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Lyrics & meaning

Saanjadu Saanjadu

From Uyirile Kalanthathu · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Details
Uyirile Kalanthathu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saanjaadu saanjaaduSway and lean, sway and lean,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child,
Tholodu thol serthuResting shoulder to shoulder,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child.
Male
Udhiram niram maatriChanging the colour of her blood,
PaalaakinaaloDid she turn it into milk?
Annai aval maarbil uyiroottinaaloDid the mother breathe life from her chest?
Aareraaree raaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaree raaraaro),
Aareraaree raaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaree raaraaro).
Male
Saanjaadu saanjaaduSway and lean, sway and lean,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child,
Tholodu thol serthuResting shoulder to shoulder,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child.
Male
Karuvil nammai thaangaTo carry us in her womb,
Varam ketkiraalShe asks for a boon,
Thaan thaayagavaeTo become a mother herself,
Aval thavam seigiraalShe performs penance.
Male
Maranam adhai paarthuFacing death itself,
Saei kaangiraalShe gives birth to a child,
Mannil irandaam muraiFor the second time on this earth,
Nam thaai pirakkiraalOur mother is born.
Male
Pillai konji vilayaadavaeTo fondle and play with her child,
Bommai vadivil aval maarinaalShe transformed into the shape of a doll,
Imai melae imayamA mountain upon her eyelids,
Namakkaaga sumandhaalShe bore for our sake.
Aareraaro aaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaro aaraaro).
Male
Saanjaadu saanjaaduSway and lean, sway and lean,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child,
Tholodu thol serthuResting shoulder to shoulder,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child.
Male
Thaayin iru pillaiA mother's two children,
Iru kangalaeAre like her two eyes,
Ondru valithalumaeIf one experiences pain,
Aval manam vaadumaeHer heart will wither.
Male
Unmai puriyaadhaFailing to understand the truth,
Oru pillaiyaeOne child,
Than ariyaamaiyaalDue to their ignorance,
Dhinam thadumaarumaeStumbles every day.
Male
Thaayin anbu poiyaagumaCan a mother's love ever be false?
Thaai paal endrum vishamaagumaCan a mother's milk ever become poison?
Sugamana ulagam karuvarai aagumA comfortable world becomes like a mother's womb.
Aareraaro aaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaro aaraaro).
Male
Saanjaadu saanjaaduSway and lean, sway and lean,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child,
Tholodu thol serthuResting shoulder to shoulder,
Saanjaadu kannaeSway and lean, my dear child.
Male
Udhiram niram maatriChanging the colour of her blood,
PaalaakinaaloDid she turn it into milk?
Annai aval maarbil uyiroottinaaloDid the mother breathe life from her chest?
Aareraaree raaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaree raaraaro),
Aareraaree raaraaroLullaby refrain (Aareraaree raaraaro).
Haaaa mmm mmmmVocalizing melody (Haaaa mmm mmmm),
Mmmmmm mmm mmm…Vocalizing melody (Mmmmmm mmm mmm…).

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song, set in the form of a lullaby (Thaalaattu), celebrates the boundless, selfless, and divine love of a mother. It highlights the immense sacrifices a mother makes—transforming her blood into milk to nourish her child, braving the agony near death to give birth, and enduring burdens as heavy as mountains out of pure love. The lyrics describe her children as her two eyes; if one suffers, her entire heart aches. Furthermore, the song addresses human ignorance and misunderstanding among siblings, reminding us that maternal love can never be false or toxic. A mother's sanctuary transforms the harsh world into a safe, comforting womb. Through tender metaphors, the track serves as a moving tribute to maternal sacrifice and unity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvamai)

Thaayin iru pillai / Iru kangalae

Compares a mother's two children to her two eyes ('Thaayin iru pillai / Iru kangalae'), emphasizing equal love and how pain in one directly affects the whole.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Imai melae imayam

Uses dramatic exaggeration ('Imai melae imayam') describing bearing a mountain upon her eyelids to highlight the magnitude of maternal hardship.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Saanjaadu saanjaadu

Repetition of initial consonants/sounds across words, such as 'Saanjaadu saanjaadu' creating a rhythmic lullaby cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Thaayin anbu poiyaaguma

Asks rhetorical questions ('Thaayin anbu poiyaaguma / Thaai paal endrum vishamaaguma') to assert the absolute purity and unshakeable nature of motherly affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Saanjaadu saanjaadu' features music composed by Deva for the 2000 Tamil romantic drama film 'Uyirile Kalanthathu', starring Suriya, Jyothika, and Raghuvaran. Written by poet Vairamuthu, the track captures emotional family dynamics and maternal devotion, rendered with deeply evocative lullaby motifs.

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