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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rajathi Petreduthal Sad

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 pettreduthaal rajakumariThe queen gave birth to a princess
En rajavukku aval oru selvakumariShe is a beloved cherished daughter to my king
Rajaththi pettreduthaal rajakumariThe queen gave birth to a princess
En rajavukku aval oru selvakumariShe is a beloved cherished daughter to my king
Female
Thanga pappa intha veettil illayakumariA golden baby girl, the youngest maiden in this household
Pettra thaai veedae kadhi enavae vantha kumariA maiden who returned believing her birth mother's home is her ultimate refuge
Female
Rajaththi pettreduthaal rajakumariThe queen gave birth to a princess
En rajavukku aval oru selvakumariShe is a beloved cherished daughter to my king
Female
Aayiram seervarisaiA thousand customary gifts and dowry items
Alli vaippaal annaiyendruBelieving her mother would shower upon her in abundance
Naanooru vandi kattiHarnessing four hundred bullock carts
Nadanthu vanthaal selvamagalThe wealthy daughter arrived
Female
Thaai veettu seedhanamoIs this the dowry from her mother's home?
Thaaliyindri yaaedhumillaiThere is nothing left except the sacred thali
Thaaliyindri yaaedhumillaiThere is nothing left except the sacred thali
Paai pottu kannurangaTo spread out a mat and close my eyes to rest
Paavi kannil thookkamillaiThere is no sleep in the eyes of this sinner
Female
Maanikka thottil kaana ninaiththuHoping to see a ruby-studded cradle
Mangalam kondathadiAn auspicious celebration was held, my dear
Mannanumindri makkalumindriWith neither a husband nor children beside her
Vanthu vizhunthathadiShe came and collapsed here, my dear
Female
Rajaththi pettreduthaal rajakumariThe queen gave birth to a princess
En rajavukku aval oru selvakumariShe is a beloved cherished daughter to my king
Female
Anju magal pettreduththaalIf one gives birth to five daughters
Arasargalum aandiyadiEven kings will be turned into beggars, my dear
Anjaththaan naanum pettraenIt was out of fear that I prayed to God
Aandavanai vendiyadiAnd gave birth to them, my dear
Female
Konjamaa aasai vaithaenDid I desire only a little?
Kodaanu kodiyadiMy desires were in tens of millions, my dear
Koththodu vanthathadiThey came all at once as a whole cluster
Pettreduththa kiligaladiThe little parrots that I gave birth to, my dear
Pettreduththa kiligaladiThe little parrots that I gave birth to, my dear
Female
Ennaththai solli ennaththai enniWhat can I say and what can I ponder
Aaruthal kolvathadiTo find solace and comfort, my dear?
Koyilai kandu saamiyai kanduLook at the temple and look at the deity
Kumbittu kelungadiBow down and ask Him, my dear
Female
Rajaththi pettreduthaal rajakumariThe queen gave birth to a princess
En rajavukku aval oru selvakumariShe is a beloved cherished daughter to my king

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Maanikka Thottil' expresses the deep grief and anguish of a mother reflecting on the plight of her daughter. The mother sings about how a daughter, once treated like a princess in her home, has returned to her maternal refuge stripped of her happiness, husband, and children, leaving her with nothing but her sacred wedding thread (thali).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb / Cultural Allusion

Anju magal pettreduththaal / Arasargalum aandiyadi

Incorporates the famous traditional Tamil adage 'Anju magal pettreduththaal arasargalum aandi' to reflect the economic and emotional hardship traditionally associated with raising multiple daughters.

Metaphor

Pettreduththa kiligaladi

Compares her daughters affectionately to tender 'parrots' (kiligal), emphasizing maternal love despite her sorrow.

Moanai (Initial Alliteration)

Anju magal pettreduththaal / Arasargalum aandiyadi / Anjaththaan naanum pettraen / Aandavanai vendiyadi

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('A') across consecutive lines to establish rhythmic flow.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mannanumindri makkalumindri

Matching of the second consonant ('nn') across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Maanikka Thottil' (1974) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Singer P. Susheela's poignant rendition captures the melancholy tone of maternal heartbreak, making it one of the classic emotional melodies of 1970s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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