- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Needhikku Thalaivanangu
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 1 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Indha Pachai Kilikoru' is an iconic Tamil lullaby and moral song from the 1976 movie 'Needhikku Thalaivanangu', written by lyricist Pulamaipithan. The song presents a deep philosophy of child-rearing, emphasizing that every human being is born pure and good. A child's eventual transformation into a good or bad person relies heavily on the mother's guidance and parenting standards. The lyrics use poetic imagery—comparing a child to a soft green parrot nestled in silk and swan wings—to contrast tender care with wise upbringing. It warns against indulgent, blind praise from parents (likened to sleeping pills) and extols the constructive advice of learned elders (likened to healing medicine). Furthermore, it draws a vivid nature allegory: just as a river flowing within its banks brings life to the surrounding forest, a child raised with self-discipline and ethics brings prosperity to the entire nation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvamaani)
“Indha pachai / Kilikoru sevvandhi / Poovil thottilai katti vaithen”
Compares the innocent newborn child to a green parrot ('Indha pachai kilikoru') and tender bedding to swan wings and chrysanthemum petals.
Simile (Uvamai Urupu - 'Pondravai')
“Thooka / Marundhinai / Pondravai petravar / Potrum pugazhuraigal”
Uses 'pondravai' (like/similar to) to compare excessive parental praise to sleeping pills and wise advice to curative medicine.
Allegory / Moral Analogy (Eduthukkaattu Uvamai)
“Aaru karai / Adangi nadandhidil / Kaadu valam peralam”
Draws a direct parallel between a river staying within its embankments to make forests flourish and a child staying within moral boundaries to make the country flourish.
Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Endha / Kuzhandhaiyum / Nalla kuzhandhai / Thaan mannil pirakaiyilae”
Matches initial vowel sounds ('E') across consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered by K. J. Yesudas along with P. Susheela, this song is considered one of M. G. Ramachandran's (MGR) signature socio-philosophical songs. The line 'Endha kuzhandhaiyum nalla kuzhandhai thaan mannil pirakaiyilae' became a widely quoted cultural maxim across Tamil Nadu regarding early childhood education and maternal responsibility.
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