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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalattu

From Achchani · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Achchani1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaalaattu..Lullaby...
Pillai undu thaalaattuThere is a child, so here is a lullaby
Mani thottililIn the gem-studded cradle
Mullai meththaiyittuLaying down a bed of jasmine flowers
Siru maanganiThe small mango-like sweet child
Kannam muthamittuKissing the cheek tenderly
Female
Paaraattu…Praise...
Annai ennai paaraattuMother, praise me now
Undhan per sollaTo carry forward your lineage and name
Pillai petreduthenI have given birth to a child
Andha baakkiyamThat blessed fortune
Seidhu pereduthenI earned through good deeds
Male
Thaalaattu..Lullaby...
Male
Naan padaithaCreated by me
Thaen mazhalaiHoney-sweet baby prattle
Nalamudan valarndhuGrowing up in good health
Vara vendumMust flourish well
Female
Vaan padaithaCreated by the heavens
Muzhu nilavaaiLike a radiant full moon
Vaazhvil velichamLight into our lives
Thara vendumHe must bestow
Male
Maan padaitha maivizhiyaeO kohl-eyed beauty gentle as a deer
Innoru pillai pera vendumYou must bear another child as well
Female :Ondro rendoo pillaiFemale: Having one or two children
Endraal inbam kollaiBrings boundless treasure of joy
Male
Mei silirththidaMaking the body thrill with joy
Magan padippadhuMy son recites
Mazhalai endra mandhiramThe sacred chant called baby talk
Female :Yaazhisaiyilum ezhisaiyilumFemale: Even in harp music or the seven notes
Illai indha moganamThis captivating melody does not exist
Male
Thaalaattu..Lullaby...
Pillai undu thaalaattuThere is a child, so here is a lullaby
Female :Undhan per sollaFemale: To carry forward your name
Pillai petreduthenI have given birth to a child
Andha baakkiyamThat blessed fortune
Seidhu pereduthenI earned through good deeds
Male
Thaalaattu..Lullaby...
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae vazhakugalaiThe disputes in life
En magan naalaiMy son tomorrow
Theerththu vaippaanWill resolve them all
Female
Varuththamurum maanidarkkuFor human beings who suffer
Maruththuvam seidhuBy healing and treating them
MagizhndhiruppaanHe will bring delight
Male
Naam valarththa kanavugalaiThe dreams that we nurtured together
Manavaai nijamaai aakki vaippaanHe will turn into tangible reality
Female :Kannan vannam kanduFemale: Beholding the divine charm of Lord Krishna
Male :Thullum ullam renduMale: Two hearts leap in delight
Female
Thenpodhigaiyil nindrulavidumStrolling freely across the southern Podhigai hills
Thendral pola vandhavanHe came like the soothing southern breeze
Male :Senthamizhinil sindhisaikkaMale: To compose poetic verses in classical Tamil
Sandham kondu thandhavanHe gave us rhythm and lyrical meter
Female
Paaraattu…Praise...
Annai ennai paaraattuMother, praise me now
Undhan per sollaTo carry forward your name
Pillai petreduthenI have given birth to a child
Andha baakkiyamThat blessed fortune
Seidhu pereduthenI earned through good deeds

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thaalaattu Pillai Undu Thaalaattu' from the film Achchani (1978) is a heart-warming duet lullaby centered around parental love, pride, and hopes for a newborn child. The couple rejoices over the blessing of parenthood, viewing the child's tender babble as sweeter than classical music or the sound of the lute. They shower praise on each other and express gratitude for the fortunate karma that granted them such a child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Pillai undu thaalaattu / Mullai meththaiyittu

Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Pillai' and 'Mullai' or 'Ondro' and 'Endraal' to create a melodious flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mazhalai endra mandhiram

The child's babble is metaphorically termed a 'mandhiram' (sacred chant) and 'thaen mazhalai' (honeyed prattle).

Simile (Uvamai)

Thenpodhigaiyil nindrulavidum / Thendral pola vandhavan

The child arriving like the gentle breeze originating from the southern Podhigai mountains.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monaai)

Vaazhkkaiyilae vazhakugalai

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Vaazhkkaiyilae', 'vazhakugalai', 'Varuththamurum', 'Maruththuvam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, Achchani (1978) starring Vaishali and R. Muthuraman features iconic family-oriented melodies. Ilaiyaraaja's composition effectively captures the warmth of classical Tamil lullaby traditions mixed with modern orchestration.

Keep listening

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