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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thathedutha Muthu Pillai

From Rettai Vaal Kuruvi · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Susheela, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
ThatheduthaAdopted
Muthu pillai yaaroWho is this precious child?
Aala marathadiBeneath the banyan tree
Thedi amarndhavar dhaanoIs he the one who searched and sat?
Female
Naan kandeduthaThe handsome boy I found
Kattu pillai yaaroWho is this well-built lad?
Kanniyar konjidumDoted on by young maidens
Kanna piraan ivar dhaanoIs he Lord Krishna himself?
Female
Paala thaan kodukkaavaaShall I give milk?
Bhutti paala thaanBottle milk, indeed
Female
Alli thaan kodukkavaaShall I scoop and give
Saththunava thaanNutritious food?
Female
Ippo thatheduthaNow, the adopted
Muthu pillai yaaroWho is this precious child?
Aala marathadiBeneath the banyan tree
Thedi amarndhavar dhaanoIs he the one who searched and sat?
Female
Naan kandeduthaThe handsome boy I found
Kattu pillai yaaroWho is this well-built lad?
Kanniyar konjidumDoted on by young maidens
Kanna piraan ivar dhaanoIs he Lord Krishna himself?
Female
Paalai kudikkaamaeWithout drinking milk
PaduthuvadhaenoWhy are you troubling me?
Baalaganae idhu polumOh young boy, like this
Paavi manam alai modhumMy poor heart surges with waves
Female
Saelai izhuthu izhuthuPulling and tugging my saree
Sirippadhu yenoWhy are you laughing?
Seivadhu yen indha vambuWhy are you starting this mischief?
Theriyudhu undhanin anbuYet your love is clear to see
Female
Murandu pudikkaadhaeDon't be stubborn
Muradanai polaLike a rough person
Female :Nerundu muzhikkaadhaeFemale: Don't stare closely with wide eyes
Thirudanai polaLike a thief
Female
Solluradhai kettu kolluListen to what is being said
Paappaa vaappaaChild, come along
Female
Kaiyai kaiya sappaadhaeDon't suck your hands
Indhaa bhutti paalHere, take bottle milk
Female
Ippo thatheduthaNow, the adopted
Muthu pillai yaaroWho is this precious child?
Female : Aala marathadiFemale: Beneath the banyan tree
Thedi amarndhavar dhaanoIs he the one who searched and sat?
Female
Disco paappaaDisco baby
Disco paappaaDisco baby
Disco paappaa disco paappaaDisco baby, disco baby
Disco aaduDance the disco
Ha ha haHa ha ha
Female
Biscuit thandhaaIf given a biscuit
Disco pidikkumYou will love disco
Biscuit thandhaa disco pidikkumIf given a biscuit, you will love disco
Kiss kiss pannuGive me a kiss
Ha ha haHa ha ha
Female
Arasa maram thediSeeking the sacred fig tree
AlaiyavumillaeI didn't wander
Adhisayam veredhumillaeThere is no other miracle
Adhirasam poloru pillaiA child as sweet as an adhirasam
Female
Panneeril neeraattiBathing in rose water
Paalannam oottiFeeding milk rice
Paadattumaa oru paattuShall I sing a song?
Paal vadiyum mugam kaattuShow your innocent, milk-faced complexion
Female
Urundu theruvil vandhuRolling out onto the street
Mannu thinna venaamDon't eat dirt
Female :Marundhu kudikkaamaeFemale: Without taking medicine
Makkaar panna venaamDon't throw a tantrum
Female
Mandaiyilae rendu vaippenI will smack your head twice
Raajaa raajaaOh king, my king
Female
Sutti pullae nee thoonguNaughty child, you go to sleep
Aaro aaro aariraaroLullaby, lullaby
Female :Sollum pechai nee keluFemale: Listen to what you are told
Hero hero veraaroWho else is the hero?
Female
Ippo thatheduthaIppo thathedutha
Muthu pillai yaaroMuthu pillai yaaro
Aala marathadiBeneath the banyan tree
Thedi amarndhavar dhaanoIs he the one who searched and sat?
Female
Naan kandeduthaThe handsome boy I found
Kattu pillai yaaroWho is this well-built lad?
Kanniyar konjidumDoted on by young maidens
Kanna piraan ivar dhaanoIs he Lord Krishna himself?
Female
Paala thaan kodukkaavaaShall I give milk?
Bhutti paala thaanBottle milk, indeed
Female
Alli thaan kodukkavaaShall I scoop and give
Saththunava thaanNutritious food?
Female
Aahaa aariraari raari raaro aaroAahaa lullaby lullaby
Aariraari raari raari raaroLullaby lullaby
Female :Aariraari raari raari raari raaroFemale: Lullaby lullaby
Aariraari raari raari raari raaroLullaby lullaby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song from 'Rettai Vaal Kuruvi' features humorous, maternal teasing and affection directed toward a grown adult who is being treated like a naughty toddler. The lyrics draw playful parallels between the protagonist and Lord Krishna, invoking classical Krishna-lila themes such as pulling sarees, throwing tantrums, avoiding milk, and eating dirt, mixed with modern, comical elements like 'disco' and 'biscuits'. Throughout the song, the singers balance teasing threats of discipline with deep, soothing lullabies, creating a comical yet heartwarming dynamic that reflects both affectionate bonding and romantic banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Adhirasam poloru pillai

Compares the sweet child to 'adhirasam' (a traditional sweet delicacy).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kanniyar konjidum Kanna piraan ivar dhaano

Compares the subject of affection to Lord Krishna ('Kanna piraan'), a divine archetype of playful mischief.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Murandu pudikkaadhae / Muradanai pola

Rhyming of second consonant sound 'du' across consecutive lines (Murandu / Muradanai / Nerundu).

Anaphora / Repetition

Disco paappaa disco paappaa

Rhythmic repetition of 'Disco paappaa' for humorous modern musical effect.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rettai Vaal Kuruvi' (1987) is a romantic comedy directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Mohan, Radhika, and Archana. The film's musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The song features comical situation-based lyrics that parody classical lullabies and Krishna-devotional imagery.

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