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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aaraaro Enbathu

From Sakthi (1997) · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
P. Unnikrishnan
Music director
S. P. Venkatesh
Details
Sakthi (1997)1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaraaro enbathuthaan'Aaraaro' is indeed
Thaai paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby a mother sings
Naan yaaro enbathuthaan'Who am I' is indeed
Naan ketta thaalaattuThe lullaby that I heard
Male
Eththanaiyo varushamaachchuSo many years have passed
Bhoomi poranthuSince the Earth was born
Eththanaiyo varushamaachchuSo many years have passed
Manushan poranthuSince humanity was born
Male
Mannum kadalum malaiyum koodaEven the earth, sea, and mountains
Maari irukkae innumHave changed over time
Thaaimai endra panbu mattumHas only the virtue of motherhood
Maari irukkaaEver changed?
Male
Aaraaro enbathuthaan'Aaraaro' is indeed
Thaai paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby a mother sings
Naan yaaro enbathuthaan'Who am I' is indeed
Naan ketta thaalaattuThe lullaby that I heard
Male
Irandu nenjil kelvi ondreyIn two hearts, the single question
Iruppathu enna anthaThat exists, what is it?
Inbamaana vidaiyai kaalamThat joyful answer, why has time
Maraiththathu ennaConcealed it?
Male
Ullirunthu uravu mattumFrom deep within, why did the bond
Thudiththathu ennaYearn so deeply?
Udhadu mattum vaarththai pesaWhy did the lips alone
Maruththathu ennaRefuse to speak words?
Male
Pettra pillai thaayai kaanaThe child born has no rights
Urimaigal illaiTo see the mother
Vitta kanneer theakki vaiththaalIf all the shed tears were collected,
Samuththiram illaiNo ocean would be large enough
Male
Aaraaro enbathuthaan'Aaraaro' is indeed
Thaai paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby a mother sings
Naan yaaro enbathuthaan'Who am I' is indeed
Naan ketta thaalaattuThe lullaby that I heard
Male
Aaraaro enbathuthaan'Aaraaro' is indeed
Thaai paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby a mother sings
Naan yaaro enbathuthaan'Who am I' is indeed
Naan ketta thaalaattuThe lullaby that I heard
Male
Bhoomikooda porumai maariEven the Earth may lose patience
Vediththu pogalaamAnd burst apart
Thaaimai mattum thanathu ellaiyaiYet Motherhood never crosses
KadappathillaiyaeIts righteous limits
Male
Nilakkariyin porumaiyinaalThrough the endurance of coal,
Vairam aagalaamIt becomes a diamond
Thaayin paththu maatham porumai saernthuThe ten months of a mother's endurance combined
Pillai aagalaamBecomes a child
Male
Pettra pillai thaayai kaanaThe child born has no rights
Urimaigal illaiTo see the mother
Vitta kanneer theakki vaiththaalIf all the shed tears were collected,
Samuththiram illaiNo ocean would be large enough
Male
Aaraaro enbathuthaan'Aaraaro' is indeed
Thaai paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby a mother sings
Naan yaaro enbathuthaan'Who am I' is indeed
Naan ketta thaalaattu….mmm….mmmm….The lullaby that I heard... mmm... mmmm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song from 'Sakthi' (1997), written by Vairamuthu and composed by R. Anandh, is a deeply tragic reflection on the loss of maternal identity and connection. The protagonist contrasts traditional lullabies ('Aaraaro') with his own haunting query of self-identity ('Naan yaaro'), grieving over being separated from his mother. The lyrics convey that while nature, mountains, and oceans evolve over time, the pure essence of motherhood remains constant and eternal. Through poetic imagery of coal transforming into diamonds under intense pressure, Vairamuthu illustrates the immense endurance of a mother during ten months of pregnancy. The song expresses agonizing grief over the cruelty of fate that deprives a child of the right to even look upon his own mother, culminating in an outpouring of tears so immense that no sea could contain them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Antithesis

Aaraaro enbathuthaan... Naan yaaro enbathuthaan

Contrasts the traditional comforting lullaby ('Aaraaro') with the existential struggle for identity ('Naan yaaro').

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Nilakkariyin porumaiyinaal Vairam aagalaam / Thaayin paththu maatham porumai saernthu Pillai aagalaam

Compares the extreme pressure and patience turning coal into a diamond to the ten-month patient sacrifice of a mother bearing a child.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Vitta kanneer theakki vaiththaal Samuththiram illai

Exaggerates the immense volume of tears shed by stating that even an ocean could not contain them.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sakthi' (1997) features an acclaimed soundtrack by composer R. Anandh. P. Unni Krishnan's soulful rendition of this song earned widespread praise for capturing deep pathos and filial longing.

Keep listening

More from Sakthi (1997)