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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Thulir

From Thodarum · 1999

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thodarum1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Santhaana lakshmiOh Goddess Santhana Lakshmi, goddess of progeny,
Vandha neram saariyaana neramThe time you arrived is the right, auspicious time.
Mangaadha jodhi endrum inguAn unyielding, eternal light shines here,
Nindraarum kolamDisplaying a beautiful traditional scene.
Nalungondru sollaTo perform the auspicious ritual and shower blessings,
Sondha bandham ondraagum neramThis is the moment for all relatives to gather as one.
Nalam kodi kaanaTo behold endless prosperity and well-being,
Mangalangal manam polak koodumAuspicious blessings gather just as the heart desires.
Chorus
Nana naanaa naanaaNana naanaa naanaa
Naananaa nananaaNaananaa nananaa
Chorus
Nana naanaa naanaaNana naanaa naanaa
Naananaa nananaaNaananaa nananaa
Naana naanaa naanaa naanaaNaana naanaa naanaa naanaa
Female
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Indha vaanin madiyilaeIn the lap of this vast sky,
Siru piraiyum valarvadhennaWhy does the tiny crescent moon grow?
Indha annai madiyilaeIn the lap of this mother,
Thanga kodiyum padarvadhennaWhy does the golden creeper spread and flourish?
Oru vaazhthu paadu indruSing a song of blessings today,
Kukkoo kukkoo kooCuckoo, cuckoo, coo!
Male
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Pon veyilae pon veyilaeGolden sunlight, golden sunlight!
Female
Kuru kuru vizhigalilIn those curious, twinkling eyes,
Siru siru navamanigal aahaaTiny precious gems shine, ah!
Andha siru siru manigalilWithin those small precious gems,
Kuru kuru kavimanigalLies the poetic brilliance of playful thoughts.
Male
Oru siru sirippinilIn that small, gentle smile,
Pudhu pudhu kadhiralaigalNew waves of radiant light emerge.
Andha pudhu pudhu kalaigalilIn those brand-new artistic forms,
Inaindhadhu uyir alaigalThe waves of life unite.
Female
Kaigalil kamban paattuWill the hands not compose
Kaaviyam paadaadhoAn epic poem like Kamban's poetry?
Kaalgalil thendral kaatruWill the gentle breeze beneath the feet
Oviyam podaadhoNot draw a lovely painting?
Male
Nadai podattum vilaiyaadattumLet it walk and play,
Indha senthamizh pudhu kavidhaiThis fresh new poem in pure Tamil!
Male
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Indha vaanin madiyilaeIn the lap of this vast sky,
Siru piraiyum valarvadhennaWhy does the tiny crescent moon grow?
Indha annai madiyilaeIn the lap of this mother,
Thanga kodiyum padarvadhennaWhy does the golden creeper spread and flourish?
Oru vaazhthu paadu indruSing a song of blessings today,
Kukkoo kukkoo kooCuckoo, cuckoo, coo!
Female
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Male
Maniradham yeriyaRiding upon a jewel-studded chariot,
Maragadha veenai idhuThis child is like an emerald veena.
Un madhu mugam thooviyaSprinkled over your sweet face,
Pudhu muga poovum idhuThis is a newly bloomed flower-like face.
Female
Anigalan anindhidaTo wear ornaments and jewels,
Avasiyam illai yena aahaaSaying there is no necessity at all, ah!
Kollai azhagudan pazhagidumLiving with captivating, captivating beauty,
Adhisaya pillai idhuThis is a wondrous child!
Male
Melliya poovukkellaamTo all the delicate flowers,
Menmaiyai thandhaaiyoDid you bestow softness and grace?
Solliya sollukkullaeWithin the words spoken,
Sor chumai aanaaiyoDid you become a rich weight of pure meaning?
Female
Vizhi kolathil oli jaalathilIn the pattern of those eyes and the magic of light,
Andha vaanulagam iyangum mmmEven the heavenly world operates, mmm.
Female
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Male
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Female
Indha vaanin madiyilaeIn the lap of this vast sky,
Siru piraiyum valarvadhennaWhy does the tiny crescent moon grow?
Male
Indha annai madiyilaeIn the lap of this mother,
Thanga kodiyum padarvadhennaWhy does the golden creeper spread and flourish?
Female
Oru vaazhthu paadu indruSing a song of blessings today,
Kukkoo kukkoo kooCuckoo, cuckoo, coo!
Chorus
Oru thulir onnu arumbudhuA tender sprout is budding,
Thalir onnu sirikkudhuA young leaf is smiling,
Gaana karunguyilaeOh melodious black cuckoo!
Oru malar onnu viriyudhuA flower is blooming,
Manadhukkul niraiyudhuFilling the heart with delight,
Maalai pon veyilaeLike the golden evening sunlight!
Pon veyilae pon veyilaeGolden sunlight, golden sunlight!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyous celebration of the birth and arrival of a precious child into a family, invoking the blessings of Goddess Santhana Lakshmi. The lyrics evoke deep familial happiness, warm traditions, and the auspicious atmosphere surrounding a newborn. The child's innocent eyes, smiles, and subtle movements are likened to nature's beauties—such as budding leaves, blooming flowers, soft evening sunlight, and the growing crescent moon. Throughout the song, poetic imagery elevates the infant to an artistic masterpiece—a 'fresh new poem in pure Tamil' and an 'emerald veena.' It highlights how the innocence and charm of a child bring together relatives, bring light into the home, and fill everyone's heart with profound love, peace, and divine contentment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indha senthamizh pudhu kavidhai

The newborn child is metaphorically described as a fresh new poem composed in classic, pure Tamil.

Simile / Analogy (Uvamai)

Indha annai madiyilae / Thanga kodiyum padarvadhenna

Compares the child growing in the mother's lap to a golden vine spreading gracefully across nature.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaigalil kamban paattu / Kaaviyam paadaadho / Kaalgalil thendral kaatru

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic poetic harmony.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Melliya poovukkellaam / Solliya sollukkullae

The second consonant sound 'll' ('ல்') is repeated in corresponding positions of consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 1999 Tamil drama movie 'Thodarum', directed by Ramesh Khanna and starring Ajith Kumar, Devayani, and Heera Rajgopal. The film's music was composed by Deva, with lyrics written by Pazhani Bharathi.

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