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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Kathal Kili

From Thaaikku Oru Pillai · 1972

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thaaikku Oru Pillai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raa…raa….raa….raa….oo…oo….oo…oo….Vocalizing melody (Raa... raa...)
Raa…raa….raa….raa….oo…oo….oo…oo….Vocalizing melody (Raa... raa...)
Female :Aahaa…aahaa….lallalalallaaFemale: Vocalizing melody (Aahaa... lallala...)
Aaha…..aahaa…..lallalalallaaVocalizing melody (Aahaa... lallala...)
Male
Naan kadhal kiliI am a love parrot
Semmaangani semmaathulaiA sweet red fruit, a delicious red pomegranate
Koththodu vaa….muththaada vaa….Come in a bunch... come to share kisses...
Male
Naan kadhal kiliI am a love parrot
Semmaangani semmaathulaiA sweet red fruit, a delicious red pomegranate
Koththodu vaa….muththaada vaa….Come in a bunch... come to share kisses...
Male
Thaththi thaththi sellumWalking with gentle, waddling steps
Nee annam endru solluvaenI will say you are a swan
Thaththi thaththi sellumWalking with gentle, waddling steps
Nee annam endru solluvaenI will say you are a swan
Female
Thaalam pottu paadum unnaoYou who sing keeping rhythm
Mannan endru solluvaenI will say you are my king
Thaalam pottu paadum unnaoYou who sing keeping rhythm
Mannan endru solluvaenI will say you are my king
Male
Paattinil sonnathellaamWhatever you expressed in the song
Paarvaiyil sonnaal ennaWhy not express it through your eyes?
Paattinil sonnathellaamWhatever you expressed in the song
Paarvaiyil sonnaal ennaWhy not express it through your eyes?
Female
Thaenil oorum ennangalThoughts soaked in honey
Dhinam dhinam aaval koodidalaamLonging desire can grow day by day
Female
Naan kadhal kiliI am a love parrot
Male :Semmaangani semmaathulaiMale: A sweet red fruit, a delicious red pomegranate
Female :Koththodu vaa….muththaada vaa….Female: Come in a bunch... come to share kisses...
Male
Annai inbam kaana neeTo see mother's happiness, you
Unnai thiyaagam seithaaiSacrificed yourself
Annai inbam kaana neeTo see mother's happiness, you
Unnai thiyaagam seithaaiSacrificed yourself
Female
Imayam antha deivam vaazhaSo that divine mother like the majestic Himalayas lives peacefully
Endrum thiyaagam seivaenI will forever make sacrifices
Imayam antha deivam vaazhaSo that divine mother like the majestic Himalayas lives peacefully
Endrum thiyaagam seivaenI will forever make sacrifices
Male
Kulamagal deivam endraalIf the virtuous daughter-in-law is a deity
Kurunagai koyil androIsn't her soft smile the temple itself?
Kulamagal deivam endraalIf the virtuous daughter-in-law is a deity
Kurunagai koyil androIsn't her soft smile the temple itself?
Female
Maarum kaalam ponnaagumChanging times will turn into golden times
Anaivarum koodiyae vaazhanthidalaamEveryone can live together in harmony
Maarum kaalam ponnaagumChanging times will turn into golden times
Anaivarum koodiyae vaazhanthidalaamEveryone can live together in harmony
Female
Naan kadhal kiliI am a love parrot
Male :Semmaangani semmaathulaiMale: A sweet red fruit, a delicious red pomegranate
Female :Koththodu vaa….muththaada vaa….Female: Come in a bunch... come to share kisses...
Male
Raa…raa….raa….raa….oo…oo….oo…oo….Vocalizing melody (Raa... raa...)
Raa…raa….raa….raa….oo…oo….oo…oo….Vocalizing melody (Raa... raa...)
Female :Aahaa…aahaa….lallalalallaaFemale: Vocalizing melody (Aahaa... lallala...)
Aaha…..aahaa…..lallalalallaaVocalizing melody (Aahaa... lallala...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naan Kadhal Kili' from the film Thaaikku Oru Pillai (1972) is a tender romantic duet that blends playful lovers' banter with deep respect for familial duties. The lead lovers express their affection using sweet imagery from nature—comparing each other to love parrots, ripe pomegranates, and regal swans—while expressing admiration for each other's virtues. Beyond romantic affection, the lyrics highlight theme-specific values like devotion to motherly sacrifice and family unit harmony. The lovers vow to honor their maternal figures and look forward to changing times bringing a golden future where the entire family lives together in peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Naan kadhal kili / Semmaangani semmaathulai

Compares the beloved to a love parrot ('kadhal kili') and a sweet pomegranate ('semmaathulai').

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Thaththi thaththi sellum / Nee annam endru solluvaen

The word 'thaththi' is repeated to rhythmically describe light, delicate waddling steps like a swan.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kulamagal deivam endraal / Kurunagai koyil andro

Alliteration of the initial consonant sound 'Ku' across key words ('Kulamagal', 'Kurunagai', 'Koyil').

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Imayam antha deivam vaazha / Endrum thiyaagam seivaen

Exalts the mother by comparing her noble presence to the grandeur of the Himalayas ('Imayam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the musical duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Muthulingam, 'Thaaikku Oru Pillai' (1972) starred Jaishankar. Muthulingam's lyrics in this track are notable for blending traditional romantic Tamil metaphors with emotional family-centric themes popular in 1970s Tamil melodrama cinema.

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