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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhadhe Pappaa Azhadhe

From Petra Maganai Vitra Annai · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. S. Bagavathi
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Azhathae azhathaeDon't cry, don't cry
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Amma irundha paal tharuvangaIf mother were here, she would give milk
Aanadhai azhutha yaar varuvangaIf an orphan cries, who will come for them?
Female
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Amma irundha paal tharuvangaIf mother were here, she would give milk
Aanadhai azhutha yaar varuvangaIf an orphan cries, who will come for them?
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Female
En thaayum illai un thaayum illaiI have no mother, and you have no mother
En seiven kannae aararoo unnaiWhat shall I do, my dear? Lullaby to you
Anaippaarum illai madhipaarum illaiThere is no one to embrace us, nor anyone to value us
Anbae en kannae aararooMy beloved dear one, lullaby
Female
Maaradha kaalam unakkaga maarumThe unchanging time will change for your sake
Varundhadhae sella paapaDo not grieve, darling baby
Thaalattum maadha thalai saaintha pinnaeAfter the mother who sang lullabies passed away
Thunaiyaedhu chinna paapaWho is there as support, little baby?
Female
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Amma irundha paal tharuvangaIf mother were here, she would give milk
Aanadhai azhutha yaar varuvangaIf an orphan cries, who will come for them?
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Female
Thaangaatha thunbamIn unbearable sorrow
Thanil vaadum thandhaiFather who is wilting within it
Manam nogum munnae thoongammaSleep before his heart gets pained further
Avar perunthookkam thoongumHe who sleeps in eternal sleep
Vaedhavai paarthaeSeeing our plight
Varuvaar en kannae thoongammaWill return for us, my dear, sleep now
Female
Enna ninaithaeThinking of what
Nee yaengi azhuthaaiyooDid you yearn and cry?
Inba thaenae aararoooSweet honey, lullaby
Pesaadha needhi namakkaaga pesumSilent justice will speak for us
Kalangaadhae sella paapaDo not be distressed, darling baby
Female
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry
Amma irundha paal tharuvangaIf mother were here, she would give milk
Aanadhai azhutha yaar varuvangaIf an orphan cries, who will come for them?
Azhathae paapa azhathaeDon't cry, little baby, don't cry

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby from the 1958 film 'Petra Maganai Vitra Annai' captures the heartbreaking grief of children left motherless. The elder child tries to console the infant sibling who is crying out of hunger and distress, acknowledging that without a mother, there is no one to feed or embrace them in a cold world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Initial Rhyme (Monaai)

Thaangaatha thunbam Thanil vaadum thandhai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Th' in 'Thaangaatha thunbam' and 'Thanil vaadum thandhai'.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

En thaayum illai un thaayum illai / En seiven kannae aararoo unnai

Repetition of the second consonant 'nn' sound across consecutive lines ('En thaayum' and 'En seiven').

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Inba thaenae aararooo

Describing the baby lovingly as 'Inba thaenae' (Sweet honey) and death as 'Perunthookkam' (Deep/Eternal sleep).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic philosopher-lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this song stands out as one of the most emotionally affecting lullabies in classic Tamil cinema, showcasing his profound ability to blend social realism with tender emotion.

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