- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- R. Rajalakshmi
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Paavai Vilakku
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Sept 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Nee Sirithaal Naan Sirippen from the 1960 classic movie Paavai Vilakku is an affectionate maternal song celebrating the profound emotional bond between a caregiver and a beloved child. The singer describes sharing every emotion with the child—mirroring the child's smiles with joy and shedding tears when the child is upset. The lyrics poetically depict the child's glowing features, comparing sweet lips and bright eyes to colorful sparklers and pure gold. In the second half, the song adopts a playful lullaby tone commonly used in Tamil culture during feeding time (Nila Soru). The singer tells the child that the round moon in the sky is peeking down and asking for a bite of the child's food, coaxing the child to finish eating quickly so they can call the moon down to play together.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Parallelism / Anaphora
“Nee sirithaal naan sirippen / Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven”
The repeated structure 'Nee sirithaal naan sirippen... Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven' creates a poetic symmetry reflecting mutual emotional connection.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sivappu mathaappu / Neela mathaappu”
Comparing the child's lips and eyes directly to red and blue sparklers ('mathaappu') to highlight vibrant beauty and brilliance.
Personification
“Etti etti vatta nilaa unnai paarkkudhu / Un echil patta sottrai adhu thanakku kertkkudhu”
Attributing human actions to the moon—peeking, watching the child, and begging for food.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Sattamaaga seekiram nee / Saapidu amma”
Use of matching initial consonants in Tamil poetic structure to create rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Paavai Vilakku (1960) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki was adapted from the acclaimed Tamil novel of the same name written by Akilan. The song remains one of the iconic lullaby-style compositions by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi.
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