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Thaai Naadu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thaai Maman Kaigal

From Thaai Naadu · 1989

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Thaai Naadu
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
13 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Senthamizhaal thottil katti
Sembaruththi aadai katti
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…
Senthamizhaal thottil katti
Sembaruththi aadai katti
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Muththu saram korththu
Mullai poo medai katti
Ennai mananthaaradaa….aa….aa….
Mannan kudaiyittu malar soodi vantha pinnae
Ennai maranthaaradaa
Kattil maranthaaradaa
Thottil ini yaedhadaa
Maman muraithaanadaa
Maganae nee keladaa
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Konjam mozhi pesi kulam kaakka
Vantha kannae
Kadhaiyai nee keladaa…aa…
Thanthai peyar kaakka
Thaai naattin veeram kakka
Kadamai yaettraenadaa
Maman muraithaanadaa
Magalai tharuvaanadaa
Kadamai mudippenadaa…aa…
Uravai anaippenadaa…aa….
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Senthamizhaal thottil katti
Sembaruththi aadai katti
Senbagamae nee thoongadaa…aa…
Thaai maman kaigal pattu
Thangai magan chinnaj chittu
Thaalaattum nilai paaradaa…aa…
Nam vazhkkai kadhai keladaa…aa…
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Making a cradle with sweet pure Tamil,
wrapped in bright red cotton clothes,
sleep peacefully, my little champak flower... ah...
Making a cradle with sweet pure Tamil,
wrapped in bright red cotton clothes,
sleep peacefully, my little champak flower... ah...
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Stringing garlands of pearls,
building a wedding stage of jasmine flowers,
he took my hand in marriage, my child... ah...
After arriving in royal splendour under a king's parasol,
he forgot all about me,
he forgot our wedding bed,
so how could there ever be a cradle for me?
Yet an uncle still holds his customary bond,
listen to this, my dear son...
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Babbling sweet baby words to protect our family line,
O darling who came into our lives,
listen to our story... ah...
To protect my father's good name,
to uphold the honour of our motherland,
I took up my duty, my child.
It is an uncle's customary right,
he will surely give his daughter to you!
I will fulfill my solemn duty... ah...
I will cherish and hold our family close... ah...
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Making a cradle with sweet pure Tamil,
wrapped in bright red cotton clothes,
sleep peacefully, my little champak flower... ah...
Rocked by your maternal uncle's hands,
my sister's son, my little sparrow,
look at this moment of singing a lullaby... ah...
listen to the story of our lives... ah...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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