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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalattu Padi

From Praptham · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Praptham1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendumI wish to become a mother by singing a lullaby,
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaaMy uncontrollable desire, my dear young lady.
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…My desire for a very long time, my dear young lady...
Naalaaga ennaasai chinnammaMy long-standing desire, my dear young lady.
Male
Kannaana pillai illaamal ingaeWithout a precious child here,
Kanneeril vandhaayae chinnammaa…You arrived in tears, my dear young lady...
Kannaana pillai illaamal ingaeWithout a precious child here,
Kanneeril vandhaayae chinnammaaYou arrived in tears, my dear young lady.
Saeyaaga neeyaaga thaayaaga naanumWith you as the child and me as the mother,
Seeraatta vandhenae chinnammaaI came to pamper and care for you, my dear young lady.
Male
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendumI wish to become a mother by singing a lullaby,
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaaMy uncontrollable desire, my dear young lady.
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…My desire for a very long time, my dear young lady...
Male
Aaraadhu aaraadhuIt will not heal, it will not heal,
Azhudhaalum theeraadhuEven if you weep, this pain will not end.
Aanaalum vazhi yenna thaayaeEven so, what is the way ahead, oh mother?
Ariyaadha pennalla kanavodu uravaaduYou are not an ignorant woman; converse with your dreams,
Sumai thaangi kallaaga neeyaeStand firm like a load-bearing milestone yourself.
Kadalalai yen urangavillaiWhy do the ocean waves never sleep?
Kadavulidam yaeno karunai illaiWhy does God seem to have no mercy?
Male
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendumI wish to become a mother by singing a lullaby,
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaaMy uncontrollable desire, my dear young lady.
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…My desire for a very long time, my dear young lady...
Male
Anbaana sondhangal abimaana ullangalLoving relatives and affectionate hearts,
Ennaallum thunai undu thaayaeWill always stand by as your support, oh mother.
Anaiyaadha vilakkondru eppodhum unakkunduYou will always have an unextinguishable lamp,
Ariyaadha uravundu thaayaeThere is an unseen bonding relationship, oh mother.
Nadhiyirundhaal karai irukkumIf a river exists, it will surely have a bank;
Vidhi irundhaal kannan thunai irukkumIf destiny exists, Lord Krishna's divine support will be there.
Male
Thalaattu paadi thaayaaga vendumI wish to become a mother by singing a lullaby,
Thaalaadha ennaasai chinnammaaMy uncontrollable desire, my dear young lady.
Vegu naalaaga ennaasai chinnamma…My desire for a very long time, my dear young lady...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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