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Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Selvangal Vandhaalume

From Thaayin Madiyil · 1964

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Thaayin Madiyil1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ethanai selvangal vandhaalumaeNo matter how many riches arrive,
Ethanai inbangal thandhaalumaeNo matter how many pleasures they bring,
Athanaiyum oru thaayaagumaaCan all of that ever equal a mother?
Ammaa ammaa ammaaMother, mother, mother!
Enakkadhu neeyaagumaaCan all that ever become you to me?
Male
Thaayin madiyil thalai vaithirundhaalIf one rests their head on a mother's lap,
Thuyaram therivadhillaiSorrow is never felt.
Thaayin madiyil thalai vaithirundhaalIf one rests their head on a mother's lap,
Thuyaram therivadhillaiSorrow is never felt.
Thuyaram therivadhillaiSorrow is never felt.
Thaayin vadivil dheivathai kandaalIf one sees God in the form of a mother,
Vaeroru dheivamillaiThere is no other God.
Vaeroru dheivamillaiThere is no other God.
Male
Thaayin madiyil thalai vaithirundhaalIf one rests their head on a mother's lap,
Thuyaram therivadhillaiSorrow is never felt.
Male
Pathu maadham porumai valarthaeNurturing patience for ten months,
Boomiyai minjiduvaalShe surpasses even Mother Earth.
Boomiyai minjiduvaalShe surpasses even Mother Earth.
Vellai manadhai thottilaakkiMaking her pure heart into a cradle,
Vellai manadhai thottilaakkiMaking her pure heart into a cradle,
Pillaiyai konjiduvaal…aa…aa..She fondles her child... aa... aa...
Pillaiyai konjiduvaalShe fondles her child.
Male
Thaayin madiyil thalai vaithirundhaalIf one rests their head on a mother's lap,
Thuyaram therivadhillaiSorrow is never felt.
Male
Anbil malarum arpudham ellaamAll the wonders that bloom in love
Annaiyin vilaiyaattuAre but the mother's playful acts.
Alaiyum manadhai amaidhiyil vaippadhuThat which brings peace to a wandering mind
Annaiyin thaalaattuIs the mother's lullaby.
Male
Ennai paartha annai mugathaiThe mother's face that looked upon me,
Ezhai paarthadhillaiThis poor soul has never seen.
Ennai paartha annai mugathaiThe mother's face that looked upon me,
Ezhai paarthadhillaiThis poor soul has never seen.
Kannae kannae kannae endruThe fond words calling out,
Konjiya vaarthai'My darling, my darling, my darling',
Kaadhil kettadhillaiHave never been heard by my ears.
Kaadhil kettadhillaiHave never been heard by my ears.
Kaadhil kettadhillaiHave never been heard by my ears.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thaayin Madiyil' is a poignant ode to maternal love and sacrifice, penned by lyricist Vaali for the 1964 Tamil film of the same name. The song praises the unmatched sanctuary of a mother's lap, stating that no amount of wealth or luxury can replace her presence. It highlights her immense patience, comparing her forbearance to that of Mother Earth, and depicts how her soothing lullabies calm a restless soul. In the concluding verses, the song takes a tragic emotional turn as the protagonist laments his unfortunate fate of never having seen his mother's loving face or heard her affectionate endearments. The contrast between the divine virtues of motherhood and the protagonist's profound sense of loss makes it a classic Tamil film song filled with deep pathos and veneration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Vellai manadhai thottilaakki

'Vellai manadhai thottilaakki' metaphorically turns a mother's pure, innocent heart into a tender cradle for her child.

Hyperbole / Comparison (Uvamaani)

Boomiyai minjiduvaal

'Boomiyai minjiduvaal' exaggerates a mother's patience as surpassing even the proverbial patience of Mother Earth.

Anaphora / Repetition (Edbudhai)

Kaadhil kettadhillai

Repetition of 'Kaadhil kettadhillai' emphasizes the deep grief of never having heard a mother's soothing voice.

Monorhyme / Edhugai

Ethanai selvangal vandhaalumae

'Ethanai' and 'Athanaiyum' feature second-letter rhyming ('th'), creating a rhythmic and lyrical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thaayin Madiyil' (1964) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The film's musical score was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The title song became one of the quintessential Tamil tracks honoring mothers.

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