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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kumbidum Kai

From Puthu Paatu · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Puthu Paatu1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kumbidum kai polaLike hands folded in worship,
Kuvinjirundha mottu onnuA flower bud that remained tightly closed,
Veesiya kaathula thaanIn the gentle breeze that blew,
Vaai vedichu poothadhinnuHas now burst open and bloomed.
Female
Aathaa kann thorandhu paathaaThe Divine Mother opened her eyes and looked,
Innaikku thaanOnly on this very day,
Thaayaagum baakkiyamumThe sacred fortune of becoming a mother,
Vandhadhindha kannikku thaanHas finally arrived for this young maiden.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song excerpt uses the tender imagery of a tightly closed flower bud opening in the wind to symbolize a young maiden's miraculous transition into motherhood. It frames this life milestone as an act of divine grace, claiming that the Mother Goddess herself opened her eyes to bestow the fortune of motherhood upon the woman.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Kumbidum kai pola / Kuvinjirundha mottu onnu

Compares the shape of a closed flower bud to hands folded together in prayer ('Kumbidum kai pola').

Personification

Vaai vedichu poothadhinnu

Attributes human speech/action to the flower bud by describing its blooming as 'opening its mouth' ('Vaai vedichu').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Kumbidum kai pola / Kuvinjirundha mottu onnu

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds ('Ku' in Kumbidum and Kuvinjirundha) creates a melodic Tamil prosodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in the prompt, the 1990 film 'Puthu Paatu' was directed by Seeman and featured a famous soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics crafted by the legendary poet Vaali.

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