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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thamizhe Pillai Thamizhe

From Appa Tata · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Appa Tata1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil
Thavazhum thanga simizhaeA crawling golden casket of beauty
Kuralae kandrin kuralaeA sweet voice like that of a calf
Engal kudumbam kaakkum nizhalaeThe protective shadow of our family
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil
Female
Kannam thattum kaigalHands that lovingly pat my cheeks
Aasai kaantham sinthu kangalEyes that emit magnetic charm and desire
Salangai aadum kaalgalFeet adorned with jingling ankle bells
Salangai aadum kaalgalFeet adorned with jingling ankle bells
Ava thamizhai kaakkum noolgalThey are sacred texts that protect the Tamil tongue
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil
Female
Oru vaai soru oottumpothuWhen I feed you a mouthful of rice
Kuruvaayoor kandaenI behold the holy shrine of Guruvayur
Odi aadi nadakkum pothuWhen you run around playing and walking
Brinthaavanam kandaenI behold the divine Brindavan
Female
Oru vaai soru oottumpothuWhen I feed you a mouthful of rice
Kuruvaayoor kandaenI behold the holy shrine of Guruvayur
Odi aadi nadakkum pothuWhen you run around playing and walking
Brinthaavanam kandaenI behold the divine Brindavan
Female
Utchi mugarnthu konjum pothuWhen I kiss the top of your head and cuddle you
Yasothai vadivaanaenI embody the form of Mother Yashoda
Uyrae nilavae unnidamO my life, my moon, from you
Geedhai upathesam kettaenI heard the divine teachings of the Gita
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil
Female
Sollum manthiram thanthaikendraalWhen you whisper a mantra to your father
Swami malai kandaenI behold the sacred Swamimalai
Tholil aadum maniyaeO precious gem resting on my shoulders
Naanum kundram kudi kondaenI too feel as if I reside on the holy hill
Female
Sollum manthiram thanthaikendraalWhen you whisper a mantra to your father
Swami malai kandaenI behold the sacred Swamimalai
Tholil aadum maniyaeO precious gem resting on my shoulders
Naanum kundram kudi kondaenI too feel as if I reside on the holy hill
Female
Kobam kondu odumpothuWhen you run away in playful anger
Pazhani malai kandaenI behold the holy Palani Hill
Kovil paarkka neram illaiThere is no need or time to visit temples
Unnaiththaan kandaenFor I have seen divinity in you alone
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil
Thavazhum thanga simizhaeA crawling golden casket of beauty
Kuralae kandrin kuralaeA sweet voice like that of a calf
Engal kudumbam kaakkum nizhalaeThe protective shadow of our family
Female
Thamizhae pillai thamizhaeO Tamil, child-like Tamil

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby from the 1972 film 'Appa Tata' captures the divine essence of maternal affection. The mother equates her young child to the sweetness and purity of the Tamil language itself, invoking the classical literary motif of 'Pillaitthamizh'. To her, raising her child is a spiritual pilgrimage; every innocent gesture of the child brings forth visions of holy shrines and mythological events. Feeding the child reveals Guruvayur, watching the child play evokes Brindavan, and cuddling the child transforms the mother into Yashoda listening to Lord Krishna's Gita. When the child interacts with its father, she envisions Lord Murugan teaching Lord Shiva at Swamimalai, and when the child runs in anger, she sees Palani. Ultimately, the mother realizes she needs no physical temples, as true divinity resides entirely within her child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thamizhae pillai thamizhae

Directly equating the child to Tamil language ('Thamizhae pillai thamizhae') and a golden container ('Thavazhum thanga simizhae').

Simile (Uvamai)

Kuralae kandrin kuralae

Comparing the innocence and tenderness of the child's voice to that of a young calf.

Allusion (Mythological & Religious Reference)

Sollum manthiram thanthaikendraal / Swami malai kandaen

Alludes to Lord Murugan expounding the Pranava Mantra to Lord Shiva at Swamimalai.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Odi aadi nadakkum pothu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'd' across successive lines ('Odi' and 'Brinthaavanam' in structural context).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed in the genre of Tamil 'Pillaitthamizh', a traditional poetic form where a deity, king, or beloved entity is praised as a child. Lyricist Kannadasan masterfully weaves Hindu mythology—linking the child to both Lord Krishna (Guruvayur, Yashoda, Brindavan) and Lord Murugan (Swamimalai, Palani)—with maternal devotion. Music director V. Kumar's melodic composition combined with P. Susheela's soothing vocals made this one of the most enduring maternal lullabies in Tamil cinema.

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