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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayum Naane

From Enkeyo Ketta Kural · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enkeyo Ketta Kural1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey
Nee illaadha naanum thaanWithout you, I am indeed
Nilavillaadha vaanam thaanJust like a sky without the moon
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey
Female
Anbu nenjam ellai meerumWhen a loving heart exceeds its limits
Angu konjam thollai naerumA little trouble arises there
Anbu nenjam ellai meerumWhen a loving heart exceeds its limits
Angu konjam thollai naerumA little trouble arises there
Thottam kaakka vaeli pottenI put up a fence to protect the garden
Unnai kaakka kelvi kettenI asked questions to protect you
Thottam kaakka vaeli pottenI put up a fence to protect the garden
Unnai kaakka kelvi kettenI asked questions to protect you
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey
Male
Naalai malarum kanni poovaeOh virgin flower that will bloom tomorrow
Engal vaanin vennilaavaeOh white moon of our sky
Naalai malarum kanni poovaeOh virgin flower that will bloom tomorrow
Engal vaanin vennilaavaeOh white moon of our sky
Nanmai theemai enna puriyumHow can you understand good and evil now
Valarndha pinnaal unmai theriyumYou will know the truth once you grow up
Nanmai theemai enna puriyumHow can you understand good and evil now
Valarndha pinnaal unmai theriyumYou will know the truth once you grow up
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey
Nee illaadha naanum thaanWithout you, I am indeed
Nilavillaadha vaanam thaanJust like a sky without the moon
Female
Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanaeI am the mother as well, my golden young deer
Thaalaattu paadumThat sings the lullaby
Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenaeI am the voice too, my colorful flower honey

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaayum Naanae is a tender, emotional lullaby where a father expresses his unconditional love and sense of responsibility for his child. Taking on the role of both father and mother, he cradles the child with affectionate endearments like 'golden deer' and 'flower honey', emphasizing that his world is completely dark and empty without the child, much like a moonless night sky. He reflects on his strictness and protective nature, explaining that just as a fence protects a garden from harm, his questioning and guidance stem purely from protective love. He reassures the child that although moral complexities like good and evil may be difficult to comprehend at a tender age, the truth behind a parent's actions will become clear as the child grows up.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaayum naanae thanga ila maanae

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' across words in the line creating melodic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nilavillaadha vaanam thaan

Comparing the narrator's life without the child to a moonless night sky, highlighting absolute emptiness.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thottam kaakka vaeli potten / Unnai kaakka kelvi ketten

Matching end sounds in consecutive lines ('potten' and 'ketten') reinforcing the lyrical rhythm.

Metaphor

Vaayum naanae vanna poonthaenae

Directly addressing the child using tender natural metaphors such as 'vanna poonthaenae' (colorful flower honey).

Did you know?

Trivia

Enkeyo Ketta Kural (1982) was directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by Panchu Arunachalam, starring Rajinikanth, Ambika, and Radha. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali and vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this song highlights Rajinikanth's acclaimed emotional performance as a devoted single father.

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