Kalli kaattil Pirantha Thaye Song Lyrics – Vijay Prakash
From Thenmerku Paruvakaatru · 2010
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Vijay Prakash
- Music director
- N. R. Raghunanthan
- Details
- Thenmerku Paruvakaatru2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Oh mother born in the arid cactus land, |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard rocks. |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest, |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You never let a single thorn prick me. |
| Male | |
| Kaadaikum… kaatu kurivikum | For the wild crow... and the wild sparrow, |
| Endha pudharukkul idamundu… | There is shelter in some bush... |
| Kodaikum.. adikum kulirukum | For the scorching summer.. and biting cold, |
| Thayi odhungathan idamunda.. ahhh. | Is there any place for mother to seek shelter? Ah... |
| Male | |
| Karattu metayae mathuna | She transformed the dry barren hillock, |
| Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna | She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge. |
| Karattu metayae mathuna | She transformed the dry barren hillock, |
| Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna | She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge. |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Oh mother born in the arid cactus land, |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard rocks. |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest, |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You never let a single thorn prick me. |
| Male | |
| Olavu kaatula vedha vedhapa | Sowing seeds in the ploughed land, |
| Onan karatula koozh kudippa | She drinks porridge atop the lizard-infested mound, |
| Avaaran-guzhaiyila kai thudaipa | She wipes her hands with Cassia leaves, |
| Paavamappa …..oohooo… | What a pitiful soul, oh... |
| Male | |
| Veli mullil ava veragedupa | She collects firewood from thorny hedges, |
| Naali arisi vachu olayerippa | She cooks a single measure of rice over the hearth, |
| Pulla unda micham undu usur vazharpa | She sustains her life on whatever leftovers her child leaves behind, |
| Thiyagamappa … | What pure selflessness, oh... |
| Male | |
| Kizhaku vidiyum munna mulikkura | She wakes before the east dawns, |
| Ava olakka pidichuthan therakura | She starts her day turning the heavy wooden pestle, |
| Manna kindithan polaikira | She survives by tilling the earth, |
| Udal makkipoga mattum ozhaikura | She labors until her body turns to dust. |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Oh mother born in the arid cactus land, |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard rocks. |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest, |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You never let a single thorn prick me. |
| Male | |
| Thangam thani thangam maasu-illa | Gold is pure, pristine gold without blemishes, |
| Thaaipal onnil mattum thoosu illa | In mother's milk alone, there is no speck of dust. |
| Thaaivazhi sondham pola pasamila | There is no affection like maternal kin, |
| Nesamilla …ooh…hoooo…. | No true devotion like hers... oh... |
| Male | |
| Thaayin kaiyil enna mandhiramo | What magic resides in mother's hands? |
| Kaeppa kaliyil oru nei olugum | Ghee seems to flow from coarse millet porridge, |
| Kaanja karuvaadu thaen olugum | Dried fish tastes as sweet as honey, |
| Ava samaikaiyila | When cooked by her hands. |
| Male | |
| Sondham nooru sondham irukkudhu | A hundred relatives may exist, |
| Peththa thaayi pola onnu nelaikudha | Does any endure like the mother who gave birth? |
| Sami nooru sami irukkudhu | A hundred gods may exist, |
| Ada thaayi rendu thaayi irukkudha | Ah, can there ever be two mothers? |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Oh mother born in the arid cactus land, |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard rocks. |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest, |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You never let a single thorn prick me. |
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
You never let a single thorn prick me.
காடைக்கும்
காட்டு குருவிக்கும்
எந்த புதருக்குள் இடமுண்டு
கோடைக்கும் அடிக்கும்
குளிருக்கும் தாயி
ஒதுங்கதான் இடமுண்டா
ஆ
For the wild crow... and the wild sparrow,
There is shelter in some bush...
For the scorching summer.. and biting cold,
Is there any place for mother to seek shelter? Ah...
கரட்டு மேட்டயே
மாத்துன அவ கள்ளபுழிஞ்சி
கஞ்சி ஊத்துன கரட்டு
மேட்டயே மாத்துன அவ
கள்ளபுழிஞ்சி கஞ்சி ஊத்துன
She transformed the dry barren hillock,
She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge.
She transformed the dry barren hillock,
She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge.
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
You never let a single thorn prick me.
உளவு காட்டுல
வித வெதப்ப ஓணான்
கரட்டுல கூழ் குடிப்ப
அவாரன் குழையில கை
துடைப்ப பாவமப்பா
ஓஹோ
Sowing seeds in the ploughed land,
She drinks porridge atop the lizard-infested mound,
She wipes her hands with Cassia leaves,
What a pitiful soul, oh...
வேலி முள்ளில்
அவ விறகெடுப்பா நாழி
அரிசி வச்சு உலையரிப்பா
புள்ள உண்ட மிச்சம் உண்டு
உசுர் வளர்ப்பா தியாகமப்பா
She collects firewood from thorny hedges,
She cooks a single measure of rice over the hearth,
She sustains her life on whatever leftovers her child leaves behind,
What pure selflessness, oh...
கிழக்கு விடியும்
முன்ன முளிக்குறா அவ
உலக்க பிடிச்சுதான்
திறக்குறா மண்ண கிண்டிதான்
பொழைக்கிறா உடல் மக்கிப்போக
மட்டும் உழைக்குறா
She wakes before the east dawns,
She starts her day turning the heavy wooden pestle,
She survives by tilling the earth,
She labors until her body turns to dust.
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
You never let a single thorn prick me.
தங்கம் தனி
தங்கம் மாசு இல்ல
தாய்ப்பால் ஒன்னில்
மட்டும் தூசு இல்ல
தாய்வழி சொந்தம்
போல பாசமில்ல
நேசமில்ல ஓ ஹோ
Gold is pure, pristine gold without blemishes,
In mother's milk alone, there is no speck of dust.
There is no affection like maternal kin,
No true devotion like hers... oh...
தாயின் கையில் என்ன மந்திரமோ
கேப்ப கலியில் ஒரு நெய் ஒழுகும்
காஞ்ச கருவாடு தேன் ஒழுகும்
அவ சமைக்கையில
What magic resides in mother's hands?
Ghee seems to flow from coarse millet porridge,
Dried fish tastes as sweet as honey,
When cooked by her hands.
சொந்தம் நூறு
சொந்தம் இருக்குது
பெத்த தாயி போல ஒன்னு
நிலைக்குதா சாமி நூறு சாமி
இருக்குது அட தாயி ரெண்டு
தாயி இருக்குதா
A hundred relatives may exist,
Does any endure like the mother who gave birth?
A hundred gods may exist,
Ah, can there ever be two mothers?
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
You never let a single thorn prick me.
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You never let a single thorn prick me.
Kaadaikum… kaatu kurivikum
For the wild crow... and the wild sparrow,
Endha pudharukkul idamundu…
There is shelter in some bush...
Kodaikum.. adikum kulirukum
For the scorching summer.. and biting cold,
Thayi odhungathan idamunda.. ahhh.
Is there any place for mother to seek shelter? Ah...
Karattu metayae mathuna
She transformed the dry barren hillock,
Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna
She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge.
Karattu metayae mathuna
She transformed the dry barren hillock,
Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna
She squeezed the rocks and poured us porridge.
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You never let a single thorn prick me.
Olavu kaatula vedha vedhapa
Sowing seeds in the ploughed land,
Onan karatula koozh kudippa
She drinks porridge atop the lizard-infested mound,
Avaaran-guzhaiyila kai thudaipa
She wipes her hands with Cassia leaves,
Paavamappa …..oohooo…
What a pitiful soul, oh...
Veli mullil ava veragedupa
She collects firewood from thorny hedges,
Naali arisi vachu olayerippa
She cooks a single measure of rice over the hearth,
Pulla unda micham undu usur vazharpa
She sustains her life on whatever leftovers her child leaves behind,
Thiyagamappa …
What pure selflessness, oh...
Kizhaku vidiyum munna mulikkura
She wakes before the east dawns,
Ava olakka pidichuthan therakura
She starts her day turning the heavy wooden pestle,
Manna kindithan polaikira
She survives by tilling the earth,
Udal makkipoga mattum ozhaikura
She labors until her body turns to dust.
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You never let a single thorn prick me.
Thangam thani thangam maasu-illa
Gold is pure, pristine gold without blemishes,
Thaaipal onnil mattum thoosu illa
In mother's milk alone, there is no speck of dust.
Thaaivazhi sondham pola pasamila
There is no affection like maternal kin,
Nesamilla …ooh…hoooo….
No true devotion like hers... oh...
Thaayin kaiyil enna mandhiramo
What magic resides in mother's hands?
Kaeppa kaliyil oru nei olugum
Ghee seems to flow from coarse millet porridge,
Kaanja karuvaadu thaen olugum
Dried fish tastes as sweet as honey,
Ava samaikaiyila
When cooked by her hands.
Sondham nooru sondham irukkudhu
A hundred relatives may exist,
Peththa thaayi pola onnu nelaikudha
Does any endure like the mother who gave birth?
Sami nooru sami irukkudhu
A hundred gods may exist,
Ada thaayi rendu thaayi irukkudha
Ah, can there ever be two mothers?
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Oh mother born in the arid cactus land,
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard rocks.
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Oh mother sprouted in the thorn forest,
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You never let a single thorn prick me.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kallikaatil Pirandha Thayae' from 'Thenmerku Paruvakaatru' is a deeply emotional ode to maternal love, self-sacrifice, and resilience amidst harsh rural poverty. Written by Vairamuthu, the song vividly portrays a mother belonging to the arid, drought-prone landscapes of rural Tamil Nadu. Despite breaking rocks, gathering thorny firewood, and enduring relentless hardship, she ensures her child suffers no pain and goes to bed fed, eating only whatever leftovers remain. The song highlights the sacredness and unparalleled devotion of a mother, comparing her selfless nurturance to pure gold and divine magic. Through evocative imagery of dry lands, simple millet porridge, and endless manual labor, the track emphasizes that while there may be many gods and relatives, a mother's place in a child's life is singular and irreplaceable.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast (Maran-thodai / Oxymoron)
“Mullukaatil mulacha thayae / Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae”
Juxtaposes the harsh, prickly environment where the mother lives ('Mullukaatil') with her extreme protective tender care ('mullu thaika vidala').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna”
Exaggerates the mother's hard physical labor as squeezing porridge out of rocks to emphasize how she creates sustenance from nothing.
Imagery & Local Color (Thinai Bimbam)
“Onan karatula koozh kudippa / Avaaran-guzhaiyila kai thudaipa”
Paints a raw, realistic picture of rural agrarian poverty using hyper-local elements like lizard mounds, porridge, and Tanner's Cassia leaves.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaeppa kaliyil oru nei olugum / Kaanja karuvaadu thaen olugum”
Compares simple dry food cooked by a loving mother to rich delicacies like ghee and honey to denote the magical power of maternal affection.
Rhyme & Assonance (Edhugai / Monai)
“Kallikaatil pirandha thayae / Mullukaatil mulacha thayae”
Uses matching initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Kalli' / 'Mulli' and 'Kallu' / 'Mullu') to establish rhythmic Tamil folk meter.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Thenmerku Paruvakaatru' won three National Film Awards in 2010, including Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Supporting Actress for Saranya Ponvannan (who played the central mother character Veerayi), and Best Lyricist for Vairamuthu for writing lyrics in this movie. The film also marked the debut of Vijay Sethupathi in a lead role.
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