Nee Sirithaal Sad
From Paavai Vilakku · 1960
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Paavai Vilakku1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
| Female | |
| Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhum | Lips smelling sweet like honey, |
| Sivappu mathaappu | Are like red sparklers. |
| Chinna iru kann malarum | Two tiny flower-like eyes, |
| Neela mathaappu | Are like blue sparklers. |
| Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhum | Lips smelling sweet like honey, |
| Sivappu mathaappu | Are like red sparklers. |
| Chinna iru kann malarum | Two tiny flower-like eyes, |
| Neela mathaappu | Are like blue sparklers. |
| Female | |
| Maeniyilae theriyudhamma | On your body is visible, |
| Thangathin jolippu | The glitter of pure gold. |
| Maeniyilae theriyudhamma | On your body is visible, |
| Thangathin jolippu | The glitter of pure gold. |
| Adhai kaanum podhu manasukkullae | When I see that, within my heart, |
| Ethanai kalippu | How much joy there is! |
| Female | |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
| Female | |
| Kaiasaithu kaal asaithu | Waving hands and moving feet, |
| Kann simittum kaniyae | Oh winking sweet fruit! |
| Kann urangaai nee siridhu | Sleep a little with closed eyes, |
| Oivu kolla kaniyae | To take some rest, my sweet fruit! |
| Female | |
| Vaiyagathil siragadithu | Flapping wings across the world, |
| Parakkapogum kiliyae | Oh parrot destined to fly! |
| Vaiyagathil siragadithu | Flapping wings across the world, |
| Parakkapogum kiliyae | Oh parrot destined to fly! |
| Vadivazhagae kulam thazhaikka | Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive, |
| Vandhudhitha kodiyae | Oh tender vine that blossomed! |
| Vadivazhagae kulam thazhaikka | Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive, |
| Vandhudhitha kodiyae | Oh tender vine that blossomed! |
| Female | |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
| Female | |
| Etti etti vatta nilaa | Peeping from afar, the round moon, |
| Unnai paarkkudhu | Is looking at you. |
| Un echil patta sottrai | For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth, |
| Adhu thanakku kertkkudhu | It is begging for a share! |
| Etti etti vatta nilaa | Peeping from afar, the round moon, |
| Unnai paarkkudhu | Is looking at you. |
| Un echil patta sottrai | For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth, |
| Adhu thanakku kertkkudhu | It is begging for a share! |
| Female | |
| Sattamaaga seekiram nee | Properly and quickly, |
| Saapidu amma | Eat your food, my child! |
| Sattamaaga seekiram nee | Properly and quickly, |
| Saapidu amma | Eat your food, my child! |
| Andha chandhiranai vilaiyaada | And to play with that moon, |
| Koopidu amma | Call it over, my child! |
| Female | |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
| Female | |
| Nee sirithaal naan sirippen | If you smile, I will smile, |
| Singaara kannae | My beautiful darling! |
| Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven | If you cry, I will cry, |
| Mangaadha ponnae | My unfading golden girl! |
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
தேன் மணக்கும் வாய் இதழும்
சிவப்பு மத்தாப்பூ
சின்ன இரு கண் மலரும்
நீல மத்தாப்பூ
தேன் மணக்கும் வாய் இதழும்
சிவப்பு மத்தாப்பூ
சின்ன இரு கண் மலரும்
நீல மத்தாப்பூ
Lips smelling sweet like honey,
Are like red sparklers.
Two tiny flower-like eyes,
Are like blue sparklers.
Lips smelling sweet like honey,
Are like red sparklers.
Two tiny flower-like eyes,
Are like blue sparklers.
மேனியிலே தெரியுதம்மா
தங்கத்தின் ஜொலிப்பு
மேனியிலே தெரியுதம்மா
தங்கத்தின் ஜொலிப்பு
அதை காணும் போது மனசுக்குள்ளே
எத்தனைக் களிப்பு
On your body is visible,
The glitter of pure gold.
On your body is visible,
The glitter of pure gold.
When I see that, within my heart,
How much joy there is!
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
கையசைத்து காலசைத்து
கண் சிமிட்டும் கனியே
கண் உறங்காய் நீ சிறிது
ஓய்வு கொள்ள கனியே
Waving hands and moving feet,
Oh winking sweet fruit!
Sleep a little with closed eyes,
To take some rest, my sweet fruit!
வையகத்தில் சிறகடித்து
பறக்கபோகும் கிளியே
வையகத்தில் சிறகடித்து
பறக்கபோகும் கிளியே
வடிவழகே குலம் தழைக்க
வந்துதித்த கொடியே
வடிவழகே குலம் தழைக்க
வந்துதித்த கொடியே
Flapping wings across the world,
Oh parrot destined to fly!
Flapping wings across the world,
Oh parrot destined to fly!
Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive,
Oh tender vine that blossomed!
Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive,
Oh tender vine that blossomed!
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
எட்டி எட்டி வட்ட நிலா
உன்னை பார்க்குது
உன் எச்சில் பட்ட சோற்றை
அது தனக்கு கேட்குது
எட்டி எட்டி வட்ட நிலா
உன்னை பார்க்குது
உன் எச்சில் பட்ட சோற்றை
அது தனக்கு கேட்குது
Peeping from afar, the round moon,
Is looking at you.
For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth,
It is begging for a share!
Peeping from afar, the round moon,
Is looking at you.
For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth,
It is begging for a share!
சட்டமாக சீக்கிரம் நீ
சாப்பிடு அம்மா
சட்டமாக சீக்கிரம் நீ
சாப்பிடு அம்மா
அந்த சந்திரனை விளையாட
கூப்பிடு அம்மா.......
Properly and quickly,
Eat your food, my child!
Properly and quickly,
Eat your food, my child!
And to play with that moon,
Call it over, my child!
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
நீ சிரித்தால் நான் சிரிப்பேன்
சிங்கார கண்ணே
நீ அழுதால் நான் அழுவேன்
மங்காத பொன்னே
If you smile, I will smile,
My beautiful darling!
If you cry, I will cry,
My unfading golden girl!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhum
Lips smelling sweet like honey,
Sivappu mathaappu
Are like red sparklers.
Chinna iru kann malarum
Two tiny flower-like eyes,
Neela mathaappu
Are like blue sparklers.
Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhum
Lips smelling sweet like honey,
Sivappu mathaappu
Are like red sparklers.
Chinna iru kann malarum
Two tiny flower-like eyes,
Neela mathaappu
Are like blue sparklers.
Maeniyilae theriyudhamma
On your body is visible,
Thangathin jolippu
The glitter of pure gold.
Maeniyilae theriyudhamma
On your body is visible,
Thangathin jolippu
The glitter of pure gold.
Adhai kaanum podhu manasukkullae
When I see that, within my heart,
Ethanai kalippu
How much joy there is!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Kaiasaithu kaal asaithu
Waving hands and moving feet,
Kann simittum kaniyae
Oh winking sweet fruit!
Kann urangaai nee siridhu
Sleep a little with closed eyes,
Oivu kolla kaniyae
To take some rest, my sweet fruit!
Vaiyagathil siragadithu
Flapping wings across the world,
Parakkapogum kiliyae
Oh parrot destined to fly!
Vaiyagathil siragadithu
Flapping wings across the world,
Parakkapogum kiliyae
Oh parrot destined to fly!
Vadivazhagae kulam thazhaikka
Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive,
Vandhudhitha kodiyae
Oh tender vine that blossomed!
Vadivazhagae kulam thazhaikka
Oh beauty incarnate, born to make our lineage thrive,
Vandhudhitha kodiyae
Oh tender vine that blossomed!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Etti etti vatta nilaa
Peeping from afar, the round moon,
Unnai paarkkudhu
Is looking at you.
Un echil patta sottrai
For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth,
Adhu thanakku kertkkudhu
It is begging for a share!
Etti etti vatta nilaa
Peeping from afar, the round moon,
Unnai paarkkudhu
Is looking at you.
Un echil patta sottrai
For the rice tasted by your sweet mouth,
Adhu thanakku kertkkudhu
It is begging for a share!
Sattamaaga seekiram nee
Properly and quickly,
Saapidu amma
Eat your food, my child!
Sattamaaga seekiram nee
Properly and quickly,
Saapidu amma
Eat your food, my child!
Andha chandhiranai vilaiyaada
And to play with that moon,
Koopidu amma
Call it over, my child!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Nee sirithaal naan sirippen
If you smile, I will smile,
Singaara kannae
My beautiful darling!
Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven
If you cry, I will cry,
Mangaadha ponnae
My unfading golden girl!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nee Sirithaal Naan Sirippen is an iconic and affectionate Tamil lullaby from the movie Paavai Vilakku (1960). Sung deeply from a mother's perspective, the song expresses unconditional love, empathy, and deep emotional attachment to her child. She mirrors every emotional expression of the baby—smiling when the child smiles and weeping when the child cries. Through vivid imagery, she compares her child's features to red and blue sparklers, blooming flowers, and pure glittering gold. The mother coaxingly lulls the baby to sleep and feeds her by painting playful fantasies involving the moon looking down from the sky, eager to share the baby's food. Penned by A. Maruthakasi and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan, this piece captures the gentle charm and warmth of traditional Tamil maternal songs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Parallelism / Antithesis
“Nee sirithaal naan sirippen ... Nee azhuthaal naan azhuven”
Contrasting paired emotional reactions ('Nee sirithaal... Nee azhuthaal...') to establish emotional unity between mother and child.
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Thaen manakkum vaai idhazhum Sivappu mathaappu”
Compares the child's lips and eyes directly to colorful firecrackers ('mathaappu') and sweet fruit ('kaniyae').
Personification
“Etti etti vatta nilaa Unnai paarkkudhu”
Attributes human traits to the moon, describing it as peeping down to request food from the child.
Repetition / Repetend (Adukku Thodar)
“Etti etti vatta nilaa”
Uses rhythmic doubled words like 'Etti etti' to create a lyrical cadence suited for a lullaby.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1960 movie Paavai Vilakku, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki. It remains one of the most famous maternal lullabies in Tamil cinema history, famously rendered by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi.
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