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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Veedu Oru Annai

From Madhavi Vanthal · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Madhavi Vanthal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Female
Oru veedu oru annai oru thanthaiyaamThere is a home, a mother, and a father
Oru pillai adhuthaanae perum thollaiyaamJust one child, and that itself is such a big handful!
Iravendrum pagalendrum theriyaathadaaI cannot tell whether it is night or day, my child
Idhu enna kadhaiyendru puriyaathada ooo….I cannot comprehend what kind of story this is, oh...
Female
Oru veedu oru annai oru thanthaiyaamThere is a home, a mother, and a father
Oru pillai adhuthaanae perum thollaiyaamJust one child, and that itself is such a big handful!
Female
Kalyaanam yaenendruWhy marriage happens...
Kadhai ondru naan solvenI will tell you a story about it
Sonnaalum puriyaathadaaEven if I tell you, you wouldn't understand, my child
Avan seitha vilaiyaattu manamaanathuThe divine play God made resulted in love and heart
Ivar seitha vilaiyaattu nee vanthathuThe playful love they shared resulted in your arrival
Oru pillai nee kann moodinaalIf you, my little child, close your eyes to sleep
Oru thangaiyai nee kaanalaamYou might see a younger sister in your dreams
Female
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Female
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Female
Oru pillai idaiyooru thaalaamal ponaalumEven if a child cannot bear the obstacles along the way
Maruthaaram varuvaaladaaWill a second wife ever enter this home?
Ivar vaazhvil ennaalum oru thaaranthaanIn his life, there will forever be only one wife
En nenjil nee endrum avathaaramthaanIn my heart, you will forever be a divine incarnation
Naduraaththiri pozhuthaanathuIt has already become the middle of the night
Adhikaalaiyil edhai solvathuWhat story shall I tell when early morning comes?
Female
Oru veedu oru annai oru thanthaiyaamThere is a home, a mother, and a father
Oru pillai adhuthaanae perum thollaiyaamJust one child, and that itself is such a big handful!
Iravendrum pagalendrum theriyaathadaaI cannot tell whether it is night or day, my child
Idhu enna kadhaiyendru puriyaathada ooo….I cannot comprehend what kind of story this is, oh...
Female
Oru veedu oru annai oru thanthaiyaamThere is a home, a mother, and a father
Oru pillai adhuthaanae perum thollaiyaamJust one child, and that itself is such a big handful!
Female
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro
Aaraari raaraari raaraari roAaraari raaraari raaraari ro

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender and reflective Tamil lullaby (Thalattu) from the movie 'Madhavi Vanthal' (1980). A mother sings her child to sleep while weaving adult truths, philosophical reflections, and underlying domestic sorrow into a soothing melody. She playfully complains about the restless nature of raising a child, yet reveres the child as a divine incarnation ('avathaaram') in her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru veedu oru annai oru thanthaiyaam / Oru pillai adhuthaanae perum thollaiyaam

The lines end with rhyming suffixes ('thanthaiyaam' and 'thollaiyaam'), giving the lullaby a rhythmic and soothing flow.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Iravendrum pagalendrum theriyaathadaa

Contrasting terms 'Iravu' (Night) and 'Pagal' (Day) are used together to express confusion and timelessness.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Avan seitha vilaiyaattu manamaanathu / Ivar seitha vilaiyaattu nee vanthathu

Repetition of the structural pattern and sounds at the beginning of the lines ('Avan seitha' and 'Ivar seitha').

Metaphor

En nenjil nee endrum avathaaramthaan

The child is metaphorically referred to as a divine incarnation ('avathaaram') residing in the mother's heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by the legendary Kannadasan, this lullaby showcases P. Susheela's mastery in delivering maternal affection combined with deep emotional melancholy, a signature trait of 1980s Tamil cinema music.

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