Oru Nandavana Kuyil
From Kumbakonam Gopalu · 1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Jo jo jo jo | Hushaby, hushaby... |
| Azhaadhadaa kannaa kannula | Do not cry, my precious child, don't shed tears. |
| Thandhana thandhananaa | Thandhana thandhananaa |
| Thandhananaa thandhananaa haan | Thandhananaa thandhananaa haan |
| Thandhana thandhananaa | Thandhana thandhananaa |
| Thandhananaa thandhanananaa | Thandhananaa thandhanananaa |
| Male | |
| Oru nandhavana kuyil | A cuckoo in the garden |
| Sonnadhu thaalaattu | Sang a sweet lullaby, |
| Adhai kondu vandhu ingu | And bringing it all the way here, |
| Thandhadhu poongaatru | The gentle breeze delivered it. |
| Thathi thavazhum chithiram neeyo | Are you a picture that toddles and crawls? |
| Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo | A living picture that toddles and crawls, |
| Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo | A string of flowers showering kisses, |
| Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai | In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection, |
| Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo | Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love? |
| Male | |
| Oru nandhavana kuyil | A cuckoo in the garden |
| Sonnadhu thaalaattu | Sang a sweet lullaby, |
| Adhai kondu vandhu ingu | And bringing it all the way here, |
| Thandhadhu poongaatru | The gentle breeze delivered it. |
| Male | |
| Paadham padhiyum vazhiyil | Along the path where your little feet step, |
| Poo marangal naan naduven | I will plant flowering trees for you. |
| Unaiyae uyiraai naan dhinam kaappen | I will protect you every day as my very life. |
| Male | |
| Paadham padhiyum vazhiyil | Along the path where your little feet step, |
| Poo marangal naan naduven | I will plant flowering trees for you. |
| Unaiyae uyiraai naan dhinam kaappen | I will protect you every day as my very life. |
| Inidhaana edhir kaalam un kaiyilae | A sweet and bright future lies in your hands, |
| Kai veesi nadai podu poonthendralae | Walk with joy swinging your arms, O gentle breeze! |
| Azhagaana nadhiyae karaiyaaga varuven | O beautiful river, I will stand as your protective bank. |
| Thulli thirundhidum sandhana thaamaraiyae | O sandalwood lotus jumping around in bliss! |
| Male | |
| Oru nandhavana kuyil | A cuckoo in the garden |
| Sonnadhu thaalaattu | Sang a sweet lullaby, |
| Adhai kondu vandhu ingu | And bringing it all the way here, |
| Thandhadhu poongaatru | The gentle breeze delivered it. |
| Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo | A living picture that toddles and crawls, |
| Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo | A string of flowers showering kisses, |
| Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai | In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection, |
| Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo | Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love? |
| Male | |
| Minminiyai nee ninaithaal | If you ask for a simple firefly, |
| Thaaragaigal naan tharuven | I will bring down the stars for you. |
| Pirai nee valarvaai pournamiyaaga | May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon! |
| Male | |
| Minminiyai nee ninaithaal | If you ask for a simple firefly, |
| Thaaragaigal naan tharuven | I will bring down the stars for you. |
| Pirai nee valarvaai pournamiyaaga | May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon! |
| Kannaalae nee potta valai thaanadaa | It is a net that you cast with your innocent eyes, |
| Adhil chinna meenaaga vizhundhenadaa | And I fell right into it like a helpless little fish. |
| Poo ondrai kettaal poongaavai tharuven | If you ask for a single flower, I will gift you an entire garden. |
| Endhan kanavilum unnai anaithiruppen | Even in my dreams, I will hold you close to my heart. |
| Male | |
| Oru nandhavana kuyil | A cuckoo in the garden |
| Sonnadhu thaalaattu | Sang a sweet lullaby, |
| Adhai kondu vandhu ingu | And bringing it all the way here, |
| Thandhadhu poongaatru | The gentle breeze delivered it. |
| Thathi thavazhum chithiram neeyo | Are you a picture that toddles and crawls? |
| Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo | A living picture that toddles and crawls, |
| Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo | A string of flowers showering kisses, |
| Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai | In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection, |
| Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo | Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love? |
| Male | |
| Oru nandhavana kuyil | A cuckoo in the garden |
| Sonnadhu thaalaattu | Sang a sweet lullaby, |
| Adhai kondu vandhu ingu | And bringing it all the way here, |
| Thandhadhu poongaatru | The gentle breeze delivered it. |
தந்தன தந்தனமே தந்தனா தந்தனா
ஆ தந்தன தந்தனமே தந்தனா தந்தனா னா
Hushaby, hushaby...
Do not cry, my precious child, don't shed tears.
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhananaa thandhananaa haan
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhananaa thandhanananaa
ஒரு நந்தவனக் குயில்
சொன்னது தாலாட்டு
அதைக் கொண்டு வந்து
இங்கு தந்தது பூங்காற்று
தத்தித் தவழும் சித்திரம் நீயோ
தத்தித் தவழ்ந்திடும் சித்திரமோ
A cuckoo in the garden
Sang a sweet lullaby,
And bringing it all the way here,
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Are you a picture that toddles and crawls?
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
A string of flowers showering kisses,
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
முத்தம் பொழிந்திடும்
பூச்சரமோ
மாமன் மனதினில்
பாசமலர்களை
தூவிய பூ மழையோ...ஓ
A cuckoo in the garden
Sang a sweet lullaby,
And bringing it all the way here,
The gentle breeze delivered it.
ஒரு நந்தவனக் குயில்
சொன்னது தாலாட்டு
அதைக் கொண்டு வந்து
இங்கு தந்தது பூங்காற்று
Along the path where your little feet step,
I will plant flowering trees for you.
I will protect you every day as my very life.
பாதம் பதியும் வழியில்
பூ மரங்கள் நான் நடுவேன்
உனையே உயிராய்
நான் தினம் காப்பேன்
Along the path where your little feet step,
I will plant flowering trees for you.
I will protect you every day as my very life.
A sweet and bright future lies in your hands,
Walk with joy swinging your arms, O gentle breeze!
O beautiful river, I will stand as your protective bank.
O sandalwood lotus jumping around in bliss!
பாதம் பதியும் வழியில்
பூ மரங்கள் நான் நடுவேன்
உனையே உயிராய்
நான் தினம் காப்பேன்
A cuckoo in the garden
Sang a sweet lullaby,
And bringing it all the way here,
The gentle breeze delivered it.
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
A string of flowers showering kisses,
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
இனிதான எதிர்காலம்
உன் கையிலே
கை வீசி நடைபோடு
பூந்தென்றலே
If you ask for a simple firefly,
I will bring down the stars for you.
May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon!
அழகான நதியே
கரையாக வருவேன்
துள்ளித் திரிந்திடும்
சந்தனத் தாமரையே…
If you ask for a simple firefly,
I will bring down the stars for you.
May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon!
It is a net that you cast with your innocent eyes,
And I fell right into it like a helpless little fish.
If you ask for a single flower, I will gift you an entire garden.
Even in my dreams, I will hold you close to my heart.
ஒரு நந்தவனக் குயில்
சொன்னது தாலாட்டு
அதைக் கொண்டு வந்து
இங்கு தந்தது பூங்காற்று
தத்தித் தவழ்ந்திடும் சித்திரமோ
A cuckoo in the garden
Sang a sweet lullaby,
And bringing it all the way here,
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Are you a picture that toddles and crawls?
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
A string of flowers showering kisses,
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
முத்தம் பொழிந்திடும்
பூச்சரமோ
மாமன் மனதினில்
பாசமலர்களை
தூவிய பூ மழையோ...ஓ
A cuckoo in the garden
Sang a sweet lullaby,
And bringing it all the way here,
The gentle breeze delivered it.
மின்மினியை நீ நினைத்தால்
தாரகைகள் நான் தருவேன்
பிறை நீ வளர்வாய் பௌர்ணமியாக
மின்மினியை நீ நினைத்தால்
தாரகைகள் நான் தருவேன்
பிறை நீ வளர்வாய் பௌர்ணமியாக
கண்ணாலே நீ போட்ட
வலை தானடா
அதில் சின்ன மீனாக
விழுந்தேனடா
பூ ஒன்றைக் கேட்டால்
பூங்காவை தருவேன்
எந்தன் கனவிலும்
உன்னை அணைத்திருப்பேன்
ஒரு நந்தவனக் குயில்
சொன்னது தாலாட்டு
அதைக் கொண்டு வந்து
இங்கு தந்தது பூங்காற்று
தத்தித் தவழும் சித்திரம் நீயோ
தத்தித் தவழ்ந்திடும் சித்திரமோ
முத்தம் பொழிந்திடும்
பூச்சரமோ
மாமன் மனதினில்
பாசமலர்களை
தூவிய பூ மழையோ...ஓ....
ஒரு நந்தவனக் குயில்
சொன்னது தாலாட்டு
அதைக் கொண்டு வந்து
இங்கு தந்தது பூங்காற்று
Jo jo jo jo
Hushaby, hushaby...
Azhaadhadaa kannaa kannula
Do not cry, my precious child, don't shed tears.
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhananaa thandhananaa haan
Thandhananaa thandhananaa haan
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhana thandhananaa
Thandhananaa thandhanananaa
Thandhananaa thandhanananaa
Oru nandhavana kuyil
A cuckoo in the garden
Sonnadhu thaalaattu
Sang a sweet lullaby,
Adhai kondu vandhu ingu
And bringing it all the way here,
Thandhadhu poongaatru
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Thathi thavazhum chithiram neeyo
Are you a picture that toddles and crawls?
Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo
A string of flowers showering kisses,
Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
Oru nandhavana kuyil
A cuckoo in the garden
Sonnadhu thaalaattu
Sang a sweet lullaby,
Adhai kondu vandhu ingu
And bringing it all the way here,
Thandhadhu poongaatru
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Paadham padhiyum vazhiyil
Along the path where your little feet step,
Poo marangal naan naduven
I will plant flowering trees for you.
Unaiyae uyiraai naan dhinam kaappen
I will protect you every day as my very life.
Paadham padhiyum vazhiyil
Along the path where your little feet step,
Poo marangal naan naduven
I will plant flowering trees for you.
Unaiyae uyiraai naan dhinam kaappen
I will protect you every day as my very life.
Inidhaana edhir kaalam un kaiyilae
A sweet and bright future lies in your hands,
Kai veesi nadai podu poonthendralae
Walk with joy swinging your arms, O gentle breeze!
Azhagaana nadhiyae karaiyaaga varuven
O beautiful river, I will stand as your protective bank.
Thulli thirundhidum sandhana thaamaraiyae
O sandalwood lotus jumping around in bliss!
Oru nandhavana kuyil
A cuckoo in the garden
Sonnadhu thaalaattu
Sang a sweet lullaby,
Adhai kondu vandhu ingu
And bringing it all the way here,
Thandhadhu poongaatru
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo
A string of flowers showering kisses,
Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
Minminiyai nee ninaithaal
If you ask for a simple firefly,
Thaaragaigal naan tharuven
I will bring down the stars for you.
Pirai nee valarvaai pournamiyaaga
May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon!
Minminiyai nee ninaithaal
If you ask for a simple firefly,
Thaaragaigal naan tharuven
I will bring down the stars for you.
Pirai nee valarvaai pournamiyaaga
May you grow like a crescent moon into a radiant full moon!
Kannaalae nee potta valai thaanadaa
It is a net that you cast with your innocent eyes,
Adhil chinna meenaaga vizhundhenadaa
And I fell right into it like a helpless little fish.
Poo ondrai kettaal poongaavai tharuven
If you ask for a single flower, I will gift you an entire garden.
Endhan kanavilum unnai anaithiruppen
Even in my dreams, I will hold you close to my heart.
Oru nandhavana kuyil
A cuckoo in the garden
Sonnadhu thaalaattu
Sang a sweet lullaby,
Adhai kondu vandhu ingu
And bringing it all the way here,
Thandhadhu poongaatru
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Thathi thavazhum chithiram neeyo
Are you a picture that toddles and crawls?
Thathi thavazhndhidum chithiramo
A living picture that toddles and crawls,
Mutham pozhindhidum poo charamo
A string of flowers showering kisses,
Maaman manadhinil paasa malargalai
In your uncle's heart, flowers of affection,
Thooviya poo mazhaiyo ooo
Are you a shower of blossom petals sprinkled with love?
Oru nandhavana kuyil
A cuckoo in the garden
Sonnadhu thaalaattu
Sang a sweet lullaby,
Adhai kondu vandhu ingu
And bringing it all the way here,
Thandhadhu poongaatru
The gentle breeze delivered it.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This touching lullaby expresses deep parental and familial affection toward a child. The singer (a maternal uncle or fatherly figure) gently lulls the child to sleep, comparing the lullaby itself to a tune sung by a cuckoo in a lush garden and carried over by a soft breeze. The child is affectionately addressed as a walking painting, a garland of flowers, and a crescent moon blossoming into a full moon.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thathi thavazhum chithiram neeyo”
The child is metaphorically described as a 'crawling painting' (chithiram), metaphorically assigning living movement to artwork.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Minminiyai nee ninaithaal / Thaaragaigal naan tharuven”
An exaggeration where the speaker promises to retrieve stars from the sky if the child asks merely for a tiny firefly.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Poo ondrai kettaal poongaavai tharuven”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Poo' ('Poo' / 'poongaa') creates rhythm.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Paadham padhiyum vazhiyil / Poo marangal naan naduven”
The second letter harmony occurs across lines ('Paadham' and 'Poo' share consonant harmony in classical Tamil prosody patterns).
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Vasan for the film 'Kumbakonam Gopalu' (1998), this song exemplifies the classic Tamil lullaby genre (Thaalaattu Paattu) centered around maternal/paternal bonds and maternal uncle ('Maaman') affection, a culturally rich motif in Tamil cinema.
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