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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Inba Kanavodu

From Pudhiya Pathai – 1960 · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Master Venu
Details
Pudhiya Pathai – 19601960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes with sweet dreams, my prince, lullaby aariraaro
Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes with sweet dreams, my prince, lullaby aariraaro
Yaengum iravodu poraadaTo battle with this longing night
Naan pothumae neeyum yaenoI am enough, why should you suffer too?
Female
Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes with sweet dreams, my prince, lullaby aariraaro
Female
Unnai perumpothuWhen I gave birth to you
Thuyar kondu azhuthaenadaaI wept with deep sorrow, my dear child
Unnai perumpothuWhen I gave birth to you
Thuyar kondu azhuthaenadaaI wept with deep sorrow, my dear child
Aasai mugam konduLooking at your affectionate face
Suvai kondu nagaithenadaaI smiled with joy and sweetness, my child
Female
Indru nagaipaarkkuToday, to those who mock
Porulaaga aanaenadaaI have become an object of laughter, my child
Inba kanavoduWith sweet dreams
Kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes, my prince, lullaby aariraaro
Female
Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes with sweet dreams, my prince, lullaby aariraaro
Female
Naan vaazhnthaalumEven if I live on
Vaai vaarththai solvaarillaiNo one will speak a comforting word
Naan vaazhnthaalumEven if I live on
Vaai vaarththai solvaarillaiNo one will speak a comforting word
Vaazhkkai marainthaalumEven if my life comes to an end
Kanneerai tharuvaarillaiNo one will shed tears for me
Female
Kannae en selvamMy darling child, my treasure
Unnaiyandri thunaiyae illai aariraaroI have no companion other than you, aariraaro
Female
Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja aariraaroClose your eyes with sweet dreams, my prince, lullaby aariraaro

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Inba kanavodu kann moodu raja is a poignant lullaby sung by a mother who is enduring deep loneliness, sorrow, and social hardship, yet trying to gently put her child to sleep with comforting dreams. She reflects on giving birth to the child—how it began in pain, turned into happiness upon seeing the baby's sweet face, but now leaves her isolated as society ridicules her plight. Despite her immense suffering, the mother finds solace solely in her child, acknowledging that no one else cares for her in life or in death. The song highlights the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child amidst social stigma and misery, serving as both a tender lullaby for the infant and a tearful lament of her own tragedy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

End Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaibo)

Thuyar kondu azhuthaenadaa

The suffix '-adaa' is repeatedly used at the end of consecutive lines (azhuthaenadaa, nagaithenadaa, aanaenadaa) to create a tender, direct address to the child.

Antithesis / Contrast

Thuyar kondu azhuthaenadaa / Suvai kondu nagaithenadaa

The lyricist contrasts weeping in grief (thuyar kondu azhuthaenadaa) with laughing in bliss (suvai kondu nagaithenadaa), showcasing the emotional dualities of motherhood.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edugai)

Naan vaazhnthaalum / Vaazhkkai marainthaalum

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines (Vaazhnthaalum / Vaazhkkai), giving a melodious flow typical of classical Tamil prosody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhiya Pathai (1960) featured music by Master Venu and lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung exquisitely by P. Susheela, this track stands out as one of Tamil cinema's most emotionally heavy lullabies, blending maternal devotion with tragic social commentary.

Keep listening

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