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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattathu Rajavukku

From Kanna Nalama · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kanna Nalama
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
29 Oct 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusu
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchu
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusu
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchu
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
Azhaginil raja sriraman
Avarukku thozhan anumanthan
Azhaginil raja sriraman
Avarukku thozhan anumanthan
Ayoththi nagaraththil mudisoottu
Aduththathu irukkuthu vilaiyaattu
Ayoththi nagaraththil mudisoottu
Aduththathu irukkuthu vilaiyaattu
Dhasaratha raja thadumaara
Thaayum maganum idam maara
Kaikeyi thirunaal kondaada
Kadhaiyae maaruthu irandaaga
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
Kaakkaiyin koottil kuyil ondru
Gaanam paaduthu thaai endru
Kaakkaiyin koottil kuyil ondru
Gaanam paaduthu thaai endru
Siragu mulaiththu adhu indru
Theduthu unmai thaayanbu
Siragu mulaiththu adhu indru
Theduthu unmai thaayanbu
Kuyil rajavin kannirandum
Sontha koottaththai arinthu kalanthu vidum
Maganum thaayum saernthuvidum
Intha manthiri velaiyum mudinthu vidum
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
Thittangal aththanaiyum pudhu pudhusu
Chittukkal saernthavudan mudivaachchu
Pattaththu rajavukku ettu vayasu
Pakkaththu manthirikku puthi perisu
…………….
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
All of their plans are brand new,
Finalised the moment the little ones joined together!
All of their plans are brand new,
Finalised the moment the little ones joined together!
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
In handsome grace, the king is Lord Rama,
And his loyal companion is Hanuman.
In handsome grace, the king is Lord Rama,
And his loyal companion is Hanuman.
A coronation planned in the city of Ayodhya,
And next comes the real twist in the game!
A coronation planned in the city of Ayodhya,
And next comes the real twist in the game!
As King Dasaratha falters in despair,
Mother and son are forced apart,
While Kaikeyi celebrates her festival day,
The whole story splits into two.
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
A little cuckoo in a crow's nest
Sings sweet songs calling her 'Mother!'
A little cuckoo in a crow's nest
Sings sweet songs calling her 'Mother!'
Now that its wings have grown today,
It searches for the love of its true mother.
Now that its wings have grown today,
It searches for the love of its true mother.
The watchful eyes of this cuckoo king
Will recognize his own flock and blend right in.
The son and mother will be reunited,
And this minister's duty will finally be done.
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
All of their plans are brand new,
Finalised the moment the little ones joined together!
The crowned king is eight years old,
And the minister beside him is very clever.
..............................
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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