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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayumillai Thandhaiyum

From Paadha Poojai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Jai Vijaya
Movie name
Paadha Poojai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
15 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naathiyatra koottam ondru
Manitharilthaan undu
Nallavargal ingirunthaal
Thara vendum anbu….
Thaayumillai thanthai illai
Thaalaattu naan kettathillai
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillai
Thaayumillai thanthai illai
Thaalaattu naan kettathillai
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillai
Thaayumillai illai illai illai
Oorengum en sonthamundu
Naan uravendu solla yaarundu
Oorengum en sonthamundu
Naan uravendu solla yaarundu
Thayaagalaam yaaraagilum
Thayaagalaam yaaraagilum
En thaayarukku naan pillai illai
Thanthaikku naan sonthamillai
Thaayumillai illai illai illai
: Maanikkamundu naagamillai
Maragathamundu bhoomillai
Maanikkamundu naagamillai
Maragathamundu bhoomillai
Muthukalundu sippiyillai
Paththodu pathinondru intha pillai
Paththodu pathinondru intha pillai
Thaayumillai thanthai illai
Thaalaattu naan kettathillai
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillai
Thaayumillai illai illai illai
There is a group of helpless souls
found only among human beings.
If there are good people here,
they must share their love!
I have no mother, I have no father,
I have never heard a lullaby,
I have never tasted a mother’s milk.
I have no mother, I have no father,
I have never heard a lullaby,
I have never tasted a mother’s milk.
No mother at all, none, none, none.
The whole town could be my family,
yet whom do I have to call my own?
The whole town could be my family,
yet whom do I have to call my own?
Anyone could become a mother,
anyone could become a mother,
yet I am no child to my own mother,
and I do not belong to my father.
No mother at all, none, none, none.
There is a ruby, but no serpent to hold it,
there is an emerald, but no earth beneath it,
There is a ruby, but no serpent to hold it,
there is an emerald, but no earth beneath it,
there are pearls, but no oyster shell,
and this child is just one more face in the crowd.
This child is just one more face in the crowd.
I have no mother, I have no father,
I have never heard a lullaby,
I have never tasted a mother’s milk.
No mother at all, none, none, none.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from the film Paadha Poojai (1974) depicts the tragic reality and emotional void of orphaned children who grow up without maternal warmth, parental guidance, or family identity. The protagonist reflects on being an outcast in society—living among crowds yet belonging to no one, devoid of basic maternal comforts like lullabies or breast milk. Kannadasan uses rich metaphorical imagery, comparing the orphan to a pearl without an oyster shell or a ruby without a nest, highlighting that while nature provides protection to its creations, these children are left completely unsheltered. The song serves as a soulful plea to compassionate souls in society to offer love and shelter to the helpless.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Muthukalundu sippiyillai”

Compares the child's existence to gems without their natural origins (ruby without a snake, pearl without a shell) to symbolize being born without parental shelter.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

“Thaayumillai illai illai illai”

Emphatic repetition of 'illai' (none/no) to heavily accentuate the feeling of absence, loss, and utter deprivation.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Thaayumillai thanthai illai / Thaalaattu naan kettathillai”

The 'Th' sound repeats at the beginning of consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic and melancholic cadence.

Idiomatic Expression (Pazhamozhi / Marabu)

“Paththodu pathinondru intha pillai”

'Paththodu pathinondru' is a Tamil idiom meaning 'one among many' or 'an insignificant extra', expressing the feeling of being discarded by society.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Paadha Poojai' features music composed by the composer duo Jai Vijaya (Jayan and Vijayan), who were well-known for their devotional and classical-based compositions. Vani Jairam's expressive vocal rendering combined with Kannadasan's evocative lyrics made this track one of the most memorable orphan-plea songs in Tamil cinema.

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