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Lyrics & meaning

Kuzhanthai Valarvathu Anbile

From Rathinapuri Ilavarasi · 1960

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Rathinapuri Ilavarasi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Butham saranam kachaamiI seek refuge in the Buddha.
Dharmam saranam kachaamiI seek refuge in the Dhamma.
Sangam saranam kachaamiI seek refuge in the Sangha.
Male
Haa..aa..aa….Ah... ah... ah...
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Nalla kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA good child grows with love.
Nalla gunangal amaivadhu panbilaeGood qualities are formed through cultured character.
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Nalla gunangal amaivadhu panbilaeGood qualities are formed through cultured character.
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Male
Aadi nadanthidum aasaiyilaeWith the desire to dance and walk around,
Adhu odi thavazhvadhu mannilaeIt crawls and runs on the earth.
Aadi nadanthidum aasaiyilaeWith the desire to dance and walk around,
Adhu odi thavazhvadhu mannilaeIt crawls and runs on the earth.
Aagaaya nilavin asainthaadum malarinThe beauty of the sky's moon and swaying flowers
Azhagaiyum kaanbathu kannilaeIs seen through the eyes.
perum aanandham adaivathu pannilaeGreat joy is attained through music.
Male
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Nalla gunangal amaivadhu panbilaeGood qualities are formed through cultured character.
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Male
Konjum kuralum pinju viralumThe lisping voice and tender fingers,
Kulari pesum nilaiyum maariAs the babbling speech changes,
Konjum kuralum pinju viralumThe lisping voice and tender fingers,
Kulari pesum nilaiyum maariAs the babbling speech changes,
Anjum manamum naanamum vandhuA gentle fearing heart and shyness arrive,
Aadai anindhidum arivum vandhuAlong with the awareness to wear proper clothes.
Anjum manamum naanamum vandhuA gentle fearing heart and shyness arrive,
Aadai anindhidum arivum vandhuAlong with the awareness to wear proper clothes.
Naalum nagarnthumae odavaeAs days move forward and pass by,
kalvi yedum nagarnthidum koodavaeThe book of knowledge also moves along.
Male
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Nalla gunangal amaivadhu panbilaeGood qualities are formed through cultured character.
Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilaeA child grows with love.
Male
Haa.a.aa..aaa…aa…Ah... ah... ah...
Kaalai thaamarai pola thondrumLike a morning lotus, appearing
niramaagiyaeas glowing complexion,
Vaana thaaragai naana thondrumMaking the celestial stars feel shy, appearing
mugamaagiyaeas a radiant face,
Vanji kodithanai minji thigalumOutshining the slender beauty of a golden creeper,
vadivagiyaeas a graceful form,
Vanna thangam manga thigalumMaking colorful gold lose its shine,
vayadhagiyaeas youthfulness,
Arivaagiayae oliyaagiyae thelivaagiyaeBecoming intelligence, becoming light, becoming clarity,
Female
Anbu thirumaeniyae aga malaraeO embodiment of love, inner blossoming flower,
Arul manamae aramae pottri..aa..aa…O mind of grace, virtue itself, praise be to you!
Punpattu uzhalugindra puvi thirithaO divine entity incarnating to transform
Avatharitha porulae pottrithis suffering world, praise be to you!
Female
Kann pettrum paarvai peraaFor the foolish who have eyes yet cannot see,
Vambharkkum vaazhvalithaO life that bestows true life upon them,
Vaazhve pottriO life itself, praise be to you!
Inbuttrida maandhar idhayamTo make human hearts rejoice,
oliyaaga ezhundha puthamudhae pottriO fresh nectar that arose as light, praise be to you!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Rathinapuri Ilavarasi (1960) opens with the sacred Buddhist chant 'Buddham Saranam Gacchami', setting a serene and spiritual atmosphere. It beautifully describes the developmental journey of a child, emphasizing that true growth stems from love (Anbu) and noble character is molded by moral culture (Panbu). The lyrics trace the milestones of childhood—from babbling and crawling to gaining self-awareness, modesty, and formal education as days progress. The latter half transitions into a sublime hymn of praise to spiritual enlightenment and divine virtue. It uses poetic similes comparing beauty to a morning lotus and radiant stars, ultimately praising Lord Buddha as the embodiment of love, grace, and wisdom who descended to alleviate suffering and bestow spiritual vision upon humanity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Konjum kuralum pinju viralum

Matching initial sounds in lines such as 'Kuzhandhai' and 'Nalla gunangal' or 'Konjum kuralum' and 'Kulari pesum'.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kuzhandhai valarvadhu anbilae / Nalla gunangal amaivadhu panbilae

Rhyming of the second consonant across adjacent lines, seen in 'Anbum' and 'Panbum' concepts (Anbilae / Panbilae).

Upamai (Simile)

Kaalai thaamarai pola thondrum

Explicit comparison of complexion to a morning lotus using 'pola' (like).

Thirukuthoor / Thorkam (Anaphora & Repetition)

Arul manamae aramae pottri..aa..aa…

Repetition of praise ('pottri') at the end of consecutive lines emphasizing devotion.

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Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was known for embedding progressive moral values into mainstream film lyrics. This song unique in Tamil cinema for blending Buddhist philosophy (Triratna chants) with humanist views on child rearing and education, set to an intricate composition by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.

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