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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thambikku Oru Paattu Happy

From Naan Yen Pirandhen · 1972

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Naan Yen Pirandhen1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pattu kannu chella paappaaSilken-eyed darling baby girl,
Nalla thambi vella katti chutti paiyaaGood younger brother, sweet jaggery block, mischievous boy,
Male
Thambikku oru paattuA song for the younger brother,
Anbu thangaikku oru paattuA song for the loving younger sister,
Thambikku oru paattuA song for the younger brother,
Anbu thangaikku oru paattuA song for the loving younger sister,
Vaazhvil nambikkai valarvadharkku udhavumThis story song that I sing helps
Naan sollum kadhai paattuTo cultivate hope in life.
Naan sollum kadhai paattuThis story song that I sing.
Male
Thambikku oru paattuA song for the younger brother,
Anbu thangaikku oru paattuA song for the loving younger sister,
Vaazhvil nambikkai valarvadharkku udhavumThis story song that I sing helps
Naan sollum kadhai paattuTo cultivate hope in life.
Male
Oru maedhai pagal vaelaiA wise man during daytime,
Kaiyil vilakkudan sendraaraamWent around with a lamp in his hand, they say.
Oru maedhai pagal vaelaiA wise man during daytime,
Kaiyil vilakkudan sendraaraamWent around with a lamp in his hand, they say.
Manidhan engae…"Where is a human..."
Manidhan engae kaanavillai"Where is a human? I cannot find one,
Thaedugiren naan endraaraamI am searching for one," he said.
Male
Pirappaal valarppaal iruppavarellaam"Those who exist merely by birth and nurture,
Manidharghal alla endraaraamAre not true human beings," he said.
Inathaal alla manathaal mattum"Not by race or clan, but solely by mind and heart,
Vaazhbavan manidhan endraaraamIs the one who lives a true human," he said.
Vaazhbavan manidhan endraaraam"Is the one who lives a true human," he said.
Male
Thambikku oru paattuA song for the younger brother,
Anbu thangaikku oru paattuA song for the loving younger sister,
Vaazhvil nambikkai valarvadharkku udhavumThis story song that I sing helps
Naan sollum kadhai paattuTo cultivate hope in life.
Male
Kaiyirandu kaaliranduTwo hands and two legs,
Kadavul koduthaan manidharukkuGod gave to mankind.
Kaiyirandu kaaliranduTwo hands and two legs,
Kadavul koduthaan manidharukkuGod gave to mankind.
Idhayam mattum ondru vaithaanHe gave only one heart,
Sindhanai oru vazhi selvadharkkuSo that thoughts travel in one unified direction.
Male
Uyarndhavar yaarum suyanalamirundhaalEven high-status people, if filled with selfishness,
Thaazhdhavar aavaar tharathaalaeWill become low in true worth.
Uzhaippaal pizhaippor thaazhndhirundhaalumEven if those who survive by manual labor are looked down upon,
Uyarndhavar aavaar gunathaalaeThey become noble and high through their character.
Uyarndhavar aavaar gunathaalaeThey become noble and high through their character.
Male
Thambikku oru paattuA song for the younger brother,
Anbu thangaikku oru paattuA song for the loving younger sister,
Vaazhvil nambikkai valarvadharkku udhavumThis story song that I sing helps
Naan sollum kadhai paattuTo cultivate hope in life.
Mmm…mm…mmm….mmm….mmm…Mmm…mm…mmm….mmm….mmm…
Mmm…mm…mmm….mmm….mmm…Mmm…mm…mmm….mmm….mmm…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Naan Yen Pirandhen' (1972) is a moralistic lullaby and story-song addressed to young children. The protagonist sings to instill foundational virtues, hope, and humanity in them from an early age. He invokes the famous philosophical parable of Diogenes—the Greek philosopher who walked with a lamp in broad daylight searching for a true human being—to explain that true humanity is defined by moral character and empathy rather than birth, status, or lineage. The lyricist emphasizes egalitarian values, teaching that physical capability and intellect were designed for unified, constructive thinking. It contrasts the selfish wealthy with honest, hardworking laborers, reminding the children that nobility comes from character (gunam) rather than position or wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Philosophical Reference)

Oru maedhai pagal vaelai / Kaiyil vilakkudan sendraaraam

Refers to the ancient philosopher Diogenes who famously walked with a lantern during daytime searching for an honest or true human being ('Oru maedhai pagal vaelai / Kaiyil vilakkudan sendraaraam').

Moonaal / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaiyirandu kaalirandu / Kadavul koduthaan manidharukku

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in 'Kaiyirandu' and 'Kadavul'.

Antithesis (Moran)

Uyarndhavar yaarum suyanalamirundhaal / Thaazhdhavar aavaar tharathaalae

Contrasting 'Uyarndhavar' (the exalted/high) and 'Thaazhdhavar' (the low) to highlight moral inversion based on character and selfishness.

Ezhuthu Yaappu / Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Uyarndhavar yaarum suyanalamirundhaal / Thaazhdhavar aavaar tharathaalae

Matching second consonant sound 'ya' in 'Uyarndhavar' and 'Thaazhdhavar'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music for 'Naan Yen Pirandhen' (1972) is credited to Shankar-Ganesh and features M. G. Ramachandran in the lead, singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) famously composed the music for this specific film under his own direction, making it one of the rare projects where TMS stepped in as the music composer for MGR.

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