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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Thai Illamal Naan

From Adimai Penn · 1969

Lyricist: Lyricist Not Known
Singer: T. M. Soundararajan
Music director: K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name: Adimai Penn
Movie release year: 1969
Lyrics added on: 24 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{ Thaai illaamal

Naan illai thaanae

Evarum pirandhadhillai

Enakoru thaai

Irukindraal endrum

Ennai kaakindraal } (2)

Thaai illaamal

Naan illai

{ Jeeva nadhiyaai

Varuvaal en thaagam

Theerthu magizhvaal } (2)

{ Thavarinai porupaal

Tharmathai valarpaal

Tharaniyilae valam serthiduvaal } (2)

Thaai illaamal

Naan illai

{ Thooya nilamaai

Kidapaal than tholil

Ennai sumapaal } (2)

{ Thanmaiyilaamal

Naan mithithaalum } (2)

Thaaimaiyilae manam kanindhiduvaal

Thaai illaamal

Naan illai

{ Megaveedhiyil

Nadapaal uyir

Moochinilae kalandhirupaal } (2)

{ Malaimudi thoduvaal

Malar manam tharuvaal

Mangala vaazhvuku

Thunaiyirupaal } (2)

Thaai illaamal

Naan illai

{ Aadhi andhamum

Avalthaan nammai

Aalum needhiyum avalthaan } (2)

{ Agandhaiyai azhipaal

Aatralai kodupaal

Aval thaan annai

Magasakthi } (2)

Andha thaai illaamal

Naan illai thaanae

Evarum pirandhadhillai

Enakoru thaai

Irukindraal endrum

Ennai kaakindraal

Thaai illaamal

Naan illai

Without a mother,

I do not exist, and

no one is ever born.

I have a mother

who is always there,

protecting me forever.

Without a mother,

I do not exist.

Flowing as a river of life,

she comes to quench my thirst

and rejoices in it.

She forgives mistakes,

nurtures righteousness,

and brings prosperity to the earth.

Without a mother,

I do not exist.

Like the pure earth,

she spreads out

and carries me on her shoulders.

Even if thoughtlessly

I trample upon her,

her mother's heart softens with love.

Without a mother,

I do not exist.

Walking along paths of clouds,

she stays blended

into the very breath of life.

She touches the mountain peaks,

gives fragrance to the flowers,

and stands by our side

for a blessed life.

Without a mother,

I do not exist.

She is the beginning and the end,

and she is the justice

that rules over us.

She destroys arrogance,

bestows great strength;

she is the Mother,

Mahashakti (the supreme divine power).

Without that Mother,

I do not exist, and

no one is ever born.

I have a mother

who is always there,

protecting me forever.

Without a mother,

I do not exist.

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song 'Thaai Illaamal Naan Illai' from the 1969 film Adimai Penn is a soulful tribute to motherhood and the divine maternal principle. The singer reflects on how no human life exists without a mother, describing her as an eternal guardian who nourishes like a flowing river, forgives flaws like the enduring Earth, and guides mankind toward virtue and prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uwamai (Metaphor / Simile)

“Jeeva nadhiyaai / Varuvaal en thaagam”

Comparing the mother to a 'Jeeva nadhi' (perennial river) and 'Thooya nilam' (pure earth) highlights her endless nourishing capacity and patience.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Thavarinai porupaal / Tharmathai valarpaal”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Th' across lines creating melodic resonance (Thavarinai, Tharmathai, Tharaniyilae).

Deification / Personification

“Aval thaan annai / Magasakthi”

Elevating the mother figure to 'Maha Shakti' (Supreme Divine Power) who embodies justice, destroys ego, and rules the cosmos.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Vaali, 'Thaai Illaamal Naan Illai' was sung by T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran in the blockbuster movie 'Adimai Penn' (1969). The song remains one of the iconic cinematic odes to motherhood in Tamil cinema.

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