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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Kudathukku

From Mariamman Thiruvizha · 1978

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mariamman Thiruvizha1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga kudathukku pottum ittaenI applied a sacred mark to the golden pot,
Thaamarai poovukku maiyum ittaenI applied kohl to the lotus flower.
Vizhi muthukkul yaen indha muthukkaloWhy are there pearls of tears inside these pearl-like eyes?
Annathin pillai neeyadi kannaeYou are the child of a swan, my dear darling.
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!
Female
Thanga kudathukku pottum ittaenI applied a sacred mark to the golden pot,
Thaamarai poovukku maiyum ittaenI applied kohl to the lotus flower.
Female
Sandhanam saetrinil veezhndhaalumEven if sandalwood falls into the mud,
Sandhana vaasam povadhillaiThe fragrance of sandalwood never perishes.
Female
Solbavar sollattum aayiramaeLet people say a thousand things,
Thogaiyin vaazhvil or manamaeA peahen's life has only one true love.
Naan vaengada naayagi alamaelu…uuI am Alamelu, the consort of Lord Venkateswara...
Naan vaengada naayagi alamaeluI am Alamelu, the consort of Lord Venkateswara,
Ennidam karai yaedhu kannaeWhat fault or stain is there in me, my darling?
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!
Female
Thandhaikku thaan indha mundhaanaiThis saree pallu belongs to the father,
Thandhai koduthaan senthaenaiThe father gave sweet red honey.
Female
Thaayaarin thaevarum pillaiyadaaYou are the divine child of the mother,
Thaaram tharam kettadhillaiyadaaThe wife has never compromised her character.
Nandraai arindhaval maariyammaa… aa…Goddess Mariamman knows the truth well...
Nandraai arindhaval maariyammaaGoddess Mariamman knows the truth well,
Aval indri kaariyamaa kannaeCan anything happen without her will, my darling?
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!
Female
Dhaevagi kondadhu sirai vaasamDevaki endured imprisonment,
Kannan pirandhadhum theerndhadhadaaWhich came to an end when Krishna was born.
Seethai purindhadhu vana vaasamSita endured exile in the forest,
Thirumagal vandhadhum marandhadhadaaWhich was forgotten when the Goddess arrived.
Neruppinaiyae aval saatchi vaithaalSita even called fire as her witness,
Naanae neruppallavo kannaeAm I not the fire of purity myself, my darling?
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!
Female
Thanga kudathukku pottum ittaenI applied a sacred mark to the golden pot,
Thaamarai poovukku maiyum ittaenI applied kohl to the lotus flower.
Vizhi muthukkul yaen indha muthukkaloWhy are there pearls of tears inside these pearl-like eyes?
Annathin pillai neeyadi kannaeYou are the child of a swan, my dear darling.
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!
Aanandha veenaiyae thaalaeloLullaby, oh joyful veena!
Endhan arupudha raagamae thaalaeloLullaby, my marvelous melody!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant maternal lullaby filled with devotional, mythological, and philosophical allegories. The mother sings to comfort her child while defending her own purity and innocence against worldly accusations. She uses metaphors like sandalwood retaining its scent even in mud and compares her unblemished character to pure fire, referencing divine figures like Goddess Alamelu, Devaki, and Sita.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Vizhi muthukkul yaen indha muthukkalo

Compares the child's eyes to pearls ('vizhi muthu') and the child to a joyful veena ('aanandha veenai').

Emona / Rhyme (எதுகை - Second letter rhyming)

Sandhanam saetrinil veezhndhaalum

Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('Sandhanam' / 'Sandhana', 'Thandhaikku' / 'Thandhai').

Allusion (புராணக் குறியீடு)

Dhaevagi kondadhu sirai vaasam

References mythological epics such as Devaki's imprisonment before Krishna's birth and Sita's agni pariksha (trial by fire).

Did you know?

Trivia

Mariamman Thiruvizha (1978) is a devotional drama film centered on faith and trials, featuring music scored by T. R. Pappa with lyrics celebrating divine justice and motherly purity.

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