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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pethu Pottadhaaro

From Dhuruva Natchathiram · 1993

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dhuruva Natchathiram1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pethu pottadhaaroWho is the mother who gave birth to me?
Kutham ulla thaayoIs she a mother with a flaw or fault?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Peru vechadhaaroWho gave me a name?
Peru ketta thaayoIs she a mother with a tarnished name?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Male
Yaedhaedho indha ooru pesudhuThis town talks all kinds of rumors.
Ennaannu solla naa koosudhuI hesitate to even utter what they say.
Ulai vaayai mooda ariven aiyaaI know how to cover the mouth of a boiling pot, sir.
Oor vaayai mooda aagaadhaiyaaBut one cannot cover the mouth of the entire town, sir.
Male
Pethu pottadhaaroWho is the mother who gave birth to me?
Kutham ulla thaayoIs she a mother with a flaw or fault?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Male
En usura kannil vechu kaathadhuShe protected my life as dearly as her own eyes.
En pasiya kanji oothi theetthadhuShe fed me porridge to quench my hunger.
Thaaya pola yaarum illaThere is no one equal to a mother.
Andha thaai illaatti naanum illaWithout that mother, I would not exist.
Naal ellaam indha pillai thaanAll through the day, for this child,
Vaazhvadhu ava pichai thaanTo live is merely the alms given by her.
Uppu thinna paasam poi vidumaaWill affection fade after partaking in her salt?
Thappu cholli pesa vaai varumaaWill my mouth ever speak ill of her?
Male
Pethu pottadhaaroWho is the mother who gave birth to me?
Kutham ulla thaayoIs she a mother with a flaw or fault?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Male
Gangai enna koovam pola maarumaaWill the holy Ganges ever turn into the filthy Cooum?
Gopuram thaan kuppai maedaa aagumaaWill a temple tower ever become a heap of garbage?
Vaanam mannil veezhndhidumaaWill the sky fall down onto the earth?
Sutha thangam tharam thaazhndhidumaaWill pure gold ever lose its quality?
Thaayai paar anbu dheivamaaLook at mother, she is a deity of pure love.
Dheivam thaan kutham seiyumaaWould God Himself ever commit a sin?
Nenjam indha kelvi ketkiradhuMy heart asks this very question.
Enna badhil naanum kooruvadhuWhat answer can I possibly give?
Male
Pethu pottadhaaroWho is the mother who gave birth to me?
Kutham ulla thaayoIs she a mother with a flaw or fault?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Male
Yaedhaedho indha ooru pesudhuThis town talks all kinds of rumors.
Ennaannu solla naa koosudhuI hesitate to even utter what they say.
Ulai vaayai mooda ariven aiyaaI know how to cover the mouth of a boiling pot, sir.
Oor vaayai mooda aagaadhaiyaaBut one cannot cover the mouth of the entire town, sir.
Male
Pethu pottadhaaroWho is the mother who gave birth to me?
Kutham ulla thaayoIs she a mother with a flaw or fault?
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.
Yaen saami nee solluOh my Lord, please tell me.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional plea filled with grief and devotion, centered on a child struggling against societal gossip about his mother's character. Confronted by slanderous rumors spread by villagers, the protagonist turns to God with agonizing questions, refusing to believe that the mother who nurtured him with selflessness and boundless affection could ever be flawed or sinful.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pazhamozhi (Proverb Usage)

Ulai vaayai mooda ariven aiyaa / Oor vaayai mooda aagaadhaiyaa

Uses the traditional Tamil proverb comparing the mouth of a boiling pot to the gossip of a town to show the futility of stopping public rumor.

Vinaa Ani (Rhetorical Questions)

Gangai enna koovam pola maarumaa / Gopuram thaan kuppai maedaa aagumaa

Employs a series of rhetorical questions to highlight the impossibility of a mother being evil, comparing it to natural impossibilities.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thaayai paar anbu dheivamaa

Directly equates the mother to a pure deity of love, asserting her divine nature.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pethu pottadhaaro / Kutham ulla thaayo

The second consonant 'th' (த்) rhymes in consecutive lines, establishing rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja is renowned not only for his iconic music compositions but also for writing deeply expressive lyrics rooted in rural Tamil folklore, folk wisdom, and emotional philosophy.

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