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Keladi Kanmani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karpoora Bommai Ondru

From Keladi Kanmani · 1990

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Keladi Kanmani
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
26 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmmm…hmmmm..hmmmmm
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Kalanthaada kai korkkum neram
Kannoaram aanantha eeram
Muthae en muthaaramae
Sabhai yerum paadal
Nee paadamma… nee paadamma….
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Kalanthaada kai korkkum neram
Kannoaram aanantha eeram
Muthae en muthaaramae
Sabhai yerum paadal
Nee paadamma… nee paadamma….
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Poontherilae nee aadavae
Undaana anbae oru raajaangam
Rajaangamae aananthamae
Nam veedu inghae oru sangeetham
Maanae un vaarthai reengaaram
Malarae en nenjil nindraadum
Muthae en muthaaramae
Sabhai yerum paadal
Nee paadamma… nee paadamma….
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Thaayanbirkku eedaethamma
Aagaayam kooda athu pothaathu
Thaai pola yaar vanthaalumae
Un thaayai polae athu aagaathu
En moochil vaazhum pullaanguzhal
Un pechu naalum senthaen kuzhal
Muthae en muthaaramae
Sabhai yerum paadal
Nee paadamma… nee paadamma….
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Kalanthaada kai korkkum neram
Kannoaram aanantha eeram
Muthae en muthaaramae
Sabhai yerum paadal
Nee paadamma… nee paadamma….
Karpoora bommai ondru
Kai veesum thendral ondru
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
When they join hands to dance together,
Tears of joy moisten the eyes.
O pearl, my garland of pearls!
A song fit for the world to hear,
Sing it, my dear... sing it...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
When they join hands to dance together,
Tears of joy moisten the eyes.
O pearl, my garland of pearls!
A song fit for the world to hear,
Sing it, my dear... sing it...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
For you to dance upon a flower chariot,
The love created here is a kingdom.
A kingdom full of happiness,
Our home here is sweet music.
My gentle deer, your words are a sweet hum,
My flower, dancing forever in my heart.
O pearl, my garland of pearls!
A song fit for the world to hear,
Sing it, my dear... sing it...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
What can ever equal a mother's love?
Even the endless sky is not enough.
No matter who comes like a mother,
They can never be like your own mother.
You are a flute living in my breath,
Your words are always sweet like pure honey.
O pearl, my garland of pearls!
A song fit for the world to hear,
Sing it, my dear... sing it...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze,
When they join hands to dance together,
Tears of joy moisten the eyes.
O pearl, my garland of pearls!
A song fit for the world to hear,
Sing it, my dear... sing it...
A doll of camphor,
A waving gentle breeze.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Karpoora Bommai Ondru is an emotional and tender Tamil lullaby that celebrates parental love and the purity of a child. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics compare the child to a pure camphor doll, a gentle breeze, and a precious pearl necklace, emphasizing how the child's presence brings harmony and music into the home. The song also reflects on the unmatched sanctity of a mother's affection, asserting that nothing in the world can replace a mother's boundless warmth and love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvam (Metaphor)

“Karpoora bommai ondru”

Compares the innocent child to a delicate camphor doll ('Karpoora bommai') and a string of pearls ('muthaaramae').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kalanthaada kai korkkum neram / Kannoaram aanantha eeram”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across lines for poetic rhythm.

Imagery & Personification

“Kai veesum thendral ondru”

Personifies the breeze as having hands that wave gently ('Kai veesum thendral').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by lyricist Mu. Metha for the 1990 film Keladi Kanmani, this legendary lullaby sung by P. Susheela remains one of the most cherished melodies in Tamil cinema history.

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