- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Chinna Thayee
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Jun 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
Keep listening
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