Thaai Kaatha Pillai
From Murugan Adimai · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Murugan Adimai1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thaai kaatha pillai ennai | The child protected by the mother, me |
| Vel kakkavillai endru | Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect |
| Thaai kaatha pillai ennai | The child protected by the mother, me |
| Vel kakkavillai endru | Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect |
| Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa | Time has waited and watched, O Kandha! |
| Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal | If you do not protect me |
| Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa | Who else can protect me, O Lord? |
| Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo | Is this the day to pour milk for last rites? Tell me! |
| Female | |
| Thaai kaatha pillai ennai | The child protected by the mother, me |
| Vel kakkavillai endru | Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect |
| Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa | Time has waited and watched, O Kandha! |
| Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal | If you do not protect me |
| Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa | Who else can protect me, O Lord? |
| Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo | Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me! |
| Enakku paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo | Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me! |
| Female | |
| Ettaandum ettavillai ettadha vaan ulagai | Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky |
| Ettumpadikku vaithaai yen aiyaa | Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord? |
| Ettaandum ettavillai ettadha vaan ulagai | Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky |
| Ettumpadikku vaithaai yen aiyaa | Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord? |
| Annai sottum kanneerai andha kuttraala aruviyendroo | As if the mother's dripping tears are the Courtallam waterfalls |
| Kotti kulikka veithaai velaiyaa | You poured it and made us bathe in sorrow, O Velayudha! |
| Female | |
| Thaai kaatha pillai ennai | The child protected by the mother, me |
| Vel kakkavillai endru | Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect |
| Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa | Time has waited and watched, O Kandha! |
| Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal | If you do not protect me |
| Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa | Who else can protect me, O Lord? |
| Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo | Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me! |
| Enakku paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo | Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me! |
| Female | |
| Thaaiyum adimai endhan thandhai adimai | My mother is your servant, my father is your servant |
| Nitham naanum adimai vadivelaiyaaa | Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha! |
| Thaaiyum adimai endhan thandhai adimai | My mother is your servant, my father is your servant |
| Nitham naanum adimai vadivelaiyaaa | Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha! |
| Nee saeiyum koduthu ema noyum koduthu | You gave us a child, and you also gave a fatal illness |
| Oru paayum virithu vaithaai yen aiyaa | And laid out a deathbed mat, why my Lord? |
| Female | |
| Kandamani oli kaathu nirkaadho karunai en maeni | Won't the sound of temple bells protect this body of grace? |
| Kanneer nadhiyinai adaithu vidaayoo thandaayudhapaani | Won't you dam this river of tears, O Thandayuthapani? |
| Nambiya perai kaapaai endraan androor tamil gyaani | An ancient Tamil sage once said you save those who trust in you |
| Aiyoo veladhu poiyaa enakkarul purivaaya nee | Alas, is your divine Spear a lie? Will you grant your grace to me? |
| Idhu koyil maniyo illai kaalan maniyoo | Is this the ringing of the temple bell or the bell of Death? |
| Solvaai muruga varuvaai muruga | Tell me Muruga, come to me Muruga! |
| Muruga muruga muruga muruga | Muruga, Muruga, Muruga, Muruga! |
தாய் காத்த பிள்ளை என்னை
வேல் காக்கவில்லை என்று
தாய் காத்த பிள்ளை என்னை
வேல் காக்கவில்லை என்று
நாள் பார்த்து விட்டதைய்யா கந்தைய்யா
என்னை நீ காக்கவில்லையென்றால்
யார் காக்க கூடுமய்யா
பால் வார்க்கும் நாளிதுவோ சொல்லய்யா
The child protected by the mother, me
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
The child protected by the mother, me
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
If you do not protect me
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Is this the day to pour milk for last rites? Tell me!
தாய் காத்த பிள்ளை என்னை
வேல் காக்கவில்லை என்று
நாள் பார்த்து விட்டதைய்யா கந்தைய்யா
என்னை நீ காக்கவில்லையென்றால்
யார் காக்க கூடுமய்யா
பால் வார்க்கும் நாளிதுவோ சொல்லய்யா
The child protected by the mother, me
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
If you do not protect me
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me!
Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me!
எட்டாண்டும் எட்டவில்லை எட்டாத வானுலகை
எட்டும்படிக்கு வைத்தாய் ஏனய்யா
எட்டாண்டும் எட்டவில்லை எட்டாத வானுலகை
எட்டும்படிக்கு வைத்தாய் ஏனய்யா
அன்னை சொட்டும் கண்ணீரை அந்த குற்றால அருவியென்று
கொட்டி குளிக்க வைத்தாய் வேலய்யா..
Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky
Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord?
Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky
Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord?
As if the mother's dripping tears are the Courtallam waterfalls
You poured it and made us bathe in sorrow, O Velayudha!
தாய் காத்த பிள்ளை என்னை
வேல் காக்கவில்லை என்று
நாள் பார்த்து விட்டதைய்யா கந்தைய்யா
என்னை நீ காக்கவில்லையென்றால்
யார் காக்க கூடுமய்யா
பால் வார்க்கும் நாளிதுவோ சொல்லய்யா
The child protected by the mother, me
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
If you do not protect me
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me!
Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me!
தாயும் அடிமை எந்தன் தந்தை அடிமை
நித்தம் நானும் அடிமை வடிவேலைய்யா.....ஆ....ஆ......
தாயும் அடிமை எந்தன் தந்தை அடிமை
நித்தம் நானும் அடிமை வடிவேலைய்யா.....
நீ சேயும் கொடுத்து எம நோயும் கொடுத்து
ஒரு பாயும் விரித்து வைத்தாய் ஏனய்யா......
My mother is your servant, my father is your servant
Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha!
My mother is your servant, my father is your servant
Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha!
You gave us a child, and you also gave a fatal illness
And laid out a deathbed mat, why my Lord?
கண்டாமணி ஒலி காத்து நிற்காதோ கருணை என் மேனி
கண்ணீர் நதியினை அடைத்து விடாயோ தண்டாயுதபாணி
நம்பிய பேரை காப்பாய் என்றான் அன்றோர் ஞானி
அய்யா வேலது பொய்யா எனக்கருள் புரிவாயா நீ
இது கோயில் மணியோ இல்லை காலன் மணியோ
சொல்வாய் முருகா வருவாய் முருகா
முருகா........முருகா.......முருகா..........முருகா......
Won't the sound of temple bells protect this body of grace?
Won't you dam this river of tears, O Thandayuthapani?
An ancient Tamil sage once said you save those who trust in you
Alas, is your divine Spear a lie? Will you grant your grace to me?
Is this the ringing of the temple bell or the bell of Death?
Tell me Muruga, come to me Muruga!
Muruga, Muruga, Muruga, Muruga!
Thaai kaatha pillai ennai
The child protected by the mother, me
Vel kakkavillai endru
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Thaai kaatha pillai ennai
The child protected by the mother, me
Vel kakkavillai endru
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal
If you do not protect me
Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo
Is this the day to pour milk for last rites? Tell me!
Thaai kaatha pillai ennai
The child protected by the mother, me
Vel kakkavillai endru
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal
If you do not protect me
Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo
Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me!
Enakku paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo
Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me!
Ettaandum ettavillai ettadha vaan ulagai
Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky
Ettumpadikku vaithaai yen aiyaa
Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord?
Ettaandum ettavillai ettadha vaan ulagai
Not even eight years old, unable to reach the unreachable sky
Ettumpadikku vaithaai yen aiyaa
Why did you make heaven reachable for them so soon, my Lord?
Annai sottum kanneerai andha kuttraala aruviyendroo
As if the mother's dripping tears are the Courtallam waterfalls
Kotti kulikka veithaai velaiyaa
You poured it and made us bathe in sorrow, O Velayudha!
Thaai kaatha pillai ennai
The child protected by the mother, me
Vel kakkavillai endru
Saying that Lord Muruga's Spear did not protect
Naal paarthu vittadhaiyaa kandhaiyaa
Time has waited and watched, O Kandha!
Ennai nee kaakkavillaiyendraal
If you do not protect me
Yaar kakka koodumaiyaa
Who else can protect me, O Lord?
Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo
Is this the day to pour milk? Tell me!
Enakku paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo
Is this the day to pour milk for my final rites? Tell me!
Thaaiyum adimai endhan thandhai adimai
My mother is your servant, my father is your servant
Nitham naanum adimai vadivelaiyaaa
Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha!
Thaaiyum adimai endhan thandhai adimai
My mother is your servant, my father is your servant
Nitham naanum adimai vadivelaiyaaa
Daily I too am your servant, O Vadivelayudha!
Nee saeiyum koduthu ema noyum koduthu
You gave us a child, and you also gave a fatal illness
Oru paayum virithu vaithaai yen aiyaa
And laid out a deathbed mat, why my Lord?
Kandamani oli kaathu nirkaadho karunai en maeni
Won't the sound of temple bells protect this body of grace?
Kanneer nadhiyinai adaithu vidaayoo thandaayudhapaani
Won't you dam this river of tears, O Thandayuthapani?
Nambiya perai kaapaai endraan androor tamil gyaani
An ancient Tamil sage once said you save those who trust in you
Aiyoo veladhu poiyaa enakkarul purivaaya nee
Alas, is your divine Spear a lie? Will you grant your grace to me?
Idhu koyil maniyo illai kaalan maniyoo
Is this the ringing of the temple bell or the bell of Death?
Solvaai muruga varuvaai muruga
Tell me Muruga, come to me Muruga!
Muruga muruga muruga muruga
Muruga, Muruga, Muruga, Muruga!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant devotional song from the 1977 movie 'Murugan Adimai' captures the agonized plea of a grieving mother whose young child under the age of eight is stricken with a life-threatening illness. Despite the family's generation-long devotion to Lord Muruga, the mother finds herself confronting the horrifying possibility of losing her child. She emotionally appeals to Lord Muruga, questioning why a merciful deity would grant the blessing of a child only to afflict them with a mortal disease. Kannadasan's lyrics employ striking wordplay, juxtaposing auspicious milk offerings with the solemn ritual of milk poured during final funeral rites ('paal vaarkkum naal'). The song invokes the promises of ancient Tamil saints who swore Muruga never abandons his believers, passionately begging the Lord to intervene, stop her endless tears, and save her child from Yama, the God of Death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Double Entendre (Sleshhai)
“Paal vaarkkum naalidhuvoo sollaiyoo”
Kannadasan plays with the phrase 'Paal vaarkkum naal', which refers to both auspicious milk abhishekam in temples and the funeral ritual of pouring milk over ashes.
Hyperbole (Uvamai / Tharguropatrumani)
“Annai sottum kanneerai andha kuttraala aruviyendroo”
The mother's endless stream of grief-stricken tears is dramatically compared to the heavy cascade of the famous Courtallam waterfalls.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kandamani oli kaathu nirkaadho karunai en maeni”
The second consonant 'nda' matches across both consecutive lines ('Kandamani' / 'Kanneer').
Rhetorical Question
“Idhu koyil maniyo illai kaalan maniyoo”
The singer asks whether the bell sound she hears is the holy chime of the temple or the ominous knell of Yama (Kaalan), heightening the dramatic tension.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features a deeply moving vocal delivery by legendary singer P. Susheela, set to music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar (Devar Films), who was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, 'Murugan Adimai' prominently featured devotional themes that resonated widely with Tamil audiences in the 1970s.
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