Krishna Chandar and Sujatha perform “Thamarai Poovukum” for the film Pasumpon, starring Prabhu and Sivaji Ganesan. Vairamuthu’s lyrics open the track with a powerful simile: a lotus flower and water never fight. This comparison establishes the courtship’s foundation in natural compatibility.
Released: October 26, 2023
Thamarai Poovukum
Krishna Chandar | Sujatha • From “Pasumpon”
Pasumpon’s Thamarai Poovukum Lyrics Translation
The man likens their connection to salt dissolving completely into porridge, an image of instant belonging. The woman counters with a challenge, comparing his resistance to a turtle’s shell that requires a firm strike to break. Their exchange is a series of rustic, playful negotiations about their relationship.
Thaamara PoovukkumThe lotus flower and the water,
Thannikkum Ennikkumhave never, ever,
Sandaiyae Vandhadhillahad a fight.
Maamana Alli NeeEmbrace your ‘maaman’, and put on your ‘dhaavani’ ‘half-saree’,
Dhaavani PottukkaI have no other sister-in-law here.
Machini Yaarum IllaThere is no sister-in-law for me.
Kambangoozhil Potta UppuLike salt dissolving into pearl millet porridge,
Kanji Ellaam Serdhal Polathe moment I saw your face, it filled my entire heart.
Kanda Podhae Indha MoonjiWhen I saw your face for the first time,
Neranju Pochu Nenjukkullait filled my heart completely.
Naakkula MookkaiyaeHey, I’m the one who can touch my nose with my tongue,
Yehae Thottavan Naanadibut oh, you’re the one who’s touched my very soul with just a glance.
Paarvaiyaal UsuraiyaeWith just a look, you’ve touched my very life,
Oho Thottava Neeyadioh, you are the one who has.
Thaamara PoovukkumThe lotus flower and the water,
Thannikkum Ennikkumhave never, ever,
Sandaiyae Vandhadhillahad a fight.
Maamana Alli NeeEmbrace your ‘maaman’, and put on your ‘dhaavani’ ‘half-saree’,
Dhaavani PottukkaI have no other sister-in-law here.
Machini Yaarum IllaThere is no sister-in-law for me.
Aiyaarettu Nella PolaLike a paddy crop that matures in a hurry,
Avasaramaa Samanjayou blossomed so quickly.
Aitha Maga PanjathukkuFor this uncle’s son, lost in a famine of loneliness,
Aadhaaramaa Amanjayou arrived as the perfect solution.
Kutti Potta Poona PolaLike a cat that’s just had kittens,
Kaala Chuthi Kozhanjayou rubbed affectionately against my legs.
Paavamunnu Neevi VittaaBut when I stroked you out of pity,
Kallu Poda Thuninjayou dared to throw stones at me.
Sondhakkaaran Naan ThaanaeI am your rightful man, am I not?
Thottu Paakka KoodaadhaaSo why can’t I touch you?
Kannam Thodum Kai RendumThese two hands that touch your cheeks,
Keezhae Konjam Neelaadhaawon’t they stray a little lower?
Indha Naattil Theendaamai ThaanDoes ‘theendaamai’, the practice of untouchability,
Innum Ulladhaastill exist in this country?
Vayasukku Vandha PooOh, a flower that has blossomed,
Oho Aasaiyae Pesumaawill surely speak of its desires.
Vandukkum PoovukkumBut between the bee and the flower,
Oho Sandaiyaa Sathamaaoh, is there ever a loud quarrel?
Thaamara PoovukkumThe lotus flower and the water,
Thannikkum Ennikkumhave never, ever,
Sandaiyae Vandhadhillahad a fight.
Maamana Alli NaanFor me to embrace my ‘maaman’,
Dhaavani Pottukkaand put on a ‘dhaavani’ ‘half-saree’,
Maalaiyum Soodavillawe haven’t even exchanged wedding garlands yet.
Kammaakkulla Oththa MaramThere’s a lone tree by the riverbank,
Angae Povom Maamaalet’s go there, ‘maamaa’.
Kammaa Thanni Vathum PodhuWhen the river water finally recedes,
Thirumbiruvom Maamaawe can return, ‘maamaa’.
Neechal Ellaam Solli ThaarenI’ll teach you all about swimming,
Neeyum Konjam Vaammaayou just have to come with me, my dear.
Angae Ingae Kaiyi PadumMy hands might wander here and there,
Solli Putten AamaaI’m just warning you now, yes.
Nilaa Karaiyai AzhichaalumEven if someone could wash the spots from the moon,
Unna Thirutha Mudiyaadhuit would be impossible to fix you.
Poratti Pottu AdikkaamaUnless you flip it over and strike it,
Aamai Odu Odaiyaadhua turtle’s shell will never break.
Poga Poga MaamanukkuSlowly but surely, this ‘maaman’
Buthi Maarudhuis coming to his senses.
Killavaa AllavaaShould I pinch you or embrace you?
Oho Solladi SeiyalaamOh, just tell me what to do.
Vaettiyaa SaelaiyaaThe ‘veshti’ versus the ‘saree’?
Oho Pattimandram VaikkalaamOh, we could hold a formal debate about it.
Thaamara PoovukkumThe lotus flower and the water,
Thannikkum Ennikkumhave never, ever,
Sandaiyae Vandhadhillahad a fight.
Maamana Alli NeeEmbrace your ‘maaman’, and put on your ‘dhaavani’ ‘half-saree’,
Dhaavani PottukkaI have no other sister-in-law here.
Machini Yaarum IllaThere is no sister-in-law for me.
Kambangoozhil Potta UppuJust like salt blending into millet gruel,
Kanji Ellaam Serdhal Polaseeing your face that one time filled my heart completely.
Kanda Podhae Indha MoonjiWhen I saw your face for the first time,
Neranju Pochu Nenjukkullait filled my heart completely.
Maamanae MaamanaeOh my ‘maaman’, my ‘maaman’,
Oho Ongitta Ottavaaoh, should I cling to your side?
Boomikkum VaerukkumBetween the earth and a tree’s roots,
Oho Sandaiyaa Sathamaaoh, is there ever a loud quarrel?
Thamarai Poovukum Music Video
The song’s structure is a back-and-forth dialogue, advancing the courtship through witty challenges and responses. This “Thamarai Poovukum” lyrics meaning is rooted in its use of agricultural metaphors. The analysis reveals a romance that is defined by its specific village environment.