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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thathi Thathi Nadandhuvarum Thangapapa

From Bommai · 1964

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
S. Balachandar
Details
Bommai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Thaththi thaththi thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling, toddling and toddling
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Nadanthu varum thanga paapaaGolden baby walking towards me
Female
Ithanai naal engirunthaaiWhere were you all these days?
Sollu paapaaTell me, baby
Thangai enakku illai endruDid you come because
Vantha paapaaI didn't have a younger sister?
Un thanga kaikku mutham thaarenI will give a kiss to your golden hand
Kaattu paapaaShow me your hand, baby
Female
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Nadanthu varum thanga paapaaGolden baby walking towards me
Ithanai naal engirunthaaiWhere were you all these days?
Sollu paapaaTell me, baby
Thangai enakku illai endruDid you come because
Vantha paapaaI didn't have a younger sister?
Un thanga kaikku mutham thaarenI will give a kiss to your golden hand
Kaattu paapaaShow me your hand, baby
Female
{Kaiyai veesi kadaikku pogalaam{Swinging our hands, let us go to the shop
Chinna paapaaLittle baby
Kammal vangi kaadhil maatalaamLet us buy earrings and wear them on our ears
Chella paapaa} (2)Dear baby} (2)
Female
Sokkaai vaangi sogusaai podalaamLet us buy a fine dress and wear it in style
Chinna paapaaLittle baby
Mitaai vaangi medhuvaai thingalaamLet us buy sweets and eat them slowly
Chella paapaa…aa…..Dear baby...
Female
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Nadanthu varum thanga paapaaGolden baby walking towards me
Ithanai naal engirunthaaiWhere were you all these days?
Sollu paapaaTell me, baby
Thangai enakku illai endruDid you come because
Vantha paapaaI didn't have a younger sister?
Un thanga kaikku mutham thaarenI will give a kiss to your golden hand
Kaattu paapaaShow me your hand, baby
Female
{Kaakaa kittae mai kidaikkum{We will get eye-kohl from the crow
Kanukkukku podalaamAnd apply it to your eyes
Kuruvi kittae poo kidaikkumWe will get flowers from the sparrow
Kondaikku soodalaam} (2)And wear them on your hair-bun} (2)
Female
Pasukittae paal kedaikkumWe will get milk from the cow
Pasiyai pokkalaamTo satisfy your hunger
Kiliyin kittae pazham kedaikkumWe will get fruit from the parrot
Rusithu thinnalaamTo taste and eat
Female
Aasaiyodu vaai thiranthuOpen your mouth with desire
Pesu paapaaAnd speak, baby
Azhagaaga kai kotti aadu paapaaClap your hands beautifully and dance, baby
Sippaai pola nadanthu kaattuWalk like a soldier and show me
Chinna paapaaLittle baby
Appa amma enakku thanthaThe Japanese doll/baby
Jappaan paapaa….aa.a….Given to me by father and mother...
Female
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Nadanthu varum thanga paapaaGolden baby walking towards me
Ithanai naal engirunthaaiWhere were you all these days?
Sollu paapaaTell me, baby
Thangai enakku illai endruDid you come because
Vantha paapaaI didn't have a younger sister?
Un thanga kaikku mutham thaarenI will give a kiss to your golden hand
Kaattu paapaaShow me your hand, baby
Female
Thaththi thaththiToddling and toddling
Nadanthu varum thanga paapaaGolden baby walking towards me
Ithanai naal engirunthaaiWhere were you all these days?
Sollu paapaaTell me, baby
Thangai enakku illai endruDid you come because
Vantha paapaaI didn't have a younger sister?
Un thanga kaikku mutham thaarenI will give a kiss to your golden hand
Kaattu paapaaShow me your hand, baby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This charming nursery-rhyme style Tamil song expresses affectionate elder sibling love towards a toddling baby girl or a doll (referred to lovingly as a Japanese doll given by parents). The speaker adores the way the child toddles, asks where she was all these days, and treats her like the long-awaited younger sister. Throughout the song, the speaker promises fun activities like swinging hands, buying dresses, sweets, and earrings, and playfully imagination-sourcing gifts from nature—eyeliner from a crow, flowers from a sparrow, milk from a cow, and fruit from a parrot. It concludes with encouraging the baby to speak, dance, and march like a soldier.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia / Rhythm (Santha Chhandam)

Thaththi thaththi

Repetition of 'Thaththi thaththi' mimics the sound and visual step-by-step unsteady gait of a toddling baby.

Metaphor (Uvamaai)

Nadanthu varum thanga paapaa

Describing the baby as 'thanga paapaa' (golden baby) and 'Jappaan paapaa' (Japanese doll) to convey preciousness and cuteness.

Rhyme (Edhukai & Monai)

Pasukittae paal kedaikkum

Use of second-letter rhyming (Edhukai) such as 'Pasukittae' / 'Kiliyin kittae' and 'Aasaiyodu' / 'Azhagaaga'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Bommai' (1964) is a famous suspense-thriller film produced, directed, and scored by S. Balachander. This track serves as a playful children's song that contrasts with the intense dramatic tension of the film.

Keep listening

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