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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pathu Maadham

From Pesum Dheivam · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Pesum Dheivam
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
6 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa
Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya
Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa
Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Kannathula karuppu potta
Vekka solli sollaathaa…
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Kannathula karuppu potta
Vekka solli sollaathaa…
Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa
Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa
Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa
Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa
Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa
Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa
Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa
Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa
Appuram paaka venum
Aayiram thaan kannaathaa
Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa
Appuram paaka venum
Aayiram thaan kannaathaa
Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa
Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam
Ooththaathaa
Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa
Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam
Ooththaathaa
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Kannathula karuppu potta
Vekka solli sollaathaa
Thanda silambeduthu poadaathaa
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
Yet to call you an adopted child, my dear,
I do not have the heart, my little boy.
Yet to call you an adopted child, my dear,
I do not have the heart, my little boy.
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
The evil eye of strangers might fall on him, my dear,
a black dot on his cheek,
tell them to put, my dear!
The evil eye of strangers might fall on him, my dear,
a black dot on his cheek,
tell them to put, my dear!
Put little golden anklets on his feet, my dear,
and sing a sweet lullaby in good Tamil, my dear!
Put little golden anklets on his feet, my dear,
and sing a sweet lullaby in good Tamil, my dear!
I never craved tender green mangoes, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever eat handfuls of ash or clay?
I never craved tender green mangoes, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever eat handfuls of ash or clay?
I never took any special medicine or magic charms, my dear,
yet you turned me into the mother who bore you, my little boy!
I never took any special medicine or magic charms, my dear,
yet you turned me into the mother who bore you, my little boy!
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
Dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti, my dear,
and then you must behold him
with a thousand eyes, my dear!
Dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti, my dear,
and then you must behold him
with a thousand eyes, my dear!
Put this playful little boy in the cradle, my dear,
and if he cries, mix some bottle milk
and feed him, my dear!
Put this playful little boy in the cradle, my dear,
and if he cries, mix some bottle milk
and feed him, my dear!
The evil eye of strangers might fall on him, my dear,
a black dot on his cheek,
tell them to put, my dear!
Put little golden anklets on his feet, my dear,
and sing a sweet lullaby in good Tamil, my dear!
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
I did not carry you for ten months, my precious boy,
tell me, did I ever follow a pregnancy diet?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant lullaby from 'Pesum Dheivam' explores the depth of maternal love that transcends biological birth. The mother reflects on how, despite not experiencing pregnancy symptoms like cravings (eating tender mangoes or ash), dietary restrictions, or carrying the child in her womb for ten months, her love for the child makes her feel every bit like a biological mother. She refuses to think of the child as merely 'adopted'.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa / Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa

The second consonant 'th' matches between 'Pathu' and 'pathiyamum', adding rhythmic harmony.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Aayiram thaan kannaathaa

The phrase 'Aayiram thaan kannaathaa' (a thousand eyes wouldn't be enough) exaggerates the child's breathtaking beauty.

Cultural Imagery & Allusion

Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa / Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa

Mentions traditional pregnancy cravings ('Maavaduvai kadikkavillai', eating ash/soil) and protective customs ('Kannathula karuppu potta' - putting a black spot to ward off evil eyes).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pesum Dheivam' (1967) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The track 'Pathu Maadham Sumandhathillai' was sung by P. Susheela and remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous songs celebrating non-biological maternal devotion.

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