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Lyrics & meaning

Sontham Endru

From Thalattu Padava · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalattu Padava1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haaa aah…aah aah aah aaa …Haaa aah…aah aah aah aaa …
Aa…aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa…aa…Aa…aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa…aa…
Male
Sondham endruClaiming me as your own,
Vandhavalae aaththaaO mother who came to me,
Indha pinju manamThis tender young heart
Vendhadhadi aaththaaHas burned in sorrow, mother.
Male
Sondham endruClaiming me as your own,
Vandhavalae aaththaaO mother who came to me,
Indha pinju manamThis tender young heart
Vendhadhadi aaththaaHas burned in sorrow, mother.
Male
Anbaaladhaan alli anachchaShe embraced me tightly with affection,
Onnaa rendaa solli mudikkaIs it just one or two things to recount?
Pattiyala chollattumaaShall I list down everything?
Patta kadan theerndhidumaaWill that clear the debt I owe?
Pattiyala chollattumaaShall I list down everything?
Patta kadan theerndhidumaaWill that clear the debt I owe?
Male
Sondham endruClaiming me as your own,
Vandhavalae aaththaaO mother who came to me,
Indha pinju manamThis tender young heart
Vendhadhadi aaththaaHas burned in sorrow, mother.
Male
Kondu vandhu thandhaalennaWhat if she brought gifts and gave them?
Ondrum indri vandhaalennaWhat if she came with nothing at all?
Kondu vandhu thandhaalennaWhat if she brought gifts and gave them?
Ondrum indri vandhaalennaWhat if she came with nothing at all?
Oru naalum ullam nondhadhuDid her heart ever ache with regret,
Undaa undaaDid it ever, did it ever?
Male
Mannum ponna thandhaalennaWhat if she gave land and gold?
Vaanam poiyaa poonaalennaWhat if the sky failed to rain?
Oru velai illai endradhuDid she ever say there is no meal available,
Undaa undaaDid it ever happen, did it ever?
Male
Veyilil nizhal…A shadow in the heat…
Veyilil nizhal vendumendruWishing for shade in the scorching heat,
Maram valarppadhunduOne might plant and nurture a tree.
Vayadhil thunai vendum endraaDid you raise me thinking,
Ennai valarththu vandhaaiThat I would be your support in old age?
Undhan anbukkingaeFor your selfless love here,
Kaaranamae illaiThere is no hidden reason or motive.
Pattiyala chollattumaaShall I list down everything?
Patta kadan theerndhidumaaWill that clear the debt I owe?
Male
Sondham endruClaiming me as your own,
Vandhavalae aaththaaO mother who came to me,
Indha pinju manamThis tender young heart
Vendhadhadi aaththaaHas burned in sorrow, mother.
Male
Gaandhiyaththaan petraalennaWhat if she gave birth to a Gandhi?
Buddhannaiyum petraalennaWhat if she gave birth to a Buddha?
Perum bodhu thaaikkondrumWhen giving birth, to the mother,
Perumai illaiThere is no special pride.
Mudavanendru vandhaalennaWhat if a child is born disabled?
Kurudanendru serndhaalennaWhat if a child is born blind?
Adhanaalae avarkondrum sirumai illaiBecause of that, there is no dishonor for her.
Male
Valarththa magan…The son she raised…
Valarththa magan muradan endraalIf the son she raised turns out to be a rogue,
VeruththiduvaalaaWould she ever hate him?
Vayadhil thunbam vandhadhendraalIf hardship strikes in old age,
VirattiduvaalaaWould she ever chase him away?
Unakku inai neeyae evarum ingae illaiYou are your only equal, there is no one like you here.
Pattiyala chollattumaaShall I list down everything?
Patta kadan theerndhidumaaWill that clear the debt I owe?
Male
{Sondham endru{Claiming me as your own,
Vandhavalae aaththaaO mother who came to me,
Indha pinju manamThis tender young heart
Vendhadhadi aaththaa} (2)Has burned in sorrow, mother.} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Thalattu Padava explores the incomparable, selfless nature of a mother's unconditional love. The protagonist reflects deeply on the sacrifices made by a mother, questioning whether any list of dutiful actions or financial repayment could ever repay the infinite emotional debt owed to her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second letter rhyming)

Pattiyala chollattumaa / Patta kadan theerndhidumaa

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across lines to establish rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'Pattiyala' and 'Patta').

Rhetorical Question

Pattiyala chollattumaa / Patta kadan theerndhidumaa

The lyrics use a series of rhetorical questions ('Pattiyala chollattumaa?', 'Virattiduvaalaa?') to emphasize the boundless, unconditional nature of maternal love.

Metaphor

Veyilil nizhal vendumendru / Maram valarppadhundu

Comparing raising a child to planting a tree for shade in the heat, illustrating the contrast between transactional human motives and a mother's selfless devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in some archives, 'Thalattu Padava' (1990) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. The film stars Parthiban and Roopini, highlighting themes of maternal affection and family drama.

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