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Lyrics & meaning

Thaayum Magalum

From Thayum Magalum · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Jesudas, T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
P. S. Diwakar
Details
Thayum Magalum1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaayum magalum kovililaeThe mother and daughter are at the temple,
Dharma devan vaasalilaeAt the doorstep of the Lord of Righteousness.
Kaayum veyilum paniyum mazhaiyumThe scorching sun, dew, and falling rain,
Ezhai maadhar maeniyilaeEndure upon the bodies of these poor women.
Female
Thaayum magalum kovililaeThe mother and daughter are at the temple,
Dharma devan vaasalilaeAt the doorstep of the Lord of Righteousness.
Male
Maanam kaakkum maan poaleLike a deer guarding its own dignity,
Maghalai valarppaal madi meleShe nurtures her daughter upon her lap.
Thannai koduthu kandrai valarkkumGiving of herself to raise her calf,
Thaayin idhayam paal polaeA mother's heart is pure like milk.
Female
Thaayum magalum kovililaeThe mother and daughter are at the temple,
Dharma devan vaasalilaeAt the doorstep of the Lord of Righteousness.
Male
Nala puramum venghai varaWith tigers surrounding on all sides,
Naagam arughae padamedukkaAnd a cobra raising its hood nearby,
Yenghi thavikkum thaayin magaleO daughter of a mother yearning in distress,
Iraivin karunai unnidameThe mercy of God shall be with you.
Female
Thaayum magalum kovililaeThe mother and daughter are at the temple,
Dharma devan vaasalilaeAt the doorstep of the Lord of Righteousness.
Male
Poluthu vidiyum velli varumDawn will break and the morning star will appear,
Poovum manamum alli varumFlowers and fragrance will bloom abundantly.
Thozhudha deivam thunaiyaai irukkumThe deity you worshiped will stand beside you,
Thunbam neengum vazhi pirakkumA path will open to banish all sorrow.
Female
Thaayum magalum kovililaeThe mother and daughter are at the temple,
Dharma devan vaasalilaeAt the doorstep of the Lord of Righteousness.
Kaayum veyilum paniyum mazhaiyumThe scorching sun, dew, and falling rain,
Ezhai maadhar maeniyilaeEndure upon the bodies of these poor women.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional lyric by Kannadasan depicts a homeless or suffering mother and daughter seeking shelter and solace at a temple entrance. Despite enduring extreme weather and life's harsh threats—metaphorically described as surrounding tigers and cobras—the mother's love remains selfless, pure, and protective like a deer shielding its own dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Thaayin idhayam paal polae

Compares the maternal purity of heart directly to milk using the comparative word 'polae'.

Upamai (Simile)

Maanam kaakkum maan poale

Compares the mother's protective vigilance over her child to a deer guarding its dignity.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thozhudha deivam thunaiyaai irukkum

The second consonant sound 'zh' (ழ) rhymes across consecutive lines (Thozhudha / Thunbam).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Poluthu vidiyum velli varum

Repetition of the initial letter 'Po' (பொ / பூ) in consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thayum Magalum' (1965) featured music by P. S. Diwakar, a veteran composer who worked across Malayalam and Tamil cinema. This song uniquely blends the distinct vocals of K. J. Yesudas, T. M. Soundararajan, and L. R. Eswari into a moving narrative piece.

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