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Lyrics & meaning

Ejamaan Petra Selvamae

From Alli Petra Pillai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
G. Ramanathan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Alli Petra Pillai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ejamaan pettra selvamaeOh precious treasure born to my master!
Ejamaan pettra selvamaeOh precious treasure born to my master!
En chinna ejamaanae pasum ponnaeMy little master, pure golden one!
En kannae azhaathae azhaathaeMy precious eye, do not cry, do not cry!
Male
Ejamaan pettra selvamaeOh precious treasure born to my master!
En chinna ejamaanae pasum ponnaeMy little master, pure golden one!
En kannae azhaathae azhaathaeMy precious eye, do not cry, do not cry!
Male
ThangamaeMy precious gold!
Naan thangamae unakkau thanthaiyillaiMy golden child, you have no father!
Thondan enakku thalaivan illaiFor me, the servant, there is no master!
Thangamae unakkau thanthaiyillaiMy golden child, you have no father!
Thondan enakku thalaivan illaiFor me, the servant, there is no master!
Anbulla annaikku tharaathae thollaiDo not give trouble to your loving mother!
Anbulla annaikku tharaathae thollaiDo not give trouble to your loving mother!
Annamae nee kel en sollaiOh swan-like child, listen to my words!
Azhaathae….azhaathae….ahzhaathae….azhaathaeDo not cry... do not cry... do not cry... do not cry!
Male
Ejamaan pettra selvamaeOh precious treasure born to my master!
En chinna ejamaanae pasum ponnaeMy little master, pure golden one!
En kannae azhaathae azhaathaeMy precious eye, do not cry, do not cry!
Male
Thaai sollao thattaathae thambiDo not disobey your mother's words, little child!
Thanthaai predukkanum en thanga kambiYou must bring good name to your father, my golden one!
Theeyavarodu nee seraathae nambirajaaDo not associate with bad people, my trusted prince!
Sevai seiven ennai maravaathaeI will serve you, do not forget me!
Male
Ejamaan pettra selvamaeOh precious treasure born to my master!
En chinna ejamaanae pasum ponnaeMy little master, pure golden one!
En kannae azhaathae azhaathaeMy precious eye, do not cry, do not cry!
Azhaathae azhaathae….Do not cry, do not cry...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender lullaby and song of guidance sung by a loyal servant to his deceased master's young child. The singer comforts the crying infant, expressing shared sorrow over the loss of the child's father and his own master. He urges the child to be a good son, respect his mother, stay away from bad influences, and bring fame to his father's lineage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvagam)

En chinna ejamaanae pasum ponnae

The child is lovingly addressed using metaphors like 'pasum ponnae' (pure gold), 'kannae' (precious eye), and 'annamae' (swan), highlighting deep affection.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thangamae unakkau thanthaiyillai / Thondan enakku thalaivan illai

The repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Th' in 'Thangamae', 'Thanthaiyillai', 'Thondan', and 'Thalaivan' creates a rhythmic cadence.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Azhaathae….azhaathae….ahzhaathae….azhaathae

The phrase 'azhaathae' (do not cry) is repeated multiple times to emphasize emotional comfort and soothe the weeping baby.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Alli Petra Pillai' (1959) features music by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. The song stands out as a heart-wrenching lullaby sung with deep emotion by veteran actor and music director G. Ramanathan.

Keep listening

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