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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vasamalli Poovu Poovu

From Sevvanthi · 1994

Lyricist
Ponnadiyan
Singer
Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sevvanthi1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………...
Female
Vaasa malli poovu poovuFragrant jasmine flower flower
Aasai rasa vaasalilAt the doorstep of my beloved king
Yaedho yaedho novu novuSome unknown pain pain
Konjam pesu nesaththilSpeak a little with affection
Female
Sollu vaarththai poiyae illaiThe words I say are not false
Sonnaal kelaayoWon't you listen if I tell you?
Thalli pogum ennam yaenoWhy do you intend to move away?
Anbai thaaraayoWon't you give me your love?
Female
Vaasa malli poovu poovuFragrant jasmine flower flower
Aasai rasa vaasalilAt the doorstep of my beloved king
Female
Neeraada naan ponaalumEven when I go to bathe
Neerellaam un thottramAll the water reflects your appearance
Thendral kaattru thottaalumEven when the gentle breeze touches me
Theendum unthan yaekkamYour longing touches me
Female
Unnaal vaadum annam naanI am a swan wilting because of you
En mael yaeno kobamWhy this anger towards me?
Un pinnaalae endrum naanI am always right behind you
Kollaathae en saabamDo not invite my curse
Female
Sollum vaarththai poiyae illaiThe words I say are not false
Sonnaal kelaayo…Won't you listen if I tell you?
Thalli pogum ennam yaenoWhy do you intend to move away?
Anbai thaaraayo…Won't you give me your love?
Female
Vaasa malli poovu poovuFragrant jasmine flower flower
Aasai rasa vaasalilAt the doorstep of my beloved king
Female
Kannaa unthan pinnaalaeOh Lord Krishna, behind you
Ennilaatha radhaiThere are countless Radhas
Vendaam endru sonnaalumEven if you say no
Vanthaalae un paadhaiShe came along your path
Female
Soodaa mullai veen thaanaeAn unworn jasmine flower goes to waste
Unmai sollu rasaTell me the truth, my king
Paada raagam vendaamaeNo need for a ragam to sing
Paadi pazhagu lesaaTry practicing singing gently
Female
Sollum vaarththai poiyae illaiThe words I say are not false
Sonnaal kelaayo…Won't you listen if I tell you?
Thalli pogum ennam yaenoWhy do you intend to move away?
Anbai thaaraayo….Won't you give me your love?
Female
Vaasa malli poovu poovuFragrant jasmine flower flower
Aasai rasa vaasalilAt the doorstep of my beloved king
Female
Sollum vaarththai poiyae illaiThe words I say are not false
Sonnaal kelaayo…Won't you listen if I tell you?
Thalli pogum ennam yaenoWhy do you intend to move away?
Anbai thaaraayo….Won't you give me your love?
Female
Vaasa malli poovu poovuFragrant jasmine flower flower
Aasai rasa vaasalilAt the doorstep of my beloved king
Yaedho yaedho novu novuSome unknown pain pain
Konjam pesu nesaththil…Speak a little with affection...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic Tamil song portrays a young woman expressing her deep longing and ache for her beloved. Comparing herself to a fragrant jasmine flower waiting at his doorstep, she pleads with him to converse with affection rather than keeping his distance. Every element of nature—be it the water she bathes in or the breeze that touches her—serves as a constant reminder of his presence, intensifying her melancholy. She compares her hero to Krishna followed by countless devotion-filled Radhas, reaffirming her unconditional devotion despite his reluctance. Through soft emotional pleas, she urges him to cast aside his anger, speak truthfully, and embrace her love before her tender heart succumbs to heart-wrenching pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Reduplication)

Vaasa malli poovu poovu

Repetition of words like 'poovu poovu' and 'novu novu' to emphasize tender emotion and persistent ache.

Moni (Initial Alliteration)

Sollu vaarththai poiyae illai / Sonnaal kelaayo

Repetition of the 'S' sound across opening lines ('Sollu', 'Sonnaal') creates pleasant auditory rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Unnaal vaadum annam naan

The heroine compares herself to a swan ('annam') wilting due to the emotional distance of her lover.

Mythological Allusion

Kannaa unthan pinnaalae / Ennilaatha radhai

Invokes the classic mythological imagery of Krishna and Radha to describe endless, devoted affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 1994 Tamil romantic film 'Sevvanthi', directed by P. S. Nivas. The lyricist Ponnadiyan penned tender, traditional imagery typical of 90s Tamil rural cinema soundtrack aesthetics.

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