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Thalattu Padava album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sontham Endru

From Thalattu Padava · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thalattu Padava
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
8 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haaa aah…aah aah aah aaa …
Aa…aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa…aa…
Sondham endru
Vandhavalae aaththaa
Indha pinju manam
Vendhadhadi aaththaa
Sondham endru
Vandhavalae aaththaa
Indha pinju manam
Vendhadhadi aaththaa
Anbaaladhaan alli anachcha
Onnaa rendaa solli mudikka
Pattiyala chollattumaa
Patta kadan theerndhidumaa
Pattiyala chollattumaa
Patta kadan theerndhidumaa
Sondham endru
Vandhavalae aaththaa
Indha pinju manam
Vendhadhadi aaththaa
Kondu vandhu thandhaalenna
Ondrum indri vandhaalenna
Kondu vandhu thandhaalenna
Ondrum indri vandhaalenna
Oru naalum ullam nondhadhu
Undaa undaa
Mannum ponna thandhaalenna
Vaanam poiyaa poonaalenna
Oru velai illai endradhu
Undaa undaa
Veyilil nizhal…
Veyilil nizhal vendumendru
Maram valarppadhundu
Vayadhil thunai vendum endraa
Ennai valarththu vandhaai
Undhan anbukkingae
Kaaranamae illai
Pattiyala chollattumaa
Patta kadan theerndhidumaa
Sondham endru
Vandhavalae aaththaa
Indha pinju manam
Vendhadhadi aaththaa
Gaandhiyaththaan petraalenna
Buddhannaiyum petraalenna
Perum bodhu thaaikkondrum
Perumai illai
Mudavanendru vandhaalenna
Kurudanendru serndhaalenna
Adhanaalae avarkondrum sirumai illai
Valarththa magan…
Valarththa magan muradan endraal
Veruththiduvaalaa
Vayadhil thunbam vandhadhendraal
Virattiduvaalaa
Unakku inai neeyae evarum ingae illai
Pattiyala chollattumaa
Patta kadan theerndhidumaa
{Sondham endru
Vandhavalae aaththaa
Indha pinju manam
Vendhadhadi aaththaa} (2)
Ha ah… ah ah ah aa…
Aa… aaaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
The one who came to me
as my own kin, mother,
this tender young heart
is burning in pain, mother!
The one who came to me
as my own kin, mother,
this tender young heart
is burning in pain, mother!
You gathered and embraced me with pure love,
are there just one or two deeds to recount?
Shall I list out everything you gave?
Will that ever repay my debt of gratitude?
Shall I list out everything you gave?
Will that ever repay my debt of gratitude?
The one who came to me
as my own kin, mother,
this tender young heart
is burning in pain, mother!
What if I bring wealth and give it to you?
What if I return with nothing at all?
What if I bring wealth and give it to you?
What if I return with nothing at all?
Has your heart ever felt bitter,
even for a single day?
What if the earth yields gold?
What if the skies fail to rain?
Have you ever said there is no food,
even once in your life?
For shade in the heat…
People plant and nurture a tree
wishing for shade from the blazing heat,
but did you bring me up
only wanting support in your old age?
For this boundless love of yours,
there is no selfish reason at all!
Shall I list out everything you gave?
Will that ever repay my debt of gratitude?
The one who came to me
as my own kin, mother,
this tender young heart
is burning in pain, mother!
What if a mother gives birth to Gandhi?
What if she gives birth to the Buddha?
While giving birth,
she holds no special pride in her heart.
What if her child is born disabled?
What if her child is born blind?
She feels no shame or disgrace because of that.
Even if the son she raised…
Even if the son she raised turns out unruly,
would she ever despise him?
If hardship strikes with growing years,
would she ever chase him away?
You are your only equal; no one here compares to you!
Shall I list out everything you gave?
Will that ever repay my debt of gratitude?
{The one who came to me
as my own kin, mother,
this tender young heart
is burning in pain, mother!} (2)
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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