Mannavar Paadum Tamizh
From Pongi Varum Kaveri · 1989
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pongi Varum Kaveri1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Female | |
| Mannavar paadum thamizh pirandha | Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings, |
| Thenpaandi muthae muthae | O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl! |
| Punniyar thedum puvi pirandha | Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls, |
| Poo manjal kothae kothae | O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster! |
| Female | |
| Unnai sontham kolla | To claim you as his own, |
| Andha mannan illae | That king is not present here, |
| Naamum thangum idam adhu sondhamillai | Even the place we dwell in does not belong to us. |
| Aaariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Female | |
| Kedu kettu ponaalum | Even if conditions turn completely ruined, |
| Manam kettu mattum pogaathu | The heart and moral character will never degrade. |
| Maaru vathi ponaalum | Even if the mother's milk dries up, |
| Thaayin manasu vathi pogathu | A mother's loving heart will never dry up. |
| Vaadamalli unnai kaathiruppen | Like an everlasting flower, I will protect you, |
| Namma saami thunai naan paarthiruppen | I will keep watch with the grace of our deity. |
| Female | |
| Ver oruthi veetu vaasalilae | At another woman's doorstep, |
| Kai neeti naan poyi ninnathilla | I have never stood begging with outstretched hands. |
| Thaer izhukka ooru veedhiyilae | In the village streets where temple cars are pulled, |
| Peru kettu poga yedhum kettadhillae | I have done nothing bad to tarnish my reputation. |
| Female | |
| Saamiyum kann thirakkum | Even God will open His eyes in due time, |
| Kaalam varai poruthiruppom | We shall remain patient until that moment comes. |
| Varunthathae varum kaalam | Do not grieve; the time to come, |
| Paadum ezhaikkuthaan | Belongs truly to the poor who sing. |
| Female | |
| Mannavar paadum thamizh pirantha | Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings, |
| Thenpaandi muthae muthae | O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl! |
| Punniyar thaedum puvi pirantha | Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls, |
| Poo manjal | O flower of turmeric, |
| Male | |
| Unnai sondha kolla | To claim you as his own, |
| Indha mannan undu | This king is here present, |
| Nee vandha idam inbam thangum angu | Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there. |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Male | |
| Nithammoru thunbam vandhu | Every day a new affliction comes, |
| Ezhai veedugalil kadhavai thattum | And knocks on the doors of poor households. |
| Naalum oru thukkam vandhu | Every day a new grief arrives, |
| Ezhai maadhargalin nenjai thattum | And touches the hearts of poor women. |
| Ezhu naalum ingu velli illa | There is no prosperity among the seven days here, |
| Nalla naalum ini thalli illa | Yet good days will not be delayed anymore. |
| Male | |
| Aanai katti vaazhum mannavanum | Even a king who lives holding mighty elephants, |
| Un aanai kekka vaasalil kaathiruppaan | Will wait at your doorstep to listen to your order. |
| Saenai kondu vandhu selvargalum | Even wealthy men who arrive with entire armies, |
| Oru saedhi solla unnai ethirpaarthirupaar | Will look forward to hearing a word from you. |
| Kannaeru vandhuvidum kaniyae un kannazhagu | O sweet fruit, your eyes are so beautiful they might catch the evil eye! |
| Varungaalam namadhae thaan vaadadhae kannae | The future belongs to us, do not wither, my dear. |
| Male | |
| Mannavar paadum thamizh pirantha | Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings, |
| Thenpaandi muthae muthae | O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl! |
| Punniyar thedum puvi pirantha | Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls, |
| Poo manjal kothae kothae | O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster! |
| Male | |
| Unnai sondha kolla | To claim you as his own, |
| Indha mannan undu | This king is here present, |
| Nee vandha idam inbam thangum angu | Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there. |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
| Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo | Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo |
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ..
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
மன்னவர் பாடும் தமிழ் பிறந்த
தென்பாண்டி முத்தே முத்தே
புண்ணியர் தேடும் புவி பிறந்த
பூ மஞ்சள் கொத்தே கொத்தே
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster!
உன்னை சொந்தம் கொள்ள
அந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
நாமும் தங்கும் இடம் அது சொந்தமில்ல
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ....
To claim you as his own,
That king is not present here,
Even the place we dwell in does not belong to us.
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
கேடு கேட்டு போனாலும் மனம்
கெட்டு மட்டும் போகாது
மாரு வத்திப் போனாலும் தாயின்
மனசு வத்தி போகாது
வாடாமல்லி உன்னை காத்திருப்பேன் நம்ம
சாமி துணை நான் பாத்திருப்பேன்
Even if conditions turn completely ruined,
The heart and moral character will never degrade.
Even if the mother's milk dries up,
A mother's loving heart will never dry up.
Like an everlasting flower, I will protect you,
I will keep watch with the grace of our deity.
வேறொருத்தி வீட்டு வாசலிலே
கை நீட்டி நான் போயி நின்னதில்ல
தேரிழுக்கும் ஊரு வீதியிலே
பேரு கெட்டு போக ஏதும் கேட்டதில்ல
At another woman's doorstep,
I have never stood begging with outstretched hands.
In the village streets where temple cars are pulled,
I have done nothing bad to tarnish my reputation.
சாமியும்தான் கண் திறக்கும்
காலம் வரை பொறுத்திருப்போம்
வருந்தாதே வரும் காலம் பாடும் ஏழைக்குத்தான்
Even God will open His eyes in due time,
We shall remain patient until that moment comes.
Do not grieve; the time to come,
Belongs truly to the poor who sing.
மன்னவர் பாடும் தமிழ் பிறந்த
தென்பாண்டி முத்தே முத்தே
புண்ணியர் தேடும் புவி பிறந்த
பூ மஞ்சள்.....
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
O flower of turmeric,
உன்னை சொந்தம் கொள்ள
இந்த மன்னன் உண்டு
நீ வந்த இடம் இன்பம் தங்கும் அங்கு
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ....
To claim you as his own,
This king is here present,
Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there.
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
நித்தமொரு துன்பம் வந்து ஏழை
வீடுகளில் கதவைத் தட்டும்
நாளுமொரு துக்கம் வந்து ஏழை
மாதர்களின் நெஞ்சைத் தட்டும்
ஏழு நாளும் இங்கு வெள்ளி இல்ல
நல்ல நாளும் இனி தள்ளி இல்ல
Every day a new affliction comes,
And knocks on the doors of poor households.
Every day a new grief arrives,
And touches the hearts of poor women.
There is no prosperity among the seven days here,
Yet good days will not be delayed anymore.
ஆனைக் கட்டி வாழும் மன்னவனும் உன்
ஆணை கேக்க வாசலில் காத்திருப்பான்
சேனைக் கொண்டு வந்து செல்வர்களும் ஒரு
சேதி சொல்ல உன்னை எதிர்ப்பார்த்திருப்பார்
Even a king who lives holding mighty elephants,
Will wait at your doorstep to listen to your order.
Even wealthy men who arrive with entire armies,
Will look forward to hearing a word from you.
O sweet fruit, your eyes are so beautiful they might catch the evil eye!
The future belongs to us, do not wither, my dear.
கண்ணேறு வந்துவிடும் கனியே
உன் கண்ணழகு
வருங்காலம் நமதேதான் வாடாதே கண்ணே
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster!
மன்னவர் பாடும் தமிழ் பிறந்த
தென்பாண்டி முத்தே முத்தே
புண்ணியர் தேடும் புவி பிறந்த
பூ மஞ்சள் கொத்தே கொத்தே
To claim you as his own,
This king is here present,
Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there.
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
உன்னை சொந்தம் கொள்ள
இந்த மன்னன் உண்டு
நீ வந்த இடம் இன்பம் தங்கும் அங்கு
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ
ஆரிரோஆரோ ஆராரிரோ...
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Mannavar paadum thamizh pirandha
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
Thenpaandi muthae muthae
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Punniyar thedum puvi pirandha
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
Poo manjal kothae kothae
O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster!
Unnai sontham kolla
To claim you as his own,
Andha mannan illae
That king is not present here,
Naamum thangum idam adhu sondhamillai
Even the place we dwell in does not belong to us.
Aaariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Kedu kettu ponaalum
Even if conditions turn completely ruined,
Manam kettu mattum pogaathu
The heart and moral character will never degrade.
Maaru vathi ponaalum
Even if the mother's milk dries up,
Thaayin manasu vathi pogathu
A mother's loving heart will never dry up.
Vaadamalli unnai kaathiruppen
Like an everlasting flower, I will protect you,
Namma saami thunai naan paarthiruppen
I will keep watch with the grace of our deity.
Ver oruthi veetu vaasalilae
At another woman's doorstep,
Kai neeti naan poyi ninnathilla
I have never stood begging with outstretched hands.
Thaer izhukka ooru veedhiyilae
In the village streets where temple cars are pulled,
Peru kettu poga yedhum kettadhillae
I have done nothing bad to tarnish my reputation.
Saamiyum kann thirakkum
Even God will open His eyes in due time,
Kaalam varai poruthiruppom
We shall remain patient until that moment comes.
Varunthathae varum kaalam
Do not grieve; the time to come,
Paadum ezhaikkuthaan
Belongs truly to the poor who sing.
Mannavar paadum thamizh pirantha
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
Thenpaandi muthae muthae
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Punniyar thaedum puvi pirantha
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
Poo manjal
O flower of turmeric,
Unnai sondha kolla
To claim you as his own,
Indha mannan undu
This king is here present,
Nee vandha idam inbam thangum angu
Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there.
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Nithammoru thunbam vandhu
Every day a new affliction comes,
Ezhai veedugalil kadhavai thattum
And knocks on the doors of poor households.
Naalum oru thukkam vandhu
Every day a new grief arrives,
Ezhai maadhargalin nenjai thattum
And touches the hearts of poor women.
Ezhu naalum ingu velli illa
There is no prosperity among the seven days here,
Nalla naalum ini thalli illa
Yet good days will not be delayed anymore.
Aanai katti vaazhum mannavanum
Even a king who lives holding mighty elephants,
Un aanai kekka vaasalil kaathiruppaan
Will wait at your doorstep to listen to your order.
Saenai kondu vandhu selvargalum
Even wealthy men who arrive with entire armies,
Oru saedhi solla unnai ethirpaarthirupaar
Will look forward to hearing a word from you.
Kannaeru vandhuvidum kaniyae un kannazhagu
O sweet fruit, your eyes are so beautiful they might catch the evil eye!
Varungaalam namadhae thaan vaadadhae kannae
The future belongs to us, do not wither, my dear.
Mannavar paadum thamizh pirantha
Born in the land of Tamil sung by noble kings,
Thenpaandi muthae muthae
O precious pearl of the Southern Pandia realm, pearl!
Punniyar thedum puvi pirantha
Born on this earth sought by virtuous souls,
Poo manjal kothae kothae
O cluster of golden turmeric flowers, cluster!
Unnai sondha kolla
To claim you as his own,
Indha mannan undu
This king is here present,
Nee vandha idam inbam thangum angu
Wherever you arrive, happiness shall reside there.
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Lullaby refrain: Aariroo aaroo aaraariroo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a poignant lullaby (Thalaattu) from the film 'Pongi Varum Kaveri' (1989). It reflects a mother's deep love and resilience while comforting her child amidst hardship and poverty. She sings of their dignity, moral purity, and unyielding self-respect despite having no permanent home or wealth, reassuring the child that their virtue will lead to a brighter future.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moni / Rhyme & Alliteration
“Kedu kettu ponaalum / Manam kettu mattum pogaathu”
The repetition of initial consonant sounds across consecutive lines such as 'Kedu kettu' and 'Manam kettu', or 'Nithammoru' and 'Naalum oru'.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Thenpaandi muthae muthae”
Addressing the child as 'Thenpaandi muthae' (pearl of the Southern Pandia kingdom) and 'Poo manjal kothae' (cluster of turmeric flowers).
Contrast / Antithesis
“Maaru vathi ponaalum / Thaayin manasu vathi pogathu”
Contrasting temporary physical dry-up ('Maaru vathi') with eternal maternal affection ('Thaayin manasu vathi pogathu').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Piraisoodan, 'Pongi Varum Kaveri' is a rural drama released in 1989 featuring traditional folk lullaby styles deeply rooted in Tamil cultural heritage.
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