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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Paadum Paattile

From Bhavani · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Bhavani1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Humming….(Humming...)
Female
Naan paadum paatile vaan meenum thoongumeIn the song I sing, even the fish of the sky (stars) will sleep
Vaan meenum thoongumeEven the fish of the sky will sleep
Naan paadum paatile vaan meenum thoongumeIn the song I sing, even the fish of the sky will sleep
Adhu en kanne naan thaai androWhy is that, my dear? Is it because I am a mother?
Adhu en kanne naan thaai androWhy is that, my dear? Is it because I am a mother?
Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro AarariroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro Aarariro)
Female
Kodiyondru kaniyondru ingeHere is a creeper and a fruit
Mazhai tharum kaar mugil engeWhere is the dark cloud that brings rain?
Kodiyondru kaniyondru ingeHere is a creeper and a fruit
Mazhai tharum kaar mugil engeWhere is the dark cloud that brings rain?
Vizhigalai imai thodum munneBefore the eyelids can touch the eyes
Vidi velli thondruvathu angeThe morning star appears over there
Adhu yean kanne naan thani androWhy is that, my dear? Is it because I am all alone?
Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro AarariroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro Aarariro)
Female
Iravukku naan mattum kaavalI am the sole guardian of the night
Enakkoru thunai intha paadalThis song is my only companion
Uravukku manam konda aavalThe heart's longing for family and bonds
Unnudan mudinthathu kanneHas ended with you, my child
Adhu yaen kanne naan pennendroWhy is that, my dear? Is it because I am a woman?
Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro AarariroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro Aarariro)
Female
Naan paadum paatile vaanmeenum thoongumeIn the song I sing, even the fish of the sky will sleep
Adhu en kanne naan thaai androWhy is that, my dear? Is it because I am a mother?
Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro AarariroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro Aarariro)
Female
Thavikkum idahayangal engeWhere are the suffering hearts?
En thalattu pogatuum angeLet my lullaby go reach there
Thavikkum idahayangal engeWhere are the suffering hearts?
En thalattu pogatuum angeLet my lullaby go reach there
Sirikkum ulagangal engeWhere are the joyful worlds?
Theadi varatho ingeWon't they come searching for us here?
Ennai paar kanne naan thaai androLook at me, my dear, am I not a mother?
Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro AarariroLullaby refrain (Aariraaro Aarariro Aariraaro Aarariro)
Aariraaro ululaayilaayilaayiLullaby vocalization (Aariraaro ululaayilaayilaayi)
Aarariro ululaayilaayilaayiLullaby vocalization (Aarariro ululaayilaayilaayi)
Ululaayilaayilaayi ululaayilaayilaayiLullaby vocalization (Ululaayilaayilaayi ululaayilaayilaayi)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic lullaby from the movie 'Bhavani' captures the poignant depth of a mother's tender love and loneliness as she lulls her child to sleep. She sings how her soothing song can lull even 'vaan meen' (the stars in the night sky) into slumber, reflecting her maternal grace and comforting touch. Amidst her solitary life where only the song acts as her true companion during dark nights, her entire world and desire for affection find total fulfillment in her infant child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Metaphorical Imagery)

Naan paadum paatile vaan meenum thoongume

'Vaan meen' literally translates to 'fish of the sky', a poetic Tamil metaphor referring to stars glistening in the nocturnal sky like fish swimming in water.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kodiyondru kaniyondru inge

'Kodiyondru kaniyondru' compares the mother to a creeper vine and her child to the fruit borne on it, highlighting their inseparable natural connection.

Rhyme / Monnai (Initial Assonance)

Thavikkum idahayangal enge / En thalattu pogatuum ange

Matching initial vowel/consonant sounds in 'Thavikkum' and 'Thalattu' creates rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan with poignant lyrics by Kannadasan, this tender lullaby was rendered with deep emotion by P. Susheela, who was widely celebrated for her iconic lullabies ('Thalattu Paatukkal') in Tamil cinema during the 1960s.

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