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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Ketten Avan

From Kanna Nalama · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Suseela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanna Nalama1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aariraari raariraari raariraariroLullaby soothing refrain (Aariraari raariraari...)
Aariraari raariraari raariraariro…..Lullaby soothing refrain (Aariraari raariraari...)
Female
Naan kettaen avan thanthaanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies
Naan kettaen avan thataanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies
Female
Naal paarththu oor saerththuChoosing an auspicious date and gathering the town
Paer soottu thaai aanaenI became a mother who officially named her child
Avanandri ival engaWithout him, where would this woman be?
En nandri thalaivanukkaeMy heartfelt gratitude goes to my lord
Female
Naan kettaen avan thanthaanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies
Female
Maanin nizhal maeniyumA body as graceful as a deer's shadow
Manjal veyyil saayalumA complexion like the warm golden evening sun
Kovil pola thottramumAn appearance as divine as a temple
Kondaan engal kannanaeOur sweet Kanna possesses all these
Kondaan engal kannanaeOur sweet Kanna possesses all these
Female
Aadaayo….ooo….oo….Won't you swing...
Aadaayo kannaa neeWon't you swing, my dear Kanna?
En nenjil pon oonjalIn the golden swing of my heart
Thaedaayo mannaa neeWon't you seek, my little king?
En nenjil poo manjamThe soft flower bed in my heart
Female
Naan kettaen avan thanthaanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies
Female
Aayar kulakannanaalFor the Krishna of the cowherd clan
Annai perum sodhanaiA mother undergoes great trials
Engal inba kannanaalBecause of our joyful Krishna
Naanum kanda saathanaiI too achieved a grand victory
Naanum kanda saathanaiI too achieved a grand victory
Female
Kondaada kondaadaTo celebrate and rejoice
Annai naan nindraadum selvam neeI am the mother, and you are the priceless treasure I dance with
Vanthaadum poonth thendralThe fragrant breeze that comes to play
Endraadum en illamEver fills my home with joy
Female
Naan kettaen avan thanthaanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies
Female
Naal paarththu oor saerththuChoosing an auspicious date and gathering the town
Paer soottu thaai aanaenI became a mother who officially named her child
Avanandri ival engaWithout him, where would this woman be?
En nandri thalaivanukkaeMy heartfelt gratitude goes to my lord
Female
Naan kettaen avan thanthaanI asked for a blessing, and he bestowed it upon me
Thaalaattum thaayaanaenI became a mother singing tender lullabies

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil lullaby celebrates the profound joy and divine bliss of motherhood. The protagonist expresses deep gratitude to her husband/God for granting her the gift of a child. She adores her newborn child, comparing his divine form and gentle nature to Lord Krishna, and offers her heart as a golden swing and flower bed for him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

En nenjil pon oonjal

Comparing the mother's heart directly to a golden swing ('pon oonjal') and a flower bed ('poo manjam') for her child.

Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)

Manjal veyyil saayalum / Kovil pola thottramum

Describing the child's serene aura and appearance using rich natural visual metaphors like evening sunshine and sacred temples.

Anaphora / Repetition

Naan kettaen avan thanthaan

The rhythmic repetition of 'Naan kettaen avan thanthaan' emphasizes divine grace and fulfilled wishes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with soul-stirring lyrics by Kannadasan, this lullaby rendered by legendary singer P. Susheela remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic maternal lullabies, frequently played to showcase the affection between mother and child.

Keep listening

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