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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

16 Vayathinilae 17 Pillayamma

From Annamitta Kai · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Annamitta Kai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Padhinaaru vayadhinilae…At sixteen years of age...
Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa…Seventeen children, dear lady...
Thaalaattu paadugiren…I sing a lullaby...
Thaayaagavillaiyammaa…Though I have not become a biological mother myself...
Aha aha aha aha aha aha aariraroAha aha aha aha aha aha lullaby...
Female
Padhinaaru vayadhinilae…At sixteen years of age...
Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa…Seventeen children, dear lady...
Thaalaattu paadugiren…I sing a lullaby...
Thaayaagavillaiyammaa…Though I have not become a biological mother myself...
Female
Aindhu vayadhil valaindhaalIf disciplined at five years of age
Arivu uyarumWisdom and knowledge will grow
Anbu mazhaiyil nanaindhaalIf drenched in the shower of love
Vaazhvu malarum…mmmLife will blossom fully... mmm
Aindhu vayadhil valaindhaalIf disciplined at five years of age
Arivu uyarumWisdom and knowledge will grow
Anbu mazhaiyil nanaindhaalIf drenched in the shower of love
Vaazhvu malarum…Life will blossom fully...
Kannae unai nallor pillai endrae pottruvaarMy dear child, good people will praise you as a wonderful child
Aha aha aha aha aha aha aariraroAha aha aha aha aha aha lullaby...
Female
Padhinaaru vayadhinilae…At sixteen years of age...
Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa…Seventeen children, dear lady...
Thaalaattu paadugiren…I sing a lullaby...
Thaayaagavillaiyammaa…Though I have not become a biological mother myself...
Female
Velli nilavae unnaiOh silver moon, even if...
Megam maraithaalA dark cloud hides you
Thanga malarae unnaiOh golden flower, even if...
Tharaiyil erindhaal…aaa…You are thrown down to the ground... aaa...
Velli nilavae unnaiOh silver moon, even if...
Megam maraithaalA dark cloud hides you
Thanga malarae unnaiOh golden flower, even if...
Tharaiyil erindhaalYou are thrown down to the ground
Unmai endra ondrae podhum nanmai kaanalaamHolding on to truth alone is enough to witness goodness in life
Mmmm..mmm…mmm..mm..mmm..mmm.. aariraroMmmm..mmm...mmm..mm..mmm..mmm.. lullaby...
Female
Padhinaaru vayadhinilae…At sixteen years of age...
Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa…Seventeen children, dear lady...
Thaalaattu paadugiren…I sing a lullaby...
Thaayaagavillaiyammaa…Though I have not become a biological mother myself...
Female
Raaman iruppaan ingaeLord Rama will reside here
Seedhai iruppaalGoddess Sita will reside here
Kannan iruppaan ingaeLord Krishna will reside here
Raadhai iruppaalRadha will reside here
Raaman iruppaan ingaeLord Rama will reside here
Seedhai iruppaalGoddess Sita will reside here
Kannan iruppaan ingaeLord Krishna will reside here
Raadhai iruppaalRadha will reside here
Pillai ullam kandae dheivam kovil kollalaamSeeing the pure heart of a child, God himself makes it His temple
Aha aha aha aha aha aha aariraroAha aha aha aha aha aha lullaby...
Female
Padhinaaru vayadhinilae…At sixteen years of age...
Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa…Seventeen children, dear lady...
Thaalaattu paadugiren…I sing a lullaby...
Thaayaagavillaiyammaa…Though I have not become a biological mother myself...
Aha aha aha aha aha aha aariraroAha aha aha aha aha aha lullaby...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song 'Padhinaaru Vayadhinilae' from the 1972 movie 'Annamitta Kai' is a sweet, maternal lullaby sung by a young woman caring for children who are not her biological offspring. Despite her tender age, she showers them with maternal affection, expressing that motherhood is defined by love and care rather than birth alone. The lyrics impart moral values, reminding us that early discipline and unconditional love help a child grow into a wise and virtuous individual. Throughout the song, the singer uses gentle metaphors comparing the child to a silver moon and a golden flower. She consoles the child by emphasizing that temporary hardships or clouding moments cannot diminish true goodness and purity. By equating the pure, innocent heart of a child to a divine temple where deities reside, the lyricist highlights the sacred nature of innocence and maternal devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)

Padhinaaru vayadhinilae / Padhinaezhu pillaiyammaa

The second consonant sound 'dhi' (தி) rhymes in both lines, creating a rhythmic Tamil ethugai pattern.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbu mazhaiyil nanaindhaal

Love is directly metaphorized as a refreshing shower of rain ('Anbu mazhai').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Velli nilavae unnai / Thanga malarae unnai

The child is affectionately addressed through metaphors as a 'silver moon' and a 'golden flower'.

Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)

Aindhu vayadhil valaindhaal

Refers to the famous Tamil proverb 'Aindhil valaiyaadhadhu aimpadhil valaiyaadhu' (What does not bend at five will not bend at fifty), emphasizing early character shaping.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music director and singers were listed as unknown in the prompt, 'Annamitta Kai' (1972) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The film's musical score was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, and this tender lullaby was rendered by the renowned playback singer P. Susheela with lyrics written by Vaali.

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