Tharaniyil Unnaiyum Ennaiyum
From Thangamalai Ragasiyam · 1957
- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. G. Lingappa
- Details
- Thangamalai Ragasiyam1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thaaiyai sirandhadhu oru kovilum illai | There is no temple superior to a mother. |
| Male | |
| Hahahhahahha…. | Ha ha ha ha ha... |
| Male | |
| Thaaraniyil ennaiyum unnaiyum eendravar | In this world, those who gave birth to both you and me, |
| Thaai thandhai thaamallavoo | Are they not our mother and father? |
| Thannalam karudhadha annai thandhaiyar thunbam | To relieve the suffering of selfless parents, |
| Thavirthal nin kadan allavoo | Is that not your duty? |
| Male | |
| Kooridum saei enadhu kookural nin seviyil | Does the distress call of this crying child into your ears, |
| Konjamum ketkavillaiyoo | Not register even a little bit? |
| Nerilaen thuyar thannai nee kanda pinnarum | Even after seeing the distress I suffer right in front of you, |
| Nenjam kanindhidadhoo | Will your heart not melt? |
| Nenjam kanindhidadhoo | Will your heart not melt? |
| Un nenjam kanindhidadhoo | Will your heart not melt? |
தாயை சிறந்த கோவிலும் இல்லை
There is no temple superior to a mother.
ஹாஹாஹாஹா
Ha ha ha ha ha...
வசனம் :
......................
In this world, those who gave birth to both you and me,
Are they not our mother and father?
To relieve the suffering of selfless parents,
Is that not your duty?
தாரணியில் உன்னையும் என்னையும் ஈன்றவர்
தாய் தந்தை தாமல்லவோ
தன்னலம் கருதாத அன்னை தந்தையர் துன்பம்
தவித்தல் நின் கடனல்லவோ....
Does the distress call of this crying child into your ears,
Not register even a little bit?
Even after seeing the distress I suffer right in front of you,
Will your heart not melt?
Will your heart not melt?
Will your heart not melt?
கோரிடும் சேய் எனது கூக்குரல் நின் செவியில்
கொஞ்சமும் கேட்வில்லையோ
நேரிலென் துயர் தன்னை நீ கண்ட பின்னரும்
நெஞ்சம் கனிந்திடாதோ
நெஞ்சம் கனிந்திடாதோ
உன் நெஞ்சம் கனிந்திடாதோ......!
Thaaiyai sirandhadhu oru kovilum illai
There is no temple superior to a mother.
Hahahhahahha….
Ha ha ha ha ha...
Thaaraniyil ennaiyum unnaiyum eendravar
In this world, those who gave birth to both you and me,
Thaai thandhai thaamallavoo
Are they not our mother and father?
Thannalam karudhadha annai thandhaiyar thunbam
To relieve the suffering of selfless parents,
Thavirthal nin kadan allavoo
Is that not your duty?
Kooridum saei enadhu kookural nin seviyil
Does the distress call of this crying child into your ears,
Konjamum ketkavillaiyoo
Not register even a little bit?
Nerilaen thuyar thannai nee kanda pinnarum
Even after seeing the distress I suffer right in front of you,
Nenjam kanindhidadhoo
Will your heart not melt?
Nenjam kanindhidadhoo
Will your heart not melt?
Un nenjam kanindhidadhoo
Will your heart not melt?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic passage emphasizes the supreme reverence owed to parents, declaring that no temple is greater than one's mother. It serves as a moral reminder that selfless parents give life to their children, making it an essential filial duty to relieve their pain and suffering. The singer appeals emotionally, questioning how one's heart can remain hardened and unfeeling despite witnessing severe distress and hearing desperate pleas for help.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Cultural Allusion
“Thaaiyai sirandhadhu oru kovilum illai”
Equating a mother to the highest temple or sacred sanctuary.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thaaiyai sirandhadhu oru kovilum illai”
Repetition of the 'Tha' sound at the beginning of words across consecutive lines (Thaaiyai, Thaaraniyil, Thannalam).
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)
“Thavirthal nin kadan allavoo”
Using persistent questioning ('allavoo', 'ketkavillaiyoo', 'kanindhidadhoo') to appeal to moral conscience and evoke empathy.
Repetition for Emphasis (Anaphora)
“Un nenjam kanindhidadhoo”
Repeating 'Nenjam kanindhidadhoo' across the final lines to intensify emotional desperation.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thaaiyai sirandhadhu oru kovilum illai' from Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957) became one of Tamil cinema's most legendary moral adages. Sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, the opening line remains a timeless proverb in Tamil culture representing maternal reverence.
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