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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pani Nilave Siru Malare

From Deivam Pesuma · 1972

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Deivam Pesuma1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pani nilavae siru malaraeO snowy moon, O little flower!
Kanimozhi pesum pachai kiliyaeO green parrot speaking sweet words!
Nee thaan aiyaaIt is you, my dear child.
Pani nilavae siru malaraeO snowy moon, O little flower!
Kanimozhi pesum pachai kiliyaeO green parrot speaking sweet words!
Nee thaan aiyaaIt is you, my dear child.
Male
Poongodiyae nee sirithaalO flowering vine, when you smile,
Pesum deivam kandenI saw a speaking deity.
Poongodiyae nee sirithaalO flowering vine, when you smile,
Pesum deivam kandenI saw a speaking deity.
Maan polae odi varumRunning towards me like a deer,
Azhagai paarthen nindrenI stood mesmerized watching your beauty.
Male
Muthu maalaiyilaeIn a pearl necklace,
Unnai thoduthanoodid He string you together?
Undhan maeniyilae thangaUpon your body, like a golden
Thaamarai pollotus bloom,
Oru oviyam varainthaanoodid He paint a masterpiece?
Male
Pani nilavae siru malaraeO snowy moon, O little flower!
Kanimozhi pesum pachai kiliyaeO green parrot speaking sweet words!
Nee thaan aiyaaIt is you, my dear child.
Male
Thaai mozhiyil vaarthai illaiWords fail in mother tongue,
Paavam annai ullampoor is the mother's heart.
Thaai mozhiyil vaarthai illaiWords fail in mother tongue,
Paavam annai ullampoor is the mother's heart.
Thaen mozhiyil paadi varumSinging in honey-sweet words,
Neeyaa paava sinnamare you a symbol of sin?
Male
Endha vaelaiyilaeAt what auspicious moment
Unnai padaithaanoodid He create you?
Petha thaai manadhilIn the biological mother's heart,
Konda vaedhanai yaavaiyumall the agony she holds,
Theerthida maranthanooodid He forget to cure?
Male
Pani nilavae siru malaraeO snowy moon, O little flower!
Kanimozhi pesum pachai kiliyaeO green parrot speaking sweet words!
Nee thaan aiyaaIt is you, my dear child.
Pani nilavae siru malaraeO snowy moon, O little flower!
Kanimozhi pesum pachai kiliyaeO green parrot speaking sweet words!
Nee thaan aiyaaIt is you, my dear child.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tender song from the 1972 film Deivam Pesuma is a deeply emotional Lullaby/affectionate composition written by Pulamaipithan. The speaker showers affectionate metaphors on a young child, likening them to a gentle cool moon, a tender flower, a sweet-talking parrot, and a golden lotus. Beyond the adoration of the child's beauty and innocence, the lyricist weaves in a poignant layer of sorrow, questioning God about the pain and tragic circumstances enduring in the birth mother's heart and wondering why such a pure child has to carry the burdens of human suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Pani nilavae siru malarae

The child is metaphorically described directly as 'Pani nilavae' (dewy moon), 'siru malarae' (little flower), and 'pachai kiliyae' (green parrot).

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Maan polae odi varum

Comparing the innocent quick movement of the child to that of a deer using 'polae'.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thaamarai pol

Comparing the child's radiance directly to a golden lotus using 'pol'.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Neeyaa paava sinnam

The speaker poetically questions the Creator whether the child is an embodiment of past sins or an incomplete art piece.

Did you know?

Trivia

Deivam Pesuma (1972) is a Tamil drama featuring lyrics by the renowned poet-lyricist Pulamaipithan, known for his deep literary Tamil vocabulary and emotive songwriting in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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