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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nooraandu Kaalam

From December Pookal · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
December Pookal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nooraandu kaalangalFor a hundred long years,
Nee vaazha vendumYou should live.
Nee paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby that you sing,
Oor ketkka vendumThe whole town should listen to.
Madi pillai varuvaanA child will arrive on your lap,
Mani maarbil thavazhvaanAnd crawl upon your precious chest,
Thaalaelo paadaTo sing a lullaby.
Chorus
Nooraandu kaalangalFor a hundred long years,
Nee vaazha vaendumYou should live.
Female
Thaazhai malaraeOh fragrant screwpine flower,
Thanga nilavaeOh golden moon,
Thaaimai enbadhu mangalamMotherhood is a sacred blessing.
Vaazhvu koduthu valaiyal koduthuGiving you a life and giving you bangles,
Thalaivan koduthaan kungumamYour beloved husband bestowed the sacred vermilion.
Annai aagum naal idhuThis is the day you become a mother,
Nalla kaalam ver edhuWhat better auspicious time could there be?
Chorus
Annai aagum naal idhuThis is the day you become a mother,
Nalla kaalam ver edhuWhat better auspicious time could there be?
Female
Aaraaro thaalaeloAaraaro thaalaelo,
Paada pogum thaayaeOh mother who is about to sing!
Chorus
Nooraandu kaalangalFor a hundred long years,
Nee vaazha vendumYou should live.
Nee paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby that you sing,
Oor ketkka vendumThe whole town should listen to.
Madi pillai varuvaanA child will arrive on your lap,
Mani maarbil thavazhvaanAnd crawl upon your precious chest,
Thaalaelo paadaTo sing a lullaby.
Chorus
Nooraandu kaalangalFor a hundred long years,
Nee vaazha vendumYou should live.
Nee paadum thaalaattuThe lullaby that you sing,
Oor ketkka vendumThe whole town should listen to.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nooraandu Kaalangal' is a heartwarming and iconic blessing song celebrating motherhood, marital prosperity, and long life. The lyrics convey warm wishes to an expectant mother, blessing her to live a long, happy life of a hundred years and welcoming the upcoming joyful arrival of her child. Vaali's poetry weaves traditional Tamil cultural elements such as bangles (valaiyal), sacred vermilion (kungumam), and classic lullaby refrains (aaraaro thaalaelo), framing motherhood as the ultimate divine gift and a deeply auspicious milestone in a woman's life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nee vaazha vendum / Oor ketkka vendum

The repetition of the ending word 'vendum' creates a rhythmic, prayerful cadence.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thaazhai malarae / Thanga nilavae

The woman is poetically addressed as a fragrant screwpine flower (Thaazhai malar) and a golden moon (Thanga nilavu), symbolizing beauty, delicacy, and radiance.

Anaphora / Repetition

Annai aagum naal idhu / Nalla kaalam ver edhu

The immediate repetition of these lines emphasizes the supreme significance and auspiciousness of the day she steps into motherhood.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali for the 1986 film 'December Pookal', 'Nooraandu Kaalangal' became an enduring cultural anthem in Tamil Nadu. It is universally played at birthday celebrations, baby showers (Valaikaappu), and family blessing functions across Tamil-speaking communities worldwide.

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