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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaalelo Raja

From Asai Magan · 1953

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Asai Magan1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaalaelo raja en kannae nee vaaLullaby my king, my precious eye, come to me.
Selvamae ponnaana roja thaalaelo rajaMy treasure, my golden rose, lullaby my king.
Female
Oo….oo….oo…oo…Oo....oo....oo...oo...
Un thanthaithaanae unai thedi varuvaarYour father himself will come seeking you,
Porulellaam tharuvaarHe will shower you with all riches,
Pon thottil maelae thuyil kolla viduvaarHe will let you sleep in a golden cradle,
Vaazhvinpam yaavum peruvaayae inithae…May you sweetly attain all of life's joys...
Female
Thuyar soozhum en vaazhvin irul neenavaeTo dispel the darkness in my sorrowful life,
Vennilaa polae nee vaa vaaCome to me like the bright full moon, come, come.
Thaalaelo raja……Lullaby my king......
Female
Thaalaelo raja en kannae nee vaaLullaby my king, my precious eye, come to me.
Selvamae ponnaana roja thaalaelo rajaMy treasure, my golden rose, lullaby my king.
Female
Enathaasai kaniyae inaiyillaa manimuththaeFruit of my desire, matchless precious pearl,
Enathaasai kaniyae inaiyillaa manimuththaeFruit of my desire, matchless precious pearl,
Unathaasai mama pol oyaathu kalvi katruLearn endlessly like your beloved uncle,
Vaadaa nee pugazh petruCome, my child, acquiring great fame,
Kaniyoorum thaenae en kali theeravae endrumaeSweet honey overflowing with nectar, to end my grief forever,
Anbae nee vaa vaa thaalaelo raja……My love, come, come, lullaby my king......
Female
Thaalaelo raja en kannae nee vaaLullaby my king, my precious eye, come to me.
Selvamae ponnaana roja thaalaelo raja…My treasure, my golden rose, lullaby my king...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic lullaby expresses a mother's profound love, comfort, and aspirations for her child. She affectionately addresses the baby with terms like golden rose, matchless pearl, and honeyed fruit, soothing the child to sleep while promising a bright future filled with fatherly affection, a golden cradle, and life's sweetest joys. The child is portrayed as a beacon of light, like a full moon, capable of banishing the darkness and grief surrounding the mother's life. Furthermore, she encourages the child to study diligently like their beloved uncle, earn fame, and bring enduring bliss to the family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vennilaa polae nee vaa vaa

Comparing the child's arrival to the shining full moon coming to dispel life's darkness ('Vennilaa polae nee vaa vaa').

Metaphor (Uvakam)

Selvamae ponnaana roja thaalaelo raja

Directly addressing the child using affectionate metaphors such as golden rose ('ponnaana roja'), fruit of desire ('enathaasai kaniyae'), and matchless pearl ('inaiyillaa manimuththae').

Anaphora / Refrain

Thaalaelo raja en kannae nee vaa

Repetition of the line 'Thaalaelo raja' to establish the rhythmic, soothing lullaby cadence typical of Tamil traditional lullabies.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Asai Magan' (1953) features lyrics by the renowned Tamil poet Kuyilan. The soundtrack was originally composed by C. R. Subburaman, and completed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy following Subburaman's untimely demise during production.

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