Intha Pachai Kilikoru
From Needhikku Thalaivanangu · 1976
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Needhikku Thalaivanangu1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Indha pachai | { For this green |
| Kilikoru sevvandhi | parrot, in a chrysanthemum |
| Poovil thottilai katti vaithen | flower I tied a cradle. |
| Male | |
| Adhil pattu | In it, with silk |
| Thugiludan anna | cloth, a swan's |
| Chiraginai mellena | wing gently |
| Ittu vaithen } (2) | I placed. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Naan | As I |
| Aaraaro endru | sing lullabies (aaraaro), |
| Thaalaata innum | let another |
| Aaraaro vandhu paaraata | come to praise and sing lullaby. |
| Male | |
| { Endha | { Every |
| Kuzhandhaiyum | child |
| Nalla kuzhandhai | is a good child |
| Thaan mannil pirakaiyilae } (2) | when born upon this earth. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Pin | Then, |
| Nallavaraavadhum | becoming good |
| Theeyavaraavadhum | or becoming bad |
| { Annai valarpadhilae } (2) | { lies in how the mother brings them up. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Naan | As I |
| Aaraaro endru | sing lullabies, |
| Thaalaata innum | let another |
| Aaraaro vandhu paaraata | come to praise and sing lullaby. |
| Male | |
| { Thooka | { Like sleeping |
| Marundhinai | pills |
| Pondravai petravar | are the praise |
| Potrum pugazhuraigal } (2) | showered by parents. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Noi | Like medicine that cures |
| Theerkum marundhinai | diseases |
| Pondravai | are |
| Male | |
| Katravar | the learned ones' |
| { Koorum arivuraigal } (2) | { words of advice. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Indha pachai | For this green |
| Kilikoru sevvandhi | parrot, in a chrysanthemum |
| Poovil thottilai katti vaithen | flower I tied a cradle. |
| Male | |
| Adhil pattu | In it, with silk |
| Thugiludan anna | cloth, a swan's |
| Chiraginai mellena | wing gently |
| Ittu vaithen | I placed. |
| Male | |
| { Aaru karai | { If a river flows |
| Adangi nadandhidil | within its banks, |
| Kaadu valam peralam } (2) | the forest prospers. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Dhinam | Daily, |
| Nalla neri kandu | guided by moral paths, |
| Pillai valarndhidil | if a child grows, |
| { Naadum nalam peralam } (2) | { the nation prospers. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Naan | As I |
| Aaraaro endru | sing lullabies, |
| Thaalaata innum | let another |
| Aaraaro vandhu paaraata | come to praise and sing lullaby. |
| Male | |
| { Paadhai | { Feet that strayed |
| Thavariya kaalgal | from the correct path |
| Virumbiya oor | do not reach |
| Sendru servadhillai } (2) | their desired destination. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Nalla panbu | Those who lost |
| Thavariya | good character, |
| Pillaiyai petravar | the parents who birthed such a child |
| { Per solli vaazhvadhillai } (2) | { do not live proudly taking their name. } (2) |
| Male | |
| Indha pachai | For this green |
| Kilikoru sevvandhi | parrot, in a chrysanthemum |
| Poovil thottilai katti vaithen | flower I tied a cradle. |
| Male | |
| Adhil pattu | In it, with silk |
| Thugiludan anna | cloth, a swan's |
| Chiraginai mellena | wing gently |
| Ittu vaithen | I placed. |
| Male | |
| Naan | As I |
| Aaraaro endru | sing lullabies, |
| Thaalaata innum | let another |
| Aaraaro vandhu paaraata | come to praise and sing lullaby. |
| Male | |
| ……………………….. | ... |
{ இந்த பச்சைக்கிளிக்கொரு
செவ்வந்தி பூவில் தொட்டிலை
கட்டி வைத்தேன்
{ For this green
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
flower I tied a cradle.
அதில் பட்டு துகிலுடன்
அன்ன சிறகினை மெல்லென
இட்டு வைத்தேன் } (2)
In it, with silk
cloth, a swan's
wing gently
I placed. } (2)
நான் ஆராரோ
என்று தாலாட்ட இன்னும்
ஆராரோ வந்து பாராட்ட
As I
sing lullabies (aaraaro),
let another
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ எந்த குழந்தையும்
நல்ல குழந்தை தான்
மண்ணில் பிறக்கையிலே } (2)
{ Every
child
is a good child
when born upon this earth. } (2)
பின் நல்லவராவதும்
தீயவராவதும்
{ அன்னை வளர்ப்பதிலே } (2)
Then,
becoming good
or becoming bad
{ lies in how the mother brings them up. } (2)
நான் ஆராரோ
என்று தாலாட்ட இன்னும்
ஆராரோ வந்து பாராட்ட
As I
sing lullabies,
let another
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ தூக்க மருந்தினை
போன்றவை பெற்றவர்
போற்றும் புகழுரைகள் } (2)
{ Like sleeping
pills
are the praise
showered by parents. } (2)
நோய் தீர்க்கும்
மருந்தினை போன்றவை
Like medicine that cures
diseases
are
கற்றவர்
{ கூறும் அறிவுரைகள் } (2)
the learned ones'
{ words of advice. } (2)
இந்த பச்சைக்கிளிக்கொரு
செவ்வந்தி பூவில் தொட்டிலை
கட்டி வைத்தேன்
For this green
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
flower I tied a cradle.
அதில் பட்டு
துகிலுடன் அன்ன
சிறகினை மெல்லென
இட்டு வைத்தேன்
In it, with silk
cloth, a swan's
wing gently
I placed.
{ ஆறு கரை
அடங்கி நடந்திடில்
காடு வளம் பெறலாம் } (2)
{ If a river flows
within its banks,
the forest prospers. } (2)
தினம் நல்ல நெறி
கண்டு பிள்ளை வளர்ந்திடில்
{ நாடும் நலம் பெறலாம் } (2)
Daily,
guided by moral paths,
if a child grows,
{ the nation prospers. } (2)
நான் ஆராரோ
என்று தாலாட்ட இன்னும்
ஆராரோ வந்து பாராட்ட
As I
sing lullabies,
let another
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ பாதை தவறிய
கால்கள் விரும்பிய ஊர்
சென்று சேர்வதில்லை } (2)
{ Feet that strayed
from the correct path
do not reach
their desired destination. } (2)
நல்ல பண்பு தவறிய
பிள்ளையை பெற்றவர்
{ பேர் சொல்லி
வாழ்வதில்லை } (2)
Those who lost
good character,
the parents who birthed such a child
{ do not live proudly taking their name. } (2)
இந்த பச்சைக்கிளிக்கொரு
செவ்வந்தி பூவில் தொட்டிலை
கட்டி வைத்தேன்
For this green
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
flower I tied a cradle.
அதில் பட்டு துகிலுடன்
அன்ன சிறகினை மெல்லென
இட்டு வைத்தேன்
In it, with silk
cloth, a swan's
wing gently
I placed.
நான் ஆராரோ
என்று தாலாட்ட இன்னும்
ஆராரோ வந்து பாராட்ட
As I
sing lullabies,
let another
come to praise and sing lullaby.
.....................................
...
{ Indha pachai
{ For this green
Kilikoru sevvandhi
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
Poovil thottilai katti vaithen
flower I tied a cradle.
Adhil pattu
In it, with silk
Thugiludan anna
cloth, a swan's
Chiraginai mellena
wing gently
Ittu vaithen } (2)
I placed. } (2)
Naan
As I
Aaraaro endru
sing lullabies (aaraaro),
Thaalaata innum
let another
Aaraaro vandhu paaraata
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ Endha
{ Every
Kuzhandhaiyum
child
Nalla kuzhandhai
is a good child
Thaan mannil pirakaiyilae } (2)
when born upon this earth. } (2)
Pin
Then,
Nallavaraavadhum
becoming good
Theeyavaraavadhum
or becoming bad
{ Annai valarpadhilae } (2)
{ lies in how the mother brings them up. } (2)
Naan
As I
Aaraaro endru
sing lullabies,
Thaalaata innum
let another
Aaraaro vandhu paaraata
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ Thooka
{ Like sleeping
Marundhinai
pills
Pondravai petravar
are the praise
Potrum pugazhuraigal } (2)
showered by parents. } (2)
Noi
Like medicine that cures
Theerkum marundhinai
diseases
Pondravai
are
Katravar
the learned ones'
{ Koorum arivuraigal } (2)
{ words of advice. } (2)
Indha pachai
For this green
Kilikoru sevvandhi
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
Poovil thottilai katti vaithen
flower I tied a cradle.
Adhil pattu
In it, with silk
Thugiludan anna
cloth, a swan's
Chiraginai mellena
wing gently
Ittu vaithen
I placed.
{ Aaru karai
{ If a river flows
Adangi nadandhidil
within its banks,
Kaadu valam peralam } (2)
the forest prospers. } (2)
Dhinam
Daily,
Nalla neri kandu
guided by moral paths,
Pillai valarndhidil
if a child grows,
{ Naadum nalam peralam } (2)
{ the nation prospers. } (2)
Naan
As I
Aaraaro endru
sing lullabies,
Thaalaata innum
let another
Aaraaro vandhu paaraata
come to praise and sing lullaby.
{ Paadhai
{ Feet that strayed
Thavariya kaalgal
from the correct path
Virumbiya oor
do not reach
Sendru servadhillai } (2)
their desired destination. } (2)
Nalla panbu
Those who lost
Thavariya
good character,
Pillaiyai petravar
the parents who birthed such a child
{ Per solli vaazhvadhillai } (2)
{ do not live proudly taking their name. } (2)
Indha pachai
For this green
Kilikoru sevvandhi
parrot, in a chrysanthemum
Poovil thottilai katti vaithen
flower I tied a cradle.
Adhil pattu
In it, with silk
Thugiludan anna
cloth, a swan's
Chiraginai mellena
wing gently
Ittu vaithen
I placed.
Naan
As I
Aaraaro endru
sing lullabies,
Thaalaata innum
let another
Aaraaro vandhu paaraata
come to praise and sing lullaby.
………………………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'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.
Keep listening
More from Needhikku Thalaivanangu
Needhikku Thalaivanangu
Needhikku Thalaivanangu
Needhikku Thalaivanangu
Needhikku Thalaivanangu
Needhikku Thalaivanangu