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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanthaikku Oru Piravi

From Samarpanam · 1974

Lyricist
Senthurai Marudha Muthu
Singers
Dhanasekar, Mallika
Music director
N. S. Thiyagarajan
Details
Samarpanam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanthaikku oru piraviFor a father, there is one birth,
Thaayaarukko iru piraviBut for a mother, there are two births.
Thanthaikku oru piraviFor a father, there is one birth,
Thaayaarukko iru piraviBut for a mother, there are two births.
Piranthaen muthal piravi kannaaI was born in my first birth, my dear child,
Piranthaen muthal piraviI was born in my first birth,
Unnai petrduthaen marupiraviGiving birth to you was my second birth.
Male
Petreduththal annai kadanGiving birth is the mother's duty,
Mattrathellaam thanthai kadanEverything else is the father's duty.
Petreduththal annai kadanGiving birth is the mother's duty,
Mattrathellaam thanthai kadanEverything else is the father's duty.
Kattrarintha aringar endru kannaaThat you are a learned scholar, my dear child,
Kattrarintha aringar endruThat you are a learned scholar,
Nalla pereduththal pillai kadanEarning a good name is the child's duty.
Female
Kaaviyangal theettuvathilIn composing grand epics,
Kavingarkal thalaivanA leader among poets,
Gandhi kanda rajjiyaththilIn the nation envisioned by Gandhi,
Kaalamellaam thondanA humble servant for all time.
Female
Kaaviyangal theettuvathilIn composing grand epics,
Kavingarkal thalaivanA leader among poets,
Gandhi kanda rajjiyaththilIn the nation envisioned by Gandhi,
Kaalamellaam thondanA humble servant for all time.
Male
Vaanaththil paranthu sendruFlying high in the sky,
Vallarasu naadu kanduVisiting powerful world nations,
Vaanaththil paranthu sendruFlying high in the sky,
Vallarasu naadu kanduVisiting powerful world nations,
Varuvaan newton-ai pol endrumHe will return like Newton always,
Vazhvinil nee uyranthuSoaring high in your life.
Female
Petreduththal annai kadanGiving birth is the mother's duty,
Mattrathellaam thanthai kadanEverything else is the father's duty.
Male :Kattrarintha aringar endru kannaaMale: That you are a learned scholar, my child,
Nalla pereduththal pillai kadanEarning a good name is the child's duty.
Female
Bharatham un thaai naaduIndia is your motherland,
Panbu konda nal veeduA noble home of high virtues,
Pagaivargal idari vittaalIf enemies cause trouble or obstruct,
Puli pola poraaduFight bravely like a tiger.
Female
Bharatham un thaai naaduIndia is your motherland,
Panbu konda nal veeduA noble home of high virtues,
Pagaivargal idari vittaalIf enemies cause trouble or obstruct,
Puli pola poraaduFight bravely like a tiger.
Male
Thanthai vazhai nadappaaiWalk in the path of your father,
Thaai sollai ketpaaiListen to the words of your mother.
Thanthai vazhai nadappaaiWalk in the path of your father,
Thaai sollai ketpaaiListen to your mother's words.
Male
Thanthaikku oru piraviFor a father, there is one birth,
Thaayaarukko iru piraviBut for a mother, there are two births.
Thanthaikku oru piraviFor a father, there is one birth,
Thaayaarukko iru piraviBut for a mother, there are two births.
Female :Piranthaen muthal piravi kannaaFemale: I was born in my first birth, my dear child,
Unnai petrduthaen marupiraviGiving birth to you was my second birth.
Piranthaen muthal piravi kannaaI was born in my first birth, my dear child,
Unnai petrduthaen marupiraviGiving birth to you was my second birth.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil lyrical song from Samarpanam (1974) reflects on the duties and sacred bonds within a family. It expresses the poetic idea that a father experiences life in a single birth, whereas a mother experiences a second rebirth when bringing her child into the world. The song outlines parental duties, stating that while a mother's primary debt is bringing life into the world, the father bears the duty of raising and educating the child. In turn, the child's duty is to earn a great name through knowledge, humility, and moral integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Antithesis

Thanthaikku oru piravi / Thaayaarukko iru piravi

Contrasts the single birth of a father with the dual births of a mother, highlighting the unique physical and emotional experience of motherhood.

Simile (Upamai)

Puli pola poraadu

Compares the child's courage against enemies to that of a tiger.

Parallelism / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Petreduththal annai kadan / Mattrathellaam thanthai kadan

Uses parallel structural endings ('kadan') to balance the duties of mother, father, and child.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by N. S. Thiyagarajan with lyrics by Senthurai Marudha Muthu, this song echoes core themes from classical Tamil moral literature, specifically Tirukkural's couplets regarding parental duties and filial piety.

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