Thalaattu Song Lyrics – Naatpadu Theral
From Naatpadu Theral · 2021
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Susheela, K. S. Chithra, Harini
- Music director
- N. R. Raghunanthan
- Details
- Naatpadu Theral2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Vannavanna komalamae | Colorful and delicate soft child, |
| Valadhukai maambazhamae! | Like a ripe mango in my right hand! |
| Inamperutha vamsathil | In a lineage that expanded grandly, |
| Sanamperutha kudumbathil | In a family that grew large with people, |
| Aaraam thirumaganaai | Born as the sixth blessed son, |
| Aalavandha chozha mannaa | Oh Chola king who came to rule! |
| Female | |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Pullimaan kombaiyila | Hearing that a tiger rests |
| Pulivandhu pogudhinnu | Upon the horns of a spotted deer, |
| Ponvael kaivaangi | Taking a golden spear in hand, |
| Puliyeriya vandhavanae!… | Oh brave one who came riding a tiger! |
| Female | |
| Chitherumbu kadichaalum | Even if a tiny ant bites you, |
| Chithappaa varuvaaga | Your paternal uncle will rush to help; |
| Thaangi tholmaatha | To carry you on his shoulders, |
| Thaai maaman varuvaaga | Your maternal uncle will arrive. |
| Female | |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Thaathaamaar thookkivachaa | If grandfathers lift you up, |
| Thaadimudi kuthuminnu | Fearing their beard hair might prick you, |
| Alli alli maarbanaikka | To gather you close to their chest, |
| Aithamaar varuvaaga | Your aunts will eagerly come. |
| Female | |
| Paattu pala padichu | Singing many melodious songs, |
| Paalsooru oottividum | Feeding you sweet milk rice, |
| Koottu kudumbamadaa | This is a united joint family, my child! |
| Kulavilakkae kannurangu | Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully. |
| Kulavilakkae kannurangu | Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully. |
| Female | |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Aaraaroo aarirooo | Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain) |
| Aan azhagae aarirooo | Oh handsome boy, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Chinnanjiru piraiyae | Oh tiny crescent moon, |
| Sivappukkal rathinamae!… | Oh precious red ruby gem! |
| Enna kalanjiyamae | What a granary of fortune you are, |
| Yaelam poo vaasagamae!… | Fragrance of cardamoms in bloom! |
| Female | |
| Appan veliyooru | Father is away in another town, |
| Aathaa thaniyaalu | Mother is left all alone, |
| Koottu kudumbam ippo | The joint family system now |
| Kudaisaanju poanadhadaa | Has collapsed like a fallen umbrella. |
| Female | |
| Thaaimaaman pozhappukku | For their daily livelihood, maternal uncles |
| Thaaraavi poyittaaga | Have moved away to Dharavi, |
| Chithappaa ellaarum | And all the paternal uncles |
| Cheemaiyila irukkaaga | Are residing in distant foreign lands. |
| Female | |
| On pola selvandhan | A wealthy prince like you, |
| Olagathil kandadhilla | The world has never seen before; |
| En pola ezhaiyanee | A poor mother like me, |
| Engaachum kandadhundaa | Have you seen anywhere else? |
| Female | |
| Echippaal theendhadhadaa | My mother's milk is exhausted, |
| Irundhavarai oottivitten | I fed you with whatever remained; |
| Michappaal oorumvarai | Until the remaining milk wells up again, |
| Minminiyae kannurangu | Oh little firefly, sleep now. |
| Minminiyae kannurangu | Oh little firefly, sleep now. |
| Female | |
| Maanikka maamaniyae! | Oh precious ruby gem! |
| Maarkkandan puthiranae! | Son like the eternal Markandeya! |
| Sor ootta sondhamilla | No kin left to feed you rice, |
| Thottilida bandhamilla | No relatives to rock your cradle. |
| Naadhiyatha kudumbathil | In a helpless family without support, |
| Naayagamaa vandhavanae | You were born as the sole central leader. |
| Mmm…mmm…mmm…mm… | Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm... |
| Female | |
| Aathaa oru moolaiyila | Mother is stuck in one corner, |
| Appan oru moolaiyila | Father is stuck in another corner, |
| Kaathaa parakkuraaga | Flying like the wind |
| Governmenttu vaelaiyila | In their government jobs. |
| Female | |
| Video paarthabadi | While watching video screens, |
| Velaikkaari thooliyaatta | The housemaid rocks your cradle; |
| Audio kettabadi | While listening to audio recordings, |
| Aadhavanae kannurangu | Oh brilliant sun, go to sleep. |
| Female | |
| Othaiyila porandhavanae | Born as an only child, |
| Unakkaarum thunaiyilla | You have no companions beside you; |
| Vidhaiyellaam kathukkittu | Learning all modern skills and knowledge, |
| Velinaadu pomaganae! | Oh son bound for foreign shores! |
| Female | |
| Londan thirumagaloo | Whether a bride from London, |
| Los angels marumagaloo | Or a daughter-in-law from Los Angeles, |
| Petha thaai thagappanukku | To the parents who gave birth to you, |
| Pathirikkai kodumaganae! | Just mail an invitation card, my son! |
| Pathirikkai kodumaganae!…… | Just mail an invitation card, my son! |
| Mmmm ..mmm..mmm..mmm…. | Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm... |
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
வண்ணவண்ணக் கோமளமே!
வலதுகை மாம்பழமே!
இனம்பெருத்த வம்சத்தில்
சனம்பெருத்த குடும்பத்தில்
ஆறாம் திருமகனாய்
ஆளவந்த சோழமன்னா
Colorful and delicate soft child,
Like a ripe mango in my right hand!
In a lineage that expanded grandly,
In a family that grew large with people,
Born as the sixth blessed son,
Oh Chola king who came to rule!
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
புள்ளிமான் கோம்பையில
புலிவந்து போகுதின்னு
பொன்வேல் கைவாங்கிப்
புலியெறிய வந்தவனே!
Hearing that a tiger rests
Upon the horns of a spotted deer,
Taking a golden spear in hand,
Oh brave one who came riding a tiger!
சித்தெறும்பு கடிச்சாலும்
சித்தப்பா வருவாக
தாங்கித் தோள்மாத்தத்
தாய்மாமன் வருவாக
Even if a tiny ant bites you,
Your paternal uncle will rush to help;
To carry you on his shoulders,
Your maternal uncle will arrive.
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
தாத்தாமார் தூக்கிவச்சாத்
தாடிமுடி குத்துமின்னு
அள்ளி அள்ளி மார்பணைக்க
ஐத்தமார் வருவாக
If grandfathers lift you up,
Fearing their beard hair might prick you,
To gather you close to their chest,
Your aunts will eagerly come.
பாட்டுப் பலபடிச்சுப்
பால்சோறு ஊட்டிவிடும்
கூட்டுக் குடும்பமடா
குலவிளக்கே கண்ணுறங்கு
குலவிளக்கே கண்ணுறங்கு
Singing many melodious songs,
Feeding you sweet milk rice,
This is a united joint family, my child!
Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully.
Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully.
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
ஆராரோ ஆரிரோ
ஆண் அழகே ஆரிரோ
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
சின்னஞ்சிறு பிறையே
சிவப்புக்கல் ரத்தினமே!
எண்ணக் களஞ்சியமே
ஏலம்பூ வாசகமே!
Oh tiny crescent moon,
Oh precious red ruby gem!
What a granary of fortune you are,
Fragrance of cardamoms in bloom!
அப்பன் வெளியூரு
ஆத்தா தனியாளு
கூட்டுக் குடும்பம் இப்போ
குடைசாஞ்சு போனதடா
Father is away in another town,
Mother is left all alone,
The joint family system now
Has collapsed like a fallen umbrella.
தாய்மாமன் பொழப்புக்குத்
தாராவி போயிட்டாக
சித்தப்பா எல்லாரும்
சீமையில இருக்காக
For their daily livelihood, maternal uncles
Have moved away to Dharavi,
And all the paternal uncles
Are residing in distant foreign lands.
ஒம்போலச் செல்வந்தன்
ஒலகத்தில் கண்டதில்ல
எம்போல ஏழையைநீ
எங்காச்சும் கண்டதுண்டா
A wealthy prince like you,
The world has never seen before;
A poor mother like me,
Have you seen anywhere else?
எச்சிப்பால் தீந்ததடா
இருந்தவரை ஊட்டிவிட்டேன்
மிச்சப்பால் ஊறும்வரை
மின்மினியே கண்ணுறங்கு
மின்மினியே கண்ணுறங்கு
My mother's milk is exhausted,
I fed you with whatever remained;
Until the remaining milk wells up again,
Oh little firefly, sleep now.
Oh little firefly, sleep now.
மாணிக்க மாமணியே!
மார்க்கண்டன் புத்திரனே!
சோறூட்டச் சொந்தமில்ல
தொட்டிலிட பந்தமில்ல
நாதியத்த குடும்பத்தில்
நாயகமா வந்தவனே
ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....
Oh precious ruby gem!
Son like the eternal Markandeya!
No kin left to feed you rice,
No relatives to rock your cradle.
In a helpless family without support,
You were born as the sole central leader.
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm...
ஆத்தா ஒரு மூலையில
அப்பன் ஒரு மூலையில
காத்தாப் பறக்குறாக
கவர்மெண்ட்டு வேலையில
Mother is stuck in one corner,
Father is stuck in another corner,
Flying like the wind
In their government jobs.
வீடியோ பார்த்தபடி
வேலைக்காரி தூளியாட்ட
ஆடியோ கேட்டபடி
ஆதவனே கண்ணுறங்கு
While watching video screens,
The housemaid rocks your cradle;
While listening to audio recordings,
Oh brilliant sun, go to sleep.
ஒத்தையில பொறந்தவனே
உனக்காரும் துணையில்ல
வித்தையெல்லாம் கத்துக்கிட்டு
வெளிநாடு போமகனே!
Born as an only child,
You have no companions beside you;
Learning all modern skills and knowledge,
Oh son bound for foreign shores!
லண்டன் திருமகளோ
லாஸ்ஏஞ்சல்ஸ் மருமகளோ
பெத்ததாய் தகப்பனுக்குப்
பத்திரிகை கொடுமகனே!...
பத்திரிகை கொடுமகனே!...
ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்....
Whether a bride from London,
Or a daughter-in-law from Los Angeles,
To the parents who gave birth to you,
Just mail an invitation card, my son!
Just mail an invitation card, my son!
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm...
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Vannavanna komalamae
Colorful and delicate soft child,
Valadhukai maambazhamae!
Like a ripe mango in my right hand!
Inamperutha vamsathil
In a lineage that expanded grandly,
Sanamperutha kudumbathil
In a family that grew large with people,
Aaraam thirumaganaai
Born as the sixth blessed son,
Aalavandha chozha mannaa
Oh Chola king who came to rule!
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Pullimaan kombaiyila
Hearing that a tiger rests
Pulivandhu pogudhinnu
Upon the horns of a spotted deer,
Ponvael kaivaangi
Taking a golden spear in hand,
Puliyeriya vandhavanae!…
Oh brave one who came riding a tiger!
Chitherumbu kadichaalum
Even if a tiny ant bites you,
Chithappaa varuvaaga
Your paternal uncle will rush to help;
Thaangi tholmaatha
To carry you on his shoulders,
Thaai maaman varuvaaga
Your maternal uncle will arrive.
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Thaathaamaar thookkivachaa
If grandfathers lift you up,
Thaadimudi kuthuminnu
Fearing their beard hair might prick you,
Alli alli maarbanaikka
To gather you close to their chest,
Aithamaar varuvaaga
Your aunts will eagerly come.
Paattu pala padichu
Singing many melodious songs,
Paalsooru oottividum
Feeding you sweet milk rice,
Koottu kudumbamadaa
This is a united joint family, my child!
Kulavilakkae kannurangu
Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully.
Kulavilakkae kannurangu
Oh light of our clan, sleep peacefully.
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Aaraaroo aarirooo
Aaraaroo aariroo (Lullaby refrain)
Aan azhagae aarirooo
Oh handsome boy, lullaby
Chinnanjiru piraiyae
Oh tiny crescent moon,
Sivappukkal rathinamae!…
Oh precious red ruby gem!
Enna kalanjiyamae
What a granary of fortune you are,
Yaelam poo vaasagamae!…
Fragrance of cardamoms in bloom!
Appan veliyooru
Father is away in another town,
Aathaa thaniyaalu
Mother is left all alone,
Koottu kudumbam ippo
The joint family system now
Kudaisaanju poanadhadaa
Has collapsed like a fallen umbrella.
Thaaimaaman pozhappukku
For their daily livelihood, maternal uncles
Thaaraavi poyittaaga
Have moved away to Dharavi,
Chithappaa ellaarum
And all the paternal uncles
Cheemaiyila irukkaaga
Are residing in distant foreign lands.
On pola selvandhan
A wealthy prince like you,
Olagathil kandadhilla
The world has never seen before;
En pola ezhaiyanee
A poor mother like me,
Engaachum kandadhundaa
Have you seen anywhere else?
Echippaal theendhadhadaa
My mother's milk is exhausted,
Irundhavarai oottivitten
I fed you with whatever remained;
Michappaal oorumvarai
Until the remaining milk wells up again,
Minminiyae kannurangu
Oh little firefly, sleep now.
Minminiyae kannurangu
Oh little firefly, sleep now.
Maanikka maamaniyae!
Oh precious ruby gem!
Maarkkandan puthiranae!
Son like the eternal Markandeya!
Sor ootta sondhamilla
No kin left to feed you rice,
Thottilida bandhamilla
No relatives to rock your cradle.
Naadhiyatha kudumbathil
In a helpless family without support,
Naayagamaa vandhavanae
You were born as the sole central leader.
Mmm…mmm…mmm…mm…
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm...
Aathaa oru moolaiyila
Mother is stuck in one corner,
Appan oru moolaiyila
Father is stuck in another corner,
Kaathaa parakkuraaga
Flying like the wind
Governmenttu vaelaiyila
In their government jobs.
Video paarthabadi
While watching video screens,
Velaikkaari thooliyaatta
The housemaid rocks your cradle;
Audio kettabadi
While listening to audio recordings,
Aadhavanae kannurangu
Oh brilliant sun, go to sleep.
Othaiyila porandhavanae
Born as an only child,
Unakkaarum thunaiyilla
You have no companions beside you;
Vidhaiyellaam kathukkittu
Learning all modern skills and knowledge,
Velinaadu pomaganae!
Oh son bound for foreign shores!
Londan thirumagaloo
Whether a bride from London,
Los angels marumagaloo
Or a daughter-in-law from Los Angeles,
Petha thaai thagappanukku
To the parents who gave birth to you,
Pathirikkai kodumaganae!
Just mail an invitation card, my son!
Pathirikkai kodumaganae!……
Just mail an invitation card, my son!
Mmmm ..mmm..mmm..mmm….
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mm...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant lullaby from Vairamuthu's musical project 'Naatpadu Theral' traces the dramatic transformation of Tamil family dynamics across three generations. The first segment, sung by veteran singer P. Susheela, presents a grand joint family setting full of love, protection, traditional folklore, and abundant relatives caring for the infant. The middle segment, sung by K. S. Chithra, captures the transition period where economic necessity scatters uncles and kin to slums like Dharavi or foreign countries, leaving the mother alone and struggling in a broken support system. The final segment, sung by Harini, depicts the contemporary nuclear family where working corporate parents outsource childcare to maids and electronic media, ultimately acknowledging the realistic distance of a globalized future where children migrate abroad and connect with parents only through formal invitations.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaithogai)
“Chinnanjiru piraiyae / Sivappukkal rathinamae!”
The infant is metaphorically addressed as 'Valadhukai maambazhamae' (sweet mango in the right hand), 'Chinnanjiru piraiyae' (tiny crescent moon), and 'Minminiyae' (firefly), conveying intense maternal affection.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Inamperutha vamsathil / Sanamperutha kudumbathil”
Tamil poetic device of matching initial consonant sounds across words in a line to create rhythmic cadence.
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)
“On pola selvandhan Olagathil kandadhilla / En pola ezhaiyanee Engaachum kandadhundaa”
Contrasting the extreme emotional wealth of the child with the physical/economic helplessness of the modern mother.
Hyperbole (Ushana)
“Ponvael kaivaangi Puliyeriya vandhavanae!”
Exaggerated heroic praise typical of traditional Tamil lullabies, portraying an infant riding a tiger with a spear.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by N. R. Raghunanthan with lyrics by Kaviperarasu Vairamuthu, 'Naatpadu Theral' is a landmark non-film Tamil music series containing 100 independent songs. This particular lullaby uniquely brings together three legendary female playback singers representing three distinct eras—P. Susheela, K. S. Chithra, and Harini—each singing a section representing a different era of Tamil family life.
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