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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhu Koduthu Ketten

From Manaivi Oru Mandhiri · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vivek Sarathy, Sakthi Shanmugam, Dr. S. G. Sagari, Ranjani, K. Prabhakaran, Kalyani, Bharathy
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Kaadhu koduthu kettaenI listened closely with my ear
Aahaa kuvaa kuvaa saththamAh, the sound of a newborn crying 'kuvaa kuvaa'
Ini uyilil ulla soththaellamNow all the property in the will
Namma payalukkuththaan mottham}(2)Belongs entirely to our boy
Female
Mmmm….mheem heemmm….mmm…Mmmm....mheem heemmm....mmm...
{Valarnthum valaraatha paadhi vayiroduWith a half-filled tummy, partially grown
Valarum ilam pillaiyaeO growing young child
Nee veliyil vaaraamal vayittril irunthaalaeIf you stay inside the womb without coming out
Soththu namakkillaiyae} (2)The property won't belong to us
Male
Rajaa raajaththi petruppaa rajaOh queen, give birth to a king, my dear king
Koojaa naanthanae thookkiduvaen koojaaI myself will carry the water jug for you
Soththu vanthaa puththiranai senjiduvaen thaajaaIf the property comes, I will pamper the son
Soththu vanthaa puththiranai senjiduvaen thaajaaIf the property comes, I will pamper the son
Avan pottirukkum draawarukkuFor the shorts that he wears
Naaneduppaen kaajaaI will stitch the buttonhole
Male
Rajaa raajaththi petruppaa raja hae haeOh queen, give birth to a king, my dear king, hey hey
Koojaa naanthanae thookkiduvaen koojaaI myself will carry the water jug for you
Female
Naan nandri solvaen en mamanukkuI will express my gratitude to my brother-in-law
Nalla pillai varam ondru thanthatharkkuFor granting the blessing of a good child
Naan nandri solla sollaAs I keep expressing my gratitude
Pillai mella mella thulli kudhippathennaWhy is the child inside leaping and jumping softly?
Adhu nanjai punjai endruIs it yearning for fertile and dry land?
Soththu suanalai alla thudippathennaWhy is it throbbing for property and self-interest?
Male :Aahaa….haah….ahaah….aa aahaa….Aahaa....haah....ahaah....aa aahaa....
Female
{Soththai nambi naan sumanthaeRelying on property, I carried this
Pillaiyo pillaiyo pillaiChild, oh child, child!
Ithai neenga yaarum adikkalaamoCan any of you rob this from us?
Kollaiyo kollai}(2)This is absolute plunder and robbery!
Male
Senbagamae senbagamaeOh Senbagam, oh Senbagam
Saambal thinnum thaaikulamaeOh mothers who crave eating ash during pregnancy
Seekkiramae seemanthamaeVery soon there will be a baby shower
Pillaikalae nam selvamaeChildren are our true wealth
Male
Senbagamae senbagamaeOh Senbagam, oh Senbagam
Saambal thinnum thaaikulamaeOh mothers who crave eating ash during pregnancy
Female
{Unakkoru maan pirappaanA deer-like son will be born to you
Kannai paththaam maasamthaan thirappaanHe will open his eyes in the tenth month
Pana piththu pidiththa manitharkalaiThe men who are driven mad by money
Avan pinji kaalkalaal udhaippaan} (2)He will kick them with his tiny tender feet
Male
{Vaadi en kappakelanaeCome on, my dear old steamer
Un thoppakkulla vanthiduchchuInside your belly has arrived
Thedum en sella kuzhanthai} (2)My beloved, cherished child
Male
Koduththathellam koduththaanHe gave whatever was given
Avan kuzhanthaiyaiththaan koduththaanHe gave us a child indeed
Orutharukkaa koduththaanDid He give it just for one person?
Ingu anaivarukkum koduththaanHe gave it here to everyone
Male
Koduththathellam koduththaanHe gave whatever was given
Avan kuzhanthaiyaiththaan koduththaanHe gave us a child indeed
Orutharukkaa koduththaanDid He give it just for one person?
Ingu anaivarukkum koduththaanHe gave it here to everyone
Orutharukkaa koduththaanDid He give it just for one person?
Ingu anaivarukkum koduththaan….He gave it here to everyone....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous yet reflective song from the film Manaivi Oru Mandhiri revolves around pregnancy, childbearing, and family inheritance. The characters humorously link the birth of an unborn child to securing family wealth and property under a will, while poking fun at the husband's eagerness to pamper the future heir. The song also tenderly touches upon maternal pregnancy cravings, such as pica (eating ash or earth), and celebrates the traditional milestone of baby shower ceremonies. In its concluding verses, the lyricist Vaali elevates the song's perspective, emphasizing that children are God's divine gift to all of humanity. The song contrasts the innocence of a newborn, whose tiny feet will kick away money-minded greed, against the material obsession of adults, reminding listeners that children are the real wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Aahaa kuvaa kuvaa saththam

'Kuvaa kuvaa' mimics the natural crying sound of a newborn baby.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Senbagamae senbagamae / Saambal thinnum thaaikulamae

Repetition of the 'Sa' consonant at the start of consecutive lines ('Senbagamae' and 'Saambal').

Anaphora / Repetition

Koduththathellam koduththaan

Repetition of the word 'Koduththathellam' and line structures for rhythmic and thematic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Saambal thinnum thaaikulamae' humorously refers to Pica, a medical condition common during pregnancy where women develop cravings for non-nutritive substances like clay, ash, or soil, a relatable cultural observation frequently captured by lyricist Vaali.

Keep listening

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