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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aagayam Kanatha

From Alaya Deepam · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Alaya Deepam1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayamA sunrise unseen by the sky,
Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyamA moon that never wanes on any day,
Magalaai piranthaththo uyiraai kalanthaththoWere you born as my daughter, or blended into my very soul?
Female
{Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayamA sunrise unseen by the sky,
Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyamA moon that never wanes on any day,
Magalaai piranthaththo uyiraai kalanthaththo} (2)Were you born as my daughter, or blended into my very soul?
Female
Thaalaattu unakkaaga naan paadinaenI sang a lullaby for you,
Thaayanbil enakkaaga nee padammaaNow sing for me out of maternal affection, my dear.
Female
………………..
Female
Thaalaattu unakkaaga naan paadinaenI sang a lullaby for you,
Thaayanbil enakkaaga nee padammaaNow sing for me out of maternal affection, my dear.
Un paattu thaen undu pasiyaaruvenTasting the honey of your song, I shall satisfy my hunger,
Naan unthan madi meedhu ilaippaaruvaenI shall rest upon your lap.
Female
Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayamA sunrise unseen by the sky,
Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyamA moon that never wanes on any day,
Female
Elangovum kaanaatha en kannagiMy Kannagi, whom even poet Ilango never witnessed,
Ezhil konjum aattaththil pon madhavaiA golden Madhavi in a dance brimming with charm.
Female
Elangovum kaanaatha en kannagiMy Kannagi, whom even poet Ilango never witnessed,
Ezhil konjum aattaththil pon madhavaiA golden Madhavi in a dance brimming with charm.
Naan vaazhntha varalaru needhanammaaYou are the very history of how I lived, my child.
Naanendrum neeyedrum verethammaa….Is there any difference between what is mine and what is yours?
Naanendrum neeyedrum verethammaa….Is there any difference between what is mine and what is yours?
Female
Ammaa un kalyaana naalum varumMy dear child, your wedding day will surely arrive,
Anantham paadaatho nadhashvaramWill not the nadaswaram play tunes of pure bliss?
Unai vazhththa thenpaandi sangam varumThe ancient Pandyan Sangam will come to bless you,
Kannae en iru kannil gangai varumMy darling, the river Ganges will flow from both my eyes.
Kannae en iru kannil gangai varumMy darling, the river Ganges will flow from both my eyes.
Female
Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayamA sunrise unseen by the sky,
Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyamA moon that never wanes on any day,
Magalaai piranthaththo uyiraai kalanthaththoWere you born as my daughter, or blended into my very soul?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This beautiful composition expresses a parent's overflowing love and admiration for their daughter. The daughter is described as an unprecedented phenomenon—a celestial sunrise unseen by the sky and an unwaning moon. The song tenderly explores the role reversal of affection, where the parent who once sang lullabies now finds solace and contentment in listening to the child's sweet voice and resting on her lap.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayam / Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyam

Comparing the daughter to a unique sunrise ('Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayam') and a non-waning moon ('theyaatha santhirothyam').

Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Elangovum kaanaatha en kannagi / Ezhil konjum aattaththil pon madhavai

Referencing epic characters Kannagi and Madhavi alongside their author Ilango Adigal from the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kannae en iru kannil gangai varum

Comparing tears of joy during the daughter's future wedding to the flowing of the holy Ganges river.

Rhyme (Ethirayi)

Aagaayam kaanaatha sooryothayam / Ennaalum theyaatha santhirothyam

Second letter rhyming in consecutive lines ('Aagaayam' / 'Ennaalum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics penned by Pulamaipithan seamlessly blend classical Tamil literary tropes (referencing Silappatikaram and the Tamil Sangam) into a emotional parental perspective. The film Alaya Deepam (1984) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.

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