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Lyrics & meaning

Thaayillatha Maan Kandru

From Anbin Alaigal · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
A. T. Ummer
Details
Anbin Alaigal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Anbenum valiyilaeIn the trap of love,
Agappattathe maan kandruThe young fawn got caught.
Anaiththavarkku thunbam endraalIf sorrow comes to those who embraced it,
Kalanguthamma thaaninindruIt stands alone and grieves.
Male
Thaayillaatha maan kandruA motherless deer calf,
Thanimai konda maan kandruA deer calf that embraced loneliness,
Thazhuvugindra kaikalilaeIn the hands that tenderly embrace it,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down.
Male
Thaayillaatha maan kandruA motherless deer calf,
Thanimai konda maan kandruA deer calf that embraced loneliness,
Thazhuvugindra kaikalilaeIn the hands that tenderly embrace it,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down.
Male
Kadanthu poga ninaikkuthuIt thinks of moving away,
Kadamai yaedho thadukkuthuYet some sense of duty holds it back.
Paranthu poga ninaikkuthuIt thinks of flying away,
Paasam vanthu maraikkuthuYet affection comes and clouds its path.
Male
Munbu sila naatgalaeJust a few days ago,
Murandu ndra kanadrammaaIt was a stubborn calf, O lady.
Moodan endrum muradan endrumKnown as a fool and a rogue,
Pereduththa kandrammaa….It was a calf that earned such a name, O lady.
Male
Thaayillaatha maan kandruA motherless deer calf,
Thanimai konda maan kandruA deer calf that embraced loneliness,
Thazhuvugindra kaikalilaeIn the hands that tenderly embrace it,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down.
Male
Anbu valai pattathumOnce trapped in the net of love,
Adimaiyaana kandrammaaIt became a devoted servant calf, O lady.
Aandavanae anbukkuththaanEven God Almighty is a servant,
Adimai endru sollammaaOnly to true love, do tell her, O lady.
Male
Anbu valai pattathumOnce trapped in the net of love,
Adimaiyaana kandrammaaIt became a devoted servant calf, O lady.
Aandavanae anbukkuththaanEven God Almighty is a servant,
Adimai endru sollammaaOnly to true love, do tell her, O lady.
Male
Kudi puguntha veettaiyaeThe very house it stepped into,
Koyilaaga ninaikkindraaiYou regard as a sacred temple.
Koyilukkul kalasam endraalIf you consider it the golden crown atop the temple,
Thuvalukindraan thavikkidraanHe shrinks back in humility and suffers in emotion.
Male
Thaayillaatha maan kandruA motherless deer calf,
Thanimai konda maan kandruA deer calf that embraced loneliness,
Thazhuvugindra kaikalilaeIn the hands that tenderly embrace it,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down,
Thangivitta maan kandruA deer calf that has settled down.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the inner transformation of a lonely, motherless protagonist who compares himself to a stray fawn caught in the affectionate embrace of a family. Once considered stubborn, reckless, and foolish, he has been completely reformed and bound by the warmth and kindness extended to him. Though he occasionally feels like running away, the deep bond of love and duty keeps him anchored.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Anbenum valiyilae / Agappattathe maan kandru

Love is metaphorically presented as a trap/net ('Anbenum valiyilae', 'Anbu valai'), and the protagonist represents himself as a motherless fawn ('maan kandru').

Monai (Alliteration)

Kadanthu poga ninaikkuthu / Kadamai yaedho thadukkuthu

Matching initial consonant sounds ('Ka') across words in the line ('Kadanthu', 'Kadamai').

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kadanthu poga ninaikkuthu / Paranthu poga ninaikkuthu

Rhyming second letter 'da' in 'Kadanthu' and 'ra' in 'Paranthu' across structural couplets.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Thaayillaatha maan kandru / Thanimai konda maan kandru

Repeated use of the refrain lines ('Thaayillaatha maan kandru...') to reinforce the emotional core of loneliness and finding shelter.

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Trivia

This song from 'Anbin Alaigal' (1979) features a rare musical collaboration between Malayalam film composer A. T. Ummer and legendary Tamil lyricist Kannadasan, with master singer K. J. Yesudas delivering a deeply soulful rendition.

Keep listening

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Thaayillatha Maan Kandru Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi