drape him like a half-saree, |
| Machini yaarum illa | there is no sister-in-law like you. |
| Male | |
| Aiyaarettu nella pola | Like the fast-growing 'Aiyaarettu' paddy crop, |
| Avasaramaa samanja | you matured quickly into womanhood. |
| Aitha maga panjathukku | My aunt's daughter, during my time of scarcity, |
| Aadhaaramaa amanja | became my true support system. |
| Female | |
| Kutti potta poona pola | Like a cat that has just given birth, |
| Kaala chuthi kozhanja | you wound around my feet playfully. |
| Paavamunnu neevi vittaa | Thinking you were innocent when I stroked you, |
| Kallu poda thuninja | you dared to throw a stone at me! |
| Male | |
| Sondhakkaaran naan thaanae | Am I not your rightful relative? |
| Tthottu paakka koodaadhaa | Am I not allowed to touch and see? |
| Female | |
| Kannam thodum kai rendum | The two hands touching my cheeks, |
| Keezhae konjam neelaadhaa | can't they reach down a little lower? |
| Male | |
| Indha naattil theendaamai thaan | Is untouchability still practiced |
| Innum ulladhaa | in this country of ours? |
| Female | |
| Vayasukku vandha poo | A flower that has matured into age, |
| Oho aasaiyae pesumaa | will it speak of its desire? |
| Vandukkum poovukkum | Between the beetle and the flower, |
| Oho sandaiyaa sathamaa | is there any fight or noise? |
| Male | |
| Thaamara poovukkum | Between the lotus flower |
| Thannikkum ennikkum | and the water, there has never |
| Sandaiyae vandhadhilla | been any fight ever. |
| Female | |
| Maamana alli naan | Gathering my maternal uncle, |
| Dhaavani pottukka | to wear as a half-saree, |
| Maalaiyum soodavilla | no garland has been exchanged yet. |
| Female | |
| Kammaakkulla oththa maram | A lone tree inside the lake bed, |
| Angae povom maamaa | shall we go there, my uncle? |
| Kammaa thanni vathum podhu | When the lake water dries up, |
| Thirumbiruvom maamaa | we will return, my uncle. |
| Male | |
| Neechal ellaam solli thaaren | I will teach you how to swim, |
| Neeyum konjam vaammaa | you also come along, girl. |
| Angae ingae kaiyi padum | Hands might touch here and there, |
| Solli putten aamaa | I'm telling you beforehand, yes! |
| Female | |
| Nilaa karaiyai azhichaalum | Even if you erase the spots on the moon, |
| Unna thirutha mudiyaadhu | you cannot reform yourself! |
| Male | |
| Poratti pottu adikkaama | Without flipping it over and hammering, |
| Aamai odu odaiyaadhu | a turtle shell will never break! |
| Female | |
| Poga poga maamanukku | As time goes by, uncle's |
| Buthi maarudhu | intentions are changing! |
| Male | |
| Killavaa allavaa | Shall I pinch you, or gather you in my arms? |
| Oho solladi seiyalaam | Tell me, my girl, and we shall do it! |
| Vaettiyaa saelaiyaa | Is it the dhoti or the saree? |
| Oho pattimandram vaikkalaam | Let us hold a debate on this! |
| Female | |
| Thaamara poovukkum | Between the lotus flower |
| Thannikkum ennikkum | and the water, there has never |
| Sandaiyae vandhadhilla | been any fight ever. |
| Male | |
| Maamana alli nee | To gather your maternal uncle |
| Dhaavani pottukka | and drape him like a half-saree, |
| Machini yaarum illa | there is no sister-in-law like you. |
| Female | |
| Kambangoozhil potta uppu | Like the salt added to millet porridge |
| Kanji ellaam serdhal pola | blending completely with the gruel, |
| Male | |
| Kanda podhae indha moonji | the moment I saw your face, |
| Neranju pochu nenjukkulla | it filled inside my heart. |
| Female | |
| Maamanae maamanae | My dearest uncle, my dearest uncle, |
| Oho ongitta ottavaa | shall I come close and stick to you? |
| Boomikkum vaerukkum | Between the earth and the root, |
| Oho sandaiyaa sathamaa | is there ever any fight or noise? |
தாமரைப் பூவுக்கும்
தண்ணிக்கும் என்னைக்கும்
சண்டையே வந்ததில்ல
மாமன அள்ளி நீ
தாவணி போட்டுக்க
மச்சினி யாரும் இல்ல
Between the lotus flower
and the water, there has never
been any fight ever.
To gather your maternal uncle
and drape him like a half-saree,
there is no sister-in-law like you.
கம்பங்கூழில் போட்ட உப்பு
கஞ்சி எல்லாம் சேர்தல் போல
கண்டபோதே இந்த மூஞ்சி
நெறஞ்சுப் போச்சு நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள
Like the salt added to millet porridge
blending completely with the gruel,
the moment I saw your face,
it filled inside my heart.
நாக்குல மூக்கையே
ஏ யெஹ் தொட்டவன் நானடி
பார்வையால் உசுரையே
ஓகோ தொட்டவ நீயடி
My nose touching my tongue,
I am the man who did that accomplishment!
With just a single glance, my very life,
you are the woman who touched it!
தாமரைப் பூவுக்கும்
தண்ணிக்கும் என்னைக்கும்
சண்டையே வந்ததில்ல
Between the lotus flower
and the water, there has never
been any fight ever.
மாமன அள்ளி நீ
தாவணி போட்டுக்க
மச்சினி யாரும் இல்ல
To gather your maternal uncle
and drape him like a half-saree,
there is no sister-in-law like you.
ஐயாறெட்டு நெல்லைப் போல
அவசரமா சமஞ்ச
அயித்த மக பஞ்சதுக்கு
ஆதரமா அமஞ்ச
Like the fast-growing 'Aiyaarettu' paddy crop,
you matured quickly into womanhood.
My aunt's daughter, during my time of scarcity,
became my true support system.
குட்டிபோட்ட பூனைப் போல
காலச் சுத்திக் கொழஞ்ச
பாவமென்னு நீவி விட்டா
கல்லுப் போட துணிஞ்ச
Like a cat that has just given birth,
you wound around my feet playfully.
Thinking you were innocent when I stroked you,
you dared to throw a stone at me!
சொந்தக்காரன் நான்தானே
தொட்டுப் பாக்கக் கூடாதா
Am I not your rightful relative?
Am I not allowed to touch and see?
கன்னம்தொடும் கை ரெண்டும்
கீழேக் கொஞ்சம் நீளாதா
The two hands touching my cheeks,
can't they reach down a little lower?
இந்த நாட்டில் தீண்டமைதான்
இன்னும் உள்ளதா
Is untouchability still practiced
in this country of ours?
வயசுக்கு வந்தப் பூ
ஒகோ ஆசையே பேசுமா
வண்டுக்கும் பூவுக்கும்
ஒகோ சண்டையா சத்தமா
A flower that has matured into age,
will it speak of its desire?
Between the beetle and the flower,
is there any fight or noise?
தாமரைப் பூவுக்கும்
தண்ணிக்கும் என்னைக்கும்
சண்டையே வந்ததில்ல
Between the lotus flower
and the water, there has never
been any fight ever.
மாமன அள்ளி நான்
தாவணி போட்டுக்க
மாலையும் சூடவில்ல
Gathering my maternal uncle,
to wear as a half-saree,
no garland has been exchanged yet.
கம்மாக்குள்ள ஒத்த மரம்
அங்கே போவோம் மாமா
கம்மாத்தண்ணி வத்தும்போது
திரும்பிறுவோம் மாமா
A lone tree inside the lake bed,
shall we go there, my uncle?
When the lake water dries up,
we will return, my uncle.
நீச்சல் எல்லாம் சொல்லித் தாரேன்
நீயும் கொஞ்சம் வாமா
அங்கே இங்கே கையிப்படும்
சொல்லிபுட்டேன் ஆமா
I will teach you how to swim,
you also come along, girl.
Hands might touch here and there,
I'm telling you beforehand, yes!
நிலாக் கறையை அழிச்சாலும்
உன்னைத் திருத்த முடியாது
Even if you erase the spots on the moon,
you cannot reform yourself!
பொரட்டிப்போட்டு அடிக்காம
ஆமை ஓடு ஒடையாது
Without flipping it over and hammering,
a turtle shell will never break!
போகப் போக மாமனுக்கு
புத்தி மாறுது
As time goes by, uncle's
intentions are changing!
கிள்ளவா அள்ளவா
ஓகோ சொல்லடி செய்யலாம்
வேட்டியா சேலையா
ஒகோ பட்டிமன்றம் வைக்கலாம்
Shall I pinch you, or gather you in my arms?
Tell me, my girl, and we shall do it!
Is it the dhoti or the saree?
Let us hold a debate on this!
தாமரைப் பூவுக்கும்
தண்ணிக்கும் என்னைக்கும்
சண்டையே வந்ததில்ல
Between the lotus flower
and the water, there has never
been any fight ever.
மாமன அள்ளி நீ
தாவணி போட்டுக்க
மச்சினி யாரும் இல்ல
To gather your maternal uncle
and drape him like a half-saree,
there is no sister-in-law like you.
கம்பங்கூழில் போட்ட உப்பு
கஞ்சி எல்லாம் சேர்தல் போல
Like the salt added to millet porridge
blending completely with the gruel,
கண்டபோதே இந்த மூஞ்சி
நெறஞ்சுப் போச்சு நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள
the moment I saw your face,
it filled inside my heart.
மாமனே மாமனே
ஒகோ ஓங்கிட்ட ஒட்டவா
பூமிக்கும் வேருக்கும்
ஓகோ சண்டையா சத்தமா
My dearest uncle, my dearest uncle,
shall I come close and stick to you?
Between the earth and the root,
is there ever any fight or noise?
Thaamara poovukkum
Between the lotus flower
Thannikkum ennikkum
and the water, there has never
Sandaiyae vandhadhilla
been any fight ever.
Maamana alli nee
To gather your maternal uncle
Dhaavani pottukka
and drape him like a half-saree,
Machini yaarum illa
there is no sister-in-law like you.
Kambangoozhil potta uppu
Like the salt added to millet porridge
Kanji ellaam serdhal pola
blending completely with the gruel,
Kanda podhae indha moonji
the moment I saw your face,
Neranju pochu nenjukkulla
it filled inside my heart.
Naakkula mookkaiyae
My nose touching my tongue,
Yehae thottavan naanadi
I am the man who did that accomplishment!
Paarvaiyaal usuraiyae
With just a single glance, my very life,
Oho thottava neeyadi
you are the woman who touched it!
Thaamara poovukkum
Between the lotus flower
Thannikkum ennikkum
and the water, there has never
Sandaiyae vandhadhilla
been any fight ever.
Maamana alli nee
To gather your maternal uncle
Dhaavani pottukka
and drape him like a half-saree,
Machini yaarum illa
there is no sister-in-law like you.
Aiyaarettu nella pola
Like the fast-growing 'Aiyaarettu' paddy crop,
Avasaramaa samanja
you matured quickly into womanhood.
Aitha maga panjathukku
My aunt's daughter, during my time of scarcity,
Aadhaaramaa amanja
became my true support system.
Kutti potta poona pola
Like a cat that has just given birth,
Kaala chuthi kozhanja
you wound around my feet playfully.
Paavamunnu neevi vittaa
Thinking you were innocent when I stroked you,
Kallu poda thuninja
you dared to throw a stone at me!
Sondhakkaaran naan thaanae
Am I not your rightful relative?
Tthottu paakka koodaadhaa
Am I not allowed to touch and see?
Kannam thodum kai rendum
The two hands touching my cheeks,
Keezhae konjam neelaadhaa
can't they reach down a little lower?
Indha naattil theendaamai thaan
Is untouchability still practiced
Innum ulladhaa
in this country of ours?
Vayasukku vandha poo
A flower that has matured into age,
Oho aasaiyae pesumaa
will it speak of its desire?
Vandukkum poovukkum
Between the beetle and the flower,
Oho sandaiyaa sathamaa
is there any fight or noise?
Thaamara poovukkum
Between the lotus flower
Thannikkum ennikkum
and the water, there has never
Sandaiyae vandhadhilla
been any fight ever.
Maamana alli naan
Gathering my maternal uncle,
Dhaavani pottukka
to wear as a half-saree,
Maalaiyum soodavilla
no garland has been exchanged yet.
Kammaakkulla oththa maram
A lone tree inside the lake bed,
Angae povom maamaa
shall we go there, my uncle?
Kammaa thanni vathum podhu
When the lake water dries up,
Thirumbiruvom maamaa
we will return, my uncle.
Neechal ellaam solli thaaren
I will teach you how to swim,
Neeyum konjam vaammaa
you also come along, girl.
Angae ingae kaiyi padum
Hands might touch here and there,
Solli putten aamaa
I'm telling you beforehand, yes!
Nilaa karaiyai azhichaalum
Even if you erase the spots on the moon,
Unna thirutha mudiyaadhu
you cannot reform yourself!
Poratti pottu adikkaama
Without flipping it over and hammering,
Aamai odu odaiyaadhu
a turtle shell will never break!
Poga poga maamanukku
As time goes by, uncle's
Buthi maarudhu
intentions are changing!
Killavaa allavaa
Shall I pinch you, or gather you in my arms?
Oho solladi seiyalaam
Tell me, my girl, and we shall do it!
Vaettiyaa saelaiyaa
Is it the dhoti or the saree?
Oho pattimandram vaikkalaam
Let us hold a debate on this!
Thaamara poovukkum
Between the lotus flower
Thannikkum ennikkum
and the water, there has never
Sandaiyae vandhadhilla
been any fight ever.
Maamana alli nee
To gather your maternal uncle
Dhaavani pottukka
and drape him like a half-saree,
Machini yaarum illa
there is no sister-in-law like you.
Kambangoozhil potta uppu
Like the salt added to millet porridge
Kanji ellaam serdhal pola
blending completely with the gruel,
Kanda podhae indha moonji
the moment I saw your face,
Neranju pochu nenjukkulla
it filled inside my heart.
Maamanae maamanae
My dearest uncle, my dearest uncle,
Oho ongitta ottavaa
shall I come close and stick to you?
Boomikkum vaerukkum
Between the earth and the root,
Oho sandaiyaa sathamaa
is there ever any fight or noise?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Thaamara Poovukkum' from the 1995 film Pasumpon (composed by Vidyasagar, written by Vairamuthu) is a playful and romantic folk duet between cross-cousins (maternal uncle/nephew 'Maaman' and niece/sister-in-law 'Machini'). The song uses rich rural imagery, comparing their innate intimacy to natural bonds like lotus and water, salt in millet gruel, and roots in the earth, emphasizing that their relationship is natural, effortless, and harmonious.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uwamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Kambangoozhil potta uppu”
Compares the seamless blend of their hearts to salt mixing into millet porridge ('Kambangoozhil potta uppu kanji ellaam serdhal pola').
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Thaamara poovukkum / Thannikkum ennikkum”
Repetition of the second consonant 'm' in 'Thaamara' and 'Thannikkum'.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Kambangoozhil potta uppu / Kanji ellaam serdhal pola”
Matching initial sounds across lines or within lines, such as 'Kambangoozhil' and 'Kanji'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is a quintessential Tamil village romance track featured in the film Pasumpon (starring Prabhu and Radhika/Sivaji Ganesan in prominent roles), set against a southern Tamil Nadu rural backdrop with music composed by Vidyasagar.
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