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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Santhana Kaattukullae Female

From Ellame En Rasathan · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ellame En Rasathan1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Aa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…
Aahaa… aa… aa…Aahaa… aa… aa…
Female
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeWhile the full moon shines brightly,
Siru singaara koottukkullaeInside a small, beautiful nest,
Malai thaendralum veesayilaeAs the gentle mountain breeze blows,
Kuyilu kunju thoongattumaeLet the little cuckoo chick sleep peacefully,
Raathiri velaiyilaeDuring the quiet of the night,
Kan muzhichu naan iruppenI will stay awake and watchful,
Kannae un pakkathilaeMy dear one, right by your side.
Solai poovae aaraaroSleep tight, my garden flower, lullaby (aaraaro)...
Pasum sokka ponnae aareerooSleep tight, my pure golden treasure, lullaby (aareeroo)...
Female
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeWhile the full moon shines brightly,
Female
Naan valarkkum mootha pillaiMy eldest child whom I nurture and cherish,
Poovum pottum thandha naayaganae naayaganaeOh hero who blessed me with flowers and bindi, my hero!
Naan kulikkum manjalukkuFor the sacred turmeric I bathe with,
Naalum kaaval nindra nallavanae nallavanaeYou good man who stands guard every single day, good man!
Female
En maaman anbukku koyil kondaCompared to the boundless love of my husband,
Dheivam kooda eedillaiyaeEven the deity enshrined in a temple is no match.
Ellaamae en raasaa vaazhvo thaazhvoMy king is my everything, in times of prosperity or hardship,
Sondham bandham verillaiyaeI have no other family or relations.
En polae yaarkkum kanavan vaaikkaadhuNo woman could ever be blessed with a husband like mine,
Eer ezhu jenmam uravu neengaadhuOur sacred bond shall never diminish through fourteen lifetimes!
Magizham poovae endhan mani muthaeOh Magizham flower, my precious pearl,
Kuzhalai polae dhinam mazhalai pesumWho babbles sweet baby talk daily like the music of a flute,
Ilam poongothae poongothaeYoung bouquet of flowers, my bouquet of flowers!
Female
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeWhile the full moon shines brightly,
Siru singaara koottukkullaeInside a small, beautiful nest,
Malai thendralum veesayilaeAs the gentle mountain breeze blows,
Kuyilu kunju thoongattumae…Let the little cuckoo chick sleep peacefully…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Ellame En Rasathan' is a tender, nature-infused lullaby that expresses deep spousal devotion and maternal love. Set against the serene backdrop of a sandalwood forest illuminated by the full moon, the speaker lulls her beloved to sleep while promising to stay awake and keep vigil over them. The lyrics beautifully intertwine traditional Tamil marital symbolism—such as flowers, pottu (bindi), and turmeric—with heartfelt gratitude for her husband's protection and affection. Expressing that her husband's love surpasses even divine grace, she declares that her world begins and ends with him across fourteen reincarnations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru sandhana kaattukkullae / Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilae

Lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('kaattukkullae', 'kaayayilae', 'koottukkullae', 'veesayilae') creating a soothing lullaby rhythm.

Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)

Oru sandhana kaattukkullae / Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilae

The second consonant sound 'ndha' (ந்த) matches in 'sandhana' and 'chandhiran', adding euphonic structure to the verse.

Upamai (Simile)

Kuzhalai polae dhinam mazhalai pesum

Compares the sweet babbling talk ('mazhalai') of the beloved/child to the sweet music of a flute ('kuzhalai polae').

Uruvagham (Metaphor)

Magizham poovae endhan mani muthae

Directly metaphorizes the loved one as a fragrant 'Magizham flower' and a precious 'gem/pearl' (mani muthu).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ellame En Rasathan' (1995) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the veteran lyricist Vaali. This song is renowned for its iconic lullaby phrasing ('Aaraaro') blending folk melody with traditional Tamil matrimonial metaphors.

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