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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Muthu Pappa Vaa

From Jaya Gopi · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
R. Balasaraswathi Devi
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Jaya Gopi1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ooo…muthu pappaaOh... precious pearl baby
Vaa muthu gopiCome, precious Gopi
Ulagorgal kaanaaUnseen by the people of the world
Santhosha maaligaiA palace of happiness
Nee kaana vaaraaiCome to behold it
Female
Ooo…muthu pappaaOh... precious pearl baby
Vaa muthu gopiCome, precious Gopi
Ulagorgal kaanaaUnseen by the people of the world
Santhosha maaligaiA palace of happiness
Nee kaana vaaraaiCome to behold it
Female
Magizhvodu thaai enthanHappily on your mother's
Madi meethu aadavaaLap, come to play
Isai paadi odi vaaSinging music, come running
Ezhil yaavum kaanavaaCome to witness all beauty
Female
Magizhvodu thaai enthanHappily on your mother's
Madi meethu aadavaaLap, come to play
Isai paadi odi vaaSinging music, come running
Ezhil yaavum kaanavaaCome to witness all beauty
Peranbu kaikalilaeIn the hands of immense love
Nee anantham kaanavaaCome to experience joy
Female
Ooo…muthu pappaaOh... precious pearl baby
Vaa muthu gopiCome, precious Gopi
Female
Vaanil varumComing in the sky
Venn mugiloduWith the white clouds
Valar anbinilIn growing love
Malar vizhi mooduClose your flower-like eyes
Kannaana gopi neeyumYou, darling Gopi
Kalai inbam kaanadaaExperience the joy of fine arts
Female
Ooo…muthu pappaaOh... precious pearl baby
Vaa muthu gopiCome, precious Gopi
Ulagorgal kaanaaUnseen by the people of the world
Santhosha maaligaiA palace of happiness
Nee kaana vaaraaiCome to behold it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This gentle and affectionate song portrays a mother affectionately calling out to her young child, Gopi, referring to him as her precious pearl. She invites him into a sanctuary of happiness and beauty created by maternal love—a palace of joy unseen by the outside world. She invites the child to play happily on her lap, listen to sweet melodies, and enjoy the beauty around him. As the lullaby continues, she gently encourages the child to rest, calling him her darling and asking him to close his flower-like eyes amidst growing love under the serene clouds. Lyricist Kannadasan captures the tender, nurturing essence of motherhood with sweet imagery, while the melody conveys warmth, tranquility, and unconditional love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Malar vizhi moodu

'Malar vizhi' (flower eyes) compares the child's tender, delicate eyes to soft flowers.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vaanil varum / Venn mugilodu

Repetition of the initial 'V' sound ('Vaanil', 'Venn') creates a rhythmic auditory harmony.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Isai paadi odi vaa / Ezhil yaavum kaanavaa

The matching rhyming endings ('odi vaa' / 'kaanavaa') enhance the musical flow of the lullaby.

Imagery

Vaanil varum Venn mugilodu

Evokes soothing visual imagery of soft white clouds drifting across the sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Jaya Gopi' (1955) featured a soundtrack scored by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. Singer R. Balasaraswathi Devi was renowned in early South Indian cinema for her soothing, expressive vocal style, making her a frequent choice for maternal songs and lullabies during the 1950s.

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