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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Thaan Selvam Nee Thaan Amudham

From Bommai · 1964

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Balachandar
Details
Bommai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagam..mm..You alone are my world..mm..
Female
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world
Female
Vaavendraen unnaiI called you to come
Vandhaai en kannaeYou came, my darling child
Thaai endra uyarvaiThe elevated status of being a mother
Thandhaai en kannaeYou gave me, my darling child
Vaavendraen unnaiI called you to come
Vandhaai en kannaeYou came, my darling child
Thaai endra uyarvaiThe elevated status of being a mother
Thandhaai en kannaeYou gave me, my darling child
Male
Kannukkul maniyaaiAs the pupil inside the eye
Kalandhae nee vaazhgaBlended within, may you live
Mannukkum pugazhaaiAs glory to this earth
Maganae nee vaazhgaOh my son, may you live
Female
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world
Female
Thottathu kodikkuFor the creeper in the garden
Poovaal sirappuThe flower brings glory
Vaazhum veetukkuFor the house we live in
Yetrum vilakkaal sirappuThe lit lamp brings glory
Thottathu kodikkuFor the creeper in the garden
Poovaal sirappuThe flower brings glory
Vaazhum veetukkuFor the house we live in
Yetrum vilakkaal sirappuThe lit lamp brings glory
Female
Paattukku porulinFor a song, through the elegance
Nayathaal madhippuOf its meaning comes value
Pasu maatukku pirandhaFor a mother cow, through the born
Kandraal madhippuCalf comes value
Female
Kodi thantha poovaaiLike the flower given by the creeper
Poo thantha manamaaiLike the fragrance given by the flower
Madi meedhu valarnthaaiYou grew upon my lap
Maganae nee vaazhgaOh my son, may you live
Female
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world
Female
Kan paarkum edathilWherever my eyes look
Nee thaan iruppaaiYou alone will be there
Endhan kai theendum porulilIn whatever my hands touch
Nee thaan iruppaaiYou alone will be there
Female
Kan paarkum edathilWherever my eyes look
Nee thaan iruppaaiYou alone will be there
Endhan kai theendum porulilIn whatever my hands touch
Nee thaan iruppaaiYou alone will be there
Female
Pan serthu paadumSinging together with melody
Paattil iruppaaiYou will be in the song
Naan paarkindra ethilumIn everything that I see
Nee thaan iruppaaiYou alone will be there
Female
Anbukku vadivaaiAs the form of love
Panbukku porulaaiAs the meaning of virtue
Inbathin suvaiyaaiAs the taste of joy
Endrendrum nee vaazhgaForever, may you live
Female
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world
Nee thaan selvamYou alone are my wealth
Nee thaan amudhamYou alone are nectar
Nee thaan endhan ulagamYou alone are my world

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nee Thaan Selvam from the 1964 Tamil film Bommai is a touching maternal song expressing deep maternal affection and gratitude. A mother sings to her child, declaring that he is her ultimate treasure, sweetness, and world. She credits her son with giving her the noble elevated status of motherhood and prays for him to live a long, prosperous life that brings glory to the earth. Through simple yet profound metaphors, the child is compared to a flower that adorns a garden creeper, a bright lamp that lights up a home, the deep meaning that enriches a song, and the fragrance that emanates from a flower. To the mother's eyes and touch, her child's presence fills every aspect of her existence, symbolizing love, virtue, and true happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Nee thaan selvam / Nee thaan amudham / Nee thaan endhan ulagam

The phrase 'Nee thaan' is repeated at the beginning of consecutive lines to emphasize the central importance of the child to the mother.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kannukkul maniyaai

The child is metaphorically described as the pupil inside the eye ('Kannukkul maniyaai'), showing how precious and essential he is.

Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)

Kodi thantha poovaai / Poo thantha manamaai

The child's growth on the mother's lap is compared to a creeper yielding a flower and a flower yielding fragrance.

Rhyme / Monai and Edhugai

Anbukku vadivaai / Panbukku porulaai / Inbathin suvaiyaai

Parallel rhyming and rhythmic structures across lines ('Anbukku', 'Panbukku', 'Inbathin') create a melodic, soothing tone suitable for a maternal lullaby.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bommai (1964) is a notable Tamil film directed by the multi-talented S. Balachander, who also composed the film's music. The lyrics were written by V. Lakshmanan, capturing timeless maternal sentiments.

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