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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalattum Nilavukku

From Kunguma Kodu · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Movie name
Kunguma Kodu
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
10 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai
Vaanam irukkudhu
Thalladum malarukku kaavalaai
Thendral irukkudhu
Pennae unakku kaavalaai enna irukkudhu
Pennae unakku kaavalaai enna irukkudhu
Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai
Vaanam irukkudhu
Thalladum malarukku kaavalaai
Thendral irukkudhu
Pottum illa poovum illa kutham yaarudhu
Pottum illa poovum illa kutham yaarudhu
Patta maram pattuvitta paavam yaarudhu
Puyal veesum oru naeram mazhai thoovum maru naeram
Idhu kaalam seiyum vadham
Thuyarkolam endru maarum
Paaraiyilae potta vidhai payir aagum naalum yedhu
Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai
Vaanam irukkudhu
Thalladum malarukku kaavalaai
Thendral irukkudhu
Keliyilae kutham solla mounam yaenamma
Keliyilae kutham solla mounam yaenamma
Kaaval tharum nenjukkulae kallam yaedhamma
Kannoram enna sogam pen sabam endru theerum
Kodi poovil innum vaasam
Kodumai thaanae vellai kolam
Oru pillaikkena vaazhndhu vittaal
Dheivangal vaalthu sollum
Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai
Vaanam irukkudhu
Thalladum malarukku kaavalaai
Thendral irukkudhu
Pennae unakku kaavalaai enna irukkudhu
Pennae unakku kaavalaai enna irukkudhu
Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai
Vaanam irukkudhu
Thalladum malarukku kaavalaai
Thendral irukkudhu
For the moon that sings a lullaby,
the sky is there to share its sorrow.
To protect the swaying flower,
the gentle breeze is there.
Oh woman, what is there to protect you?
Oh woman, what is there to protect you?
For the moon that sings a lullaby,
the sky is there to share its sorrow.
To protect the swaying flower,
the gentle breeze is there.
No bindi, no flowers in your hair—whose fault is this?
No bindi, no flowers in your hair—whose fault is this?
A tree has withered away—whose sin caused this?
A storm blows at one moment, rain falls at another.
This is the cruelty inflicted by time.
When will this sorrowful state change?
Can a seed sown on a rock ever grow into a harvest?
For the moon that sings a lullaby,
the sky is there to share its sorrow.
To protect the swaying flower,
the gentle breeze is there.
Why are you silent when people mock and blame you?
Why are you silent when people mock and blame you?
In a heart that offers protection, how could there be deceit?
What is this sorrow in your eyes? When will this curse on women end?
The flower on the vine still holds its fragrance.
Isn't this white attire of mourning sheer cruelty?
If you choose to live on for your child,
the gods themselves will bless you.
For the moon that sings a lullaby,
the sky is there to share its sorrow.
To protect the swaying flower,
the gentle breeze is there.
Oh woman, what is there to protect you?
Oh woman, what is there to protect you?
For the moon that sings a lullaby,
the sky is there to share its sorrow.
To protect the swaying flower,
the gentle breeze is there.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song reflects on the plight and sorrow of a woman facing societal hardship and isolation, symbolic through imagery like the absence of bindi and flowers and wearing white attire. It compares nature's protective harmony—such as the sky protecting the moon and the breeze guarding delicate blossoms—with the vulnerable, unprotected state of a suffering woman. Despite the cruelty of time and social stigmas, the song offers solace, suggesting that devoting one's life to raising a child will earn the divine blessings of the gods and turn hardship into purpose.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Thaalattum nilavukku kavalaai Vaanam irukkudhu”

Compares the sky to a guardian watching over the moon and the breeze to a protector for a delicate flower.

Rhetorical Question

“Pennae unakku kaavalaai enna irukkudhu”

Emphasizes the tragic lack of social support and protection for a distressed woman.

Symbolism

“Pottum illa poovum illa kutham yaarudhu”

The absence of bindi (pottu) and flowers symbolizes widowhood or social abandonment in traditional Tamil culture.

Hyperbole / Imagery

“Paaraiyilae potta vidhai payir aagum naalum yedhu”

Uses the image of a seed trying to sprout on a barren rock to describe trying to flourish in harsh adversity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kunguma Kodu (1988) features lyrics penned by S. A. Rajkumar. The song deeply explores themes of widowhood, maternal devotion, and social stigmas surrounding women in traditional society.

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