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Lyrics & meaning

Santhana Malligaiyil I

From Rajakali Amman · 2000

Lyricist
Kalai Kumar
Singers
Vadivelu, Swarnalatha
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Rajakali Amman2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Santhana malligaiyilIn sandalwood and jasmine,
Thooli katti pottaenI tied a cradle.
Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo…..Oh Mother, sleep soundly to this lullaby...
Veppila veesikittu paattu solluraenaeWaving neem leaves, I sing a song,
Kettu nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo…..Listen and sleep soundly to this lullaby...
Male
Indha ulagai aalum thaayikkuFor the Mother who rules this world,
Chellapulla naanirukkaenI am here as her beloved child.
En kavala theerkka venaamaaaShouldn't you resolve my worries?
Kann valaru thaayiSleep soundly, my Mother.
Male
Santhana malligaiyilIn sandalwood and jasmine,
Thooli katti pottaenI tied a cradle.
Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo…..Oh Mother, sleep soundly to this lullaby...
Male
Paambe thalaiyanathaanWith a serpent as your pillow,
Veppilaiyae panju meththaAnd sacred neem leaves as your cotton mattress,
Aathaa kann valaraFor Mother Goddess to sleep,
Aariraaro paadum pullaI, your child, sing a lullaby.
Endha oru pillaikkumaeNo other child in this world
Indha varam kedaikkalaHas received such a rare blessing.
Aanandhame ponguthammaaJoy overflows inside me, Mother,
Vittu vittu kannulaFlowing continuously from my eyes as tears.
Male
Thaayi magamaayiOh Mother Mahamayi,
Naan enna koduthu vachen.What good deeds I must have done!
Paadham thirupaadhamAt your divine feet,
Adhil nenja eduthu vachen…..I have placed my heart...
Male
Santhana malligaiyilIn sandalwood and jasmine,
Thooli katti pottaenI tied a cradle.
Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo….Oh Mother, sleep soundly to this lullaby...
Female
Oru vaai sorrunakkuWhen I fed you
Ootti vitta vaelaiyilaA single mouthful of rice,
Ulagam pasi adangiThe hunger of the whole world was satisfied,
Uranguthammaa nerathulaAnd slept peacefully at that moment.
Udhattu parukayilaFrom the rice grains on your lips,
Onnu rendu sindhuthadiA couple fell down,
Atha naan rusi paarthaeAnd by tasting them,
Motcham ingae vandhathadiSalvation descended right here.
Female
Theeyae ini neeyaeOh Sacred Fire, from now on,
En nenjinil thangividuStay forever within my heart!
Pogum vazhi yaavumOn all the paths we travel,
Nee engalin kooda iruPlease remain by our side!
Female
Santhana malligaiyilIn sandalwood and jasmine,
Thooli katti pottaenI tied a cradle.
Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo…..Oh Mother, sleep soundly to this lullaby...
Veppila veesikittu paattu solluraenaeWaving neem leaves, I sing a song,
Kettu nee kann valaru thaalae lallaeloListen and sleep soundly to this lullaby.
Female
Indha ulagai aalum thaayikkuFor the Mother who rules this world,
Chellapulla naanirukkaenI am here as her beloved child.
En kavala theerkka venaamaaaShouldn't you resolve my worries?
Kann valaru thaayiSleep soundly, my Mother.
Female
Santhana malligaiyilIn sandalwood and jasmine,
Thooli katti pottaenI tied a cradle.
Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo….Oh Mother, sleep soundly to this lullaby...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional lullaby from the film Rajakali Amman expresses an intense, intimate bond of devotion where the devotee adopts the role of a parent toward the cosmic Mother Goddess Amman (Vatsalya Bhava). Reversing conventional devotional dynamics, the singer crafts a sweet cradle of sandalwood and jasmine blossoms, waves cooling neem leaves, and gently sings a lullaby to put the ruler of the universe to sleep. The song highlights how the divine mother accepts the devotee's humble offerings, turning a simple spoonful of rice into universal nourishment and ultimate salvation (moksha).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Vatsalya Bhava (Maternal/Paternal Devotion)

Thaayi nee kann valaru thaalae lallaelo

A classical concept in Indian devotional literature where the devotee treats the Supreme Deity as their child, seen in singing a lullaby (thaalaattu) to the cosmic Mother.

Metaphor / Vivid Visual Imagery

Paambe thalaiyanathaan Veppilaiyae panju meththa

Metaphorically portraying the divine serpent as a pillow and sacred neem leaves as a soft cotton mattress for the Goddess.

Hyperbole (Atisayokti)

Oru vaai sorrunakku Ootti vitta vaelaiyila Ulagam pasi adangi

Poetic exaggeration showing that feeding the Goddess a single morsel of food satisfies the hunger of the entire world.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Theeyae ini neeyae / Pogum vazhi yaavum

Traditional Tamil poetic technique where the second consonant of consecutive lines rhyme, as in 'Theeyae' and 'Pogum' (e-ness sound).

Did you know?

Trivia

Rajakali Amman (2000) is a blockbuster Tamil devotional film directed by Rama Narayanan, starring Ramya Krishnan and Karan. The music was composed by SA Rajkumar, and the song captures the central theme of spiritual surrender and maternal affection toward Goddess Amman.

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