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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhoori Dhoori Sad

From Thendral Sudum · 1989

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thendral Sudum1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking ho oo
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking ho oo
Vaigai vaigai aatram karaiyilOn the banks of the river Vaigai
Thendral thendral oonjal kattaAs the gentle breeze ties a swing
Sandhana pookkal thandhanam paadudhammaa…hoiSandalwood flowers sing a rhythmic lullaby, oh dear!
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking ho oo
Female
Ammaa sonnaalaeMother spoke to us
Anbu vazhi paarthaalaeShe guided us on the path of love
Solli koduthavalaeThe one who taught us everything
Sollaamalae ponaalaeLeft us without saying a word
Eppo varuvaaloWhen will she return?
Saami kitta kettaachuWe asked God about it
Kanneer kadidhangalLetters written in tears
Soppanathil pottaachuWe mailed them in our dreams
Ammaa… ammaa…Mother… mother…
Female
Ammaa udanae neeMother, you must immediately
Vara vaendum ingaeCome back here
Naangal ilaippaarumTo spread your lap
Madi thaan virikkaWhere we can take rest
Engal paattellaamWill all our songs
Ketkaadho angaaeNot be heard over there?
Vaadum ila nenjamAs our wilting young hearts
Thudiyaai thudikkaAche and throb in pain
Engae engae un mugam kaattuWhere are you? Show your face
Ingae pillai paadudhu paattu aa… aa…Here your child is singing a song, aa… aa…
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking ho oo
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooRocking, rocking, rhythmically swinging rocking ho oo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional lullaby expresses the deep sorrow and yearning of children missing their absent mother. Set against the serene backdrop of the Vaigai riverbank, the song contrasts nature's gentle beauty with the internal grief of longing for a mother's warm embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori

Repetition of words like 'Dhoori dhoori', 'Vaigai vaigai', and 'Thendral thendral' creates a rhythmic cadence mimicking the swinging of a cradle.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kanneer kadidhangal / Soppanathil pottaachu

Sending 'Kanneer kadidhangal' (letters of tears) in 'Soppanathil' (dreams) metaphorically conveys prayers and grief addressed to God in sleep.

Monorhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ammaa sonnaalae / Anbu vazhi paarthaalae

Matching end sounds in lines like 'sonnaalae', 'paarthaalae', 'koduthavalae', and 'ponaalae' enhance the poetic melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thendral Sudum' (1989) features music and lyrics composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja. The song uses traditional folk rhythmic syllables ('dhummakka dhoori') blended with emotional string arrangements characteristic of Ilaiyaraaja's classic lullaby compositions.

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