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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaai Maman Kaigal

From Thaai Naadu · 1989

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Thaai Naadu1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...
Male
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...
Male
Senthamizhaal thottil kattiMaking a cradle out of sweet Tamil,
Sembaruththi aadai kattiDressing you in hibiscus flower attire,
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…Oh Champak flower, go to sleep...
Male
Senthamizhaal thottil kattiMaking a cradle out of sweet Tamil,
Sembaruththi aadai kattiDressing you in hibiscus flower attire,
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…Oh Champak flower, go to sleep...
Male
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...
Female
Muththu saram korththuStraggle-stringing pearls together,
Mullai poo medai kattiBuilding a stage with jasmine blossoms,
Ennai mananthaaradaa….aa….aa….He married me...
Mannan kudaiyittu malar soodi vantha pinnaeAfter coming adorned with flowers under a royal canopy,
Ennai maranthaaradaaHe forgot me,
Female
Kattil maranthaaradaaHe forgot the marital bed,
Thottil ini yaedhadaaWhere is the cradle now?
Maman muraithaanadaaIt is the uncle's right and custom,
Maganae nee keladaaMy son, listen carefully,
Female
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...
Male
Konjam mozhi pesi kulam kaakkaBabbling sweet tiny words to protect the lineage,
Vantha kannaeOh beloved child who came,
Kadhaiyai nee keladaa…aa…Listen to the story...
Thanthai peyar kaakkaTo guard the father's honor,
Thaai naattin veeram kakkaTo uphold the valor of the motherland,
Kadamai yaettraenadaaI have taken up my duty,
Male
Maman muraithaanadaaBy uncle's custom,
Magalai tharuvaanadaaHe will hand over his daughter,
Kadamai mudippenadaa…aa…I shall fulfill my duty...
Uravai anaippenadaa…aa….I shall embrace our kin...
Male
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...
Male
Senthamizhaal thottil kattiMaking a cradle out of sweet Tamil,
Sembaruththi aadai kattiDressing you in hibiscus flower attire,
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…Oh Champak flower, go to sleep...
Male
Thaai maman kaigal pattuTouched by the maternal uncle's hands,
Thangai magan chinnaj chittuThe sister's son, a little bird,
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…Look at this sight of rocking a lullaby...
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…Listen to our life's story...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaai Maman Kaigal Pattu from the movie Thaai Naadu (1989) is an emotionally charged Tamil narrative lullaby. Sung by legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan and Vani Jairam, the song captures the warmth and duty of a maternal uncle (Thaai Maman) who rocks his nephew to sleep while reflecting on the family's tragic past, sacrifices, and honor. Through rich Tamil metaphors and lullaby motifs, the elders narrate the family's struggles, the father's heroism, and the duty passed on to the child to protect the honor of the motherland and keep the family ties strong.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Senthamizhaal thottil katti / Sembaruththi aadai katti / Senbagamae nee thoongadaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Se' in consecutive lines ('Senthamizhaal', 'Sembaruththi', 'Senbagamae').

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thangai magan chinnaj chittu

Comparing the small child tenderly to a 'chinnaj chittu' (little bird) and 'Senbagamae' (Champak flower).

Esuba / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Senthamizhaal thottil katti / Sembaruththi aadai katti

Rhyming endings 'katti', 'katti', and 'pattu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaai Naadu (1989) featured music composed by the duo Manoj–Gyan with lyrics penned by film producer and lyricist Aabavanan. This song stands out for pairing the iconic voice of T. M. Soundararajan with Vani Jairam in a deeply traditional Tamil family setting.

Keep listening

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