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Isaimozhi
Nandu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Alli Thantha Bhoomi

From Nandu · 1981

Lyricist
Madhukoor Kannan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nandu
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
1 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmmmm…..mmmmm….mmmm….
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Aadum naal paadum naal thaalangal
Ini anantham aarambam vaarungal
Aadum naal paadum naal thaalangal
Ini anantham aarambam vaarungal
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Sevai seitha kattrae pesaayo
Shemangal laabangal yaatho
Palli sendra kaala paadhaigalae
Paalangal maadangal aahaa
Purandu odum nadhi magal
Irandu karaiyum kavithaigal
Thaniththa kaalam valarntha idangalae
Ilamai ninaivai isaikkum therukkal
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Kaaval seitha kottai kaanaayo
Kangalin seedhanamthaano
Kalli nindra kaattil mulligale
Kaaranam maathenum theno
Viriyum pookkal vaanangal
Visiriyaagum naanalgal
Maraththin vaerum magizhchchi padukkaiyae
Pazhaiya sogam iniyum illai
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa
Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa
Mmm….mm…..mmm….mmmm….
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Isn't the generous earth our mother?
Isn't the sky that guided us our father?
Isn't the generous earth our mother?
Isn't the sky that guided us our father?
These are days to dance and sing to the rhythm,
Happiness begins now, come join in!
These are days to dance and sing to the rhythm,
Happiness begins now, come join in!
Isn't the generous earth our mother?
Isn't the sky that guided us our father?
O breeze that cared for me, won't you speak?
What is the news of well-being and prosperity?
O pathways from the days I walked to school,
Ah, look at these bridges and grand mansions!
The river tumbling and rushing like a young daughter,
Both its banks are pure poetry!
The very places where I grew up in lonely times,
These streets play the music of my youthful memories!
Isn't the generous earth our mother?
Isn't the sky that guided us our father?
Look at the fort that stood guard,
Is it a treasured gift for the eyes?
Jasmine blossoms where only cactus once grew,
Is the sweet honey of a woman the reason?
The blossoming flowers are wide like the skies,
The reeds have become swaying hand fans!
Even the roots of the tree are a bed of joy,
The old sorrow is gone forever!
Isn't the generous earth our mother?
Isn't the sky that guided us our father?
These are days to dance and sing to the rhythm,
Happiness begins now, come join in!
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Alli Thantha Bhoomi is a soulful celebration of nature, root origins, and nostalgic memories from the film Nandu (1981). The song personifies nature, honoring the earth as a bountiful mother and the sky as a protective father. Through vivid imagery of childhood pathways, rivers, trees, and wind, the narrator relives fond memories of growing up, finding solace and pure happiness in his surroundings, leaving all past sorrows behind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa / Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa

The earth is personified as a mother who gives abundantly, and the sky as a father who teaches wisdom.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Alli thantha bhoomi annaiyallavaa / Solli thantha vaanam thanthaiyallavaa

The second consonant 'lla' (அல்லி / சொல்லி) rhymes across consecutive lines, following classical Tamil poetic conventions.

Metaphor

Viriyum pookkal vaanangal

Blooming flowers are metaphorically compared to vibrant fireworks across the sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nandu (1981), directed by Mahendran and based on a story by Sivasankari, features iconic music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Sung with heartfelt warmth by Malaysia Vasudevan, this track remains a quintessential example of Ilaiyaraaja's ability to fuse pastoral warmth with rich melodic orchestration.

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