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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aayiramthan Kavi Sonnen

From Naatpadu Theral 2 · 2022

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Iniyavan
Details
Naatpadu Theral 22022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aarirraaroo aariraarooLullaby chant (Aarirraaroo aariraaroo)
Hmm mm hmm mmHumming sound (Hmm mm hmm mm)
Male
Aayiram thaan kavi sonnenI recited a thousand poems
Azhagazhaga poi sonnenI spoke beautiful lies
Pethavalae un perumaiO mother who gave birth to me, your greatness
Oththavari sollalaiyaeI didn't even express in a single line
Male
Kaathellaam magan paattuThe wind carries your son's song
Kaagithathil avan eluthuThe paper is filled with his writing
Oorellaam magan pechuThe whole town talks about your son
Un keerthi ezhuthalaiyaeYet I never wrote about your glory
Male
Eluthavoo padikavoNeither able to read nor write
Yelaadha thaai bakthiMother's devotion is beyond that
Eluthi enna labaminnuThinking what benefit lies in writing
Ezhudhaama ponenooI left it unwritten
Male
Aayiram thaan kavi sonnenI recited a thousand poems
Azhagazhaga poi sonnenI spoke beautiful lies
Pethavalae un perumaiO mother who gave birth to me, your greatness
Oththavari sollalaiyaeI didn't even express in a single line
Male
Kadhakadhannu kalikindiStirring warm ragi porridge
Kalikkullae kuzhi vettiMaking a small pit inside the porridge
Karuppetti nallennaPalm jaggery and sesame oil
Kalandhu tharuvaayaeYou would mix and serve it to me
Male
Thondaiyilae adhu irangumAs it goes down the throat
Sugamaana ilanjooduThat pleasant mild warmth
Mandaiyila innumIn my mind, even today
Masamsannu nikkuthammaIt remains fresh and vivid, O mother
Male
Varumaiyila naama pattaUnable to bear the pain
Valithanga maattaamaWe suffered in poverty
Penava naan eduthenI picked up the pen
Prabanjam picherinjenAnd tore through the universe with words
Male
Kalyanam naan senjuWhen I got married
Kadhiyathu nikkayilaAnd stood helpless with nowhere to turn
Petha appan chennai vandhuMy father came to Chennai
Soth ezhuthi pona pinnaeAnd signed over his property before leaving
Male
Anjaaru varushamFor five or six years
Un aasai mugam pakkaamaWithout seeing your beloved face
Pillai manam pithaachaeThe child's heart went crazy with longing
Petha manam kall aachaeHas the mother's heart turned to stone?
Male
Paasam ulla velaiyilaeWhen there was affection
Kaasu panam koodalaiyaaeMoney and wealth did not gather
Kaasu vandha velaiyilaeWhen money arrived
Paasam vandhu seralaiyaeAffection did not come along
Male
Vaigaiyila oor mulugaWhen the whole village submerged in the Vaigai river
Vallarum serndhezhugaAnd floodwaters rose together
Kaipidiyaa kootivandhuHolding my hand and guiding me
Karaiserthu vittavalaeYou brought me safely to the shore
Male
AmaaaaaOh mother...
Enakkonnu aanadhunnaaIf something happens to me
Unakku vera pillai unduYou have another child
Unakkaedhum aanadhunnaIf something happens to you
Enakku veru thaaiyirukkaDo I have another mother?
Enakku veru thaaiyirukkaDo I have another mother?
Enakku veru thaaiyirukka..Do I have another mother?..
Female
AariraarooLullaby chant (Aariraaroo)
AriraraarooLullaby chant (Ariraraaroo)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song depicts a successful poet's deep remorse and heartfelt tribute to his mother. Despite achieving fame, writing countless verses, and earning public admiration, the narrator regrets never dedicating a single line of poetry to his mother's sacrifices. He fondly recalls sensory memories from childhood, such as the warm food she lovingly prepared and how she guided him through moments of distress and floodwaters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Imagery / Sensory Details

Kadhakadhannu kalikindi / Kalikkullae kuzhi vetti / Karuppetti nallenna / Kalandhu tharuvaayae

Uses tactile and gustatory imagery (warm ragi porridge, palm jaggery, sesame oil) to evoke nostalgic warmth and maternal care.

Antithesis / Irony (Maran)

Paasam ulla velaiyilae / Kaasu panam koodalaiyaae / Kaasu vandha velaiyilae / Paasam vandhu seralaiyae

Contrasts the availability of affection against money during different stages of life, emphasizing life's bitter trade-offs.

Rhetorical Question

Unakkaedhum aanadhunna / Enakku veru thaaiyirukka

Asks a rhetorical question to underscore the irreplaceable nature of a mother compared to any other relationship.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pillai manam pithaachae / Petha manam kall aachae

The second consonant sound 'th' rhymes between lines, creating melodic flow and emotional weight.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is part of 'Naatpadu Theral', an independent musical project conceptualized by legendary Tamil poet-lyricist Vairamuthu. The track holds emotional significance as it features vocals by the iconic singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, highlighting maternal love and nostalgia.

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