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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Sirithaal Happy

From Paavai Vilakku · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
R. Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paavai Vilakku1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee sirithaal naan sirippenIf you laugh, I will laugh,
Singaara kannaeMy lovely dear darling,
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuvenIf you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnaeMy unfading pure gold treasure.
Nee sirithaal naan sirippenIf you laugh, I will laugh,
Singaara kannaeMy lovely dear darling,
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuvenIf you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnaeMy unfading pure gold treasure.
Female
Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhumYour sweet lips smelling like honey,
Sivappu mathaappuAre like a red sparkler,
Chinna iru kann malarumYour small pair of blooming eyes,
Neela mathaappuAre like blue sparklers.
Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhumYour sweet lips smelling like honey,
Sivappu mathaappuAre like a red sparkler,
Chinna iru kann malarumYour small pair of blooming eyes,
Neela mathaappuAre like blue sparklers.
Female
Maeniyilae theriyudhammaVisible upon your tender body, my child,
Thangathin jolippuIs the glittering sheen of gold,
Maeniyilae theriyudhammaVisible upon your tender body, my child,
Thangathin jolippuIs the glittering sheen of gold,
Adhai kaanum podhu manasukkullaeWhen seeing that, within my heart,
Ethanai kalippuOh, how much joy surges!
Female
Nee sirithaal naan sirippenIf you laugh, I will laugh,
Singaara kannaeMy lovely dear darling,
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuvenIf you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnaeMy unfading pure gold treasure.
Female
Etti etti vatta nilaaReaching out high, the round moon,
Unnai paarkkudhuIs gazing upon you,
Un echil patta sottraiFor the rice touched by your sweet mouth,
Adhu thanakku kertkkudhuIt begs for itself.
Etti etti vatta nilaaReaching out high, the round moon,
Unnai paarkkudhuIs gazing upon you,
Un echil patta sottraiFor the rice touched by your sweet mouth,
Adhu thanakku kertkkudhuIt begs for itself.
Female
Sattamaaga seekiram neeQuickly and nicely, my child,
Saapidu ammaEat your meal now,
Sattamaaga seekiram neeQuickly and nicely, my child,
Saapidu ammaEat your meal now,
Andha chandhiranai vilaiyaadaAnd call that moon,
Koopidu ammaTo come play with you, my dear.
Female
Nee sirithaal naan sirippenIf you laugh, I will laugh,
Singaara kannaeMy lovely dear darling,
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuvenIf you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnaeMy unfading pure gold treasure.
Female
Nee sirithaal naan sirippenIf you laugh, I will laugh,
Singaara kannaeMy lovely dear darling,
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuvenIf you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnaeMy unfading pure gold treasure.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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