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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannanukku Per Sootti

From Thaai Piranthal · 1974

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eshwari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thaai Piranthal1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanukku paer soottiNaming the child after Lord Krishna,
Kaanbavargal paaraattiWith those who see him praising him,
Kondaadum inbamallavoIs it not a celebration of joy?
Intha katti magan aadi varaAs this dear darling boy sways and plays,
Thottilondru pottu vaiththuSetting up a cradle for him,
Paadugindra velaiyallavo…Is it not time to sing a lullaby?
Paadugindra velaiyallavo…Is it not time to sing a lullaby?
Female
Kannanukku paer soottiNaming the child after Lord Krishna,
Kaanbavargal paaraattiWith those who see him praising him,
Kondaadum inbamallavoIs it not a celebration of joy?
Female
Muththu pavazham konduWith a smile like pearls and corals,
Mella sirippaanoWill he smile softly?
Thaththi thaththi nadanthuWalking with tiny waddling steps,
Chellam konjuvaanoWill he shower endearing affection?
Female
Muththu pavazham konduWith a smile like pearls and corals,
Mella sirippaanoWill he smile softly?
Thaththi thaththi nadanthuWalking with tiny waddling steps,
Chellam konjuvaanoWill he shower endearing affection?
Female
Mukkani thaen suvaiThe sweet taste of three fruits and honey,
Sollil vadippaanoWill he pour it out through his speech?
Annai sol kettiduvaanoWill he listen to his mother's words?
Kannan anantha paal kudippaano….Will this Krishna drink milk happily?
Female
Kannanukku paer soottiNaming the child after Lord Krishna,
Kaanbavargal paaraattiWith those who see him praising him,
Kondaadum inbamallavoIs it not a celebration of joy?
Female
Ooraargal vaazhththi unnaiWhile the villagers bless you,
Paaraattum velaiyilaeAnd praise you at this moment,
Paer sootta mudiyaamalUnable to name you myself,
Pettra manam yaenguthadaaThe mother's heart longingly aches, my son!
Female
Neeraadum imaiyoramAlong the edges of tear-filled eyelids,
Poraattam nadakkuthadaaAn emotional struggle takes place!
Seeraatta paalootta thaaipaasam pirakkuthadaaMotherly affection blooms to fondle and feed milk!
Maganae……maganae….nee vaazhga….My son... my son... may you live long!
Female
Kannanukku paer soottiNaming the child after Lord Krishna,
Kaanbavargal paaraattiWith those who see him praising him,
Kondaadum inbamallavoIs it not a celebration of joy?
Intha katti magan aadi varaAs this dear darling boy sways and plays,
Thottilondru pottu vaiththuSetting up a cradle for him,
Paadugindra velaiyallavo…Is it not time to sing a lullaby?
Paadugindra velaiyallavo…Is it not time to sing a lullaby?
Female
Thanga pathakkam ondruA gold medal,
Vaangi koduppaanoWill he buy and present to us?
Thaayennum pettakaththilIn the casket called mother,
Anbai niraippaanoWill he fill it with love?
Thalaivargal varisaiyil idam pidippaanoWill he take a place among great leaders?
Tharanikku pugazh tharuvaanoWill he bring glory to the whole world?
Kannan geedhaiyin vazhi nadappaano…Will Krishna walk on the righteous path of the Gita?
Female
Geedhaiyil kannan sonnaanIn the Gita, Krishna proclaimed
Kadamaithaan vaazhkkaiyendruThat duty itself is life,
Vedhaththilum viyaasan sonnaanIn the Vedas too, Sage Vyasa declared
Vaazhkkai kadamaikkendruThat life is dedicated to duty.
Female
Geedhai vazhi naan nadanthuWalking on the path of the Gita,
Kudumba nalamthanai ninainththuKeeping the welfare of the family in mind,
Paathiyilae unai piriyumA journey that separates me from you midway
Payanam vanthu saernthathadaaHas now arrived, my son!
Maganae….maganae….nee vaazhgaMy son... my son... may you live long!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby captures a mother's profound love, pride, and bittersweet emotions while putting her infant son to sleep. She admires his innocent charm, imaging his growth from taking tiny steps to becoming an accomplished leader who brings honor to his family and society. She sees her child as a divine gift, named after Lord Krishna, and hopes he will adhere to righteous values. At the same time, the song carries a poignant thematic weight of duty and sacrifice. The mother reflects on the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic wisdom, acknowledging that fulfilling duty sometimes demands painful sacrifices, including parting ways. Despite the looming emotional hardship, her unconditional love shines through as she bestows her heartfelt blessings for her son's long and noble life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannanukku paer sootti / Kaanbavargal paaraatti / Kondaadum inbamallavo

Repetition of the 'K' sound across line beginnings (Kannanukku, Kaanbavargal, Kondaadum) creates a rhythmic, melodic flow typical of lullabies.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Geedhaiyil kannan sonnaan / Vedhaththilum viyaasan sonnaan

The second consonant 'dha' matches in 'Geedhaiyil' and 'Vedhaththilum', maintaining structured poetic harmony.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thaayennum pettakaththil / Anbai niraippaano

Comparing the mother's heart to a casket ('pettakam') that holds precious treasure (love).

Anaphora / Repetition for Emotional Emphasis

Maganae….maganae….nee vaazhga

The emotional repetition of 'Maganae... maganae' underscores deep motherly affection and anguish.

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Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu for the 1974 film 'Thaai Piranthal', this track features the rich vocal duet of P. Susheela and L. R. Eshwari. It seamlessly blends traditional Tamil lullaby sensibilities with philosophical reflections on duty from the Bhagavad Gita.

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