Thumbai Poo Song
From Veli Thandiya Velladu · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Veli Thandiya Velladu1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal | In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets |
| Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi | Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom |
| Female | |
| Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi | A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament |
| Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa…. | Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Female | |
| Thaazhmpoo kaiyil sengaanthal viralgal | On hands soft as screwpine blossoms, there are fingers like crimson flame-lilies |
| Sengaanthal viralgalil siru mullai nagangal | Upon those flame-lily fingers rest nails like delicate jasmine buds |
| Sirumullai nagaththil sevvanthippookkal | Upon the small jasmine nails lie chrysanthemum flowers |
| Sivvanthi poovil senthaenin suvaithaan | Within the chrysanthemum flower resides the nectar of pure honey |
| Female | |
| Senthaenin suvaithaan seeraana suvaithaan | It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste |
| Maaraatha inbaththai tharugindra suuvaithaan | It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss |
| Senthaenin suvaithaan seeraana suvaithaan | It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste |
| Maaraatha inbaththai tharugindra suuvaithaan…aa…aa…. | It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal | In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets |
| Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi | Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom |
| Female | |
| Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi | A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament |
| Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa…. | Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Female | |
| Eerullam kalantha illaththil pugunthom | We entered the household where two affectionate hearts merged as one |
| Illaththil pugunthu inbaththil mithanthom | Entering the home, we floated gracefully in overwhelming happiness |
| Inbaththil mithanthu un varavai kandom | Floating in happiness, we awaited and witnessed your arrival |
| Un varavai kandu ullaagam kondom | Seeing your arrival, we found boundless delight within us |
| Female | |
| Ullaasam kandu uruvaththai kandom | Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form |
| Uruvaththai kandu ulagaththai maranthom | Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world |
| Ullaasam kandu uruvaththai kandom | Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form |
| Uruvaththai kandu ulagaththai maranthom | Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
| Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal | In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets |
| Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi | Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom |
| Female | |
| Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi | A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament |
| Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa…. | Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal | In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms |
| Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal | In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies |
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
குவளைப்பூ ஒளியில் குங்குமச் சிமிழ்கள்
குங்குமசிமிழில் குறுநகை கோடி
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
குறுநகை கோடி ஒரு நகை கூடி
ஒரு நகை கூடி உன்னிதழ் தேடும் ஆ.....ஆ.....
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
தாழம்பூ கையில் செங்காந்தள் விரல்கள்
செங்காந்தள் விரல்களில் சிறு முல்லை நகங்கள்
சிறுமுல்லை நகத்தில் செவ்வந்திப்பூக்கள்
செவ்வந்திப் பூவில் செந்தேனின் சுவைதான்
On hands soft as screwpine blossoms, there are fingers like crimson flame-lilies
Upon those flame-lily fingers rest nails like delicate jasmine buds
Upon the small jasmine nails lie chrysanthemum flowers
Within the chrysanthemum flower resides the nectar of pure honey
செந்தேனின் சுவைதான் சீரான சுவைதான்
மாறாத இன்பத்தை தருகின்ற சுவைதான்
செந்தேனின் சுவைதான் சீரான சுவைதான்
மாறாத இன்பத்தை தருகின்ற சுவைதான் ஆ...ஆ...
It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste
It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss
It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste
It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss, ah... ah...
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
குவளைப்பூ ஒளியில் குங்குமச் சிமிழ்கள்
குங்குமசிமிழில் குறுநகை கோடி
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
குறுநகை கோடி ஒரு நகை கூடி
ஒரு நகை கூடி உன்னிதழ் தேடும் ஆ.....ஆ.....
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
ஈருள்ளம் கலந்த இல்லத்தில் புகுந்தோம்
இல்லத்தில் புகுந்து இன்பத்தில் மிதந்தோம்
இன்பத்தில் மிதந்து உன் வரவை கண்டோம்
உன் வரவைக் கண்டு உல்லாசம் கொண்டோம்
We entered the household where two affectionate hearts merged as one
Entering the home, we floated gracefully in overwhelming happiness
Floating in happiness, we awaited and witnessed your arrival
Seeing your arrival, we found boundless delight within us
பெண்
: உல்லாசம் கண்டு உருவத்தைக் கண்டோம்
உருவத்தை கண்டு உலகத்தை மறந்தோம்....
உல்லாசம் கண்டு உருவத்தைக் கண்டோம்
உருவத்தை கண்டு உலகத்தை மறந்தோம்....
Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form
Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world
Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form
Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
குவளைப்பூ ஒளியில் குங்குமச் சிமிழ்கள்
குங்குமசிமிழில் குறுநகை கோடி
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
குறுநகை கோடி ஒரு நகை கூடி
ஒரு நகை கூடி உன்னிதழ் தேடும் ஆ.....ஆ.....
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
தும்பைப்பூ முகத்தில் துளசி பூ விழிகள்
துளசிப்பூ விழியில் குவளைப்பூ ஒளிகள்
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa….
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Thaazhmpoo kaiyil sengaanthal viralgal
On hands soft as screwpine blossoms, there are fingers like crimson flame-lilies
Sengaanthal viralgalil siru mullai nagangal
Upon those flame-lily fingers rest nails like delicate jasmine buds
Sirumullai nagaththil sevvanthippookkal
Upon the small jasmine nails lie chrysanthemum flowers
Sivvanthi poovil senthaenin suvaithaan
Within the chrysanthemum flower resides the nectar of pure honey
Senthaenin suvaithaan seeraana suvaithaan
It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste
Maaraatha inbaththai tharugindra suuvaithaan
It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss
Senthaenin suvaithaan seeraana suvaithaan
It is the taste of pure honey, a perfect and refined taste
Maaraatha inbaththai tharugindra suuvaithaan…aa…aa….
It is a sweet taste that grants everlasting bliss, ah... ah...
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa….
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Eerullam kalantha illaththil pugunthom
We entered the household where two affectionate hearts merged as one
Illaththil pugunthu inbaththil mithanthom
Entering the home, we floated gracefully in overwhelming happiness
Inbaththil mithanthu un varavai kandom
Floating in happiness, we awaited and witnessed your arrival
Un varavai kandu ullaagam kondom
Seeing your arrival, we found boundless delight within us
Ullaasam kandu uruvaththai kandom
Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form
Uruvaththai kandu ulagaththai maranthom
Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world
Ullaasam kandu uruvaththai kandom
Finding immense joy, we beheld your graceful form
Uruvaththai kandu ulagaththai maranthom
Beholding your form, we completely forgot the external world
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal
In the glow of Kuvalai lilies, lie vermilion caskets
Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi
Within the vermilion casket, ten million gentle smiles blossom
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
A cascade of gentle smiles unites with a shimmering ornament
Oru nagai koodi unnithazh thedum aa…aa….
Joining with an ornament, it seeks your sweet lips, ah... ah...
Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal
In the face white as a Thumbai flower, there are eyes like sacred Thulasi blossoms
Thulasippoo vizhiyil kuvalaippo oligal
In those Thulasi flower eyes, shines the radiance of blue Kuvalai lilies
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil song composed by Kannadasan uses intricate floral metaphors to describe feminine beauty and maternal affection. Every feature of the beloved woman—from her face, eyes, hands, fingers, and nails—is compared to a progression of flowers (Thumbai, Thulasi, Kuvalai, Thaazhampoo, Sengaanthal, Mullai, Sevvanthi), creating an ornate poetic chain.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Andhadhi (Anaphora/Chain Verse)
“Kuvalaippoo oliyil kunguma similigal / Kungumasimizhil kurunagai kodi”
The last word or phrase of a line forms the beginning of the next line, creating a seamless poetic chain throughout the verse.
Uvamaani (Extended Floral Metaphor)
“Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal”
Kannadasan links every human feature to specific flowers from traditional Sangam literature.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thumbaippoo mugaththil thulasi poo vizhigal”
Matching consonant sounds at the beginning of words across the line.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track exemplifies Kannadasan's signature 'Andhadhi' style, where he chain-links descriptions using classical Sangam Tamil floral imagery set to music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh.
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