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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Deivam Thantha Poove (Male)

From Kannathil Muthamittal · 2002

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Chinmayi
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kannathil Muthamittal2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{ Nenjil jil jil jil jilA cool sensation flickers in my heart
Kaathil dhil dhil dhil dhilA thumping courage echoes in my ear
Kannathil muthamittaal nee kannathil muthamittaal } (2)If you kiss my cheek, oh if you kiss my cheek
Male
{ Oru deivam thantha poovae … aeOh flower gifted by a god...
Kannil thedal enna thaaiyae } (2)What is this search in your eyes, my little mother?
Male
Vaazhvu thodangum idam nee thaanae … aeYou are the very place where life begins...
Female
Aaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaa aaaaAaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaaaa aaaa aaaa
Male
Vaazhvu thodangum idam nee thaanaeYou are the very place where life begins
Male
Vaanam mudiyum idam nee thaanaeYou are the very place where the sky ends
Kaatrai polae nee vanthaayaeYou arrived gently like the wind
Swasamaaga nee nindraayaeYou stood as my very breath
Maarbil oorum uyire … aeOh soul dwelling within my chest...
Male
Oru deivam thantha poovae … aeOh flower gifted by a god...
Kannil thedal enna thaaiyaeWhat is this search in your eyes, my little mother?
Female
Nenjil jil jil jil jilA cool sensation flickers in my heart
Kaathil dhil dhil dhil dhilA thumping courage echoes in my ear
Kannathil muthamittaal nee kannathil muthamittaalIf you kiss my cheek, oh if you kiss my cheek
Male
Enathu selvam nee …You are my treasure...
Enathu varumai nee …You are my poverty...
Izhaitha kavithai neeYou are a finely crafted poem
Ezhuthu pizhaiyum neeYou are also a written mistake
Male
{ Iraval velicham neeYou are borrowed light
Iravin kanneer nee } (2)You are the tears of the night
Male
{ Enathu vaanam neeYou are my endless sky
Ilantha siragum nee } (2)You are my lost wings
Naan thooki valartha thuyaram neeYou are the grief that I nurtured and raised
Male
{ Oru deivam thantha poovae … aeOh flower gifted by a god...
Siru oodal enna thaaiyae } (2)Why this little sulk/quarrel, my little mother?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Mani Ratnam's acclaimed film 'Kannathil Muthamittal' captures the bittersweet essence of adoptive parenthood. The lyrics address a young adopted child, Amudha, who is seeking her biological roots. The speaker affectionally addresses the child as 'thaaiyae' (little mother), marveling at how she brought complete meaning, joy, and emotional complexity to their lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Oru deivam thantha poovae … ae

Comparing the child to a god-given flower ('poovae') and the breath of life ('Swasamaaga').

Simile

Kaatrai polae nee vanthaayae

Comparing the sudden and subtle arrival of the child in their lives to the wind ('Kaatrai polae').

Paradox / Antithesis

Enathu selvam nee … / Enathu varumai nee …

Juxtaposing opposing concepts like wealth ('selvam') and poverty ('varumai'), or a perfect poem ('kavithai') and a written error ('pizhai'), to highlight the complex emotional nature of adoptive love.

Onomatopoeia

Nenjil jil jil jil jil

Use of rhythmic sensory sound-words like 'jil jil' (coolness/delight) and 'dhil dhil' (heartbeat/courage).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this song won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics. It also marked the sensational playback singing debut of Chinmayi Sripaada, who sang the female version of the track.

Keep listening

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