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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaalaattum Kaatre Duet

From Devan · 2002

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Sujatha, Hariharan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Devan2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Lalalaa lalalaa laa… lalalaaLalalaa lalalaa laa… lalalaa
Hoo oo oooHoo oo ooo
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
Male
Thaalaattum kaatraeOh lullaby breeze,
Thaai sonna paattaeOh song sung by mother,
En vaanil chandhiranum sooriyanum neeyaeIn my sky, you are both the moon and the sun.
Kunguma poovae kulir manjal nilavaeOh saffron flower, oh cool turmeric moon,
Nenjukkul aadi varum thangamani thaeraeOh golden-gemmed chariot dancing inside my heart,
Male
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
Female
VaanavilRainbow
Vannathai konjam kuzhaitthuBlending a bit of its colors,
Un oviyathil nee ennai vaithaaiYou placed me inside your painting.
Male
NenjilaeIn the heart,
Konjidum anbai eduthuTaking the fondling love,
Un sangeethathilIn your music,
Nee ennai vaithaaiYou placed me.
Female
En kangalilIn my eyes,
Oru dheepam vaithaaiYou lit a lamp,
Male
Vin meengalaiThe stars in the sky,
En pakkam vaithaaiYou brought next to me.
Female
Nee sollum vaarthaiThe words you speak,
Neengaadha vedhamAre an everlasting scripture,
Vedhangal paadum dhevanaeOh God praised by the scriptures!
Male
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
En vaanil chandhiranum sooriyanum neeyaeIn my sky, you are both the moon and the sun.
Female
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
En vaanil chandhiranum sooriyanum neeyaeIn my sky, you are both the moon and the sun.
Male
BoomikkulDeep in the earth,
Ver polae indha sondhangalThese relationships are like roots;
Nee vittu ponaalIf you leave me,
Uyir pattu pogumMy life will wither away.
Female
PoovukkulInside a flower,
Vaasathai pola naesangalAffection is like fragrance;
Un naesam ponaalIf your affection leaves,
En swaasam pogumMy breath will leave.
Male
Anbu ennum nam raajjiyathilIn our kingdom named love,
Aala vandha en chella raaniMy darling queen who came to rule,
Female
Paasathin selvam kuraiyaadhu ingaeThe wealth of affection will never decrease here,
Anbil naam ezhai illaiyaeWe are not poor in love.
Male
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
Female :En vaanil chandhiranum sooriyanum neeyaeFemale: In my sky, you are both the moon and the sun.
Male
Kunguma poovae kulir manjal nilavaeOh saffron flower, oh cool turmeric moon,
Nenjukkul aadi varum thangamani thaeraeOh golden-gemmed chariot dancing inside my heart,
Female
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
Male
Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattaeOh lullaby breeze, oh song sung by mother,
Female
Lalalaalaa laalaalaa…Lalalaalaa laalaalaa…
Hoo ooo ooo ooooHoo ooo ooo oooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thaalaattum Kaatrae' is a soulful romantic duet expressing deep emotional bonding and devotion between two lovers. The lyrics draw rich parallels from nature and maternal warmth, comparing the beloved's presence to a soothing breeze, a mother's lullaby, and the guiding lights of the sun and moon. The lovers acknowledge how their connection colors their world, bringing light like a lamp in the eyes and warmth akin to stars brought down to earth. In the latter half, the song emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of their bond. Relationships are depicted as deep-seated roots, and love as fragrance locked within a blossom—indispensable to life itself. Within their personal 'kingdom of love,' material wealth holds no weight, for their emotional wealth and mutual affection render them infinitely rich.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En vaanil chandhiranum sooriyanum neeyae

Compares the beloved to the soothing breeze, a mother's lullaby, and the celestial moon and sun illuminating the singer's world.

Simile (Upamai)

Ver polae indha sondhangal

Compares bonds of affection to roots deep within the earth ('Ver polae') and love to fragrance within a flower ('Vaasathai pola').

Anaaprasa / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaalaattum kaatrae thaai sonna paattae

Repetition of the 'Th' consonant sound across words in the line for rhythmic melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 2002 Tamil film 'Devan', directed by Arun Pandian. The song is widely admired for its soothing acoustic arrangement and poetic depth penned by Pazhani Bharathi, capturing classical Tamil metaphors of nature and devotion.

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