Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annai Thanthai

From Are You Ok Baby · 2023

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Shweta Mohan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Are You Ok Baby2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Annai thanthaiMother and father,
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandroIs it not a child that makes them so?
Illai endralIf not so,
Pettror pirappu mannilnandroIs a parent's birth on earth worthy?
Female
Vennilavu vaanilminnaAs the white moon shines in the sky,
Pillai nilavu kaiyil thullaAs the child-moon leaps in the arms,
Amma ennum pinjumozhiThe tender voice calling 'Mother',
Ketkamanam yengidudheThe heart longs to hear it!
Female
Annai thanthaiMother and father,
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandroIs it not a child that makes them so?
Female
Pinju viral nenjil vilaiyadi varaAs tiny fingers play upon the chest,
Inbamae adhu konchamoIs the joy it brings just a little?
Yaazhum kuzhal innisaiyum enna seiyumWhat can the sweet music of the lute and flute compare?
Un kural adhai minjumeYour voice will surpass even that.
Female
Thatthi thatthi aadi varumWalking with toddling steps,
MuthumaniyaeOh precious pearl!
Ratthinathi minnavaikkumLight of the eyes,
Kannin oliyaeThat makes precious gems shine!
Female
Ettu vaithu konjam kitta vaaTake a few steps and come close,
Pattuidhazhil mutham thaaGive a kiss with your silk-soft lips.
Kanmani unnai allikollaTo gather you in my arms, my dear,
Aasai kondenI have desired.
Female
Annai thanthaiMother and father,
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandroIs it not a child that makes them so?
Female
Rendu pillai pennuku piranthathunduTwo children are born to a woman,
Indhai pillaiko inguu thaairenduBut for this child here, there are two mothers.
Annaiyar iruvarrukkum pillai vendumBoth mothers desire the child,
Pillai endha thai pakkam sellumoTo which mother's side will the child go?
Female
Ethanai ethanai inbam kanda ulagilIn a world that has witnessed so much joy,
Athanaiyum kuda varum enbathillayaeNot all of it will accompany us, isn't it so?
Female
Solai vali nadanthathellamIs all that walked through the lush grove
Paalaivanam sendru servatharakkaMeant to end up reaching a desert?
Vaazhvellam ethir paarpil thaanaMust the entire life pass
Sella vendumOnly in waiting and expectation?
Female
Annai thanthaiMother and father,
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandroIs it not a child that makes them so?
Female
Vennilavu vaanil minnaAs the white moon shines in the sky,
Pillai nilavu kaiyil thullaAs the child-moon leaps in the arms,
Amma ennum pinjumozhiThe tender voice calling 'Mother',
Ketkamanam yengidudheThe heart longs to hear it!
Female
Annai thanthaiMother and father,
Aaakuvathu yaar pillaiyandroIs it not a child that makes them so?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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

More from Are You Ok Baby

No related songs found yet.