- Lyricist
- V. A. Gopalakrishnan
- Singer
- Chittoor V. Nagaiah
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Ezhai Padum Padu
- Movie release year
- 1950
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Jul 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This delightful lullaby and children's song from the 1950 film Ezhai Padum Padu is an affectionate coaxing of a young child, showering her with love, playful distractions, and moral encouragement. The singer affectionately calls out to the child using sweet terms of endearment, comparing her graceful, energetic movements to a jumping deer and her smiling face to the full moon. The song uses playful rhythm and introduces colorful toys like a parrot, a ship, a rattle, and an amusing monkey to entice the child. Beyond simple playfulness, the song gently weaves in moral values and educational encouragement. It advises the child to avoid foolishness, develop wisdom, speak politely, and study hard. As a reward for good behavior and education, the speaker promises to teach her arts like singing and dancing, along with wonderful gifts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Maan pol thulli ododi vaa”
Compares the enthusiastic running of the child to the bounding movement of a deer ('Maan pol').
Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)
“Venmathithaanae Punnagai vathanam”
Metaphorically equating the child's smiling face to a radiant full moon ('Venmathi').
Onomatopoeia (Oliyakurippu)
“Bamsikku sikku sikku bamsikku bam / kilukilu”
Use of rhythmic phonetic words and sound effects to mimic musical beats and toy rattles.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Asadaai iraamal arivai valarththaal”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' ('Asadaai' and 'Arivai') enhancing poetic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ezhai Padum Padu (1950) is an acclaimed Tamil adaptation of Victor Hugo's legendary French novel 'Les Misérables'. Directed by K. Ramnoth and featuring Chittor V. Nagaiah, it is considered a classic of early South Indian cinema for successfully adapting Western literary themes into Tamil cultural sensibility.
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