Thaai Sonna
From Desam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Madhushree, K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Desam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hmm mmm mmm | Humming... |
| Hmmm mmm mmmm | Humming... |
| Mullaiyae kelu…mm..mm….mm… | Listen, oh Jasmine flower... |
| Male | |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa | Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations |
| Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu | Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings |
| Neer thoonga nilam thoonga | As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps |
| Sedi thoonga kodi thoonga | As the plant sleeps, as the vine sleeps |
| Thendralae paadum | Sung by the gentle breeze itself |
| Paavendhar paattu..hoi | It is the song of the king of poets... hoi |
| Male | |
| Nilaa kaayum neram thaanae | It is the time when the moon shines |
| Madi meedhu thoongu | Sleep on my lap |
| Porcheval koovum varaiyil.. | Until the golden rooster crows... |
| Jo..jo..jo..aariro | Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro |
| Jo..jo..jo..aariro..rojaavae | Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro, oh Rose |
| Varungaalam arasaalum | Who will rule the future |
| Raajaavae | Oh King |
| Male | |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa | Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations |
| Mullaiyae kelu mm mmm mmm | Listen Jasmine flower... |
| Male | |
| Kann kaanaamal | Out of sight |
| Raakkozhi kaththum | The night bird cries |
| Artha raathiri | In the dead of night |
| Poo madal meedhu pani thoongum | The dew sleeps on the flower petal |
| Unn maathiri | Just like you |
| Male | |
| Vaal pakkam dheepam yenthi | Carrying a lamp on its tail |
| Namm vaasal vandha minmini | The firefly that came to our doorway |
| Vidi vilakkaaga oli veesa | To shine bright like a morning lamp |
| Vizhi moodi mella thoongu | Close your eyes and sleep softly |
| Ilam kaalai kuyilu koovumae oh..oh.. | The early morning cuckoo will sing, oh oh... |
| Ezhuppaadha chinna kannmani | Don't wake up yet, my little precious jewel |
| Male | |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa | Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations |
| Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu | Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa | Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations |
| Mullaiyae kelu mmm mmm mm mm | Listen Jasmine flower... |
| Male | |
| Hmm hmm mmm | Humming... |
| Hmm hmmm | Humming... |
| Hmm hmm mmm | Humming... |
| Hmm hmmm | Humming... |
| Female | |
| Hmm hmm mmm | Humming... |
| Hmm hmmm | Humming... |
| Kanngal kaana kaduthaasi potta | If you send an unseen letter |
| Vaaraathu thookkam | Sleep will not arrive |
| Yelelo pottu isaipaattai ketta | If you listen to a rhythmic folk song |
| Adhu vandhu serum | It will come to you |
| Male | |
| Thenkaasi thooral | The drizzle of Tenkasi |
| Kuttraala saaral | The gentle spray of Courtallam |
| Aavaaram poovai thaalaattuthu | Is rocking the Aavaaram flower to sleep |
| Female :Idhamaaga padhamaaga | Female: Comfortably and gently |
| Male & Female :Imai vaasal thanai moodu | Male & Female: Close the doorway of your eyelids |
| Female :Ooru thoongum neram allavaa.. | Female: Isn't it the time when the whole town sleeps... |
| Hai | Hai |
| Male & Female :Thenpangu paadal sollavo | Male & Female: Shall I sing a song from the southern region? |
| Female | |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa | Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations |
| Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu | Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings |
| Male :Neer thoonga nilam thoonga | Male: As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps |
| Female :Kodi thoonga sedi thoonga | Female: As the vine sleeps, as the plant sleeps |
| Thendralae paadum | Sung by the gentle breeze itself |
| Paavendhar paattu..hoi | It is the song of the king of poets... hoi |
| Female | |
| Thaai sonna thaalaattu | The lullaby sung by a mother |
| Male :Jo..jo..jo..aariro | Male: Jo... jo... jo... aariro |
| Female :Hmm mmm mmm | Female: Humming... |
| Hmm mmm | Humming... |
| Hmm mmm mmm hmm mmm hmm | Humming... |
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்
முல்லையே கேளு...ம்ம்...ம்ம்..ம்ம்...
Humming...
Humming...
Listen, oh Jasmine flower...
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
தலைமுறையா தமிழ் மறையா
முல்லையே கேளு மூவேந்தர் பாட்டு
நீர் தூங்க நிலம் தூங்க
கொடி தூங்க செடி தூங்க
தென்றலே பாடும்
பாவேந்தர் பாட்டு...ஹோய்
The lullaby sung by a mother
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps
As the plant sleeps, as the vine sleeps
Sung by the gentle breeze itself
It is the song of the king of poets... hoi
நிலா காயும் நேரம் தானே
மடி மீது தூங்கு
பொற்சேவல் கூவும் வரையில்
ஜோ..ஜோ...ஜோ.. ஆரிரோ
ஜோ..ஜோ...ஜோ.. ஆரிரோ...ரோஜாவே
வருங்காலம் அரசாலும்
ராஜாவே
It is the time when the moon shines
Sleep on my lap
Until the golden rooster crows...
Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro
Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro, oh Rose
Who will rule the future
Oh King
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
தலைமுறையா தமிழ் மறையா
முல்லையே கேளு ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
The lullaby sung by a mother
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Listen Jasmine flower...
கண் காணாமல்
ராக்கோழி கத்தும்
அர்த்த ராத்திரி
பூ மடல் மீது பனி தூங்கும்
உன் மாதிரி
Out of sight
The night bird cries
In the dead of night
The dew sleeps on the flower petal
Just like you
வால் பக்கம் தீபம் ஏந்தி
நம் வாசல் வந்த மின்மினி
விடி விளக்காக ஒளி வீச
விழி மூடி மெல்ல தூங்கு
இளம் காலை நேரம் குயிலு கூவுமே ஓ...ஓ...
எழுப்பாத சின்ன கண்மணி
Carrying a lamp on its tail
The firefly that came to our doorway
To shine bright like a morning lamp
Close your eyes and sleep softly
The early morning cuckoo will sing, oh oh...
Don't wake up yet, my little precious jewel
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
தலைமுறையா தமிழ் மறையா
முல்லையே கேளு மூவேந்தர் பாட்டு
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
தலைமுறையா தமிழ் மறையா
முல்லையே கேளு ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
The lullaby sung by a mother
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
The lullaby sung by a mother
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Listen Jasmine flower...
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
Humming...
Humming...
Humming...
Humming...
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்ம்
கண்கள் காண கடுதாசி போட்ட
வாராது தூக்கம்
ஏலேலோ போட்டு இசைபாட்டை கேட்டா
அது வந்து சேரும்
Humming...
Humming...
If you send an unseen letter
Sleep will not arrive
If you listen to a rhythmic folk song
It will come to you
தென்காசி தூறல்
குற்றால சாரல்
ஆவாரம் பூவை தாலாட்டுது
இதமாக பதமாக
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
இமை வாசல் தனை மூடு
ஊரு தூங்கும் நேரம் அல்லவா...
ஹாய்
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
தென்பாங்கு பாடல்
சொல்லவோ
The drizzle of Tenkasi
The gentle spray of Courtallam
Is rocking the Aavaaram flower to sleep
Female: Comfortably and gently
Male & Female: Close the doorway of your eyelids
Female: Isn't it the time when the whole town sleeps...
Hai
Male & Female: Shall I sing a song from the southern region?
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
தலைமுறையா தமிழ் மறையா
முல்லையே கேளு மூவேந்தர் பாட்டு
நீர் தூங்க நிலம் தூங்க
கொடி தூங்க செடி தூங்க
தென்றலே பாடும்
பாவேந்தர் பாட்டு...ஹோய்
The lullaby sung by a mother
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
Male: As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps
Female: As the vine sleeps, as the plant sleeps
Sung by the gentle breeze itself
It is the song of the king of poets... hoi
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
நிலா காயும் நேரம் தானே
மடி மீது தூங்கு
பொற்சேவல் கூவும் வரையில்...
ஜோ..ஜோ...ஜோ.. ஆரிரோ
ஜோ..ஜோ...ஜோ.. ஆரிரோ...
ரோஜாவே
ரோஜாவே
வருங்காலம் அரசாலும்
ராஜாவே
The lullaby sung by a mother
Male: Jo... jo... jo... aariro
Female: Humming...
Humming...
Humming...
தாய் சொன்ன தாலாட்டு
ஜோ..ஜோ...ஜோ.. ஆரிரோ
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம்
Hmm mmm mmm
Humming...
Hmmm mmm mmmm
Humming...
Mullaiyae kelu…mm..mm….mm…
Listen, oh Jasmine flower...
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
Neer thoonga nilam thoonga
As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps
Sedi thoonga kodi thoonga
As the plant sleeps, as the vine sleeps
Thendralae paadum
Sung by the gentle breeze itself
Paavendhar paattu..hoi
It is the song of the king of poets... hoi
Nilaa kaayum neram thaanae
It is the time when the moon shines
Madi meedhu thoongu
Sleep on my lap
Porcheval koovum varaiyil..
Until the golden rooster crows...
Jo..jo..jo..aariro
Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro
Jo..jo..jo..aariro..rojaavae
Lullaby... jo jo jo aariro, oh Rose
Varungaalam arasaalum
Who will rule the future
Raajaavae
Oh King
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Mullaiyae kelu mm mmm mmm
Listen Jasmine flower...
Kann kaanaamal
Out of sight
Raakkozhi kaththum
The night bird cries
Artha raathiri
In the dead of night
Poo madal meedhu pani thoongum
The dew sleeps on the flower petal
Unn maathiri
Just like you
Vaal pakkam dheepam yenthi
Carrying a lamp on its tail
Namm vaasal vandha minmini
The firefly that came to our doorway
Vidi vilakkaaga oli veesa
To shine bright like a morning lamp
Vizhi moodi mella thoongu
Close your eyes and sleep softly
Ilam kaalai kuyilu koovumae oh..oh..
The early morning cuckoo will sing, oh oh...
Ezhuppaadha chinna kannmani
Don't wake up yet, my little precious jewel
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Mullaiyae kelu mmm mmm mm mm
Listen Jasmine flower...
Hmm hmm mmm
Humming...
Hmm hmmm
Humming...
Hmm hmm mmm
Humming...
Hmm hmmm
Humming...
Hmm hmm mmm
Humming...
Hmm hmmm
Humming...
Kanngal kaana kaduthaasi potta
If you send an unseen letter
Vaaraathu thookkam
Sleep will not arrive
Yelelo pottu isaipaattai ketta
If you listen to a rhythmic folk song
Adhu vandhu serum
It will come to you
Thenkaasi thooral
The drizzle of Tenkasi
Kuttraala saaral
The gentle spray of Courtallam
Aavaaram poovai thaalaattuthu
Is rocking the Aavaaram flower to sleep
Female :Idhamaaga padhamaaga
Female: Comfortably and gently
Male & Female :Imai vaasal thanai moodu
Male & Female: Close the doorway of your eyelids
Female :Ooru thoongum neram allavaa..
Female: Isn't it the time when the whole town sleeps...
Hai
Hai
Male & Female :Thenpangu paadal sollavo
Male & Female: Shall I sing a song from the southern region?
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Thalaimuraiyaa thamizh maraiyaa
Is Tamil scripture passed down through generations
Mullaiyae kelu moovendhar paattu
Listen Jasmine flower, it is the song of the three great kings
Male :Neer thoonga nilam thoonga
Male: As the water sleeps, as the land sleeps
Female :Kodi thoonga sedi thoonga
Female: As the vine sleeps, as the plant sleeps
Thendralae paadum
Sung by the gentle breeze itself
Paavendhar paattu..hoi
It is the song of the king of poets... hoi
Thaai sonna thaalaattu
The lullaby sung by a mother
Male :Jo..jo..jo..aariro
Male: Jo... jo... jo... aariro
Female :Hmm mmm mmm
Female: Humming...
Hmm mmm
Humming...
Hmm mmm mmm hmm mmm hmm
Humming...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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