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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annai Thanthai

From Are You Ok Baby · 2023

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Shweta Mohan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Are You Ok Baby
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
9 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Annai thanthai
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandro
Illai endral
Pettror pirappu mannilnandro
Vennilavu vaanilminna
Pillai nilavu kaiyil thulla
Amma ennum pinjumozhi
Ketkamanam yengidudhe
Annai thanthai
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandro
Pinju viral nenjil vilaiyadi vara
Inbamae adhu konchamo
Yaazhum kuzhal innisaiyum enna seiyum
Un kural adhai minjume
Thatthi thatthi aadi varum
Muthumaniyae
Ratthinathi minnavaikkum
Kannin oliyae
Ettu vaithu konjam kitta vaa
Pattuidhazhil mutham thaa
Kanmani unnai allikolla
Aasai konden
Annai thanthai
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandro
Rendu pillai pennuku piranthathundu
Indhai pillaiko inguu thaairendu
Annaiyar iruvarrukkum pillai vendum
Pillai endha thai pakkam sellumo
Ethanai ethanai inbam kanda ulagil
Athanaiyum kuda varum enbathillayae
Solai vali nadanthathellam
Paalaivanam sendru servatharakka
Vaazhvellam ethir paarpil thaana
Sella vendum
Annai thanthai
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandro
Vennilavu vaanil minna
Pillai nilavu kaiyil thulla
Amma ennum pinjumozhi
Ketkamanam yengidudhe
Annai thanthai
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandro
Mother and father,
isn't it a child who makes them so?
Without that,
is a parent's life on this earth truly blessed?
While the white moon shines in the sky,
and my baby moon bounces in my arms,
the tender little voice calling "Amma",
my heart yearns to hear it.
Mother and father,
isn't it a child who makes them so?
When tiny fingers play across my chest,
is that joy a small thing?
What can the sweet music
of the harp and flute do?
Your voice easily surpasses them!
My precious pearl, toddling and dancing along,
making even gems sparkle,
oh, the bright light of your eyes!
Take tiny steps and come a little closer,
give me a kiss with your soft, silky lips.
To gather you into my embrace, my darling,
I yearn so deeply.
Mother and father,
isn't it a child who makes them so?
A woman may give birth to two children,
but for this child, there are two mothers here.
Both mothers long for the child,
but which mother will the baby go to?
In this world of so many joys,
none of them are guaranteed to stay with us.
Was all that walking through lush garden paths
only to end up in a desert?
Must an entire life pass
only in waiting and longing?
Mother and father,
isn't it a child who makes them so?
While the white moon shines in the sky,
and my baby moon bounces in my arms,
the tender little voice calling "Amma",
my heart yearns to hear it.
Mother and father,
isn't it a child who makes them so?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from the movie 'Are You Ok Baby' (2023) explores the deep emotional weight of parenthood and motherhood. It highlights how a child bestows the identity and true purpose of being a 'mother' and 'father', contrasting the innocent joys of childhood with a tragic dilemma of custody and biological versus adoptive motherhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Pillai nilavu kaiyil thulla”

'Pillai nilavu' compares the child to a shining crescent moon held in hand.

Contrast / Imagery (Muran)

“Solai vali nadanthathellam Paalaivanam sendru servatharakka”

Contrasts 'Solai vali' (lush grove path) with 'Paalaivanam' (desert) to illustrate the unexpected hardships of life.

Allusion to Classical Literature

“Yaazhum kuzhal innisaiyum enna seiyum Un kural adhai minjume”

Echoes Thirukkural 66 ('Kuzhal inidhu yaazh inidhu...'), comparing a child's voice to instruments like flute and lute.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

“Thatthi thatthi aadi varum”

The rhythmic repetition of 'Thatthi thatthi' conveys the gentle, unsteady footsteps of a toddler.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and written by 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja for Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's directorial film 'Are You Ok Baby' (2023), the song revolves around legal and emotional complexities of adoption and child custody, sung emotionally by Shweta Mohan.

Keep listening

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