- Lyricist
- Poovai Senguttavan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Nambikkai Natchathiram
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 2 May 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Muthu Saramae is a deeply affectionate Tamil lullaby in which a mother expresses her boundless love and aspirations for her child. Comparing the toddler to precious gems, fragrant flowers, and the sweet resonance of the Tamil language ('Pillai Thamizhae'), she reflects on how motherhood transformed her life. She sees innocence and pure love in her child's soft babbling and toddling steps. In the latter verses, her maternal love turns into high hopes for the child's future. She wishes for the child to excel in the arts and grow up to be a charismatic, benevolent leader, referencing legendary leader C.N. Annadurai ('Anna'). The song beautifully captures the emotional connection of maternal affection alongside social and cultural pride.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor ( உருவகம் - Uruvagam )
“Muthu saramae mullai malarae / Thanga similae”
Directly identifying the child as a string of pearls ('muthu saramae'), jasmine flower ('mullai malarae'), and a golden box ('thanga similae') to denote preciousness.
Simile ( உவமையணி - Uvamai )
“Thathi thathi nadakkaiyilae / Thamizh nadai pol irukkum”
Comparing the toddling steps of the child ('thathi thathi nadakkaiyilae') to the beautiful flow and rhythm of the Tamil language ('thamizh nadai').
Reiteration / Alliteration ( அடுக்குத் தொடர் - Adukku Thodar )
“Konji konji pesugaiyil / Thathi thathi nadakkaiyilae”
Using duplicated words like 'Chinna chinna', 'Konji konji', 'Thathi thathi', and 'Alli alli' for poetic emphasis and rhythm.
Metaphor ( உருவகம் - Uruvagam )
“Ai irandu thingal varaiyil / Thaai vayiru thottil”
Referring to the mother's womb during the ten months of pregnancy ('ai irandu thingal') as a protective bed or cradle ('thottil').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and rendered by P. Susheela, this lullaby features lyrics by Poovai Senguttavan. The reference 'Naalai indru annavai pol thalaivanaaga vendum' explicitly pays homage to C. N. Annadurai (popularly called 'Anna'), former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Dravidian leader. Incorporating political/cultural icons into maternal aspirations was a notable lyrical trend in 1970s Tamil cinema.
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