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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thannai Thaane

From Paradesi · 2013

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Gaana Bala
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Paradesi2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thannai thaanaeHe gave Himself
Namakkaaga thanthaanaeHe gave Himself for our sake
Mannai kaakkaTo save and protect this earth
Oliyaaga vanthaanaeHe came down as a guiding light
Male
Thannai thaanaeHe gave Himself
Namakkaaga thanthaanaeHe gave Himself for our sake
Mannai kaakkaTo save and protect this earth
Oliyaaga vanthaanaeHe came down as a guiding light
Male
Maattu thozhuvaIn a cattle barn
Kottil pirandha dheiva thoodhanaaIs He the divine messenger born in a manger?
Aattu mandhaiyaiThe flock of sheep
Otti chellum nalla aayanaaIs He the good shepherd who drives them forward?
Kaattu vazhiyil paadhai kaattumShowing the way through the forest path
Kannin maindhanaiThe precious Son of our eyes
Paattu paadi aattam aadiSinging songs and dancing with joy
AarpparippomaeLet us celebrate exuberantly
Male
Thannai thaanaeHe gave Himself
Thandhaanai thidhippomLet us chant praise to the One who gave
Chorus :Thandhaanai thidhippomaeChorus: Let us chant praise to the One who gave
Thandhaanai thidhippomaeLet us chant praise to the One who gave
Male
Mannai kaakkaTo protect this earth
Vandhaanai jebippomLet us pray to the One who came
Chorus :Vandhaanai jebippomaeChorus: Let us pray to the One who came
Vandhaanai jebippomaeLet us pray to the One who came
Male
:Seeripaayum peralaiyaaiLike a surging, rushing giant wave
Pongi ezhundhu neeRising up powerfully, you
Maatram thandha maindhanukkuTo the Son who brought transformation
Sollu thoathiramOffer your songs of thanksgiving
Male
Ootredutha aathmaavinOf the soul that springs forth like a fountain
Saatchiyaaga neeAs a living witness, you
Ullirundhu urakka solluProclaim aloud from deep within
Uyirin thoathiramThe praise of your very soul
Chorus
{Alley looyaa alley looyaa…Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Alley looyaa alley looyaa… } (2)Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Male
Naadhiyatra naadhiyarae ellaamFor all those who are destitute and helpless
Solli kolla sondham orae dhevanThe only true kin to lean upon is God
Needhiyatra paavigalin vaazhvaiTo redeem the lives of unjust sinners
Meettkka vandha paramapidhaa yesuJesus, the Heavenly Father, came down
Chorus
Aamen aamenAmen, Amen
Aamen aamen solvom solvom …..Amen, Amen, let us say, let us say
Chorus
Oooo…ooooo…..Oooo...ooooo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This Christian gospel-style song from Bala's period drama 'Paradesi' serves as a communal hymn of devotion, faith, and salvation. It depicts Jesus Christ as a divine shepherd and redeemer who was born humbly in a manger, brought light to a dark world, and gave Himself up to save human souls, particularly the oppressed, destitute, and sinful.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Thannai thaanae / Namakkaaga thanthaanae / Mannai kaakka / Oliyaaga vanthaanae

Use of matching initial sounds (Monai) like 'Thannai' / 'Namakkaaga' and rhyming line endings (Iyaibu) like 'thanthaanae' / 'vanthaanae'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Aattu mandhaiyai / Otti chellum nalla aayanaa

Comparing Jesus to a shepherd ('nalla aayanaa') guiding sheep ('aattu mandhaiyai') and a light ('oliyaaga') illuminating dark paths.

Simile (Uwamai)

Seeripaayum peralaiyaai / Pongi ezhundhu nee

Comparing the spiritual awakening and devotion of the believers to a surging giant wave ('Seeripaayum peralaiyaai').

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Trivia

Composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this track reflects the colonial era background of tea plantation workers in Tamil Nadu, where Christian missionary work was prevalent among marginalized laborers.

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