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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Santhana Kaattukullae Male

From Ellame En Rasathan · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ellame En Rasathan1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeAs the full moon shines bright,
Siru singaara koottukkullaeInside a small, beautiful nest,
Malai thendralum veesayilaeAs the gentle mountain breeze blows,
Kuyilu kunju thoongattumae…Let the little cuckoo chick sleep...
Raathiri velaiyilaeDuring the night time,
Kan muzhichu naan iruppenI will stay awake,
Kannae un pakkathilaeBy your side, my dear.
Solai poovae aareerooLullaby, my garden flower,
Pasum sokka ponnae aareeroLullaby, my sweet pure gold.
Male
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeAs the full moon shines bright,
Male
Vaangi vandha malligai poo soodi kollaTo adorn the jasmine flowers I brought,
Anbu thaaram illae thaaram illaeMy loving wife is not here, not here.
Pogaiyilae en idathil solli kolla koodaEven to bid me farewell while leaving,
Neram illae neram illaeShe had no time, no time.
Naan petra selvamae sondham endruOh treasure I brought into this world, to call my own relation,
Unnai vittaal yaarum illaiThere is no one left besides you.
Naal thorum ammaadi kanneer sindhaEvery single day, my child, weeping tears,
Kannil innum eeram illaiThere is no moisture left in my eyes.
Kaayangal kaalam muzhukka aaraadhoWill these wounds never heal for a lifetime?
Naan seidha paava kanakkum theeraadhoWill the debt of sins I committed never end?
Magizham poovae endhan mani muthaeOh bullet-wood flower, my precious pearl,
Kuzhalai polae dhinam mazhalai pesumSpeaking baby talk daily like the music of a flute,
Ilam poongothae poongothaeOh young bouquet of flowers, bouquet of flowers.
Male
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeAs the full moon shines bright,
Siru singaara koottukkullaeInside a small, beautiful nest,
Malai thendralum veesayilaeAs the gentle mountain breeze blows,
Kuyilu kunju thoongattumae…Let the little cuckoo chick sleep...
Raathiri velaiyilaeDuring the night time,
Kan muzhichu naan iruppenI will stay awake,
Kannae un pakkathilaeBy your side, my dear.
Solai poovae aareerooLullaby, my garden flower,
Pasum sokka ponnae aareeroLullaby, my sweet pure gold.
Male
Oru sandhana kaattukkullaeInside a sandalwood forest,
Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilaeAs the full moon shines bright,
Siru singaara koottukkullaeInside a small, beautiful nest,
Malai thendralum veesayilaeAs the gentle mountain breeze blows.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This heartbreaking lullaby captures a grieving father comforting his newborn child under the moonlit sky. Set amidst nature's serenity, the gentle breeze and forest atmosphere contrast sharply with the emotional anguish in the father's heart. He mourns the sudden and untimely loss of his beloved wife, who departed so abruptly that she could not even say goodbye, leaving behind jasmine flowers meant for her hair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru sandhana kaattukkullae / Muzhu chandhiran kaayayilae

The line endings 'kaattukkullae', 'kaayayilae', 'koottukkullae', and 'veesayilae' share matching rhythm and vowel endings, creating a soothing lullaby melody.

Simile (Upamai)

Kuzhalai polae dhinam mazhalai pesum

The child's sweet babbling ('mazhalai') is explicitly compared using 'polae' to the sweet sound of a flute ('kuzhal').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Magizham poovae endhan mani muthae

The child is affectionately addressed directly as a fragrant Magizham flower and a precious pearl without using explicit comparison words.

Monai (First-Letter Alliteration)

Kaayangal kaalam muzhukka aaraadho

The repetition of the 'Ka' sound in 'Kaayangal' and 'kaalam' adds a poetic cadence to the grief expressed.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for the film 'Ellame En Rasathan' (1995) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who also sang this touching lullaby. The lyrics were penned by veteran lyricist Vaali, showcasing his remarkable ability to blend tender parental affection with deep philosophical grief.

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