Pillai Kali Theera
From Kulama Gunama · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Kulama Gunama1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Muthae maragadhamae | Oh pearl! Oh emerald! |
| Female | |
| Mukkaniyae sakkaraiyae | Oh three-fold sweet fruits! Oh sugar! |
| Female | |
| Kothu marukkozhundhae | Oh bunch of fragrant marjoram! |
| Female | |
| Kodai palaa pazhamae | Oh sweet summer jackfruit! |
| Female | |
| Thathum kiliyae | Oh hopping parrot! |
| Female | |
| Thadaagathu thaamaraiyae | Oh lotus blossoming in the pond! |
| Female | |
| Sandhana cholaiyae | Oh grove of sandalwood! |
| Female | |
| Saamandhi poo kaadae | Oh forest of chrysanthemum flowers! |
| Female | |
| Vadakku pani malaiyae | Oh snowy mountain of the north! |
| Female | |
| Pani malaiyin kulir kaattrae | Oh cool breeze from the snow mountain! |
| Female | |
| Kulir kaattril salasalakkum | Oh rustling sound in the cool breeze, |
| Odai ilam thanneerae | fresh water of the flowing stream! |
| Female | |
| Pillai kali theera | To end the sorrow of childlessness, |
| En pillai kali theera | To end my longing for a child, |
| Un annai vandhu serndhaal | your mother arrived and united. |
| Un annai kurai theera | To fulfill your mother's deep void, |
| Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai | you came along right after. |
| Female | |
| Pillai kali theera | To end the sorrow of childlessness, |
| Un annai vandhu serndhaal | your mother arrived and united. |
| Un annai kurai theera | To fulfill your mother's deep void, |
| Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai | you came along right after. |
| Aariraari raaro aaraariraari raaro | Aariraari raaro aaraariraari raaro (Lullaby refrain) |
| Female | |
| Nenjukku thaan theriyum | Only the heart truly knows |
| Adhu ninaithirundha neram | the times it spent yearning for this. |
| Female | |
| Kannukku thaan theriyum | Only the eyes truly know |
| Adhu kaathirundha kaalam | the long period spent waiting for this. |
| Female | |
| Nenjukku thaan theriyum | Only the heart truly knows |
| Adhu ninaithirundha neram | the times it spent yearning for this. |
| Female | |
| Kannukku thaan theriyum | Only the eyes truly know |
| Adhu kaathirundha kaalam | the long period spent waiting for this. |
| Female | |
| Pennukku thaan theriyum | Only a woman truly knows |
| Unnai sumandhirundha kolam | the grace and burden of carrying you. |
| Pennukku thaan theriyum | Only a woman truly knows |
| Unnai sumandhirundha kolam | the grace and burden of carrying you. |
| Female | |
| Pillaikku thaan theriyum | Only a child truly knows |
| Annai manadhil ulla paasam | the boundless love inside a mother's heart. |
| Female | |
| Pillai kali theera | To end the sorrow of childlessness, |
| En pillai kali theera | To end my longing for a child, |
| Un annai vandhu serndhaal | your mother arrived and united. |
| Un annai kurai theera | To fulfill your mother's deep void, |
| Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai | you came along right after. |
| Female | |
| Vaazhndha naalum ondru | The day lived is one and the same, |
| Nee valarndha naalum ondru | the day you grew is one and the same. |
| Female | |
| Sumandha naalum ondru | The day carried in womb is one and the same, |
| Paal surandha naalum ondru | the day milk overflowed is one and the same. |
| Female | |
| Vaazhndha naalum ondru | The day lived is one and the same, |
| Nee valarndha naalum ondru | the day you grew is one and the same. |
| Female | |
| Sumandha naalum ondru | The day carried in womb is one and the same, |
| Paal surandha naalum ondru | the day milk overflowed is one and the same. |
| Female | |
| Yaar eduthaal enna | What does it matter who lifted you up? |
| Un thaayin manam menmai | Your mother's heart is pure and gentle. |
| Yaar eduthaal enna | What does it matter who lifted you up? |
| Un thaayin manam menmai | Your mother's heart is pure and gentle. |
| Female | |
| Yaar koduthaal enna | What does it matter who gave you? |
| Kannae paalin niram venmai | My dear, the color of milk is always white. |
| Female | |
| Sippi thandha muthu | A pearl bestowed by a seashell, |
| Idhu dheivam thandha sothu | this is a treasure granted by God. |
| Unnai petreduthaal annai | A mother gave birth to you, |
| Naan thatheduthaen unnai | and I have adopted you as my own. |
முத்தே மரகதமே
Oh pearl! Oh emerald!
முக்கனியே சர்க்கரையே
Oh three-fold sweet fruits! Oh sugar!
கொத்து மருக்கொழுந்தே
Oh bunch of fragrant marjoram!
கோடை பலாப்பழமே
Oh sweet summer jackfruit!
தத்தும் கிளியே
Oh hopping parrot!
தடாகத்து தாமரையே
Oh lotus blossoming in the pond!
சந்தன சோலையே
Oh grove of sandalwood!
சாமந்தி பூக்காடே
Oh forest of chrysanthemum flowers!
வடக்கு பனிமலையே
Oh snowy mountain of the north!
பனிமலையின் குளிர்க்காற்றே
Oh cool breeze from the snow mountain!
குளிர் காற்றில் சலசலக்கும்
ஓடை இளந்தண்ணீரே
Oh rustling sound in the cool breeze,
fresh water of the flowing stream!
குலம் காக்க வந்த எங்கள்
கோமகனே தாலேலோ தாலே தாலேலோ.
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
To end my longing for a child,
your mother arrived and united.
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
you came along right after.
பிள்ளைக்கலி தீர
என் பிள்ளைக்கலி தீர
உன் அன்னை வந்து சேர்ந்தாள்
உன் அன்னை குறை தீர
நீ பின்னே வந்து சேர்ந்தாய்
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
your mother arrived and united.
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
you came along right after.
Aariraari raaro aaraariraari raaro (Lullaby refrain)
பிள்ளைக் கலி தீர
உன் அன்னை வந்து சேர்ந்தாள்
உன் அன்னை குறை தீர
நீ பின்னே வந்து சேர்ந்தாய்
ஆரிராரி ராரோ ஆராராரிராரோ ராரோ
Only the heart truly knows
the times it spent yearning for this.
நெஞ்சுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அது நினைத்திருந்த நேரம்
Only the eyes truly know
the long period spent waiting for this.
கண்ணுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அது காத்திருந்த காலம்
Only the heart truly knows
the times it spent yearning for this.
நெஞ்சுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அது நினைத்திருந்த நேரம்
Only the eyes truly know
the long period spent waiting for this.
கண்ணுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அது காத்திருந்த காலம்
Only a woman truly knows
the grace and burden of carrying you.
Only a woman truly knows
the grace and burden of carrying you.
பெண்ணுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
உன்னை சுமந்திருந்த கோலம்
பெண்ணுக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
உன்னை சுமந்திருந்த கோலம்
Only a child truly knows
the boundless love inside a mother's heart.
பிள்ளைக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அன்னை மனதில் உள்ள பாசம்
பிள்ளைக்கலி தீர
என் பிள்ளைக்கலி தீர
உன் அன்னை வந்து சேர்ந்தாள்
உன் அன்னை குறை தீர
நீ பின்னே வந்து சேர்ந்தாய்
இருவர் :
ஆரிராரி ராரோ ஆராராரிராரோ ராரோ
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
To end my longing for a child,
your mother arrived and united.
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
you came along right after.
வாழ்ந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
நீ வளந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
The day lived is one and the same,
the day you grew is one and the same.
சுமந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
பால் சுரந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
The day carried in womb is one and the same,
the day milk overflowed is one and the same.
வாழ்ந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
நீ வளந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
The day lived is one and the same,
the day you grew is one and the same.
சுமந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
பால் சுரந்த நாளும் ஒன்று
The day carried in womb is one and the same,
the day milk overflowed is one and the same.
யார் எடுத்தால் என்ன
உன் தாயின் மனம் மென்மை
யார் எடுத்தால் என்ன
உன் தாயின் மனம் மென்மை
What does it matter who lifted you up?
Your mother's heart is pure and gentle.
What does it matter who lifted you up?
Your mother's heart is pure and gentle.
யார் கொடுத்தால் என்ன
கண்ணே பாலின் நிறம் வெண்மை
What does it matter who gave you?
My dear, the color of milk is always white.
சிப்பி தந்த முத்து
இது தெய்வம் தந்த சொத்து
உன்னை பெற்றெடுத்தாள் அன்னை
நான் தத்தெடுத்தேன் உன்னை
A pearl bestowed by a seashell,
this is a treasure granted by God.
A mother gave birth to you,
and I have adopted you as my own.
ஆரிராரி ராரோ ஆராராரிராரோ ராரோ
ஆரிராரி ராரோ ஆராராரிராரோ ராரோ
ஆரிராரி ராரோ ஆராராரிராரோ ராரோ
Muthae maragadhamae
Oh pearl! Oh emerald!
Mukkaniyae sakkaraiyae
Oh three-fold sweet fruits! Oh sugar!
Kothu marukkozhundhae
Oh bunch of fragrant marjoram!
Kodai palaa pazhamae
Oh sweet summer jackfruit!
Thathum kiliyae
Oh hopping parrot!
Thadaagathu thaamaraiyae
Oh lotus blossoming in the pond!
Sandhana cholaiyae
Oh grove of sandalwood!
Saamandhi poo kaadae
Oh forest of chrysanthemum flowers!
Vadakku pani malaiyae
Oh snowy mountain of the north!
Pani malaiyin kulir kaattrae
Oh cool breeze from the snow mountain!
Kulir kaattril salasalakkum
Oh rustling sound in the cool breeze,
Odai ilam thanneerae
fresh water of the flowing stream!
Pillai kali theera
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
En pillai kali theera
To end my longing for a child,
Un annai vandhu serndhaal
your mother arrived and united.
Un annai kurai theera
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai
you came along right after.
Pillai kali theera
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
Un annai vandhu serndhaal
your mother arrived and united.
Un annai kurai theera
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai
you came along right after.
Aariraari raaro aaraariraari raaro
Aariraari raaro aaraariraari raaro (Lullaby refrain)
Nenjukku thaan theriyum
Only the heart truly knows
Adhu ninaithirundha neram
the times it spent yearning for this.
Kannukku thaan theriyum
Only the eyes truly know
Adhu kaathirundha kaalam
the long period spent waiting for this.
Nenjukku thaan theriyum
Only the heart truly knows
Adhu ninaithirundha neram
the times it spent yearning for this.
Kannukku thaan theriyum
Only the eyes truly know
Adhu kaathirundha kaalam
the long period spent waiting for this.
Pennukku thaan theriyum
Only a woman truly knows
Unnai sumandhirundha kolam
the grace and burden of carrying you.
Pennukku thaan theriyum
Only a woman truly knows
Unnai sumandhirundha kolam
the grace and burden of carrying you.
Pillaikku thaan theriyum
Only a child truly knows
Annai manadhil ulla paasam
the boundless love inside a mother's heart.
Pillai kali theera
To end the sorrow of childlessness,
En pillai kali theera
To end my longing for a child,
Un annai vandhu serndhaal
your mother arrived and united.
Un annai kurai theera
To fulfill your mother's deep void,
Nee pinnae vandhu serndhaai
you came along right after.
Vaazhndha naalum ondru
The day lived is one and the same,
Nee valarndha naalum ondru
the day you grew is one and the same.
Sumandha naalum ondru
The day carried in womb is one and the same,
Paal surandha naalum ondru
the day milk overflowed is one and the same.
Vaazhndha naalum ondru
The day lived is one and the same,
Nee valarndha naalum ondru
the day you grew is one and the same.
Sumandha naalum ondru
The day carried in womb is one and the same,
Paal surandha naalum ondru
the day milk overflowed is one and the same.
Yaar eduthaal enna
What does it matter who lifted you up?
Un thaayin manam menmai
Your mother's heart is pure and gentle.
Yaar eduthaal enna
What does it matter who lifted you up?
Un thaayin manam menmai
Your mother's heart is pure and gentle.
Yaar koduthaal enna
What does it matter who gave you?
Kannae paalin niram venmai
My dear, the color of milk is always white.
Sippi thandha muthu
A pearl bestowed by a seashell,
Idhu dheivam thandha sothu
this is a treasure granted by God.
Unnai petreduthaal annai
A mother gave birth to you,
Naan thatheduthaen unnai
and I have adopted you as my own.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This touching Tamil song from 'Kulama Gunama' (1971) is a soulful lullaby expressing maternal love, devotion, and the joy of welcoming a child into a home. The lyrics begin with an array of affectionate metaphors comparing the infant to precious gems, sweet fruits, fragrant flowers, and pristine nature, highlighting how beloved and cherished the child is.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvakamm)
“Muthae maragadhamae / Mukkaniyae sakkaraiyae”
The opening lines shower the child with vivid metaphors, equating the infant to pearls, emeralds, jackfruits, and lotus flowers to express pure affection.
Anaphora (Eyalbu Thodarchiyani)
“Nenjukku thaan theriyum... Kannukku thaan theriyum... Pennukku thaan theriyum”
Repetition of sentence structures ending with '-ukku thaan theriyum' creates a rhythmic cadence emphasizing inner emotions of heart, eyes, and mother.
Imagery (Katchiyani)
“Pani malaiyin kulir kaattrae / Kulir kaattril salasalakkum / Odai ilam thanneerae”
Evokes rich sensory descriptions of nature, such as cool mountain breezes, rustling streams, and blooming sandalwood groves.
Rhyme / Parallelism (Edhurai & Iyaibu)
“Vaazhndha naalum ondru / Nee valarndha naalum ondru”
Rhythmic end-rhyming and parallel phrasing in 'naalum ondru' lines build a musical, soothing lullaby rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1971 Tamil film 'Kulama Gunama', this track features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered beautifully by P. Susheela. It remains one of the classic examples of maternal affection and lullabies in Tamil cinema history.
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