Mullai Poovena
From Thyagi · 1982
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thyagi1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai | The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower, |
| Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai | No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child. |
| Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai | The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower, |
| Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai | No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child. |
| Idhu yaarendru nee sollu kannaa | Tell me who this child is, my beloved, |
| Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa….. | Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna? |
| Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa….. | Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna? |
| Male | |
| Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu | From now on, when you sing a lullaby, |
| Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu | Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors. |
| Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu | From now on, when you sing a lullaby, |
| Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu | Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors. |
| Idhu naadengum per sollum thangam | This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country, |
| Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa….. | Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna? |
| Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa….. | Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna? |
| Male | |
| Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu | From now on, when you sing a lullaby, |
| Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu | Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors. |
| Male | |
| Nallorgal ellorkkum pollaamai vedham | To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture, |
| Naalthorum solli tharuvaan | Which he will teach every single day. |
| Nallorgal ellorkkum pollaamai vedham | To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture, |
| Naalthorum solli tharuvaan | Which he will teach every single day. |
| Ingu kallaarkkum kattraarkkum bhagavaanin geedhai | Here, to both the uneducated and the educated, the holy Gita, |
| Kaiyaalae alli tharuvaan | He will shower generously with his own hands. |
| Male | |
| Ivan rajangam kondaada poraadum | To establish a righteous rule, he will fight, |
| Kannanin vishvaroobam verum | And reveal the immense cosmic form (Vishwaroopam) like Krishna. |
| Vedhaanntham siththaantham pesaatha | Without speaking idle philosophy or abstract doctrines, |
| En pillai karma veeram | My child is a true hero of action (Karma Veeran). |
| Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa….. | Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna? |
| Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa….. | Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna? |
| Male | |
| Melaana kolgaikku poraadi vaazhvaan | He will live fighting for noble ideals, |
| Veeraththai naadu vanangum | And the entire nation will bow to his valor. |
| Ivan vilaiyaadum puli pola azhakaga nadappaan | He will walk gracefully like a playful tiger, |
| Vaazh eendru vaan muzhangum | And the heavens will roar with blessings of long life. |
| Female | |
| Konjam yosiththu sollungal | Think a little and tell me, |
| Aasaiku orr pillai muththu polae | A single beloved child, precious like a pearl, |
| Ivan aadattum paadatum aanaalum | Let him play and sing freely, yet, |
| Kaanattum nalla naalae | May he witness prosperous and good days. |
| Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa….. | Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna? |
| Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa….. | Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna? |
| Female | |
| Mullai poovena naam petrapillai | The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower, |
| Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai | No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child. |
| Male :Idhu naadengum per sollum thangam | Male: This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country, |
| Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa….. | Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna? |
| Female :Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa….. | Female: Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna? |
முல்லை பூவென நாம் பெற்ற பிள்ளை
முத்து மாணிக்கம் ஈடொன்றும் இல்லை
முல்லை பூவென நாம் பெற்ற பிள்ளை
முத்து மாணிக்கம் ஈடொன்றும் இல்லை
இது யாரென்று நீ சொல்லு கண்ணா
காந்தியா புத்தனா கண்ணன்தானா.....
காந்தியா புத்தனா கண்ணன்தானா.....
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
Tell me who this child is, my beloved,
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
இனி தாலாட்டு நீ பாடும்போது
இவன் வீராதி வீரனென பாடு
இனி தாலாட்டு நீ பாடும்போது
இவன் வீராதி வீரனென பாடு
இது நாடெங்கும் பேர் சொல்லும் தங்கம்
ராமனா பீமனா கர்ணன்தானா.......
ராமனா பீமனா கர்ணன்தானா.......
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country,
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
இனி தாலாட்டு நீ பாடும்போது
இவன் வீராதி வீரனென பாடு
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
நல்லோர்கள் எல்லோர்க்கும் பொல்லாமை வேதம்
நாள்தோறும் சொல்லித் தருவான்
நல்லோர்கள் எல்லோர்க்கும் பொல்லாமை வேதம்
நாள்தோறும் சொல்லித் தருவான்
இங்கு கல்லார்க்கும் கற்றார்க்கும் பகவானின் கீதை
கையாலே அள்ளித் தருவான்
To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture,
Which he will teach every single day.
To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture,
Which he will teach every single day.
Here, to both the uneducated and the educated, the holy Gita,
He will shower generously with his own hands.
இவன் ராஜாங்கம் கொண்டாட போராடும்
கண்ணனின் விஸ்வரூபம் வெறும்
வேதாந்தம் சித்தாந்தம் பேசாத
என் பிள்ளை கர்ம வீரன்........
ராமனா பீமனா கர்ணன்தானா.......
ராமனா பீமனா கர்ணன்தானா.......
To establish a righteous rule, he will fight,
And reveal the immense cosmic form (Vishwaroopam) like Krishna.
Without speaking idle philosophy or abstract doctrines,
My child is a true hero of action (Karma Veeran).
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
மேலான கொள்கைக்கு போராடி வாழ்வான்
வீரத்தை நாடு வணங்கும்
இவன் விளையாடும் புலி போல அழகாக நடப்பான்
வாழ் என்று வான் முழங்கும்
He will live fighting for noble ideals,
And the entire nation will bow to his valor.
He will walk gracefully like a playful tiger,
And the heavens will roar with blessings of long life.
கொஞ்சம் யோசித்து சொல்லுங்கள்
ஆசைக்கு ஓர் பிள்ளை முத்து போலே
இவன் ஆடட்டும் பாடட்டும் ஆனாலும்
காணட்டும் நல்ல நாளே.....
காந்தியா புத்தனா கண்ணன்தானா.....
காந்தியா புத்தனா கண்ணன்தானா.....
Think a little and tell me,
A single beloved child, precious like a pearl,
Let him play and sing freely, yet,
May he witness prosperous and good days.
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
முல்லை பூவென நாம் பெற்ற பிள்ளை
முத்து மாணிக்கம் ஈடொன்றும் இல்லை
இது நாடெங்கும் பேர் சொல்லும் தங்கம்
ராமனா பீமனா கர்ணன்தானா.......
காந்தியா புத்தனா கண்ணன்தானா.....
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
Male: This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country,
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Female: Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
Idhu yaarendru nee sollu kannaa
Tell me who this child is, my beloved,
Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa…..
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa…..
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
Idhu naadengum per sollum thangam
This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country,
Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa…..
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa…..
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Ini thaalaattu nee paadumpothu
From now on, when you sing a lullaby,
Ivan veeraathi veranena paadu
Sing praising him as a grand hero among warriors.
Nallorgal ellorkkum pollaamai vedham
To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture,
Naalthorum solli tharuvaan
Which he will teach every single day.
Nallorgal ellorkkum pollaamai vedham
To all righteous people, non-malice will be his scripture,
Naalthorum solli tharuvaan
Which he will teach every single day.
Ingu kallaarkkum kattraarkkum bhagavaanin geedhai
Here, to both the uneducated and the educated, the holy Gita,
Kaiyaalae alli tharuvaan
He will shower generously with his own hands.
Ivan rajangam kondaada poraadum
To establish a righteous rule, he will fight,
Kannanin vishvaroobam verum
And reveal the immense cosmic form (Vishwaroopam) like Krishna.
Vedhaanntham siththaantham pesaatha
Without speaking idle philosophy or abstract doctrines,
En pillai karma veeram
My child is a true hero of action (Karma Veeran).
Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa…..
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa…..
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Melaana kolgaikku poraadi vaazhvaan
He will live fighting for noble ideals,
Veeraththai naadu vanangum
And the entire nation will bow to his valor.
Ivan vilaiyaadum puli pola azhakaga nadappaan
He will walk gracefully like a playful tiger,
Vaazh eendru vaan muzhangum
And the heavens will roar with blessings of long life.
Konjam yosiththu sollungal
Think a little and tell me,
Aasaiku orr pillai muththu polae
A single beloved child, precious like a pearl,
Ivan aadattum paadatum aanaalum
Let him play and sing freely, yet,
Kaanattum nalla naalae
May he witness prosperous and good days.
Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa…..
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa…..
Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Mullai poovena naam petrapillai
The child we were blessed with is like a soft jasmine flower,
Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai
No precious pearl or ruby can ever match this child.
Male :Idhu naadengum per sollum thangam
Male: This gold of a child will bring fame across the entire country,
Ramana bheemana karnanthaanaa…..
Is he Lord Rama, mighty Bhima, or generous Karna?
Female :Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa…..
Female: Is he Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, or Lord Krishna?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil lullaby duet captures a couple marveling at their child's potential. The mother envisions the child growing into a messenger of peace, truth, and righteousness, comparing him to timeless legendary icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha, and Lord Krishna. Meanwhile, the father imagines the child as a courageous, noble warrior who will stand up against injustice, drawing parallels to legendary epic characters such as Rama, Bhima, and Karna. Together, they pray for their child to lead a life of purposeful action ('Karma') rather than empty talk, blessing him with a bright and victorious future.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai”
Compares the gentleness and purity of the child to a jasmine flower ('Mullai poovena') and precious pearl ('muththu polae').
Simile (Upamai)
“Ivan vilaiyaadum puli pola azhakaga nadappaan”
Compares the majestic yet graceful gait of the child to a playful tiger ('vilaiyaadum puli pola').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Idhu naadengum per sollum thangam”
Refers directly to the precious child as pure gold ('thangam') that brings fame to the nation.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Mullai poovena naam pettra pillai / Muththu maanikkam eedondrum illai”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'M' in 'Mullai' and 'Muththu' to create melodic flow.
Cultural Allusion
“Gandhiyaa bhuththanaa kannanthanaa”
Invokes prominent historical and mythological figures (Gandhi, Buddha, Krishna, Rama, Bhima, Karna) to represent ideal virtues.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thyagi' (1982) stars iconic actors Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. Composed by 'Mellisai Mannar' M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's legendary parental lullaby duets performed by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela.
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