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Paattukku Naan Adimai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thaalaatu Ketkaatha

From Paattukku Naan Adimai · 1990

Lyricist
Ponnadiyan
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paattukku Naan Adimai
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
7 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaalaattu kekkaadha per ingu yaaru
Thaayaarin thaalaattu pol veru yedhu
Paattukku naan adimai
Andha paattukku naan adimai
Thaai polae ingu veraaru
Nam thaai polae ingu veraaru
Thaalaattu kekkaadha per ingu yaaru
Thaayaarin thaalaattu pol veru yedhu
Paattukku naan adimai
Andha paattukku naan adimai
Aavaaram kaadellaam
Neerodum thoppellaam
Yaaraaru velai seivadhaaru
Poovaaram kettaanaa
Ponnaaram kettaanaa
Sorukku vendi nikkum peru
Pon minna velli minna
Vairangal minna
Thozhilaali kaigal pada thaanae
Thaai unna seiyum unna
Naam endrum unna
Vivasaayi thaan uzhaikka venum
Ezhai avar paadu adhu kaatrodu poyaachu
Yaerotti ponaalae ellorkkum soru
Thol serthu povaanae avan paadum paattu
Paattukku naan adimai
Andha paattukku naan adimai
Naadaalum per enna
Maadottum per enna
Yaaraaru onna pethadhaaru
Vingyaani aanaalum mei nyaani aanaalum
Thaai thaanae pethu pottaa kooru
Pagal enna iravum enna
Endrendrum ingae
Aanukku pennin thunai venum
Veyil enna mazhaiyum enna
Kaalangal thorum
Anbukku thaayum inguvenum
Thaai thaan padum paadu
Adhai unarvaayae kanmani
Thaalaattu kekkaadha per ingu yaaru
Thaayaarin thaalaattu pol veru yedhu
Paattukku naan adimai
Andha paattukku naan adimai
Thaai polae ingu veraaru
Nam thaai polae ingu veraaru
Who is there that has never heard a lullaby?
What in this world is equal to a mother's lullaby?
I am a devoted slave to song,
I am a slave to that very song!
Who else in this world is like a mother?
Who else is there like our own mother?
Who is there that has never heard a lullaby?
What in this world is equal to a mother's lullaby?
I am a devoted slave to song,
I am a slave to that very song!
Across all the wild fields of yellow flowers,
and through all the groves where streams flow,
who are the people toiling every day?
Did he ask for a garland of flowers?
Did he ask for a necklace of gold?
He is only someone longing for a meal of rice.
For gold to shine and silver to gleam,
and for diamonds to sparkle bright,
it takes the touch of a worker's hands!
For a mother to eat, for her child to eat,
and for all of us to eat every day,
the farmer has to labor in the soil.
The painful struggles of the poor are lost in the wind;
only when he drives his plow is there food for everyone.
Working shoulder to shoulder, he sings his tune...
I am a devoted slave to song,
I am a slave to that very song!
Whether one rules over an entire nation,
or simply tends to cattle in the fields,
whoever you may be, tell me who gave birth to you?
Whether you become a scientist or a wise sage,
tell me, wasn't it a mother who brought you into this world?
Be it day or be it night,
forever in this world,
a man needs the companion of a woman.
Through the burning sun and pouring rain,
across all the changing seasons,
we need a mother's love in our lives.
All the pain and hardships a mother bears—
realize that in your heart, my precious child.
Who is there that has never heard a lullaby?
What in this world is equal to a mother's lullaby?
I am a devoted slave to song,
I am a slave to that very song!
Who else in this world is like a mother?
Who else is there like our own mother?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

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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