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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kodanu Kodi

From Zimbo · 1959

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Zimbo1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kodaanu kodi perae kaaththirunthaaraeCrores and crores of people were waiting for you,
Kula kozhunthae nee thedi vanthaayaeOh tender sprout of our lineage, you came searching for me.
Thoongudaa thoongu….Sleep, my darling, sleep...
Female
Malar thendral vanthae unakkuThe flower-scented gentle breeze comes to you
Solluthor saedhiTo tell a message.
Poonjolai aaduthae unnai kondaadiThe flowering garden dances in celebration of you.
Female
Malar thendral vanthae unakkuThe flower-scented gentle breeze comes to you
Solluthor saedhiTo tell a message.
Poonjolai aaduthae unnai kondaadiThe flowering garden dances in celebration of you.
Female
Kodaanu kodi perae kaaththirunthaaraeCrores and crores of people were waiting for you,
Female
Nalla thavamae seithorWho else has performed such great penance
Ennai polae yaaraeAs I have?
Female
Kodaanu kodi perae kaaththirunthaaraeCrores and crores of people were waiting for you,
Kula kozhunthae nee thedi vanthaayaeOh tender sprout of our lineage, you came searching for me.
Thoongudaa thoongu….Sleep, my darling, sleep...
Female
………………….....
Female
Inikkum kuralil kuyilthaan thaalaattu paadumThe cuckoo sings a lullaby in its sweet voice,
Yaegaantha kaattilae maan unnai thedumThe deer in the lonely forest searches for you.
Inikkum kuralil kuyilthaan thaalaattu paadumThe cuckoo sings a lullaby in its sweet voice,
Yaegaantha kaattilae maan unnai thedumThe deer in the lonely forest searches for you.
Female
Vaadaatha roja polae nee un vaayaalaeLike an unfading rose, with your small mouth,
Vaazhvin inimai ellaam enakke thanthaayaeYou gave all the sweetness of life to me.
Female
Kodaanu kodi perae kaaththirunthaaraeCrores and crores of people were waiting for you,
Kula kozhunthae nee thedi vanthaayaeOh tender sprout of our lineage, you came searching for me.
Thoongudaa thoongu….Sleep, my darling, sleep...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic lullaby expresses a mother's profound love and joy upon the birth of her beloved child. She feels incredibly blessed, reflecting that while millions might long for such a child, she was fortunate enough to be chosen, as if answering her sacred penance. The song lovingly portrays nature—the breeze, the flowering garden, cuckoos, and forest deer—joining together in singing a sweet lullaby and celebrating the child's arrival into the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Kodaanu kodi perae kaaththirunthaarae

Exaggerates the anticipation of the baby's arrival by stating that millions upon millions of people were waiting for this child.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kula kozhunthae nee thedi vanthaayae

Refers to the child metaphorically as 'kula kozhunthu' (the tender sprout/scion of the family lineage).

Personification

Malar thendral vanthae unakku Solluthor saedhi / Poonjolai aaduthae unnai kondaadi

Attributes human actions to nature, depicting the gentle breeze bringing news and the garden dancing in celebration.

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Vaadaatha roja polae nee un vaayaalae

Compares the child's tender mouth to an unfading rose using the comparative marker 'polae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Zimbo (1959) is a Tamil jungle-adventure film adapted from the 1958 Hindi movie of the same name. Featuring music composed by Vijaya Baskar, this song rendered by legendary playback singer S. Janaki early in her career remains one of the memorable classic Tamil movie lullabies.

Keep listening

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