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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Selvangale

From Shanthi Nilayam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Shanthi Nilayam1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
SelvangalaeOh precious treasures!
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalaeOh innocent hearts where gods reside!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Chorus
Rampaampaam dhararampaamRampaampaam dhararampaam
Chamchamchaam dhararampaamChamchamchaam dhararampaam
Female
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavaeCome, come, come, oh white moon!
Chorus
Rampaampaam dhararampaamRampaampaam dhararampaam
Chamchamchaam dhararampaamChamchamchaam dhararampaam
Female
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavaeCome, come, come, oh white moon!
Female
Ullangal pesattumLet the hearts converse,
Pillaigal thoongattumLet the children sleep,
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavaeCome, come, come, oh white moon!
Manjathil maan kuttiThe little fawn on the bed,
Konjattum kan kottiLet it snuggle while blinking its eyes,
Aaraaro aariraaroAaraaro aariraaro
Female
SelvangalaeOh precious treasures!
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalaeOh innocent hearts where gods reside!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Female
KaalamenbadhuWhat is known as time,
Un varavukkaaga kaathirukkumIs waiting for your arrival,
Kaniyai pondradhuLike a sweet fruit,
Nal kaniyai pondradhuLike a wholesome fruit.
Female
KaalamenbadhuWhat is known as time,
Un varavukkaaga kaathirukkumIs waiting for your arrival,
Kaniyai pondradhuLike a sweet fruit,
Nal kaniyai pondradhuLike a wholesome fruit.
Female
Naalai enbadhuWhat is called tomorrow,
Un nanmaikkaaga poothu nirkkumStands in bloom for your well-being,
Malarai pondradhuLike a flower,
Malarai pondradhuLike a flower.
Female
Kan maiyin vannathilIn the dark tint of kohl,
Unmaigal minnattumLet truths shine brightly,
Oh oh oh ullangalaeOh, dear hearts,
Dheivangal koodattum thaalaattu paadattumLet the gods gather and sing a lullaby,
Aaraaro aariraaraoAaraaro aariraarao
Female
SelvangalaeOh precious treasures!
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalaeOh innocent hearts where gods reside!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthuDevelop your wisdom at a young age,
Ulagai vellungalenAnd conquer the world!
Female
SelvangalaeOh precious treasures!
Female
Kottum mazhaiyumEven if torrential rain falls,
Idi vanthaalumOr thunder strikes,
Acham enbathu koodaadhuOne must never entertain fear!
Bayandhavanukku nizhalum pagaiyaeTo a fearful person, even a shadow is an enemy,
Thunindhavanukku kadalum sirithaeTo a brave person, even the ocean is small!
Kollum bootham peigal enavaeThat deadly monsters and ghosts exist,
Ennum ennam koodathu…koodaathu…Such thoughts should not be harbored... never...
Koodaathu..koodaathu…Never... never...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Selvangalae Dheivangal Vaazhum' is an inspiring lullaby and instructional song from the classic Tamil film Shanthi Nilayam (1969). Lyricist Kannadasan crafts a song that blends gentle care for sleeping children with profound moral guidance. The narrator addresses children as divine treasures, urging them to cultivate knowledge and courage from a tender age so they may overcome life's obstacles and conquer the world. The song gently dismisses superstitions and irrational fears, emphasizing that time and tomorrow are blooming opportunities waiting for brave, enlightened minds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Kaalamenbadhu... Kaniyai pondradhu / Malarai pondradhu

Compares 'Time' (Kaalam) to a ripening fruit waiting for arrival, and 'Tomorrow' (Naalai) to a blooming flower.

Ethirsol (Antithesis / Contrast)

Bayandhavanukku nizhalum pagaiyae / Thunindhavanukku kadalum sirithae

Contrasts the perspective of a coward who fears even shadows with a brave person who views the vast ocean as small.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition / Anaphora)

Vaa vaa vaa vennilavae / Koodaathu..koodaathu

Repetition of words like 'vaa vaa vaa' and 'koodaathu' to add lyrical rhythm and reinforce an imperative emotional tone.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Shanthi Nilayam' (1969) was adapted from Charlotte Brontë's famous English novel 'Jane Eyre'. The music for this evergreen track was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with famous playback singer P. Susheela rendering the vocals. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography.

Keep listening

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