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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayin Mugam Indru

From Thangaikaga · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thangaikaga1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Female
Koyil vilakkondru kooda pirappendruA temple lamp born alongside as a sibling,
Paadum kural ketkuthuA singing voice is heard,
Female
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Female
Kannil imaiyaaga thangai nalamaagaLike an eyelid protecting the eye, for the sister's well-being,
Kaanum thunaiyallavoIs he not a guiding companion?
Kannil imaiyaaga thangai nalamaagaLike an eyelid protecting the eye, for the sister's well-being,
Kaanum thunaiyallavoIs he not a guiding companion?
Female
Ponnai koduthenum poovai koduthaenumEven if given gold or given precious flowers,
Pottrum uravallavoIs this not a relationship to be celebrated?
Thaanaada maranthaalum sathaiyaadum enpaargalThey say even if one forgets to dance, the bond of flesh stirs,
Thaalaatha paasaththil anna endrazhaippaargalIn overwhelming affection, they call out 'Brother',
Female
Aasai manam undu poojai malar unduThere is a longing heart, there is a flower for worship,
Dheivam neeyallavo annaAre you not a deity, brother?
Dheivam neeyallavo….oo…oo..oo…Are you not a deity?
Female
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Female
Mannil idam kondaRooted in the earth,
Thennai ilangandruA young coconut sapling,
Mannai piriyaathannaa…aa…aa..aa….Never parts from the soil, brother!
Female
Mangai mugam kondaGracing a young maiden's face,
Manjal niram endrumThe golden hue of turmeric,
Pennai piriyaathannaa….Never leaves a woman, brother!
Female
Engae irunthaalum unnai maravaathaWherever it may be, never forgetting you,
Ullam idhuvallavoIs this not that heart?
Anna ullam idhuvallavo…oo….Brother, is this not that heart?
Female
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here,
Koyil vilakkondru kooda pirappendruA temple lamp born alongside as a sibling,
Paadum kural ketkuthuA singing voice is heard,
Female
Thaayin mugamingu nizalaaduthuA mother's face reflects here,
Thanthai manamingu uravaaduthuA father's heart bonds in affection here.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaayin Mugamingu Nizalaaduthu is a tender Tamil song from the 1971 film Thangaikaga, expressing the profound love and deep reverence a sister holds for her elder brother. Sung by P. Susheela with composition by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics by Kannadasan, the song elevates the fraternal bond to a divine status, seeing the affection of both mother and father reincarnated in the brother's loving presence. Through timeless natural allegories—such as an eyelid protecting the eye, a young coconut tree remaining rooted to the soil, and auspicious turmeric adorning a woman—the song conveys that the bond between siblings is eternal, irreplaceable, and deeply sacred.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Metaphor (Upamani)

Kannil imaiyaaga thangai nalamaaga

Compares the brother's protective role to an eyelid shielding the eye ('Kannil imaiyaaga').

Deification / Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Dheivam neeyallavo anna

Directly elevates the brother to the status of a living deity whom the sister worships.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mannil idam konda / Thennai ilangandru

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'n' in 'Mannil' and 'Mangai' or 'Thennai' across Tamil poetic lines.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ponnai koduthenum poovai koduthaenum

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'P' in 'Ponnai' and 'Poovai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thangaikaga (For the Sake of the Sister) starred Sivaji Ganesan, an actor renowned for establishing the gold standard of brother-sister dynamic roles in Tamil cinema (starting with Pasamalar in 1961). Lyricist Kannadasan used vivid cultural metaphors like turmeric ('manjal') and temple lamps ('koyil vilakku') to symbolize purity and eternal marital/family bliss.

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