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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayumillai Thandhaiyum

From Paadha Poojai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Jai Vijaya
Details
Paadha Poojai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naathiyatra koottam ondruThere is a group of destitute, helpless people
Manitharilthaan unduLiving among humanity itself
Nallavargal ingirunthaalIf good people exist here
Thara vendum anbu….They ought to grant them love....
Female
Thaayumillai thanthai illaiI have no mother, I have no father
Thaalaattu naan kettathillaiI have never heard a lullaby
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillaiI have never tasted the flavor of mother's milk
Female
Thaayumillai thanthai illaiI have no mother, I have no father
Thaalaattu naan kettathillaiI have never heard a lullaby
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillaiI have never tasted the flavor of mother's milk
Thaayumillai illai illai illaiNo mother at all, none, none, none
Female
Oorengum en sonthamunduAll people in town are like family to me
Naan uravendu solla yaarunduYet who is really there for me to claim as kin?
Oorengum en sonthamunduAll people in town are like family to me
Naan uravendu solla yaarunduYet who is really there for me to claim as kin?
Female
Thayaagalaam yaaraagilumAnyone could potentially become a mother
Thayaagalaam yaaraagilumAnyone could potentially become a mother
En thaayarukku naan pillai illaiYet I am not a child to my own mother
Thanthaikku naan sonthamillaiNor do I belong to a father
Female
Thaayumillai illai illai illaiNo mother at all, none, none, none
Female
: Maanikkamundu naagamillai: There is a gem, but no serpent guarding it
Maragathamundu bhoomillaiThere is an emerald, but no earth that held it
Maanikkamundu naagamillaiThere is a gem, but no serpent guarding it
Maragathamundu bhoomillaiThere is an emerald, but no earth that held it
Muthukalundu sippiyillaiThere are pearls, but no mother-of-pearl shell
Paththodu pathinondru intha pillaiThis child is just an extra count among ten others
Paththodu pathinondru intha pillaiThis child is just an extra count among ten others
Female
Thaayumillai thanthai illaiI have no mother, I have no father
Thaalaattu naan kettathillaiI have never heard a lullaby
Thaai paalin suvai naan kandathillaiI have never tasted the flavor of mother's milk
Thaayumillai illai illai illaiNo mother at all, none, none, none

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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