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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Nila Sirikkum Nila

From Naagam · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Naagam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaeloLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..Lullaby, lullaby...
Female
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Female
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaaTender moon, speaking moon
Thendralai pol veesum nilaaA moon blowing like a gentle breeze
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaaTender moon, speaking moon
Thendralai pol veesum nilaaA moon blowing like a gentle breeze
Female
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Female
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaenIn times past, I bore pain in my lap to give birth to you
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaenWith aching breasts, my dear, I nursed you with milk
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaenIn times past, I bore pain in my lap to give birth to you
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaenWith aching breasts, my dear, I nursed you with milk
Female
Ippothum paal manam illaamal pogumoWill even now the sweet scent of milk vanish?
Appaavai polavae en meedhum kobamoAre you angry with me too, just like your father?
Paaloottum thaaimaiyum pagaiyaaga koodumoCan even motherly love that feeds milk turn into enmity?
Female
Nee pirakka naanthaan kattilittaenI was the one who made the bed for your birth
Thalaivithiyai therinthaa thottilittaenWould I have rocked the cradle if I knew your fate?
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaenIn times past, I bore pain in my lap to give birth to you
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaenWith aching breasts, my dear, I nursed you with milk
Female
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Female
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaaTender moon, speaking moon
Thendralai pol veesum nilaaA moon blowing like a gentle breeze
Female
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Female
Koyilgalil thaayaaga iruppaval neeYou are the goddess residing as a mother in temples
Ketkkum varam ennaalum koduppaval neeYou are the one who grants any requested boon forever
Koyilgalil thaayaaga iruppaval neeYou are the goddess residing as a mother in temples
Ketkkum varam ennaalum koduppaval neeYou are the one who grants any requested boon forever
Female
Seiyaana unnai naan thaaga enninaenI considered you, my child, as a divine mother
Thaayaan ennai nee seiyaaga enniduConsider me, your mother, as your child instead
Seiyullam vaadiinaal thaayullam thaangumoIf a child's heart suffers, can a mother's heart endure it?
Female
Naan mudikka poovum manjalum neeYou are the auspicious flower and turmeric that adorn me
Nee ninaiththaal endrum nilaiththidumaeIf you desire, it will remain eternal
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaeloLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..Lullaby, lullaby...
Female
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaaLittle moon, smiling moon
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaaA moon slithering on the ground
Female
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaaTender moon, speaking moon
Thendralai pol veesum nilaaA moon blowing like a gentle breeze
Female
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaeloLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..Lullaby, lullaby...
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..Lullaby, lullaby...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant lullaby sung by a mother expressing her unconditional love, grief, and emotional turmoil to her child. Affectionately addressing her offspring as a tender, smiling moon slithering on the ground, she reflects on the intense physical labor and loving devotion required to bring the child into the world and raise it. She questions whether enmity could ever taint maternal affection and laments the tragic twist of fate. In the second half, she elevates her child to a divine maternal entity, begging for empathy and mercy. Reversing roles, she asks her child to show motherly compassion, emphasizing that no mother can withstand the anguish of her child's suffering. The lyrics blend traditional motherly warmth with profound sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa

The child is directly compared to a smiling, slithering moon ('Chinna nilaa'), imagery fitting for the snake-mythology context of the film.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thendralai pol veesum nilaa

Comparing the gentle presence and movement of the child to a soft-blowing breeze ('Thendralai pol').

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaen

Rhyming of the second consonants 'di' and 'r' in 'Madi' and 'Maar' creates rhythmic structure.

Anaphora / Repetition

Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaelo

Repetition of the traditional lullaby phrase 'Thaalaelo' sets the soothing yet melancholic rhythmic tone of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naagam' (1985) is a snake-mythology drama starring Arjun Sarja and Radha, featuring music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. Sung by Vani Jairam, this song blends classical Tamil lullaby tropes ('Thaalaelo') with dramatic, tragic themes specific to snake-themed South Indian fantasy films.

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