Kalli kaattil Pirantha Thaye Song Lyrics – Unni Menon
From Thenmerku Paruvakaatru · 2010
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Unni Menon
- Music director
- N. R. Raghunanthan
- Details
- Thenmerku Paruvakaatru2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Mother born in the cactus forest |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard stones |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You didn't let even a single thorn prick me |
| Male | |
| Kaadaikum… kaatu kurivikum | For the dense forest… and for the wild bird |
| Endha pudharukkul idamundu… | There is a place inside some bush… |
| Kodaikum.. adikum kulirukum | For the scorching heat.. and biting cold |
| Thayi odhungathan idamunda.. ahhh. | Is there a place for a mother to seek shelter? Ahhh. |
| Male | |
| Karattu metayae mathuna | She transformed the rough, hard mound |
| Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna | She crushed groundnuts and served porridge |
| Karattu metayae mathuna | She transformed the rough, hard mound |
| Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna | She crushed groundnuts and served porridge |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Mother born in the cactus forest |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard stones |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You didn't let even a single thorn prick me |
| Male | |
| Olavu kaatula vedha vedhapa | She sows seeds in the ploughed field |
| Onan karatula koozh kudippa | She drinks porridge on the lizard-ridden mound |
| Avaaran-guzhaiyila kai thudaipa | She wipes her hands on Tanner's Cassia leaves |
| Paavamappa …..oohooo… | Oh, she is so pitiable… oohooo… |
| Male | |
| Veli mullil ava veragedupa | She gathers firewood from thorny hedges |
| Naali arisi vachu olayerippa | She boils a measure of rice on the hearth |
| Pulla unda micham undu usur vazharpa | She lives on the leftovers eaten by her child |
| Thiyagamappa … | Oh, what a sacrifice… |
| Male | |
| Kizhaku vidiyum munna mulikkura | She wakes up before the east dawns |
| Ava olakka pidichuthan therakura | She opens the day by holding the pestle |
| Manna kindithan polaikira | She makes a living by tilling the earth |
| Udal makkipoga mattum ozhaikura | She works endlessly until her body decomposes |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Mother born in the cactus forest |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard stones |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You didn't let even a single thorn prick me |
| Male | |
| Thangam thani thangam maasu-illa | Gold is pure gold without blemishes |
| Thaaipal onnil mattum thoosu illa | Only in mother's milk is there no speck of dust |
| Thaaivazhi sondham pola pasamila | There is no affection like maternal relations |
| Nesamilla …ooh…hoooo…. | No love like it… ooh… hoooo… |
| Male | |
| Aaru illa ooril kinaru irukku | In a town with no river, there is a well |
| Kovil illa ooril thaayi irukku | In a town with no temple, there is a mother |
| Thaai illa ooril nizhal irukka | In a town with no mother, is there any shade? |
| Anbil nesam irukkaaa .. | Is there true love in affection? |
| Male | |
| Sondham nooru sondham irukkudhu | There may be a hundred relatives |
| Peththa thaayi pola onnu nelaikudha | But does any last like the birth mother? |
| Sami nooru sami irukkudhu | There may be a hundred gods |
| Ada thaayi rendu thaayi irukkudha | Ah, can there ever be two mothers? |
| Male | |
| Kallikaatil pirandha thayae | Mother born in the cactus forest |
| Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae | You raised me by breaking hard stones |
| Mullukaatil mulacha thayae | Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest |
| Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae | You didn't let even a single thorn prick me |
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Mother born in the cactus forest
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
காடைக்கும்
காட்டு குருவிக்கும்
எந்த புதருக்குள் இடமுண்டு
கோடைக்கும் அடிக்கும்
குளிருக்கும் தாயி
ஒதுங்கதான் இடமுண்டா
ஆ
For the dense forest… and for the wild bird
There is a place inside some bush…
For the scorching heat.. and biting cold
Is there a place for a mother to seek shelter? Ahhh.
கரட்டு மேட்டயே
மாத்துன அவ கள்ளபுழிஞ்சி
கஞ்சி ஊத்துன கரட்டு
மேட்டயே மாத்துன அவ
கள்ளபுழிஞ்சி கஞ்சி ஊத்துன
She transformed the rough, hard mound
She crushed groundnuts and served porridge
She transformed the rough, hard mound
She crushed groundnuts and served porridge
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Mother born in the cactus forest
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
உளவு காட்டுல
வித வெதப்ப ஓணான்
கரட்டுல கூழ் குடிப்ப
அவாரன் குழையில கை
துடைப்ப பாவமப்பா
ஓஹோ
She sows seeds in the ploughed field
She drinks porridge on the lizard-ridden mound
She wipes her hands on Tanner's Cassia leaves
Oh, she is so pitiable… oohooo…
வேலி முள்ளில்
அவ விறகெடுப்பா நாழி
அரிசி வச்சு உலையரிப்பா
புள்ள உண்ட மிச்சம் உண்டு
உசுர் வளர்ப்பா தியாகமப்பா
She gathers firewood from thorny hedges
She boils a measure of rice on the hearth
She lives on the leftovers eaten by her child
Oh, what a sacrifice…
கிழக்கு விடியும்
முன்ன முளிக்குறா அவ
உலக்க பிடிச்சுதான்
திறக்குறா மண்ண கிண்டிதான்
பொழைக்கிறா உடல் மக்கிப்போக
மட்டும் உழைக்குறா
She wakes up before the east dawns
She opens the day by holding the pestle
She makes a living by tilling the earth
She works endlessly until her body decomposes
கள்ளி காட்டில்
பிறந்த தாயே என்ன கல்
ஒடச்சி வளர்த்த நீயே
முள்ளு காட்டில் முளைச்ச
தாயே என்ன முள்ளு தைக்க
விடல நீயே
Mother born in the cactus forest
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
You didn't let even 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 gold without blemishes
Only in mother's milk is there no speck of dust
There is no affection like maternal relations
No love like it… ooh… hoooo…
ஆறு இல்லா
ஊரில் கிணறு இருக்கு
கோவில் இல்லா ஊரில்
தாயி இருக்கு தாய் இல்லா
ஊரில் நிழல் இருக்க
அன்பில் நேசம் இருக்கா
In a town with no river, there is a well
In a town with no temple, there is a mother
In a town with no mother, is there any shade?
Is there true love in affection?
சொந்தம் நூறு
சொந்தம் இருக்குது
பெத்த தாயி போல ஒன்னு
நிலைக்குதா சாமி நூறு சாமி
இருக்குது அட தாயி ரெண்டு
தாயி இருக்குதா
There may be a hundred relatives
But does any last like the birth mother?
There may be a hundred gods
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
Mother born in the cactus forest
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Mother born in the cactus forest
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
Kaadaikum… kaatu kurivikum
For the dense forest… and for the wild bird
Endha pudharukkul idamundu…
There is a place inside some bush…
Kodaikum.. adikum kulirukum
For the scorching heat.. and biting cold
Thayi odhungathan idamunda.. ahhh.
Is there a place for a mother to seek shelter? Ahhh.
Karattu metayae mathuna
She transformed the rough, hard mound
Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna
She crushed groundnuts and served porridge
Karattu metayae mathuna
She transformed the rough, hard mound
Ava kallapulinji kanji oothuna
She crushed groundnuts and served porridge
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Mother born in the cactus forest
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
Olavu kaatula vedha vedhapa
She sows seeds in the ploughed field
Onan karatula koozh kudippa
She drinks porridge on the lizard-ridden mound
Avaaran-guzhaiyila kai thudaipa
She wipes her hands on Tanner's Cassia leaves
Paavamappa …..oohooo…
Oh, she is so pitiable… oohooo…
Veli mullil ava veragedupa
She gathers firewood from thorny hedges
Naali arisi vachu olayerippa
She boils a measure of rice on the hearth
Pulla unda micham undu usur vazharpa
She lives on the leftovers eaten by her child
Thiyagamappa …
Oh, what a sacrifice…
Kizhaku vidiyum munna mulikkura
She wakes up before the east dawns
Ava olakka pidichuthan therakura
She opens the day by holding the pestle
Manna kindithan polaikira
She makes a living by tilling the earth
Udal makkipoga mattum ozhaikura
She works endlessly until her body decomposes
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Mother born in the cactus forest
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
Thangam thani thangam maasu-illa
Gold is pure gold without blemishes
Thaaipal onnil mattum thoosu illa
Only in mother's milk is there no speck of dust
Thaaivazhi sondham pola pasamila
There is no affection like maternal relations
Nesamilla …ooh…hoooo….
No love like it… ooh… hoooo…
Aaru illa ooril kinaru irukku
In a town with no river, there is a well
Kovil illa ooril thaayi irukku
In a town with no temple, there is a mother
Thaai illa ooril nizhal irukka
In a town with no mother, is there any shade?
Anbil nesam irukkaaa ..
Is there true love in affection?
Sondham nooru sondham irukkudhu
There may be a hundred relatives
Peththa thaayi pola onnu nelaikudha
But does any last like the birth mother?
Sami nooru sami irukkudhu
There may be a hundred gods
Ada thaayi rendu thaayi irukkudha
Ah, can there ever be two mothers?
Kallikaatil pirandha thayae
Mother born in the cactus forest
Enna kall odachi vazhartha neeyae
You raised me by breaking hard stones
Mullukaatil mulacha thayae
Mother who sprouted in the thorn forest
Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae
You didn't let even a single thorn prick me
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kallikaatil Pirandha Thayae from the film Thenmerku Paruvakaatru is a poignant ode to a mother's selfless sacrifice, resilience, and unyielding love amidst harsh rural poverty. Set against the arid backdrop of southern Tamil Nadu, the lyrics describe a mother who breaks stones and tills rough land to nurture her child, prioritizing his comfort while shielding him from life's literal and metaphorical thorns. She sacrifices her own meals, waking before dawn to toil until exhaustion, demanding nothing in return. The song emphasizes the unique and irreplaceable stature of a mother, comparing her presence to a sanctuary in a desolate landscape. It highlights that while one might find a hundred gods or relatives, a mother's supreme, untainted devotion stands unparalleled in human existence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Kallikaatil pirandha thayae / Mullukaatil mulacha thayae”
Matching of the second consonant sound ('llu') across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic floral cadence.
Metaphor (Uvamaani/Uvameyam)
“Mullukaatil mulacha thayae”
Comparing the mother growing in a thorn forest ('Mullukaatil mulacha') to represent her resilience in an unforgiving, impoverished environment.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Enna mullu thaika vidala neeyae”
Contrasting the mother's hard, prickly environment ('Mullukaadu') with her soft, protective care ensuring no thorn pricks her child.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Sami nooru sami irukkudhu / Ada thaayi rendu thaayi irukkudha”
Using questions to emphasize the singular and divine status of a mother compared to the abundance of gods or relatives.
Did you know?
Trivia
Vairamuthu won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics at the 58th National Film Awards for this song. The song's evocative imagery draws directly from Vairamuthu's personal upbringing in the drought-prone landscape of Vadugapatti in Theni district, themes he also explored in his famous novel Karuvaachi Kaaviyam.
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