- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Paattukku Naan Adimai
- Movie release year
- 1990
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Dec 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a soul-stirring tribute to motherly love, human equality, and the vital contribution of farmers and laborers. It begins by reflecting on how a mother's lullaby is unmatched in its capacity to comfort human hearts, making the singer a lifelong devotee of such pure music. The song then shifts focus to the working class—the farmers and manual workers who toil under harsh sun and rain without asking for gold or luxury, asking only for daily sustenance while feeding the entire society. Furthermore, the lyricist highlights the fundamental equality of all individuals, noting that whether someone becomes a king, cattle-herder, scientist, or philosopher, everyone is brought into this world through the sacrifice of a mother. It celebrates maternal devotion as the foundation of human life and social unity, urging listeners to appreciate and honor both mothers and laborers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Rhyming second letter)
“Poovaaram kettaanaa / Ponnaaram kettaanaa”
Matching second consonant 'va' in 'Poovaaram' and 'Ponnaaram'.
Anaphora (Repetition of opening phrases)
“Paattukku naan adimai / Andha paattukku naan adimai”
Repetition of 'Paattukku naan adimai' emphasizes the singer's deep devotion to music and motherly love.
Rhetorical Question
“Thaalaattu kekkaadha per ingu yaaru”
Asking 'Who has not heard a lullaby?' to evoke a universal human emotional experience.
Monai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Thaalaattu kekkaadha per ingu yaaru / Thaayaarin thaalaattu pol veru yedhu”
Alliteration of the initial sound 'Thaa' in 'Thaalaattu' and 'Thaayaarin'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Paattukku Naan Adimai' (1990) features Ramarajan and Gautami in lead roles. The iconic music for this film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Ponnadiyan. The song is famed for its soulful rendition by legendary playback singer K. J. Yesudas.
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