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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Thottil Pattu Methai

From Ranga Raattinam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Ranga Raattinam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanga thottil pattu methai thaai veettilaeA golden cradle and a silk bed belong in the mother's home,
Paasam mattum undu endhan thaalaattilaeOnly pure affection exists within my lullaby.
Male
Thanga thottil pattu methai thaai veettilaeA golden cradle and a silk bed belong in the mother's home,
Paasam mattum undu endhan thaalaattilaeOnly pure affection exists within my lullaby.
Male
Thannai thaanae marandhirundhaalShe had forgotten her own self,
Unnai eendra annaiThe mother who gave birth to you.
Thannai thaanae marandhirundhaalShe had forgotten her own self,
Unnai eendra annaiThe mother who gave birth to you.
Thirumbi vandha ninaivirundhumEven though her memory has returned,
Marandhadhenna ennaiWhy has she forgotten me?
Thirumbi vandha ninaivirundhumEven though her memory has returned,
Marandhadhenna ennaiWhy has she forgotten me?
Male
Imaiyai vizhi thaan marappadhundoDoes an eye ever forget its own eyelid,
Kaatchi vandha pinnaeOnce sight returns?
Imaiyai vizhi thaan marappadhundoDoes an eye ever forget its own eyelid,
Kaatchi vandha pinnaeOnce sight returns?
Enadhu nilaiyai eduthu chollaTo convey my situation,
Thoodhu po yen kannaeGo as a messenger, my dear child.
Enadhu nilaiyai eduthu chollaTo convey my situation,
Thoodhu po en kannaeGo as a messenger, my dear child.
Male
Thanga thottil pattu methai thaai veettilaeA golden cradle and a silk bed belong in the mother's home,
Paasam mattum undu endhan thaalaattilaeOnly pure affection exists within my lullaby.
Male
Kannan vandhaan nanbanukkuLord Krishna came for his friend,
Thaer otta andruTo drive the chariot back then.
Kannan vandhaan nanbanukkuLord Krishna came for his friend,
Thaer otta andruTo drive the chariot back then.
Thandhai vandhaan pillaikkaagaA father has come for his child,
Car otta indruTo drive the car today.
Thandhai vandhaan pillaikkaagaA father has come for his child,
Car otta indruTo drive the car today.
Male
Vaanil ulla dhaevanThe God dwelling in the heavens,
Indha vindhai kandu sirippaanWill laugh at this marvelous irony.
Vaanil ulla dhaevanThe God dwelling in the heavens,
Indha vindhai kandu sirippaanWill laugh at this marvelous irony.
Vaazhndhu paarkka vaelai vandhaalWhen the time arrives to live happily,
Nammai ondru saerppaanHe will unite us all together.
Vaazhndhu paarkka vaelai vandhaalWhen the time arrives to live happily,
Nammai ondru saerppaanHe will unite us all together.
Male
Thanga thottil pattu methai thaai veettilaeA golden cradle and a silk bed belong in the mother's home,
Paasam mattum undu endhan thaalaattilaeOnly pure affection exists within my lullaby.
Thaalaattilae mm mm mm mmIn my lullaby... mm mm mm mm.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby is sung by a loving father to his young child. The father reflects on the child's mother who suffered from memory loss. Even though her memory has returned, she remains separated from them. Through the lullaby, the father gently urges his child to act as a messenger of his love and longing to bring her back. To comfort the child and himself, the father draws parallels between mythological events—such as Lord Krishna driving Arjuna's chariot—and his humble duty of driving a car for his child. He maintains faith in God, believing that divine providence will resolve their struggles and unite the family once again.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy / Metaphor

Imaiyai vizhi thaan marappadhundo

Compares the inseparable bond between mother and child to an eye and its eyelid.

Allusion

Kannan vandhaan nanbanukku Thaer otta andru

Refers to the epic Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna acted as a charioteer (chariot driver) for his friend Arjuna.

Eybukai / End Rhyme

Thanga thottil pattu methai thaai veettilae / Paasam mattum undu endhan thaalaattilae

End-rhyme pairing '-veettilae' and '-thaalaattilae' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legend Kannadasan, the song beautifully blends classical Tamil poetic imagery (comparing an eyelid to sight) with modern elements (contrasting ancient chariots with contemporary cars).

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