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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyile Ilamanguyilae

From Senthamizh Selvan · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music directors
K. V. Mahadevan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Selvan1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…[Vocalizing melody]
Female
Aaa….aa….aa…haa..aa…aa…haa..aa…aaa..[Vocalizing melody]
Female
Dhinam thorum ammaavaiEvery day, my mother,
NeeraatuvenI will bathe her,
Thalai vaari azhagaagaCombing her hair beautifully,
Poo choottuvenI will adorn it with flowers,
Pasi aara manivaayil soroottuvenTo satisfy her hunger, I will feed rice into her precious mouth,
Thaai pola naan maari thaalaattuvenBecoming like a mother myself, I will sing her a lullaby.
Female
Munnooru naalFor three hundred days,
Madi thaanginaalShe bore me in her womb,
Andha thaai thaanaeIs that mother not
Naan potrum kadavul vadivamThe form of God that I worship?
Pala koyilo pala dheivamoMany temples or many deities,
Ingu veraedhu naan kaanaWhat else is there for me to see here,
Ulagam muzhudhumIn the entire world!
Female
Kuyilae ila maanguyilae…O Cuckoo, young mango-grove cuckoo...
Undhan koottil irundhuFrom inside your nest,
Veliyil vandhu paadu…Come outside and sing...
Kettu adhai thaan kettuHearing that, only upon hearing that,
Mella thirumbumWill slowly return
Enadhu thaayin pazhaiya ninaivuMy mother's forgotten memories.
Female
Mayilae malai vaazh mayilaeO Peacock, peacock living in the mountains,
Vanna chiragai virithuSpreading your colorful wings,
Azhagu nadanam aaduPerform a beautiful dance...
Paarthu adhai thaan paarthuSeeing that, only upon seeing that,
Mella theliyum mayangi thavikkumWill slowly clear up, from confusion and distress,
Thaayin manadhuMy mother's precious mind.
Female
Kuyilae ila maanguyilaeO Cuckoo, young mango-grove cuckoo!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This touching song portrays deep filial devotion and role reversal, where a child cares for an ailing mother who has lost her memory or mental clarity. The child vows to perform tender maternal duties for her—bathing her, styling her hair, feeding her, and singing lullabies, recognizing her as the true living manifestation of God on earth above all temples and deities. In a gentle plea for her recovery, the singer calls upon nature—asking the mango-grove cuckoo to sing and the mountain peacock to dance. The child hopes that these harmonious sights and sounds of nature will awaken the mother's faded memories and bring peace back to her troubled mind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Neeraatuven / Poo choottuven / soroottuven / thaalaattuven

The line endings 'Neeraatuven', 'Poo choottuven', 'soroottuven', and 'thaalaattuven' share the identical '-ttuven' suffix pattern, creating a soothing, lullaby-like rhythm.

Apostrophe (Direct Address)

Kuyilae ila maanguyilae… / Mayilae malai vaazh mayilae

The singer addresses natural creatures directly ('Kuyilae' - Cuckoo, 'Mayilae' - Peacock), treating them as compassionate allies in healing the mother.

Anaphora / Emphatic Repetition

Kettu adhai thaan kettu / Paarthu adhai thaan paarthu

Repetition of 'kettu' (hearing) and 'paarthu' (seeing) reinforces the desperate hope that sensory experiences will rekindle the mother's memory.

Metaphor (Role Reversal)

Thaai pola naan maari thaalaattuven

The child metaphorically assumes the role of a mother to his own mother ('Thaai pola naan maari'), emphasizing the cyclical nature of caregiving.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics written by legendary lyricist Vaali explore the theme of maternal devotion and mental healing through music and nature. 'Senthamizh Selvan' (1994) featured music composed by Soundaryan and starred Prashanth and Sukanya in lead roles.

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