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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattathu Rajavukku

From Kanna Nalama · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanna Nalama1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Female
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusuAll the plans are brand new
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchuEverything was decided once the little birds joined together
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusuAll the plans are brand new
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchuEverything was decided once the little birds joined together
Female
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Female
Azhaginil raja sriramanKing Sri Rama in beauty
Avarukku thozhan anumanthanHis companion Hanuman
Azhaginil raja sriramanKing Sri Rama in beauty
Avarukku thozhan anumanthanHis companion Hanuman
Female
Ayoththi nagaraththil mudisoottuThe coronation in the city of Ayodhya
Aduththathu irukkuthu vilaiyaattuNext comes the game of fate
Ayoththi nagaraththil mudisoottuThe coronation in the city of Ayodhya
Aduththathu irukkuthu vilaiyaattuNext comes the game of fate
Female
Dhasaratha raja thadumaaraAs King Dasharatha falters
Thaayum maganum idam maaraAs mother and son swap places
Kaikeyi thirunaal kondaadaAs Kaikeyi celebrates her grand day
Kadhaiyae maaruthu irandaagaThe story itself splits into two
Female
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Female
Kaakkaiyin koottil kuyil ondruA cuckoo inside a crow's nest
Gaanam paaduthu thaai endruSings a song calling out mother
Kaakkaiyin koottil kuyil ondruA cuckoo inside a crow's nest
Gaanam paaduthu thaai endruSings a song calling out mother
Female
Siragu mulaiththu adhu indruHaving grown wings today
Theduthu unmai thaayanbuIt searches for true motherly love
Siragu mulaiththu adhu indruHaving grown wings today
Theduthu unmai thaayanbuIt searches for true motherly love
Female
Kuyil rajavin kannirandumBoth eyes of the cuckoo king
Sontha koottaththai arinthu kalanthu vidumWill recognize and unite with its own flock
Maganum thaayum saernthuvidumThe son and mother will reunite
Intha manthiri velaiyum mudinthu vidumAnd this minister's job will also come to an end
Female
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusuAll the plans are brand new
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchuEverything was decided once the little birds joined together
Female
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasuThe crowned king is eight years old
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisuThe minister beside him has vast intellect
Female
……………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses rich allegorical imagery and mythological references to describe a complex familial situation involving a young child and a protective guide. The child is metaphorically described as an eight-year-old king guided by a wise minister, comparing their bond to Rama and Hanuman. Drawing parallels to the epic Ramayana—such as Dasharatha's dilemma and Kaikeyi's intervention—the lyrics explain plot twists and separations. Through the fable of a cuckoo bird raised in a crow's nest searching for its true mother, the lyricist expresses optimism that maternal love will prevail, bringing full circle the reunion of mother and child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory & Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kaakkaiyin koottil kuyil ondru

Compares a young child to an 8-year-old king and a child raised by foster guardians to a cuckoo bird in a crow's nest.

Mythological Allusion (Ithihasa Kurippu)

Azhaginil raja sriraman / Kaikeyi thirunaal kondaada

References characters and events from the Ramayana (Sri Rama, Hanuman, Dasharatha, Kaikeyi) to frame the narrative tension.

Edukku (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pattaththu rajavukku / Pakkaththu manthirikku

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic symmetry.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu / Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu

Rhyming line endings ('vayasu' / 'perisu', 'pudhusu' / 'mudivaachchu') produce a playful nursery-rhyme rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan's lyrics frequently utilized bird allegories and Ramayana references to summarize movie plot dynamics for mainstream audiences. M. S. Viswanathan's catchy rhythm combined with L. R. Eswari's energetic vocal delivery gave the song a timeless appeal in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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