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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithira Poove

From Parisam Pottachu · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
Manoj Gyan Varma
Movie name
Parisam Pottachu
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
21 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ooo aariraariraaro ooo aariraariraaro….
Ooo aariraariraaro ooo aariraariraaro….
Chiththira poove chinna nilavae thaalaelo
Chella kiliyae pillai kaniyae thaalaelo
Pengalin ullam thaaimaiyin illam aagaatho
Ennidam unthan annaiyai kaana koodaatho
Ooo aariraariraaro ooo aariraariraaro…
Nee pesinal isai mazhai thoovumae
Vellai pasum madi paaloorumae
Moondraam pirai unthan uravaagumae
Poonthendralum vanthu uravaadumae
Kaigalil chella pillai
Kadavulum thanthaan illai
Varam thara vanthaaladaa kuzhanthaiyai thanthaaladaa
En dheivamae ingu ival thaanadaa
Dandadadadan dan dan dan dandadadan
Ooo aariraariraaro ooo aariraariraaro…..
Chiththira poove chinna nilavae thaalaelo
Chella kiliyae pillai kaniyae thaalaelo
Pengalin ullam thaaimaiyin illam aagaatho
Ennidam unthan annaiyai kaana koodaatho
Aattukkutti oru puli kettathaam
Aanakkutti adha pudichchaanthathaam
Vaaththu kutti oru arai vittathaam
Aaththaadiyo puli uyir vittathaam
Kadal oru pulla peththu karaiyilae vachchathadaa
Alaiyilae veedu katti alaiyithu vellakkatti
Puriyaathadaa kadhai nee keladaa
Dandadadadan dan dan dan dandadadan
Ooo aariraariraaro ooo aariraariraaro…..
Chiththira poove chinna nilavae thaalaelo
Chella kiliyae pillai kaniyae thaalaelo
Pengalin ullam thaaimaiyin illam aagaatho
Ennidam unthan annaiyai kaana koodaatho….
Oh aariraariro, oh aariraariro
Oh aariraariro, oh aariraariro
Painted flower, little moon, hush to sleep.
Darling parrot, sweet child, hush to sleep.
Cannot a woman's heart be a home for motherhood?
Can you not see your mother in me?
Oh aariraariro, oh aariraariro
When you speak, a rain of music showers down.
Milk wells up in the white cow's udder.
The crescent moon becomes your kin,
And the sweet flower breeze comes to play with you.
A darling child in my arms,
Yet God never gave me one of my own.
She came like a blessing and placed this child in my care,
She alone is my living goddess right here.
Dan-da-da-dan, dan dan dan, dan-da-da-dan
Oh aariraariro, oh aariraariro
Painted flower, little moon, hush to sleep.
Darling parrot, sweet child, hush to sleep.
Cannot a woman's heart be a home for motherhood?
Can you not see your mother in me?
They say a little lamb once asked for a tiger,
And a baby elephant caught it and brought it along.
A baby duck gave it a slap,
And oh goodness, the tiger lost its life!
The sea birthed a child and left it on the shore,
Building a home upon the waves, this sweet darling wanders.
Listen to this strange story you cannot yet understand.
Dan-da-da-dan, dan dan dan, dan-da-da-dan
Oh aariraariro, oh aariraariro
Painted flower, little moon, hush to sleep.
Darling parrot, sweet child, hush to sleep.
Cannot a woman's heart be a home for motherhood?
Can you not see your mother in me...?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This gentle lullaby from Parisam Pottachu (1987) celebrates the pure, unconditional nature of maternal love. The singer pours out affection for a child, using poetic endearments such as a painted flower, a tender moon, and a sweet parrot. The lyrics emphasize that motherhood is not merely a biological state but an emotional sanctuary found within a woman's heart. In the second stanza, playful and imaginative folk riddles about a tiger defeated by tiny animals are woven in, capturing the charming, fantastical style of traditional Tamil lullabies designed to coax a child to sleep.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamaithipukkal)

Chiththira poove chinna nilavae thaalaelo

The child is metaphorically compared to a picturesque flower ('Chiththira poove'), a crescent moon ('Chinna nilavae'), and sweet fruit ('Pillai kaniyae').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Chella kiliyae pillai kaniyae thaalaelo

The second consonant sound 'lla' matches in 'Chella' and 'Pillai', creating melodic harmony.

Folk Hyperbole / Nonsensical Imagery (Anandhakali / Sirumaruthu Imagery)

Vaaththu kutti oru arai vittathaam

Whimsical storytelling involving a duckling slapping a tiger is used to create absurd, humorous imagery common in traditional lullabies.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed modern Tamil poet Mu. Metha, the song encapsulates traditional Tamil lullaby rhythms ('Aariraro') combined with lighthearted, child-friendly folklore stories to express maternal affection.

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