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Isaimozhi
Desam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thaai Sonna

From Desam · 2002

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Madhushree, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Desam
Movie release year
2002
Lyrics added on
27 Aug 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmm mmm mmm
Hmmm mmm mmmm
Mullaiyae kelu…mm..mm….mm…
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Neer thoonga nilam thoonga
Sedi thoonga kodi thoonga
Thendralae paadum
Paavendhar paattu..hoi
Nilaa kaayum neram thaanae
Madi meedhu thoongu
Porcheval koovum varaiyil..
Jo..jo..jo..aariro
Jo..jo..jo..aariro..rojaavae
Varungaalam arasaalum
Raajaavae
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Mullaiyae kelu mm mmm mmm
Kann kaanaamal
Raakkozhi kaththum
Artha raathiri
Poo madal meedhu pani thoongum
Unn maathiri
Vaal pakkam dheepam yenthi
Namm vaasal vandha minmini
Vidi vilakkaaga oli veesa
Vizhi moodi mella thoongu
Ilam kaalai kuyilu koovumae oh..oh..
Ezhuppaadha chinna kannmani
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Mullaiyae kelu mmm mmm mm mm
Hmm hmm mmm
Hmm hmmm
Hmm hmm mmm
Hmm hmmm
Hmm hmm mmm
Hmm hmmm
Kanngal kaana kaduthaasi potta
Vaaraathu thookkam
Yelelo pottu isaipaattai ketta
Adhu vandhu serum
Thenkaasi thooral
Kuttraala saaral
Aavaaram poovai thaalaattuthu
Female :Idhamaaga padhamaaga
Male & Female :Imai vaasal thanai moodu
Female :Ooru thoongum neram allavaa..
Hai
Male & Female :Thenpangu paadal sollavo
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Male :Neer thoonga nilam thoonga
Female :Kodi thoonga sedi thoonga
Thendralae paadum
Paavendhar paattu..hoi
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
Male :Jo..jo..jo..aariro
Female :Hmm mmm mmm
Hmm mmm
Hmm mmm mmm hmm mmm hmm
Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmmm
Listen, dear jasmine... mmm... mmm... mmm...
The lullaby a mother sings,
is it a gift across generations, or sacred Tamil scripture?
Listen, dear jasmine, to the song of the three great Tamil kings.
As the waters sleep, as the land sleeps,
as the plants sleep, as the vines sleep,
the gentle breeze sings
a song of the king of poets... hoy!
This is the hour the moonlight shines,
so sleep on my lap
until the golden rooster crows...
Jo... jo... jo... aariro...
Jo... jo... jo... aariro... my little rose,
destined to rule the future,
my little king.
The lullaby a mother sings,
is it a gift across generations, or sacred Tamil scripture?
Listen, dear jasmine... mmm mmm mmm
Hidden from sight,
the night bird calls out
in the dead of night.
Dew sleeps upon the flower petal,
just like you.
Carrying a lamp upon its tail,
the firefly that came to our door
glows softly like a morning lamp,
so close your eyes and gently sleep.
The early morning cuckoo will sing, oh... oh...
until then do not wake, my precious darling.
The lullaby a mother sings,
is it a gift across generations, or sacred Tamil scripture?
Listen, dear jasmine, to the song of the three great Tamil kings.
The lullaby a mother sings,
is it a gift across generations, or sacred Tamil scripture?
Listen, dear jasmine... mmm mmm mm mm
Mmm mm mmm
Mmm mmm
Mmm mm mmm
Mmm mmm
Mmm mm mmm
Mmm mmm
If you write unseen letters in your mind,
sleep will not come.
If you listen to a sweet folk melody,
sleep will surely arrive.
The drizzle of Tenkasi,
the light spray of Courtallam,
sing a lullaby to the yellow aavaaram flower.
Female: Softly and soothingly,
Male & Female: close the doors of your eyelids.
Female: Isn't it time for the whole town to sleep?
Hai!
Male & Female: Shall we sing a sweet southern song?
The lullaby a mother sings,
is it a gift across generations, or sacred Tamil scripture?
Listen, dear jasmine, to the song of the three great Tamil kings.
Male: As the waters sleep, as the land sleeps,
Female: as the vines sleep, as the plants sleep,
the gentle breeze sings
a song of the king of poets... hoy!
The lullaby a mother sings...
Male: Jo... jo... jo... aariro...
Female: Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mm mmm mm
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender Tamil lullaby that blends maternal affection with deep reverence for Tamil culture and nature. The lyricist poetically portrays all elements of nature—water, land, flora, dew drops, and breezes—going to sleep in harmony with the child. The child is affectionately compared to a future king and a delicate flower, while the mother's lullaby is elevated to the status of sacred Tamil scriptures handed down across generations. Filled with imagery of southern landscapes like Tenkasi drizzlings and Courtallam spray, the song emphasizes peace, soothing comfort, and connection to ancient roots. It reassures the child to sleep gently under the moonlit sky until the dawn brings the morning songs of birds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa”

Compares a mother's humble lullaby directly to ancient, sacred Tamil scriptures ('Thamizh Marai').

Personification

“Neer thoonga nilam thoonga”

Attributes human behaviors like sleeping and singing to elements of nature like water, land, breeze, and dew drops.

Repetition / Anaphora

“Sedi thoonga kodi thoonga”

Repeats 'thoonga' (to sleep) across lines to establish a rhythmic, soothing lullaby cadence.

Visual Imagery

“Vaal pakkam dheepam yenthi Namm vaasal vandha minmini”

Creates a vivid image of a firefly glowing like a lamp at the doorstep.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by veteran lyricist Vaali, the song makes cultural references to 'Moovendhar' (the three legendary Tamil dynasties: Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas) and 'Paavendhar' (the Prince of Poets, Bharathidasan), elevating a modern film lullaby into a tribute to classical Tamil heritage.

Keep listening

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