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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kallum Oru Kaniyagalam

From Rusi · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Rusi
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
31 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………….
Female :…………….
Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam
Siru mullum oru malaraagalaam
Sinthum kanneerellaam maaraatho
Naalai panneerena aagaatho
Siru poovae pasumponne nalamkoodum naalai
Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam
……………..
Saamiyum intha bhoomiyum
Pettra thaai polae thaalaatta
Nermaiyum netri vervaiyum
Nammai naalthorum paaraatta
Kodi mullaigalae ilam pillaigalae
Nadai podungalaen isai paadungalaen
Varungkaalangali vetrigal nam vasam
Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam
Siru mullum oru malaraagalaam
Panthamum oru sonthamum
Ungal paarvaigal kaattaatho
Paasamum ungal nesamum
Nenjil kaayaththai aattraatho
Kulir thendralena konjum killaigalae
Enthan uravenpathu ungal ullangalae
Oru thaai polavae ungalaal vaazhgiren
Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam
Siru mullum oru malaraagalaam
Female :Sinthum kanneerellaam maaraatho
Naalai panneerena aagaatho
Siru poovae pasumponne nalamkoodum naalai
Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam
Siru mullum oru malaraagalaam
...
Female: ...
Even a stone can turn into a sweet fruit,
Even a small thorn can become a flower.
Won't all the tears shed come to an end?
Won't they turn into fragrant rosewater tomorrow?
O tiny flower, precious golden child, good times will arrive tomorrow.
Even a stone can turn into a sweet fruit.
...
God and this mother earth,
To rock us in a lullaby like the mother who gave us birth,
Our honesty and the sweat on our brows,
Will praise us every single day.
O jasmine creepers, O young children,
March forward with graceful steps, sing songs of music!
In the coming future, victory will be in our hands.
Even a stone can turn into a sweet fruit,
Even a small thorn can become a flower.
A deep bond and a loving relation,
Won't your tender glances reveal them?
Your fond affection and your love,
Won't they heal the wound within my heart?
O sweet little parrots like a refreshing cool breeze,
My true kinship resides within your tender hearts.
Just like a mother, I live because of you.
Even a stone can turn into a sweet fruit,
Even a small thorn can become a flower.
Female: Won't all the tears shed come to an end?
Won't they turn into fragrant rosewater tomorrow?
O tiny flower, precious golden child, good times will arrive tomorrow.
Even a stone can turn into a sweet fruit,
Even a small thorn can become a flower.
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This tender and uplifting song from the movie Rusi (1984), written and composed by Gangai Amaran and sung by S. Janaki, expresses optimism, maternal affection, and hope for a brighter future. The central metaphor conveys that with love, patience, and hard work, even the toughest circumstances (stones and thorns) can transform into sweetness and beauty (fruits and flowers). The speaker reassures the young children that their present hardships and tears will soon turn into joy and prosperity. She portrays the earth, honesty, and divine grace as nurturing motherly figures that guide them toward victory and emotional healing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

“Kallum oru kaniyaagalaam / Siru mullum oru malaraagalaam”

Compares hard obstacles (stones, thorns) transforming into soft, beneficial outcomes (fruits, flowers) to represent hope and personal growth.

Simile (Uvamaani)

“Saamiyum intha bhoomiyum / Pettra thaai polae thaalaatta”

Uses 'polae' (like) to compare God and the earth nurturing people to a biological mother rocking her child to sleep.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Panthamum oru sonthamum”

The second letters 'n' match across consecutive words, creating rhythmic harmony.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Kulir thendralena konjum killaigalae”

Repetition of the initial 'k' sound across 'Kulir', 'konjum', and 'killaigalae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track showcases Gangai Amaran's dual capability as both lyricist and composer. S. Janaki's soothing rendition emphasizes a motherly tenderness, making it one of the emotionally resonant hidden gems of mid-1980s Tamil cinema.

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