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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaalam Thatti Paada

From Thaai Naadu · 1989

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Thaai Naadu1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaalam thatti paada vanthaenI came to sing, clapping my hands to the rhythm
Devan unnai theda vanthaenI came searching for You, my Lord
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Male
Thaalam thatti paada vanthaenI came to sing, clapping my hands to the rhythm
Devan unnai theda vanthaenI came searching for You, my Lord
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Male
Anbu konda nenjin ullaeInside a heart filled with love
Avanai paarkkiraenI see Him
Male
Thaalam thatti paada vanthaenI came to sing, clapping my hands to the rhythm
Devan unnai theda vanthaenI came searching for You, my Lord
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Male
Anbu konda nenjin ullaeInside a heart filled with love
Avanai paarkkiraenI see Him
Male
………………...
Male
Karuvaraiyil vaazhntha pothum ondruthaanadaaEven while dwelling inside the womb, everyone is one
Kallaraiyil thoongumpothum ondruthaanadaaEven while sleeping in the grave, everyone is one
Nadu vazhiyil neeyum naanum veru verudaaOnly on the path in between, you and I are different
Idai vazhiyil vantha sontham maayai thaanadaaRelationships formed along the way are merely an illusion
Idhai arintha konda manithan kooda deivamthaanadaaA human who realizes this truth is himself a God
Male
Thaalam thatti paada vanthaenI came to sing, clapping my hands to the rhythm
Devan unnai theda vanthaenI came searching for You, my Lord
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Male
Anbu konda nenjin ullaeInside a heart filled with love
Avanai paarkkiraenI see Him
Male
Pirantha pothu thaayin vazhiyae paaloottinaarWhen born, nourishment was given through the mother
Valarntha pothu thanthai vazhiyae arivoottinaarWhen growing up, wisdom was taught through the father
Uyarntha pothu suttram vazhiyae paaraattinaarWhen achieving height, praise was showered through relatives
Oor sumantha pothu saeyin vazhiyae thee moottinaarWhen carried by the town on the final journey, fire was lit by the child
Idhu keedhai vazhi sollaththaanae thaerottinaarWas it not to teach this wisdom of Gita that Krishna drove the chariot?
Male
Thaalam thatti paada vanthaenI came to sing, clapping my hands to the rhythm
Devan unnai theda vanthaenI came searching for You, my Lord
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Thedi vantha deivam engae naan ketkiraenWhere is the God I came looking for? I ask
Male
Anbu konda nenjin ullaeInside a heart filled with love
Avanai paarkkiraenI see Him
Anbu konda nenjin ullaeInside a heart filled with love
Avanai paarkkiraenI see Him

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thaalam thatti paada vanthaen' from the film Thaai Naadu is a philosophical Tamil song about the quest for God and the true nature of human life. The speaker begins by seeking God outwardly through music and devotion, only to realize that the divine spirit resides within any loving heart. The lyrics highlight the cyclical journey of life: all humans are equal in the womb before birth and in the grave after death, while social differences and worldly relationships in between are mere temporary illusions. Understanding this truth elevates a human to divinity. Furthermore, the song traces the stages of life—from a mother's nourishment and father's guidance to relative's praise and the final rites performed by one's child—linking these life truths to the philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita as imparted by Lord Krishna.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Karuvaraiyil vaazhntha pothum ondruthaanadaa / Kallaraiyil thoongumpothum ondruthaanadaa

Contrast between 'Karuvarai' (womb) and 'Kallarai' (tomb/grave) to illustrate the equalizing nature of birth and death.

Edhugai (Second-letter Assonance)

Pirantha pothu thaayin vazhiyae paaloottinaar / Valarntha pothu thanthai vazhiyae arivoottinaar

Rhyming pattern created through similar consonant sounds in the second character across lines ('paaloottinaar', 'arivoottinaar', 'paaraattinaar', 'thee moottinaar').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Karuvaraiyil vaazhntha pothum ondruthaanadaa / Kallaraiyil thoongumpothum ondruthaanadaa

Repetition of ending suffixes '-adaa' across lines in the stanza to maintain lyrical rhythm and casual philosophical address.

Did you know?

Trivia

sung by legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) in his later career phase, with lyrics and direction by Aabavanan and music composed by Manoj–Gyan.

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