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Isaimozhi
Poomani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Then Podhigai Kaatre

From Poomani · 1996

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Poomani
Movie release year
1996
Lyrics added on
9 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaraariroo aariroo aariroo
Aaraariroo aariroo aariroo
Aaraariraaroo aarraariraaroo
Then podhigai kaatrae
Then madhurai paatae
Kannamoochi aadum
Pattampoochi poovae
Amma enum vaakiyam
Athu summa vanthu seruma
Pillai perum punniyam
Athu illai enil inbama
Kanmani kanmani meethu
Iru minmini minmini yethu
Then podhigai kaatrae
Then madhurai paatae
Siru vaazhai thandu rendu
Sinungi varum kaalgalil
Sevvanthi maalai rendu
Saainthu varum tholgalil
Thaaimai enbathu
Athu pola varamum yethada
Unnai sumappathu
Athu pola sugamum yethada
Ilangaatrin inbamae
Ini yethu thunbamae
Then podhigai kaatrae
Then madhurai paatae
Kannamoochi aadum
Pattampoochi poovae
Amma enum vaakiyam
Athu summa vanthu seruma
Pillai perum punniyam
Athu illai enil inbama
Kanmani kanmani meethu
Iru minmini minmini yethu
Then podhigai kaatrae
Then madhurai paatae
Kannamoochi aadum
Pattampoochi poovae
Aari aariro, aariro, aariro,
Aari aariro, aariro, aariro,
Aarari raaro, aarari raaro...
O breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
O sweet song of southern Madurai,
Playing a game of hide-and-seek,
O fluttering butterfly blossom!
The blessed word called 'Mother',
does it ever come easily?
The great blessing of having a child—
can there be any joy without it?
Upon the eyes of my darling child,
why are two little fireflies glowing?
O breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
O sweet song of southern Madurai,
Like two tender banana stems,
are your tiny, playful legs,
Like two garlands of chrysanthemums,
resting softly on your shoulders.
This gift of motherhood—
is there any greater blessing than this, my child?
To carry you and hold you close,
is there any sweeter joy, my child?
O sweet comfort like a gentle breeze,
can any sorrow remain anymore?
O breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
O sweet song of southern Madurai,
Playing a game of hide-and-seek,
O fluttering butterfly blossom!
The blessed word called 'Mother',
does it ever come easily?
The great blessing of having a child—
can there be any joy without it?
Upon the eyes of my darling child,
why are two little fireflies glowing?
O breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
O sweet song of southern Madurai,
Playing a game of hide-and-seek,
O fluttering butterfly blossom!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic lullaby celebrates the eternal warmth of maternal love and the sacred blessing of motherhood. The singer tenderly compares the child to pleasant southern breezes, sweet melodies of Madurai, and vibrant butterflies playing hide-and-seek, emphasizing how profoundly a child completes a mother's life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Pattampoochi poovae”

Compares the innocent child to a butterfly flower and glowing fireflies in the eyes.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Siru vaazhai thandu rendu”

Compares the infant's soft legs to tender plantain stems (vaazhai thandu).

Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (Monaie)

“Then podhigai kaatrae / Then madhurai paatae”

Repetition of initial word and sound patterns 'Then' across consecutive lines for musical rhythm.

Keep listening

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Vaarayo Vaarayo1960
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