- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Thendral Sudum
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Feb 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Thendral Sudum
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.