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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasaikku Pillaiyendru

From Vilaiyattu Pillai · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vilaiyattu Pillai1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aasaikku pillai endruI asked God for a child out of desire,
Aandavanai kettadhunduI have indeed prayed to the Lord.
Pillai vandha nerathilae thalaelooLullaby, at the time the child arrived,
Unnai petra manam vaadudhada thalaeloLullaby, the heart of the mother who bore you suffers, my dear.
Female
Nee pirandha neram enbaarThey say it was the time you were born,
Indha nilai vandhadhenbaarThey claim this plight came because of it.
Naan pirandha neramada thalaelooLullaby, it was actually the time I was born,
Adhil veen pazhiyai nee sumandhaai thalelooLullaby, you bore the blame in vain, my dear.
Female
Naalai poluthu varumTomorrow, a new dawn will come,
Nallavarukku vaazhvu varumProsperity will come to good people.
Ezhai azhudha kanneer thalaelooLullaby, the tears shed by the poor,
Andha eesanukku puriyumada thalaelooLullaby, that Supreme Lord will surely understand.
Female
Muthu thamil paaduSing in pearl-like Tamil,
sittu nadai poduWalk gracefully like a little sparrow,
Thathi thathi vilaiyaaduToddle around and play,
Nadai vandi thalli thalli nadamaaduPush your wooden walker frame and dance about.
Female
Thandhaiyidam naesamaIs your affection towards your father?
Annaiyidam aasaiyaaOr is your fondness towards your mother?
Evaridam paasam endraalIf asked who you love more,
Kaigal iru pakkam kattumadaYou show both sides with outstretched hands!
Female
Muthu thamil paaduSing in pearl-like Tamil,
sittu nadai poduWalk gracefully like a little sparrow,
Thathi thathi vilaiyaaduToddle around and play,
Nadai vandi thalli thalli nadamaaduPush your wooden walker frame and dance about.
Female
Pattam melae pogudhu paaruLook, the kite goes up high!
Paravai polae parakkudhu paaruLook, it flies like a bird!
Vattamittu aadudhu paaruLook, it swirls and dances!
aadudhu paaruLook, it dances!
Melae vaalai neetti parakkudhupaaru parakkudhu paaruLook, stretching its tail high up, look how it flies!
Female
Noolai iluthaal melae pogumIf you pull the string, it goes higher,
Vaalai aruthaal karanam podumIf you cut its tail, it somersaults down.
Kaatru adithaal nimirndhu nirkkumWhen the wind blows, it stands upright,
Kayiru arundhaal kuninji pakkumIf the string snaps, it bends down and falls.
Female
Vattamittu aadudhu paaruLook, it swirls and dances!
aadudhu paaruLook, it dances!
Melae vaalai neetti parakkudhu paaru parakkudhu paaruLook, stretching its tail high up, look how it flies!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Vilaiyattu Pillai' (1970) begins as a deeply emotional lullaby where a mother comforts her innocent child. She grieves over how society unjustly blames the child's birth star for their family's misfortunes, firmly asserting that her own karma is to blame instead. She offers comfort by reminding her child that God sees the tears of the innocent and that better days will eventually dawn for the righteous. The mood then transitions into a joyful and playful nursery-rhyme sequence. The mother delights in her toddler's early milestones—walking with a wooden walker (nadai vandi), babbling in Tamil, and showing equal love to both parents. The final verses use the visual imagery of a flying kite as a extended metaphor for life, growth, and the delicate control maintained through love and destiny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Pillai vandha nerathilae thalaeloo

The traditional Tamil lullaby refrain 'Thalaeloo' ends alternate lines in the first half to create a soothing rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Muthu thamil paadu

Describing the child's sweet speech as 'Muthu Thamil' (pearl-like Tamil).

Simile (Upamai)

Paravai polae parakkudhu paaru

Comparing the movement of the child to a sparrow ('sittu') and the flight of the kite to a bird ('paravai polae').

Allegory / Life Metaphor

Noolai iluthaal melae pogum / Kayiru arundhaal kuninji pakkum

The kite rising with a pulled string and falling when the thread snaps serves as a poetic allegory for human reliance on divine control and life's ups and downs.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1970 Tamil movie 'Vilaiyattu Pillai' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The song features music composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with poignant lyrics written by Kannadasan and expressive playback vocals by P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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