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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillai Thamizh Paadugiren

From Oorukku Uzhaippavan · 1976

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oorukku Uzhaippavan1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem (Pillai-thamizh)
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child
Malligai pol manadhil vaazhumLiving in the heart like a pure jasmine flower
Mazhalaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sweet child
Naan paadugirenI am singing
Male
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child
Male
Neela kadal alai polaLike the waves of the blue ocean
Needoozhi nee vaazhgaMay you live a long and eternal life
Nenjam ennum gangaiyilaeIn the holy Ganges river of my heart
Neeraadhi nee vaazhgaBathing in love, may you live happily
Kaanji mannan pughazh polaLike the enduring fame of the King of Kanchi
Kaaviyamaai nee vaazhgaMay you live as grandly as an epic masterpiece
Kadavulukkum kadavulenaAs a divine being even to God Himself
Kanmaniyae nee vaazhgaMay you live long, my precious child
Male
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child
Male
Vaana mazhai thuli yaavumNot every drop of rain falling from the sky
Muthaaga maaraadhuTurns into a precious pearl
Vannamigu malar yaavumNot every colorful blooming flower
Un pol sirikkaadhuCan smile as beautifully as you do
Thaedi vaitha porul yaavumAll the accumulated treasures and wealth
Thaen mazhalai aagaadhuCan never equal the sweet babble of a child
Thiruvilakkin oliyazhagumEven the serene beauty of a sacred lamp's flame
Un azhagai kaattaadhuCannot mirror or match your innocent beauty
Male
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child
Malligai pol manadhil vaazhumLiving in the heart like a pure jasmine flower
Mazhalaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sweet child
Naan paadugireniraenI am singing
Male
Pillai thamizh paadugirenI sing a traditional child-praise poem
Oru pillaikkaaga paadugirenI sing for the sake of a child

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender lullaby and tribute to a child, structured in the classic classical Tamil genre 'Pillaitthamizh' (a genre of poetry dedicated to praising a child's stages of growth). The singer showering endless blessings upon the infant, comparing the child's sweet innocence to jasmine flowers and comparing the love in their heart to the sacred Ganges river. The lyrics express wishes for the child to live as long and grandly as ocean waves and epic classical literature. In the second stanza, the lyricist poetically contrasts the incomparable charm of a child with natural beauty—not all rain becomes pearls, nor can any flower's bloom equal the divine smile and sweet babble of a child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Malligai pol manadhil vaazhum

Compares the sweet presence of the child residing in the heart to a fresh jasmine flower ('Malligai pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjam ennum gangaiyilae

Metaphorically equates the deep emotions of the heart to the holy river Ganges ('Nenjam ennum gangai').

Alliteration (Moonaai / Ethirai)

Neela kadal alai pola / Needoozhi nee vaazhga

Consonant and vowel rhyming sound matching at the start of words ('Neela kadal' / 'Needoozhi', 'Kaanji' / 'Kaaviyamaai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pillai Thamizh' is a revered traditional Tamil literary genre dating back over a thousand years. Lyricist Muthulingam beautifully adapted this classical poetic format into film lyrics for the M. G. Ramachandran starrer 'Oorukku Uzhaippavan' (1976), featuring memorable music composed by M. S. Viswanathan.

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