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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Papa Laali

From Idhayathai Thirudathe · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Idhayathai Thirudathe1989

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Kanmani laaliMale :Precious like my eyes, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Ponmani laaliMale :Precious like gold, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Paadinen keladiMale :Listen my dear, I have sung
Male
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Kanmani laaliMale :Precious like my eyes, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Ponmani laaliMale :Precious like gold, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :PaadinenMale :I sang
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Male
Naan thodaigalilAs I cradle you on my thighs
Thaangiyae thaalaattidaTo rock you to sleep
Kaadhalan kuzhandhaidhaan kaadhaliA lover becomes a child to his beloved
Male
Yen sevvizhiWhy are your reddish eyes
Kalangudhu poonthendralilTearing up in the gentle breeze?
Kodhithadhaa kulirndhadhaa kooradiTell me, is it burning or soothing?
Male
Thalai saaithidaAs you rest your head
Madi paaimel thirumenikku sugamooIs your tender body comfortable on my lap?
Endha naalilumForever and on any day,
Vaadaadha ilam thaamarai mugamooIs your face a young lotus that never fades?
Idhai kaappadhu endrum paarppadhuTo protect this and care for this always
Indha thaai manamaeIt takes a mother's heart
Male
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Kanmani laaliMale :Precious like my eyes, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Ponmani laaliMale :Precious like gold, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Paadinen keladiMale :Listen my dear, I have sung
Male
Oo megamae oramaaiOh clouds, move to the side
Nee odhungiduStep away quietly
Iraichaloo idigalo vendumooDo we need noisy thunder?
Male
Oo kuyiliyae paadivaaOh cuckoo bird, come and sing
En paadalaiSing along with my song
Nallisai idhayathin naadhamooIs sweet music the melody of the heart?
Male
Ezhum sandhamum inidhaagaAs the rising rhythm turns sweet,
Adhan osaigal sugamooAre its sounds pleasant?
Indha naaloru alai paayaAs waves surge on this day,
Varum aasaigal kanavooAre these emerging desires just dreams?
Endhan aasaiyum niraiveridaFor my desire to be fulfilled,
Nalla naal varumaeA good day will surely come
Male
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Kanmani laaliMale :Precious like my eyes, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Ponmani laaliMale :Precious like gold, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Paadinen keladiMale :Listen my dear, I have sung
Male
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Kanmani laaliMale :Precious like my eyes, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :Ponmani laaliMale :Precious like gold, lullaby
Chorus :Aaahh…Chorus :Aaahh…
Male :PaadinenMale :I sang
Oo paapaa laaliOh baby, lullaby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

O Paapa Laali is a deeply moving romantic lullaby from the 1989 film Idhayathai Thirudathe (the Tamil dubbed version of Mani Ratnam's iconic Telugu film Geethanjali). The protagonist sings to his beloved with tender care, treating her like a child resting on his lap. He comforts her emotional distress, asking if the gentle breeze soothes her or causes pain, while assuring her that his love carries the protective warmth and selflessness of a mother's heart. In the second movement, he urges the noisy clouds to step aside and invites the nightingale to sing along, reflecting on the rising rhythms of life and holding onto the hope that better days will bring fulfillment to their tender desires despite life's uncertainties.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Vaadaadha ilam thaamarai mugamoo”

Compares the beloved's radiant face to an unfading lotus flower.

Personification

“Oo megamae oramaai / Nee odhungidu”

Addresses nature directly (clouds and cuckoo birds) as if they are conscious listeners capable of stepping aside or singing along.

Refrain / Anaphora

“Oo paapaa laali / Kanmani laali / Ponmani laali”

Repetition of lullaby terms like 'Paapaa laali', 'Kanmani laali', and 'Ponmani laali' at the end of stanzas to evoke the comforting rhythm of a lullaby.

Monaia / Alliteration

“Ezhum sandhamum inidhaaga”

Assonance and initial letter rhyming across adjacent phrases (e.g., Ezhum / Adhan / Indha).

Did you know?

Trivia

Idhayathai Thirudathe (1989) is the Tamil dubbed release of Mani Ratnam's acclaimed Telugu film Geethanjali. The original music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with Tamil lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals performed by singer Mano. The song is famed for blending maternal tenderness with romantic affection.

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