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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paalilum Thaenilum Suvaiyedhu

From Kairasi · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. S. Bagavathi
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Kairasi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paalilum thaenilum suvaiyaedhuWhat taste is there in milk or honey,
Paavaiyar vaazhvil thunaiyaedhuWhat true companion is there in a woman's life,
Poovidhazh vaayil punnagai pozhiyumWithout the golden child who showers smiles
Ponmani selvam illaadhuFrom flower-petal lips?
Female
Paalilum thaenilum suvaiyaedhuWhat taste is there in milk or honey,
Paavaiyar vaazhvil thunaiyaedhuWhat true companion is there in a woman's life,
Punnagai pozhiyum pillaiyin munnaeIn front of a child who showers smiles,
Annaiyin urimai illadhuIf a mother does not have her motherly rights?
Punnagai pozhiyum pillaiyin munnaeIn front of a child who showers smiles,
Annaiyin urimai illadhuIf a mother does not have her motherly rights?
Annaiyin urimai illadhuWithout a mother's rights?
Female
Deivathai kandaal munivar endraarSages said they have seen God,
Avar sirikkum deivam kandaaraBut have they seen a smiling deity?
Deivathai kandaal munivar endraarSages said they have seen God,
Avar sirikkum deivam kandaaraBut have they seen a smiling deity?
Female
Selvathai thaedum selvargal yaarumHave wealthy people searching for riches
Paesum selvam paarthaaraEver seen a treasure that speaks?
Verum selvathai thaedum selvargal yaarumHave those rich people seeking mere wealth
Paesum selvam paarthaaraEver seen a treasure that speaks?
Paesum selvam paarthaaraEver seen a treasure that speaks?
Female
Paalilum thaenilum suvaiyaedhuWhat taste is there in milk or honey,
Paavaiyar vaazhvil thunaiyaedhuWhat true companion is there in a woman's life,
Female
Kaigalum kaalgalumHands and legs
NaadagamaadumPlay a joyful drama,
Kanbavar ullam isai paadumThe heart of the onlooker sings a melody.
Kaigalum kaalgalumHands and legs
NaadagamaadumPlay a joyful drama,
Kanbavar ullam isai paadumThe heart of the onlooker sings a melody.
Female
Eendraval vaazhvae naadagamaanaalIf the life of the mother herself becomes a tragedy,
Inbam engae uruvaagumWhere will happiness originate?
Eendraval vaazhvae naadagamaanaalIf the life of the mother herself becomes a tragedy,
Inbam engae uruvaagumWhere will happiness originate?
Inbam engae uruvaagumWhere will happiness originate?
Female
Paalilum thaenilum suvaiyaedhuWhat taste is there in milk or honey,
Paavaiyar vaazhvil thunaiyaedhuWhat true companion is there in a woman's life,
Punnagai pozhiyum pillaiyin munnaeIn front of a child who showers smiles,
Annaiyin urimai illadhuIf a mother does not have her motherly rights?
Annaiyin urimai illadhuWithout a mother's rights?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song highlights the incomparable joy and value of a child in a woman's life. The lyricist asserts that sweeter delicacies like milk and honey, as well as vast material riches, pale in comparison to the presence of a child, who is described as a speaking treasure and a living, smiling deity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme)

Paalilum thaenilum suvaiyaedhu / Paavaiyar vaazhvil thunaiyaedhu

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' in 'Paalilum' and 'Paavaiyar'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poovidhazh vaayil punnagai pozhiyum / Paesum selvam paarthaara

Describing the child metaphorically as 'Paesum selvam' (a speaking treasure) and 'Poovidhazh' (flower-petal lips).

Rhetorical Question

Avar sirikkum deivam kandaara

Using questions ('Avar sirikkum deivam kandaara', 'Inbam engae uruvaagum') to emphasize that nothing can match a child's smile or compensate for a mother's lost rights.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1960 Tamil film 'Kairasi', starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. The music for the film was composed by R. Govardhanam with iconic lyrics written by Kannadasan.

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