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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rajathi Petredupaal

From Maanikka Thottil · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Maanikka Thottil1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Female
Thambi pappa intha veettin ilaiyakumaranThe baby brother is the youngest prince of this home
Alli thallaatta naalu pengalTo embrace and cradle him, four sisters
Udan pirappaagumWill be born as his siblings
Chorus
Thambi pappa intha veettin ilaiyakumaranThe baby brother is the youngest prince of this home
Alli thallaatta naalu pengalTo embrace and cradle him, four sisters
Udan pirappaagumWill be born as his siblings
Female
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Female
Sanginaal paal koduththaalIf milk is fed with a conch-feeder
Santhanavaai nogumendruFearing his sandal-soft mouth will hurt
Sanginaal paal koduththaalIf milk is fed with a conch-feeder
Santhanavaai nogumendruFearing his sandal-soft mouth will hurt
Thangathaal sangi seithuMaking a feeding-conch out of pure gold
Tharuvaaraam thanthaiyadiThe father will give it to him, my dear
Female
Pachai magan paduthurangaThe innocent young infant lies asleep
Pavala mani thottiladiIn a cradle adorned with coral beads
Mannavan kannurangaThe little king sleeps soundly
Maanikka thottiladiIn a ruby-studded cradle
Chorus
Maanikka thottil raththinapattuA ruby cradle and fine silk sheets
Thambikku kondaattamA joyful celebration for the little brother
Maambazhachittu kannaththai thottuTouching his mango-like tender cheeks
Engalin kondaattamIt is a joy for all of us
Female
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Female
Archanrukku geedhai sonnaanHe taught the Gita to Arjuna
Annalavan kannanadiHe is the supreme Lord Krishna, my dear
Archanrukku geedhai sonnaanHe taught the Gita to Arjuna
Annalavan kannanadiHe is the supreme Lord Krishna, my dear
Thanthaiyidam manthiraththaiTo his own father, the sacred mantra
Saattriyavan kandhanadiWas preached by Lord Murugan, my dear
Female
Ellorukkum kalvi thanthaanHe gave education to everyone
Sivakaami selvanadiHe is the beloved son of Sivakami, my dear
En maganum avar polaeMy son, just like them
Valarnthu varum thalaivanadiWill grow up to be a rising leader, my dear
Chorus
Maanikka thottil raththinapattuA ruby cradle and fine silk sheets
Thambikku kondaattamA joyful celebration for the little brother
Maambazhachittu kannaththai thottuTouching his mango-like tender cheeks
Engalin kondaattamIt is a joy for all of us
Female
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Female
Thanthaikku thambi tharumThe younger brother will give to his father
Thangamani kadigaaramA precious gold pocket watch
Thanthaikku thambi tharumThe younger brother will give to his father
Thangamani kadigaaramA precious gold pocket watch
Annaikku avan tharuvaanTo his mother, he will present
Aaru poun muththaaramA six-sovereign gold pearl necklace
Female
Akkaavin thirumanaththilFor his elder sister's wedding
Ainthu vandi seervarisaiFive cartloads of wedding gifts
Ammaadi enna solvaenOh my, how can I describe it
Aasai magan paer varisaiThe endless honor and gifts from my beloved son
Chorus
Maanikka thottil raththinapattuA ruby cradle and fine silk sheets
Thambikku kondaattamA joyful celebration for the little brother
Maambazhachittu kannaththai thottuTouching his mango-like tender cheeks
Engalin kondaattamIt is a joy for all of us
Chorus
Thambi pappa intha veettin ilaiyakumaranThe baby brother is the youngest prince of this home
Alli thallaatta naalu pengalTo embrace and cradle him, four sisters
Udan pirappaagumWill be born as his siblings
Female
Aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing vocal music
Aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing vocal music
Chorus
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna
Rajaththi pettredupaal rajakumaranThe queen will give birth to a prince
En rajavukku avan oru nandhakumaranFor my king, he will be a young Krishna

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil lullaby portrays a mother's sweet dream and high aspirations for her unborn or newborn son. She visualizes the joy her child will bring to the family, envisioning how his four sisters will pamper him and how his father will craft lavish items like a golden milk-feeder and a ruby-encrusted cradle for him. Beyond material luxury, the lyrics weave spiritual and social ideals into the baby's future. Kannadasan compares the infant to Lord Krishna (who preached the Bhagavad Gita), Lord Murugan (who imparted supreme wisdom to Lord Shiva), and K. Kamaraj (referred to as Sivakami's son, who introduced widespread free education). The mother envisions her son growing up into a benevolent, noble leader who brings prosperities and pride to his parents and sisters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sanginaal paal koduththaal / Santhanavaai nogumendru

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines, standard in classical Tamil prosody (e.g., 'Rajaththi' / 'En rajavukku' with 'ja', or 'Sanginaal' / 'Santhanavaai' / 'Thangathaal').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Archanrukku geedhai sonnaan / Annalavan kannanadi

Repetition of the initial letter or sound across adjacent words in a line.

Metaphor & Imagery

Maambazhachittu kannaththai thottu

'Santhanavaai' compares the baby's mouth to delicate, fragrant sandalwood paste, while 'Maambazhachittu' compares tender cheeks to ripe mangoes.

Historical and Puranic Allusion

Ellorukkum kalvi thanthaan Sivakaami selvanadi

Referencing Lord Krishna teaching Arjuna, Lord Murugan teaching Lord Shiva, and K. Kamaraj (Sivakami's son) providing free education across Tamil Nadu.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Ellorukkum kalvi thanthaan Sivakaami selvanadi' is a tribute to K. Kamaraj, the legendary Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who revolutionized school education and mid-day meal programs. Kamaraj's mother was Sivakami Ammal. Lyricist Kannadasan brilliantly seamlessly integrated political/historical praise into a maternal lullaby.

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