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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aararo Paada Vanthene Female

From Poruthathu Podhum · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poruthathu Podhum1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mmm…mmm…mm…mm…Mmm… mmm… mm… mm…
Female
Aararoo paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a lullaby,
Aavaaram poovin senthaenaeOh sweet honey of the Aavaaram flower!
Thanmaanam ponaalIf self-respect is lost,
Mann meedhu saayumIt collapses onto the earth,
Pon maanin jaadhi ennaalum neeyumYou belong forever to the noble species of the golden deer.
Thennaattin mannan thaanaeAre you not the king of the Southern land?
Naan thaalattum kannan thaanaeAre you not the beloved Krishna whom I rock to sleep?
Female
Aararoo paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a lullaby,
Aavaaram poovin senthaenaeOh sweet honey of the Aavaaram flower!
Female
Munnoru naal sumandhuCarrying you in my womb one day,
Moochadakki eendreduthuHolding my breath and bringing you into this world,
Kannaaga thaai valarthaWhom your mother raised like her very eye,
Thanga maganaeOh my golden son!
Female
Munnaerum paadhaiyilaeOn the path of progress,
Mullai vaikkum boomiyilaeIn a world that places thorns in your way,
Anjaamal por nadathu singa maganaeFight the battle fearlessly, oh lion-like son!
Female
Maanam uyirunum melaagaWith self-respect valued higher than life itself,
Vaazhum tamil magan neeyaagaMay you live as a proud Tamil son,
Thennadum pottrumPraised by the Southern land,
Unnai ennadum vaazhthaAnd blessed by all lands,
Kanna en sandhosam unnaalae thaanOh my dear, my happiness exists only because of you.
Female
Aararoo paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a lullaby,
Aavaaram poovin senthaenaeOh sweet honey of the Aavaaram flower!
Female
Polladha seyalai kanduWitnessing wicked deeds,
Poruthathu podhum endruSaying 'Enough of patience!',
Pongi ezhum vaelai unduThere comes a time to rise up in rage,
Vaa vaa maganaeCome, come, my son!
Female
Nallorkku sodhanaiyumTrials for good people,
Naalum oru vaedhanaiyumAnd daily agony,
Sollaamal varuvathunduOften arrive unannounced,
Vidhi thaan maganaeThat is fate, my son!
Female
Naalai ethir varum kaalangalThe future days that lie ahead,
Yaavum vasanthathin kolangalWill all turn into beautiful patterns of spring.
Anjaamal modhu pazhi undaagum bodhuFight back fearlessly when injustice or blame arises,
Kanna en sandhosam unnaalae thaanOh my dear, my happiness exists only because of you.
Female
Aararoo paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a lullaby,
Aavaaram poovin senthaenaeOh sweet honey of the Aavaaram flower!
Thanmaanam ponaalIf self-respect is lost,
Mann meedhu saayumIt collapses onto the earth,
Pon maanin jaadhi ennaalum neeyumYou belong forever to the noble species of the golden deer.
Thennaatin mannan thaanaeAre you not the king of the Southern land?
Naan thaalattum kannan thaanaeAre you not the beloved Krishna whom I rock to sleep?
Female
Aararoo paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a lullaby,
Aavaaram poovin senthaenaeOh sweet honey of the Aavaaram flower!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poruthathu Podhum is an inspiring maternal lullaby penned by lyricist Vaali for the 1989 Tamil film of the same name. Unlike conventional lullabies meant solely for sleep, this song serves as a powerful call to action and character building. The mother addresses her child with profound affection, comparing him to pure flower honey and a noble deer that values honor above life itself, echoing traditional Tamil cultural values regarding self-respect (Thanmaanam). As she rocks her child, she reminds him of her pain and labor in raising him, while preparing him for the harsh realities of the world. She advises him that while good people inevitably face trials, a true warrior must know when patience ends and rise fearlessly against wickedness and injustice. Through this song, she envisions a victorious spring-like future for her son, expressing that her ultimate happiness depends on his living an honorable and courageous life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aavaaram poovin senthaenae

The child is directly addressed as 'Aavaaram poovin senthaenae' (the red honey of the Aavaaram flower), symbolizing pure innocence, sweet nature, and preciousness.

Cultural Allusion & Analogy

Pon maanin jaadhi ennaalum neeyum

Compares the son's nature to a deer that dies if it loses its pride, referencing traditional Sangam Tamil poetic concepts where honor (Maanam) is valued more than life.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Polladha seyalai kandu / Poruthathu podhum endru

The second letters of 'Polladha' and 'Poruthathu' feature the rhyme 'r/l' sound combination, providing rhythmic momentum suited for rising up in anger.

Personification

Mullai vaikkum boomiyilae

The world/earth is personified as an adversary actively placing thorns along the path of progress.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song's core phrase 'Poruthathu Podhum' (Enough of patience) serves as the title of the 1989 film itself, underscoring the story's central theme of standing up against oppression. Lyricist Vaali masterfully transformed a standard 'Thaalattu' (lullaby) framework into a motivational anthem of self-respect and bravery.

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