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Praptham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thalattu Padi

From Praptham · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Praptham
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
9 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendum
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaa
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…
Naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma
Kannaana pillai illaamal ingae
Kanneeril vandhaayae chinnammaa…
Kannaana pillai illaamal ingae
Kanneeril vandhaayae chinnammaa
Saeyaaga neeyaaga thaayaaga naanum
Seeraatta vandhenae chinnammaa
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendum
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaa
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…
Aaraadhu aaraadhu
Azhudhaalum theeraadhu
Aanaalum vazhi yenna thaayae
Ariyaadha pennalla kanavodu uravaadu
Sumai thaangi kallaaga neeyae
Kadalalai yen urangavillai
Kadavulidam yaeno karunai illai
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendum
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaa
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…
Anbaana sondhangal abimaana ullangal
Ennaallum thunai undu thaayae
Anaiyaadha vilakkondru eppodhum unakkundu
Ariyaadha uravundu thaayae
Nadhiyirundhaal karai irukkum
Vidhi irundhaal kannan thunai irukkum
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendum
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaa
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…
I want to sing a lullaby and become a mother to you,
that is my overwhelming desire, Chinnamma.
It has been my longing for so long, Chinnamma.
A longing held for so long, Chinnamma.
Having no precious child of your own here,
you arrived drowned in tears, Chinnamma.
Having no precious child of your own here,
you arrived drowned in tears, Chinnamma.
With you as my child and me as your mother,
I have come to shower you with affection, Chinnamma.
I want to sing a lullaby and become a mother to you,
that is my overwhelming desire, Chinnamma.
It has been my longing for so long, Chinnamma.
This wound will not heal, it will not heal,
even if you weep, the sorrow will not end.
And yet, what other way is there, dear mother?
You are no foolish woman, so live with your dreams,
bearing life's weight like a burden-resting stone.
Why do the ocean waves never sleep?
Why is there no mercy in God's heart?
I want to sing a lullaby and become a mother to you,
that is my overwhelming desire, Chinnamma.
It has been my longing for so long, Chinnamma.
Loving kin and caring hearts
will always be by your side, mother.
A lamp that never goes out will always shine for you,
and an unseen bond will always protect you, mother.
Wherever there is a river, it will have banks;
if fate permits, Lord Krishna will be your guide.
I want to sing a lullaby and become a mother to you,
that is my overwhelming desire, Chinnamma.
It has been my longing for so long, Chinnamma.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotional song portrays deep solace, empathy, and maternal care offered to a grieving woman suffering from heartbreak and childlessness. The singer steps into a maternal role to comfort her, reassuring her that weeping endlessly will not heal deep wounds, and encouraging her to be resilient like a load-bearing stone in times of hardship. Through philosophical lines on fate, faith, and divine justice, Kannadasan conveys that just as every river is bound by banks, every human destiny is accompanied by divine support and unseen bonds of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Saeyaaga neeyaaga thaayaaga naanum

The rhythmic repetition of the suffix '-aaga' across words creates a soothing cadence mimicking a lullaby.

Initial Alliteration (Monaai)

Aaraadhu aaraadhu / Azhudhaalum theeraadhu

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'Aa' reinforces the poetic rhythm and emotional emphasis on grief.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sumai thaangi kallaaga neeyae

Comparing the grieving woman to a 'sumai thaangi kal' (a roadside stone used to rest heavy loads), symbolizing patience, strength, and endurance.

Analogy (Uvamai)

Nadhiyirundhaal karai irukkum / Vidhi irundhaal kannan thunai irukkum

Draws a natural parallel between a river having banks and human fate having divine companionship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Praptham (1971) was the 150th landmark film of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, directed and produced by veteran actress Savitri, who also starred alongside him. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan.

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