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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhooli Dhooli Manikka

From Thanga Pappa · 1993

Lyricist
Aravind Raj
Singer
Sindhu
Music director
Deva
Details
Thanga Pappa1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aariraaroo aariraroo aaraarirarariroooLullaby sounds: Aariraaroo aariraroo aaraarirararirooo
Aariraaroo aariraroo aaraarirarariroooLullaby sounds: Aariraaroo aariraroo aaraarirararirooo
AaraarirarariroooAaraarirararirooo
Female
Thuli thuli maanikka thuliLittle drop, a drop of ruby
Kanmani nee urangaMy darling child, for you to sleep
Laali laali naan paadum laaliLullaby, lullaby, the lullaby I sing
Ponmani nee urangaMy precious golden gem, for you to sleep
Thazhampoovae thanganilavaeO screwpine flower, O golden moon
Mella kangalai ne moodaSo you may gently close your eyes
Kannamaa thaai manam thaalattaMy dear child, as a mother's heart sings a lullaby
Thuli thuli maanikka thuli kanmani nee urangaLittle drop, a drop of ruby, my darling child, for you to sleep
Female
Venpani thoongha than idhazh thooviAs white snow slumbers, scattering its petals
Malligai paai virikkumJasmine spreads a bed of flowers
Andha malligai thoonga gaana kuyilumAnd for that jasmine to sleep, the singing cuckoo
Aayiram paatisaikkumWill compose a thousand songs
Female
Venmadhi mella thoongidu'Sleep gently, white moon,' saying so
Ena vaigaiyum thaalattumEven river Vaigai sings a lullaby
Vaigaiyae konjam ooivedu'Take some rest, River Vaigai,' saying so
Ena thendralum seerattumEven the gentle breeze fondles with love
Female
Anna siragil methai virithenI spread a bed using swan wings
Mella kangalai nee moodaSo you may gently close your eyes
Kannammaa thaai manam thaalattaMy dear child, as a mother's heart sings a lullaby
Thuli thuli maanikka thuli kanmani nee urangaLittle drop, a drop of ruby, my darling child, for you to sleep
Female
Aayiram kaalam annaiyum seidhaAs the fruit of prayers offered for a thousand ages
Poojaiyum palanaagaBy this mother, bringing devotion to fruition
Oru thangakkili thaththi vandhadhooHas a golden parrot waddled over
Thaaimadi vilaiyaadaTo play on her mother's lap
Female
Deivamae indru pillaiyaaiGod Himself has come today as a child
Ingu vandhadhu uravaadaHere to build a bond of love
Thaen thamizh sindhum mullaiyaaiLike a jasmine spilling honeyed Tamil
Annai thozhgalil vilaiyaadaTo play upon her mother's shoulders
Female
Mullai poovae muthucharamaeO jasmine flower, O string of pearls
Mella kangalai nee moodaSo you may gently close your eyes
Kannamaa thaai manam thaalattaaMy dear child, as a mother's heart sings a lullaby
Female
Thuli thuli maanikka thuliLittle drop, a drop of ruby
Kanmani nee urangaMy darling child, for you to sleep
Laali laali naan paadum laaliLullaby, lullaby, the lullaby I sing
Ponmani nee urangaMy precious golden gem, for you to sleep
Thazhampoovae thanganilavaeO screwpine flower, O golden moon
Mella kangalai ne moodaSo you may gently close your eyes
Kannamaa thaai manam thaalattaMy dear child, as a mother's heart sings a lullaby
Thuli thuli maanikka thuli kanmani nee urangaLittle drop, a drop of ruby, my darling child, for you to sleep
Female
Aariraari rarariraari AaraarirarariroooLullaby sounds: Aariraari rarariraari Aaraarirararirooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thanga Pappa is a tender Tamil lullaby that captures the unconditional love and joy of a mother putting her child to sleep. The lyrics richly weave natural imagery—describing the child as a precious ruby drop, screwpine flower, golden moon, and golden parrot born out of years of motherly prayers. The song evokes a soothing world where nature itself, including the cool breeze, the singing cuckoo, and the River Vaigai, participates in lulling the precious baby to sleep.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Thuli thuli maanikka thuli

The child is affectionately compared directly to a drop of ruby ('maanikka thuli') and a golden parrot ('thangakkili').

Alliteration (Monai)

Thazhampoovae thanganilavae

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow suited for a lullaby.

Personification

Ena vaigaiyum thaalattum

Inanimate elements of nature like River Vaigai and the breeze are given human attributes of singing lullabies and offering rest.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Deva with vocals by Sindhu, this song is a classic example of traditional Tamil lullaby (Thaalattu) composition translated into 1990s film music, utilizing imagery rooted in Tamil literature such as River Vaigai and fragrant jasmine flowers.

Keep listening

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