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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thathi Thaavi

From Paagan · 2012

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Krish
Music director
James Vasanthan
Details
Paagan2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thathi thaavi thullatumaaShall I hop and leap around?
Thothi tholil saayatumaaShall I lean on your shoulders with affection?
Thikkai thaandi sellatumaaShall I cross all directions and go?
EnadhuyiraeOh my life!
Male
Kannai pola kaakatumaaShall I protect you like my own eyes?
Kaigal korthu pesatumaaShall I talk with hands joined together?
Kaalam yaavum konjatumaaShall I fondle you for all time?
EnadhuravaeOh my relative!
Male
Thathi thaavi thullatumaaShall I hop and leap around?
Thothi tholil saayatumaaShall I lean on your shoulders with affection?
Thikkai thaandi sellatumaaShall I cross all directions and go?
EnadhuyiraeOh my life!
Male
Kannai pola kaakatumaaShall I protect you like my own eyes?
Kaigal korthu pesatumaaShall I talk with hands joined together?
Kaalam yaavum konjatumaaShall I fondle you for all time?
EnadhuravaeOh my relative!
Male
Nenjil serntha yekkam ithuThis is the longing accumulated in my heart
Kaiyil serum naal vanthathureached the day it comes into my hands
Enatharugae..Near me..
Nee vandhaal santhosamae dhinamaeIf you come, every day is joy
Male
Uyirum illai aanalumaeEven though you have no life
Uyirai pola nee thaanginaaiYou supported me like a life itself
Unatharugae.. vaazhnthiduvenBeside you.. I shall live
Male
Nadai vandi ootum vayathilDuring the age I was pushing a toddler walker
Nee enthan kanavil varuvaaiYou used to come in my dreams
Viraivaaga valara thaanaeJust to grow up quickly
Naan yenguvenI used to long for
Male
Yaarenum unthan madiyilWhen someone put me on your seat
Enai yetri pogum pothuAnd carried me along
Idam vanthu irangaamal naanWithout getting off upon reaching the destination
Adi vaanguvenI used to get scolded and beaten
Male
Ulagathil uravugal yaavumAll relationships in this world
Yetrathil ondrai koodumGather together during good times
Irakathil nee thaan vanthaaiWhen times were low, you were the one who came
En vaazhvilaeInto my life
Male
Nenjil serntha yekkam ithuThis is the longing accumulated in my heart
Kaiyil serum naal vanthathureached the day it comes into my hands
Enatharugae..Near me..
Nee vandhaal santhosamae dhinamaeIf you come, every day is joy
Male
Uyirum illai aanalumaeEven though you have no life
Uyirai pola nee thaanginaaiYou supported me like a life itself
Unatharugae.. vaazhnthiduvenBeside you.. I shall live
Male
Sila neram yaarum vanthaalSometimes if someone else comes along
Sinungamal amarnthida maataaiYou refuse to sit without throwing a tantrum
Athanaalae neeyum koodaBecause of that, aren't you too
Penn allavaaA woman?
Male
Un pola yaarum illaiThere is no one like you
Mithithaalum yetram tharuvaaiEven if stomped upon, you lift me higher
Anbae nee anbil endrumOh dear, in love you are always
Thaai allavaaA mother, aren't you?
Male
Irulaana valiyil koodaEven in a dark pathway
Valikaatum nanban polaLike a friend showing the way
Oli kooti munnae selvaaiYou guide ahead bringing light
En vaazhvilaeInto my life
Male
Nenjil serntha yekkam ithuThis is the longing accumulated in my heart
Chorus :Nenjil serntha yekkam ithuChorus: This is the longing accumulated in my heart
Male :Kaiyil serum naal vanthathuMale: The day it comes into my hands has arrived
Chorus :Kaiyil serum naal vanthathuChorus: The day it comes into my hands has arrived
Male : Enatharugae..Male: Near me..
Nee vandhaal santhosamae dhinamaeIf you come, every day is joy
Male
Uyirum illai aanalumaeEven though you have no life
Uyirai pola nee thaanginaaiYou supported me like a life itself
Unatharugae.. vaazhnthiduvenBeside you.. I shall live
Chorus
Nenjil serntha yekkam ithuThis is the longing accumulated in my heart
Kaiyil serum naal vanthathuThe day it comes into my hands has arrived
Chorus
Uyirum illai aanalumaeEven though you have no life
Uyirai pola nee thaanginaaiYou supported me like a life itself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a personification of the protagonist's deep affection for his bicycle, treating it not merely as a non-living vehicle, but as a lifelong companion, lover, friend, and motherly protector. The lyrics vividly describe growing up with childhood dreams of owning a cycle, memories of riding on its frame, and how it loyally stays by his side during both prosperous and tough times in life. Na. Muthu Kumar's poetic verses anthropomorphize the bicycle with tender feminine qualities, highlighting how it provides light on dark roads and elevates the rider even when stepped on (pedaled). Ultimately, the song celebrates a pure, unyielding bond where a inanimate object provides unconditional companionship and support equal to or greater than human relationships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Thathi thaavi thullatumaa / Thothi tholil saayatumaa

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Th' in 'Thathi', 'Thothi', and 'Thikkai'.

Personification

Uyirum illai aanalumae / Uyirai pola nee thaanginaai

Attributing human feelings, life, and gender ('Penn allavaa', 'Thaai allavaa') to a non-living bicycle.

Simile (Upamai)

Valikaatum nanban pola / Oli kooti munnae selvaai

Comparing the bicycle's headlight and guidance on dark roads to a guiding friend using 'pola'.

Metaphor

Mithithaalum yetram tharuvaai / Anbae nee anbil endrum

Metaphorically describing pedaling on the bike as receiving an uplift ('yetram') despite being stomped on ('mithithaalum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the movie 'Paagan' (2012) starring Srikanth, where the protagonist shares an emotional bond with his cycle named 'Cycle Paagan'. The music was composed by James Vasanthan and lyrics were written by late Na. Muthu Kumar, known for his ability to write touching songs on everyday objects and simple life emotions.

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