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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Petredutha Ullam

From Kanna Nalama · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanna Nalama1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pettreduththa ullaamThe heart that gave birth to a child
Endrum deivam deivamIs always divine, always divine
Pettreduththa ullaamThe heart that gave birth to a child
Endrum deivam deivamIs always divine, always divine
Male
: Adhu pesugindra vaarththaiThe words that it speaks
Endrum mounam mounamAre always silent, always silent
Raththathudan saernththantha paasam paasamThe affection bound together with blood
Adhu naal kadanthum pillaiyudan pesum pesumSpeaks to the child even across time
Adhu naal kadanthum pillaiyudan pesum pesumSpeaks to the child even across time
Male
Androru naal mannan solomon-nudaiya sabhaiyilOne day, in King Solomon's court
Oru vishiththiramaana vazhkku vanthathuA strange case came up
Oru pillai irandu thaaimaargalOne child and two mothers
Irandu perum adhu thannudaiya pillai engiraargalBoth claimed the child was theirs
Pillaikko than thaai yaarendruAs for the child, who its mother was
Solla theriyavillaiIt did not know how to say
Male
Oru thaayaar pala pillai peruvathunduOne mother gives birth to many children
Iru thaaikku oru pillai varuvathundoDoes one child ever have two mothers?
Asal yaaro nagal yaaroWho is the original and who is the copy?
Ariyaenendru adhisayaththa mannanPuzzled not knowing, the amazed King
Sonnaan mudivil ondru mudivil ondruSaid one thing at last, one thing at last
Male
Irandu perumae idhu than pillai enbathaalSince both claim this is their child
Yaaridam oppadaippathendru theriyavillaiI do not know to whom I should hand him over
Aagavae kaavalaa intha pillaiyai aalukkuTherefore, guard, give this child
Paathiyaaga kodu endraanIn half to each, he said
Male
Kaavalan sendraanThe guard stepped forward
Idai vaalai eduththaanUnsheathed the sword at his waist
Antha maganai izhuththaanPulled that son close
Vaalai oonginaanRaised the sword high
Vaalai oonginaanRaised the sword high
Mannaa mannaa….aa….aa….Oh King! Oh King!...
Male
Amma endroru kuralilCalling 'Mother' in a voice
Oru penn kanneer vadikkindraalOne woman sheds tears
Innoru penno vaalai kandumThe other woman, seeing the sword
Punnagai purigindraal punnagai purigindraalSmiles brightly, smiles brightly
Male
Paathi kodungal endrae avaloGive half to each, she says
Mannanai ketkindraalDemanding from the King
Mannaa vendaam endrae ivaloOh King, please don't! saying this, the former woman
Mannanai thadukindraalStops the King
Male
Intha endravan antha pennidamSaying 'Here', he hands over
Maganai tharugindraanThe son to that woman
Ivalthaan unmai thaayenaShe is indeed the true mother
Mannan solomon mudikindraanKing Solomon concludes
Solomon mudikindraanSolomon concludes
Male
Pettreduththa ullaamThe heart that gave birth to a child
Endrum deivam deivamIs always divine, always divine
Adhu pesugindra vaarththaiThe words that it speaks
Endrum mounam mounamAre always silent, always silent
Male
Raththathudan saernththantha paasam paasamThe affection bound together with blood
Adhu naal kadanthum pillaiyudan pesum pesumSpeaks to the child even across time
Adhu naal kadanthum pillaiyudan pesum pesumSpeaks to the child even across time
Male
Pettreduththa ullaamThe heart that gave birth to a child
Endrum deivam deivamIs always divine, always divine
Adhu pesugindra vaarththaiThe words that it speaks
Endrum mounam mounamAre always silent, always silent
Male
Sakthi vadivaanavalae annai annaiMother is the embodiment of Sakthi
Sakthi vadivaanavalae annai annaiMother is the embodiment of Sakthi
Val thaanarivaalthaanIt is her guidance and wisdom
Valarththa kannai kannaiThat nurtures the cherished eyes
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Bakthiyilum annaithaan mudhalil deivamEven in devotion, Mother is the primary deity
Intha paar muzhuthum avalThis entire world is the treasure
Valaththa selvam selvamRaised and nurtured by her
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Pathiyam vaiththa maram pudhiyaA transplanted tree can grow and thrive
Thottamthanil nindru vaazhvathunduStanding in a new garden
Pudhiyathaaga varum uravu yaavumAll newly formed relationships
Adhan sonthamaavathillaiDo not truly belong to it
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Udhiram kondu varum idhayam polaLike the heart that shares your blood
Oru unmai anbu illaiThere is no true love anywhere
Urugum ullamena tamizh kooruvathuWhat Tamil describes as a melting heart
Annai endra sollaiIs the word called Mother
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Poovum manjaludan pongumOverflowing with flowers and turmeric
Devi aval bhuvaneshwariShe is the Goddess Bhuvaneshwari
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Poojai seithu varumTo the women who pray to her
Maathar kaaval tharum rajeshwariShe grants protection, Rajeshwari
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Paasam pongi varum deviThe Goddess overflowing with affection
Sakthi aval JegatheeswariShe is Sakthi, Jegatheeswari
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Paarvai thannil uyar needhiWith supreme justice in her gaze
Solla varum parameshwariShe comes to speak, Parameshwari
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male :BhuvaneshwariMale: Bhuvaneshwari
Chorus :Sakthi om…..sakthi om…..Chorus: Sakthi Om... Sakthi Om...
Male
Pettreduththa ullaamThe heart that gave birth to a child
Endrum deivam deivamIs always divine, always divine
Adhu pesugindra vaarththaiThe words that it speaks
Endrum mounam mounamAre always silent, always silent

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a profound homage to motherhood, celebrating a mother's selfless, divine, and unconditional love. Kannadasan weaves together philosophical reflection, narrative storytelling, and spiritual devotion. The song narrates the famous biblical parable of King Solomon's judgment to illustrate how a true mother would rather relinquish her claim on her child to save his life than see him harmed, thereby proving her genuine maternal bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Endrum deivam deivam

Words like 'Deivam deivam', 'Mounam mounam', and 'Paasam paasam' are repeated in quick succession to emphasize the divine and eternal nature of motherly affection.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sakthi vadivaanavalae annai annai

Comparing the mother to Goddess Sakthi and various divine manifestations (Bhuvaneshwari, Rajeshwari, Parameshwari).

Narrative Parable (Kathaalankaram)

Androru naal mannan solomon-nudaiya sabhaiyil

The song incorporates the story of King Solomon's wisdom to provide a vivid, dramatic illustration of true maternal sacrifice.

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Trivia

This iconic track showcases T. M. Soundararajan's expressive storytelling abilities, blending theatrical narrative singing with devotional melody set by M. S. Viswanathan.

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