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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arumbarumba Saram

From Chinna Thayee · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Thayee1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Arumbarumba saram thoduththaA garland woven with budding flowers,
Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…This is a beautiful flower garland...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Tharaiyinilae thavzhndhu vandhaCrawling upon the earth,
Thanga nila meniyidhu…This body is like a golden moon...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Female
Magalae nee mayangaadhae…Oh daughter, do not be confused or faint...
Mani vizhiyae kalangaadhae…Oh gem-like eyes, do not weep...
Poochoodum mani poondhaeraeOh jeweled flower-chariot adorned with blossoms,
Koothaadum pasum paalaaraeOh dancing river of fresh milk,
Female
Arumbarumba saram thoduththaA garland woven with budding flowers,
Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…This is a beautiful flower garland...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Tharaiyinilae thavzhndhu vandhaCrawling upon the earth,
Thanga nila meniyidhu…This body is like a golden moon...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Female
Oruvan isaiyinilaeIn the sweet music of a man,
Viriththa valaiyinilaeIn the web/net he spread out,
Iraiyaaga naan vizhundhenae…I fell as the prey...
Manidhan gunangalaiyumHuman traits and,
Maarum nirangalaiyumTheir changing true colors,
Ariyaamal naan irundhenae…I remained completely unaware of...
Female
Nanjai vida kodidhuMore venomous than poison,
Aadavanin manadhuIs a man's heart,
Annai idhai arindhaalYour mother realized this,
Allal patta piraguOnly after undergoing immense suffering.
Female
Yemaandhal thaayumYour mother was deceived,
Enai pola neeyumSo just like me, you,
Aasai vaikkaadhaeDo not attach your heart or desires,
Pinbu avadhippadaadhae…And do not suffer later on...
Female
Arumbarumba saram thoduththaA garland woven with budding flowers,
Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…This is a beautiful flower garland...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Tharaiyinilae thavzhndhu vandhaCrawling upon the earth,
Thanga nila meniyidhu…This body is like a golden moon...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Female
Pudhiya thalaimuraiyaeOh brand new generation,
Valarum ilam piraiyaeOh growing young crescent moon,
Thaeyaamal vaazhndhidu neeyae…May you live eternally without ever waning...
Ilamai thalai virikkaAs wild youth let down its hair,
Enaiyae vilai koduththuBy offering myself as the cost,
Madi meedthu vaangiya saeiyae…Oh child I received onto my lap...
Female
Unnai vida enakkuMore than you, for me,
Soththu sugam edharkkuWhy do I need wealth or comfort?
Indha uyir udalilThis life inside my body,
Unnai nambi irukkuExists solely relying on you.
Female
Naam kaana koodumWe shall surely witness,
Ilavenil kaalamA joyful spring season,
Maarbinil aadumDancing upon my chest,
Siru maadhulam poovae…Oh little pomegranate blossom...
Female
Arumbarumba saram thoduththaA garland woven with budding flowers,
Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…This is a beautiful flower garland...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)
Female
Magalae nee mayangaadhae…Oh daughter, do not be confused or faint...
Mani vizhiyae kalangaadhae…Oh gem-like eyes, do not weep...
Poochoodum mani poondhaeraeOh jeweled flower-chariot adorned with blossoms,
Koothaadum pasum paalaaraeOh dancing river of fresh milk,
Female
Arumbarumba saram thoduththaA garland woven with budding flowers,
Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…This is a beautiful flower garland...
Aaraaro…Lullaby... (Aaraaro...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song 'Arumbarumba saram thoduththa' from the 1992 film 'Chinna Thayee' is a poignant mother-daughter lullaby composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vaali. The mother sings to her baby daughter, praising her purity, innocent beauty, and comparing her to a garland of fresh flower buds, a golden moon, and a river of milk. However, behind the soothing cradle tune lies the mother's deep heartbreak over betrayal by a deceitful lover. She warns her growing daughter about the treacherous nature of men, advising her not to give her heart away blindly and suffer the same painful fate. Despite her sorrow, the mother finds her entire purpose for living in her child, expressing hope that better days filled with warmth and happiness await them in the future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Arumbarumba saram thoduththa / Azhaghu malar maalai idhu…

Matching second consonants in consecutive lines, such as 'Arumbarumba' and 'Azhaghu' ('r' sound alignment), creating melodic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Poochoodum mani poondhaerae / Koothaadum pasum paalaarae

Directly comparing the child to a flower chariot ('poondhaerae') and a river of fresh milk ('pasum paalaarae').

Simile / Comparison (Upamai)

Nanjai vida kodidhu / Aadavanin manadhu

Comparing the cruel nature of a deceiver's heart directly to poison ('Nanjai vida kodidhu aadavanin manadhu').

Anaphora / Refrain

Aaraaro…

Repetition of the soothing lullaby refrain 'Aaraaro' at the end of stanzas to maintain a gentle, comforting cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt lists 'Music: Unknown', the soundtrack of Chinna Thayee (1992) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali. The song is sung by S. Janaki and features a distinct blend of traditional lullaby folk melodies and poignant orchestral arrangements.

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