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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thathi Thathi

From Thalaimurai · 1998

Lyricist
Vasan
Singer
Sujatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalaimurai1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaththi thaththi thaavum pooveOh flower that hops and leaps,
Thikki thikki pesum kiliyaeOh parrot that stammers while speaking,
Tholil aada vaaCome swing on my shoulders!
Suttri suttri paadum kaattraeOh wind that sings whirling around,
Thiththithdum thaenin oottraeOh spring of sweet honey,
Madiyil aadavaaCome play on my lap!
Female
Mazhalaiyin madiyilae mazhalai aanaenIn the lap of the child, I became a child myself.
Oli vidum sirippilaeIn that radiant smile,
Urugi intha ulagai maranthaenI melted and forgot this world.
Pachcha kili pesum pechchuThe speech spoken by the green parrot,
Annaikkathu ragam aachchu…oo….Became a melody to the mother... oo...
Female
Thaththi thaththi thaavum pooveOh flower that hops and leaps,
Thikki thikki pesum kiliyaeOh parrot that stammers while speaking,
Tholil aada vaaCome swing on my shoulders!
Female
Raagangalin thaai yaaruWho is the mother of all ragas?
Pongi varum thaalaattuIt is the overflowing lullaby.
Kaattrukkoru thaayum yaaru kannae nee kooruWho is the mother of the wind? Tell me, my child.
Chorus :Dhinakku thim dhinakku thim thirananaChorus: Dhinakku thim dhinakku thim thiranana
Female
Mazhalai ennum thaenaattrilIn the river of honey called childhood chatter,
Ennai konjum neeraattuBathe me lovingly.
Pinju kural veenai konji raagam nee paaduWith your tender voice, coax the veena and sing a raga.
Chorus :Dhinakku thim thimChorus: Dhinakku thim thim
Female
Pillai illaa veeduA house without a child,
Pillai illaa veedu veedu alla kaaduA house without a child is not a home, but a wilderness.
Petra perum peru pillaigalin koottuThe greatest blessing attained is the gathering of children.
Saami odum dheivangal odumWhere gods and deities wander about,
Kovil idhuthaanaeThis indeed is that temple!
Chorus :Thanakku thananamChorus: Thanakku thananam
Female
Thaththi thaththi thaavum pooveOh flower that hops and leaps,
Thikki thikki pesum kiliyaeOh parrot that stammers while speaking,
Tholil aada vaaCome swing on my shoulders!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tender song celebrates the innocence, affection, and divine warmth that a child brings into a family. The lyrics fondly address the young child using endearing metaphors like a leaping flower, a stammering parrot, and a spring of sweet honey. Spending time playing with the child transforms adults back into children themselves, making them forget worldly troubles in the radiance of a child's innocent smile. The song further emphasizes the sacred nature of children, stating that a home without a child is like a barren wilderness. The sweet prattle of a child is compared to a lullaby and a river of honey that transforms the home into a living temple where divine presence resides.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Rhythmic Word Repetition)

Thaththi thaththi thaavum poove

The doubling of rhythmic words like 'Thaththi thaththi', 'Thikki thikki', and 'Suttri suttri' captures the playful, uncertain, and energetic movements of a toddler.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thaththi thaththi thaavum poove / Thikki thikki pesum kiliyae

Directly addressing the child as a flower ('poove') and a parrot ('kiliyae') to convey delicate beauty and endearing speech.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mazhalai ennum thaenaattril

Comparing the innocent prattle/chatter of a toddler ('Mazhalai') to a river of honey ('thaenaattril').

Emona / Rhyme (Iyaibu & Ethukai)

Pillai illaa veedu veedu alla kaadu

Use of internal rhyming and rhythmic repetition between 'veedu' (house) and 'kaadu' (forest/jungle) to heighten the emotional contrast.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1998 Tamil drama film 'Thalaimurai' featuring lyrics by Vasan. The song heavily highlights the traditional Tamil cultural sentiment regarding the vital importance of children in making a house feel like a home and a temple.

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