Kodi Muthukkalai Naalum
From Thai Mozhi · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Female :Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Female: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Male | |
| Poo alai thaalam thatta vaan varai paadal etta | As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm and the song reaches up to the sky, |
| Female :Nee oru medai katta naan adhil raagam kotta | Female: As you build a stage, I shower melodic ragas upon it, |
| Chorus | |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Male | |
| Vaanai muttum neerveezhchchiyum | Even the waterfall that touches the sky, |
| Vaaraamal pogaathu un veedu | Will not fail to reach your home! |
| Female :Neela pattu selai kondu | Female: Draped in a blue silk saree, |
| Thaalaththil thaalaattum panpaadu | Our rich culture lulls us with rhythmic melody! |
| Male | |
| Aazham enna kandaar illai | No one has ever truly measured your depth, |
| Aaraaichchi thaan endrum oyaathu | The endless research to understand you will never cease! |
| Female :Kaalam pala aanaal enna | Female: So what if ages and ages pass by? |
| Kaangindra un thottram kaayaathu | The glorious sight of you will never wither away! |
| Male | |
| Thaaraalam unthan thanga madi endru | Your golden lap is ever so bountiful, |
| Female :Per sollum kolam vanthathadi indru | Female: Today, an auspicious form that speaks your praise has arrived! |
| Both :Neer thanthu neer thantha needhaanae | Both: You are the divine one who gave us water and life! |
| Chorus | |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Female | |
| Neer illaiyae vaazhvillaiyae | Without water, there is no life at all, |
| Paarengum per solla seer illaiyae | Without it, there is no grandeur to be celebrated across the globe! |
| Male :Aarillaiyael oor illaiyae | Male: Without a river, a civilization cannot exist, |
| Neer illai naan illai naam illaiyae | Without water, I do not exist, and we do not exist! |
| Female | |
| Kel endru thaan kettaenammaa | Oh mother, I asked you to hear my plea, |
| Ongaaram un raagam ooivillaiyae | The divine primordial sound of your raga never pauses! |
| Male :Un jenmamo paarthaenamma | Male: I have seen your sacred birth, oh mother, |
| Ondrae thaan un vaazhvil thaeivillayae | You are the singular entity in life that never diminishes! |
| Female | |
| Kandaaru illai engum thadai illai | There are no bounds, and nowhere is there any obstruction, |
| Male :Nindraadum alai nindraal edhum illai | Male: If the dancing wave comes to a halt, nothing remains, |
| Both :Aadhaaram veraethu neer thaanae | Both: What other foundation is there? You alone are our sole support! |
| Female | |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Male :Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Male: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Female | |
| Poo alai thaalam thatta | As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm, |
| Male :Vaan varrai paadal etta | Male: And the song reaches high up to the sky, |
| Chorus | |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
| Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum | Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day, |
| Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae | You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours! |
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Female: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
பூ அலை தாளம் தட்ட வான் வரை பாடல் எட்ட
நீ ஒரு மேடை கட்ட நான் அதில் ராகம் கொட்ட.....
As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm and the song reaches up to the sky,
Female: As you build a stage, I shower melodic ragas upon it,
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீ தானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
வானை முட்டும் நீர்வீழ்ச்சியும்
வாராமல் போகாது உன் வீடு
நீலப் பட்டுச் சேலை கொண்டு
தாளத்தில் தாலாட்டும் பண் பாடு
Even the waterfall that touches the sky,
Will not fail to reach your home!
Female: Draped in a blue silk saree,
Our rich culture lulls us with rhythmic melody!
ஆழம் என்ன கண்டார் இல்லை
ஆராய்ச்சி தான் என்றும் ஓயாது
காலம் பல ஆனால் என்ன
காண்கின்ற உன் தோற்றம் காயாது
No one has ever truly measured your depth,
The endless research to understand you will never cease!
Female: So what if ages and ages pass by?
The glorious sight of you will never wither away!
தாராளம் உந்தன் தங்க மடி என்று
பேர் சொல்லும் கோலம் வந்ததடி இன்று
இருவர் :
நீர் தந்து நீர் தந்த நீதானே
Your golden lap is ever so bountiful,
Female: Today, an auspicious form that speaks your praise has arrived!
Both: You are the divine one who gave us water and life!
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
நீர் இல்லையே வாழ்வில்லையே
பாரெங்கும் பேர் சொல்ல சீர் இல்லையே
ஆறில்லையேல் ஊர் இல்லையே
நீர் இல்லை நான் இல்லை நாம் இல்லையே
Without water, there is no life at all,
Without it, there is no grandeur to be celebrated across the globe!
Male: Without a river, a civilization cannot exist,
Without water, I do not exist, and we do not exist!
கேள் என்று தான் கேட்டேனம்மா
ஓங்காரம் உன் ராகம் ஓய்வில்லையே
உன் ஜென்மமோ பார்த்தேனம்மா
ஒன்றே தான் உன் வாழ்வில் தேய்வில்லயே
Oh mother, I asked you to hear my plea,
The divine primordial sound of your raga never pauses!
Male: I have seen your sacred birth, oh mother,
You are the singular entity in life that never diminishes!
கண்டாரும் இல்லை எங்கும் தடை இல்லை
நின்றாடும் அலை நின்றால் எதும் இல்லை
இருவர் :
ஆதாரம் வேறேது நீர் தானே
There are no bounds, and nowhere is there any obstruction,
Male: If the dancing wave comes to a halt, nothing remains,
Both: What other foundation is there? You alone are our sole support!
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Male: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
பூ அலை தாளம் தட்ட
வான் வரை பாடல் எட்ட
As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm,
Male: And the song reaches high up to the sky,
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
கோடி முத்துக்களை நாளும் வாரி அள்ளித் தரும்
வாழ்வே நீதானம்மா எங்கள் தாயே
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Female :Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Female: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Poo alai thaalam thatta vaan varai paadal etta
As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm and the song reaches up to the sky,
Female :Nee oru medai katta naan adhil raagam kotta
Female: As you build a stage, I shower melodic ragas upon it,
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Vaanai muttum neerveezhchchiyum
Even the waterfall that touches the sky,
Vaaraamal pogaathu un veedu
Will not fail to reach your home!
Female :Neela pattu selai kondu
Female: Draped in a blue silk saree,
Thaalaththil thaalaattum panpaadu
Our rich culture lulls us with rhythmic melody!
Aazham enna kandaar illai
No one has ever truly measured your depth,
Aaraaichchi thaan endrum oyaathu
The endless research to understand you will never cease!
Female :Kaalam pala aanaal enna
Female: So what if ages and ages pass by?
Kaangindra un thottram kaayaathu
The glorious sight of you will never wither away!
Thaaraalam unthan thanga madi endru
Your golden lap is ever so bountiful,
Female :Per sollum kolam vanthathadi indru
Female: Today, an auspicious form that speaks your praise has arrived!
Both :Neer thanthu neer thantha needhaanae
Both: You are the divine one who gave us water and life!
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Neer illaiyae vaazhvillaiyae
Without water, there is no life at all,
Paarengum per solla seer illaiyae
Without it, there is no grandeur to be celebrated across the globe!
Male :Aarillaiyael oor illaiyae
Male: Without a river, a civilization cannot exist,
Neer illai naan illai naam illaiyae
Without water, I do not exist, and we do not exist!
Kel endru thaan kettaenammaa
Oh mother, I asked you to hear my plea,
Ongaaram un raagam ooivillaiyae
The divine primordial sound of your raga never pauses!
Male :Un jenmamo paarthaenamma
Male: I have seen your sacred birth, oh mother,
Ondrae thaan un vaazhvil thaeivillayae
You are the singular entity in life that never diminishes!
Kandaaru illai engum thadai illai
There are no bounds, and nowhere is there any obstruction,
Male :Nindraadum alai nindraal edhum illai
Male: If the dancing wave comes to a halt, nothing remains,
Both :Aadhaaram veraethu neer thaanae
Both: What other foundation is there? You alone are our sole support!
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Male :Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Male: Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Poo alai thaalam thatta
As flower-like waves clap to the rhythm,
Male :Vaan varrai paadal etta
Male: And the song reaches high up to the sky,
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum
Generously giving away millions of pearls every single day,
Vaazhvae neethaanammaa engal thaayae
You are life itself, oh dear mother of ours!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poetic song 'Thai Mozhi' celebrates nature, water, and motherly grace as the source of all life. Using metaphors of pearls, waterfalls, blue silk sarees, and endless ocean waves, the lyrics revere the life-giving essence of water as an divine mother figure. The song emphasizes that without rivers and water, human settlements, culture, and existence itself would cease to exist. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song uses rich classical Tamil imagery to connect the rhythmic flow of water to musical ragas and cultural heritage. It pays tribute to the immortal, unyielding force of nature that sustains all living beings unconditionally.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvam (Metaphor)
“Kodi muththukkalai naalum vaari alli tharum”
Comparing water droplets or ocean spray to millions of pearls ('Kodi muththukkalai') bestowed generously by the mother.
Thodai / Monnai (Alliteration)
“Aarillaiyael oor illaiyae / Neer illai naan illai naam illaiyae”
Matching initial sounds across adjacent lines, such as 'Neer' and 'Neer' or 'Aarillaiyael' and 'Neer illai'.
Personification
“Neela pattu selai kondu”
Attributes human traits to nature, portraying nature/water as a mother dressed in a blue silk saree ('Neela pattu selai').
Iyaibu (Rhyme)
“Neer illaiyae vaazhvillaiyae / Paarengum per solla seer illaiyae”
End-rhyming scheme utilizing identical suffixes such as 'illaiyae' across multiple lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Thai Mozhi' (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Lyricist Vaali masterfully weaves double-layered imagery throughout the soundtrack, celebrating both mother nature/water resources and the mother tongue (Tamil), comparing their life-sustaining qualities to maternal love.
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