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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kiliye Kiliye Yezhai Kiliye

From Yer Munai · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
L. Vaithiya Nathan
Details
Yer Munai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Female
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Amma naanthaandiI am your mother
Unakku appanum naanthaandiAnd I am also your father
Ponaa poraandi kaiyum kaalumLet whoever leaves go, a woman still has
Pombalaikku ullathadiHer hands and legs to stand on
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Female
Pottachchiya yaarum ingae peththu vaikkakooaathuNo one here should give birth to a female child
Peththaalum pottappulla kuththa vaikkakoodaathuEven if born, a girl child should not be made to sit in sorrow
Kanneer sinthi kannam punnaagum….mmm….Shedding tears until her cheeks get wounded
Female
Sattamenna sattamadi aambalinga vachchathadiWhat law is this? It is a law created by men
Sattamenna sattamadi aambalinga vachchathadiWhat law is this? It is a law created by men
Naalaikku thookkammilla nee innaikku kannuranguThere will be no sleep tomorrow, so you sleep today
Naalaikku thookkammilla nee innaikku kannuranguThere will be no sleep tomorrow, so you sleep today
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Female
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Amma naanthaandiI am your mother
Unakku appanum naanthaandiAnd I am also your father
Ponaa poraandi kaiyum kaalumLet whoever leaves go, a woman still has
Pombalaikku ullathadiHer hands and legs to stand on
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Female
Vaazhai oru kulai thallinaalOnce a plantain tree yields a bunch of plantains
Vaazha vaikkamaattaangaThey do not let it live long
Pondaattikku pulla poranthaaIf a wife gives birth to a female child
KadhalikkamaattaangaThey stop loving her
Paasamellaam paththae maasamadiAll their love lasts only for ten months
Female
Puliyamara thottililae ponmayilae kannuranguIn the tamarind wood cradle, sleep my golden peacock
Puliyamara thottililae ponmayilae kannuranguIn the tamarind wood cradle, sleep my golden peacock
Ammaa neeyurangu intha annaikkum saerththuranguSleep my child, sleep on behalf of your mother as well
Ammaa neeyurangu intha annaikkum saerththuranguSleep my child, sleep on behalf of your mother as well
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Female
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot, poor little parrot
Amma naanthaandiI am your mother
Unakku appanum naanthaandiAnd I am also your father
Ponaa poraandi kaiyum kaalumLet whoever leaves go, a woman still has
Pombalaikku ullathadiHer hands and legs to stand on
Female
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)
Aariraaro aariraraaro…..Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraraaro)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional lullaby sung by a resilient mother to her infant daughter highlights the deep-rooted patriarchal biases and social hardships faced by women, particularly regarding the birth of a female child. After being abandoned or neglected by her husband for giving birth to a girl, the mother declares that she will fulfill the roles of both mother and father, encouraging her daughter to grow strong and self-reliant. The lyrics lament how society treats women unfairly and how affection fades once a female child is born, while tenderly comforting the infant with a soothing song for the troubles that lie ahead in life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kiliyae kiliyae yaezhai kiliyae

Addressing the infant daughter as 'kiliyae' (little parrot) and 'ponmayilae' (golden peacock) to express affection and gentleness.

Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)

Vaazhai oru kulai thallinaal vaazha vaikkamaattaanga

Comparing the fate of a mother giving birth to a female child with a banana tree that gets chopped down once it yields fruit.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Pottachchiya yaarum ingae peththu vaikkakooaathu

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds such as 'Po' in 'Pottachchiya' and 'Peththaalum' to create rhythmic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vairamuthu for the 1992 film Yer Munai, the song sharply addresses social issues surrounding gender discrimination and rural female infanticide attitudes prevailing during that era.

Keep listening

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