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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhoori Dhoori

From Thendral Sudum · 1989

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thendral Sudum1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho ooSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho oo
Chorus
Bumbumbum bum bumbumbum bumBumbumbum bum bumbumbum bum
Female
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho oooSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho ooo
Chorus
Bumbumbum bum bumbumbum bumBumbumbum bum bumbumbum bum
Female
Vaigai vaigai aatram karaiyilOn the banks of the river Vaigai
Thendral thendral oonjal kattaAs the breeze ties a gentle swing
Sandhanap pookkal thandhanam paadudhammaa…Sandalwood flowers sing rhythmically...
Hoi aaa….aaa….Hoi aaa....aaa....
Chorus
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho oooSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho ooo
Female
Maaman adithaaroDid your uncle gently strike you
Malligaip poo chendaalaeWith a bouquet of jasmine flowers?
Thaathaa adithaaroDid your grandfather gently strike you
Thaamarai poo thandaalaeWith the stalk of a lotus flower?
Thaai naan anaippenaeI, your mother, will embrace you
Thanga mayil azhalaamaaShould my golden peacock cry?
Thadam thaan purandaalumEven if your path loses direction
Thannambikkai vidalaamaaShould you ever give up your self-confidence?
Female
Ooril sila neram puyal veesum podhumSometimes when a storm blows in the town
Naanal valaindhaalum nilaiyaai irukkumThough the reed bends, it stands resiliently
Thaenae maanae thunbam vandhaalaeMy sweet honey, my deer, when sorrow arrives
Neeyum nillu naanalai polae thaan… aaa…You too stand firm just like that reed... aaa...
Chorus
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho oooSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho ooo
Female
Bumbumbum bum bumbumbum bumBumbumbum bum bumbumbum bum
Female
{Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo}{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Chorus
{Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo{Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations}
Kugu kukkuk koo kugu kukkuk koo} (Overlap){Cuckoo bird sound vocalizations} (Overlap)
Female
Odi vilaiyaadu thaenaruvi neer polaeRun and play freely like the sweet waters of a honey stream
Paadu isai paadu then podhigai kuyil polaeSing music, sing like the cuckoo of Southern Podhigai hills
Odi vilaiyaadu thaenaruvi neer polaeRun and play freely like the sweet waters of a honey stream
Paadu isai paadu then podhigai kuyil polaeSing music, sing like the cuckoo of Southern Podhigai hills
Female
Thaayin madiyodum manadhodum vaazhumLiving close to a mother's lap and heart
Saeyae siru maanae salangai maniyaeMy child, my little deer, my tinkling bell
Poovum ponnum sindhidum muthamKisses that scatter like flowers and gold
Podhum podhum pongidum inbam thaan… aa…Enough, enough, it brings overflowing bliss... aa...
Chorus
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori hoSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho
Female
Bumbumbum bum bumbumbum bumBumbumbum bum bumbumbum bum
Vaigai vaigai aatram karaiyilOn the banks of the river Vaigai
Thendral thendral oonjal kattaAs the breeze ties a gentle swing
Sandhana pookkalSandalwood flowers
Thandhanam paadudhammaa… hoiSing rhythmically... hoi
Chorus
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhooriSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing
Dhoori dhoori dhummakka dhoori ho oooSwing, swing, rock-a-bye, swing ho ooo
Female
Bumbumbum bum bumbumbum bumBumbumbum bum bumbumbum bum

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This gentle lullaby is sung by a mother consoling and encouraging her young child. She playfully asks if her child was hurt by soft flower-like tender acts from loving elders, offering her warm embrace to soothe the crying child. Beyond simple comfort, she weaves an important life lesson into the lullaby: just like reeds on a riverbank bend during a heavy storm yet stay firmly rooted without snapping, her child must remain confident and resilient against life's hardships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Neeyum nillu naanalai polae thaan

Compares human resilience during hard times to a reed bending in a storm without breaking.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Saeyae siru maanae salangai maniyae

The mother affectionately addresses the child as 'siru maane' (little deer) and 'salangai maniye' (tinkling bell).

Alliteration (Moonae)

Maaman adithaaro / Malligaip poo chendaalae

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Ma' and 'Tha' creates a playful rhythmic scheme suitable for a child.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1989 film 'Thendral Sudum' directed by SA Chandrasekhar. Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja not only composed the music but also penned the lyrics for this comforting lullaby track.

Keep listening

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