Pesuvathu Kiliya Illai Lyrics Translation — Panathottam | P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan
“Pesuvathu Kiliya Illai” by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela is from the album Panathottam. The song, with lyrics by Kannadasan and music by Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy, opens with a question. A man asks if a sound is a parrot or the language of a queen.
Pesuvathu Kiliya Illai
P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan • From “Panathottam”
The woman answers his grand comparison with one of her own. She asks if he is poetry itself or the son of the great king Paarivallal. Later, she wonders if he is a guardian with a bow or a lover captured by her “spear-like eyes,” showing the competitive praise.
Pesuvathu Kiliya IllaiIs that a parrot I hear speaking, or is it not?
Pennarasi MozhiyaIs it the language of a queen?
Pesuvathu Kiliya IllaiIs that a parrot I hear speaking, or is it not?
Pennarasi MozhiyaIs it the language of a queen?
Kovil Konda SilaiyaIs she an idol enshrined within a temple?
Kothu Malar Kodiya HoiOr a vine laden with blossoms? Hoi.
Pesuvathu Kiliya IllaiIs that a parrot I hear speaking, or is it not?
Pennarasi MozhiyaIs it the language of a queen?
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Seranukku UravaA kinsman to the Chera king?
Senthamizhar Nilava HoiThe shining moon of the Tamil people? Hoi.
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Seranukku UravaA kinsman to the Chera king?
Senthamizhar NilavaThe shining moon of the Tamil people?
Hoi Hoi HoiHoi Hoi Hoi
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Kalyana Panthalil Adum ThoranamaIs she a festive garland swaying in the wedding hall?
Illai Kacheri Rasirgal Ketkum MoganamaOr the ‘Mohanam’ raga that enchants the concert audience?
Kalyana Panthalil Adum ThoranamaIs she a festive garland swaying in the wedding hall?
Illai Kacheri Rasirgal Ketkum MoganamaOr the ‘Mohanam’ raga that enchants the concert audience?
Villendhum Kavalan ThanaIs he a guardian who wields a bow?
Vel Vizhiyal Kadhalan ThanaOr a lover captured by her spear-like eyes?
Villendhum Kavalan ThanaIs he a guardian who wields a bow?
Vel Vizhiyal Kadhalan ThanaOr a lover captured by her spear-like eyes?
Sollamal Sollum MozhiyilWith words that are spoken without being said,
Kottai Kattum Pavalan ThanaIs he the poet who builds fortresses?
Pesuvathu Kiliya IllaiIs that a parrot I hear speaking, or is it not?
Pennarasi MozhiyaIs it the language of a queen?
Kovil Konda SilaiyaIs she an idol enshrined within a temple?
Kothu Malar KodiyaOr a vine laden with blossoms?
Hoi Hoi HoiHoi Hoi Hoi
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Mannadhi MannargalIs she a palace where kings among kings
Koodum MaligaiyaCome together to meet?
Ullam Vandattam MathargalOr is she an assembly hall where graceful women
Koodum Mandapama HoiCome to gather? Hoi.
Sendadum Seyizhai ThanaIs she that graceful, bejeweled woman?
Theiveega Kadhali ThanaIs she a divine love?
Senthooram Konjum MugathilOn a face graced with vermillion,
Sevvai Minnum Thenmozhi ThanaIs she the sweet-voiced one whose lips shine like coral?
Paduvathu Kaviya IllaiIs that poetry I hear being sung, or is it not?
Parivallal MaganaIs he the son of the great ‘Parivallal’?
Seranukku UravaA kinsman to the Chera king?
Senthamizhar NilavaThe shining moon of the Tamil people?
Hoi Hoi Hoi HoiHoi Hoi Hoi Hoi
Pesuvathu Kiliya IllaiIs that a parrot I hear speaking, or is it not?
Pennarasi MozhiyaIs it the language of a queen?
Kovil Konda SilaiyaIs she an idol enshrined within a temple?
The song is a call-and-response duet built entirely from escalating questions. The meaning of the ‘Pesuvathu Kiliya Illai’ lyrics comes from this game of mutual admiration, where each singer tries to outdo the other with grander compliments. It is a contest of devotion using rich cultural references.
