- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Kallum Kaniyagum
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 30 Jul 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional song depicts a father singing a lullaby to his child, seeing the divine presence of God in the child's innocent face and sweet babbling. The father poignantly wonders if God took the child's mother away because He felt envious of not having a mother's love Himself, leaving the child as a divine gift for the father to raise alone. Looking toward the future, the father envisions his child growing strong and grand like a banyan tree, blessed with divine wisdom from Saraswati and prosperity from Lakshmi. He dreams of the immense pride and joy he will feel as his heart melts with love watching his son become a celebrated, wise individual in society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Aalamaram ena nee valarum”
Compares the child's potential growth and stature to that of a sturdy banyan tree.
Assonance / Rhyme (Iyaibu & Ethirai)
“Kalaimagal arulum alaimagal porulum”
Internal rhyming of 'Kalaimagal' (Goddess of Knowledge) and 'Alaimagal' (Goddess of Wealth) creates a lyrical and melodic rhythm.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kadal pol perugaadho”
Compares the vast extent of the child's future fame to the vastness of the ocean.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Pani pol urugaadho”
Compares the emotional melting of a parent's heart with joy to snow melting.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic song from 'Kallum Kaniyagum' (1968) features a memorable whistle interlude composed by M. S. Vishwanathan. Vaali's evocative lyrics paired with T. M. Soundararajan's deeply soulful voice made it one of the most celebrated paternal affection songs in Tamil cinema history.
Keep listening
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