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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu

From Enkitta Mothathe · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enkitta Mothathe1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kai veesammaa kai veesuSwing your hands, dear child, swing your hands.
Kadaikku polaam kai veesuLet us go to the shop, swing your hands.
Mittaai vaangalaam kai veesuWe can buy sweets, swing your hands.
Medhuvaai thingalaam kai veesuWe can eat them slowly, swing your hands.
Female
Kai veesammaa kai veesuSwing your hands, dear child, swing your hands.
Sandhaikku polaam kai veesuLet us go to the market, swing your hands.
Sokkaa vaangalaam kai veesuWe can buy a shirt, swing your hands.
Joraa podalaam kai veesuWe can wear it stylishly, swing your hands.
Female
En mannavarum nadandhu vandhaaWhen my kingly lord walks by,
Mani udhirum thannaalaePearls drop naturally on their own.
Female
En chinnavaru sirichu puttaaWhen my little one smiles,
Thaen sidharum munnaaleHoney spills out in front of us.
Female
Thangamae thangamPure gold, precious gold!
Thenmadhura singamae singamLion of southern Madurai, magnificent lion!
Thangamae thangamPure gold, precious gold!
Thenmadhura singamae singamLion of southern Madurai, magnificent lion!
Female
En kutti mavan kudhichu vandhaaWhen my little boy comes leaping,
Pon vilaiyum mann melaeGold yields from the soil beneath.
En sutti mavan virala asanjaaIf my mischievous boy twitches his finger,
Ulagam varum pinnaalaeThe entire world will follow behind him.
Female
Thangamae thangamPure gold, precious gold!
Thenmadhura singamae singamLion of southern Madurai, magnificent lion!
Thangamae thangamPure gold, precious gold!
Thenmadhura singamae singamLion of southern Madurai, magnificent lion!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song creatively adapts the classic Tamil nursery rhyme 'Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu' into a affectionate musical tribute celebrating a beloved child or dear family member. The lyricist Vaali weaves traditional folklore and simple rhythmic phrases with grand poetic imagery to convey deep love and pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Folk Repetition / Anaphora

Kai veesammaa kai veesu

The line ending 'kai veesu' repeats consistently across the first stanza, mirroring classic Tamil children's play songs.

Hyperbole (Atisayokti)

En kutti mavan kudhichu vandhaa / Pon vilaiyum mann melae

Exaggerating the child's presence by asserting that gold will grow on the land simply because he jumps.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thangamae thangam / Thenmadhura singamae singam

Comparing the beloved directly to pure gold and a grand lion of Madurai to denote value and bravery.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Thangamae thangam / Thenmadhura singamae singam

Matching starting sounds in consecutive lines for poetic rhythm ('Thangamae' and 'Thenmadhura').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song adapts the traditional Tamil nursery rhyme 'Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu' into a feature film track from the 1990 movie 'Enkitta Mothathe', composed by Ilaiyaraaja and starring Sathyaraj and Prabhu.

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