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Isaimozhi
Kodai Mazhai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thenthoongum

From Kodai Mazhai · 1986

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kodai Mazhai
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
28 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa….aaa….aa….aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aaa…
Thaen thoongum poovae
Vaadaamal vaazhga
Paal vennilaavae thaeyaamal vaazhga
Ila maanae unnodu
Nizhal polae pinnodu varuven naanae
Paavaendhar paadiya paadal
Magalae un vaarthai thaano
Moovaendhar maaligai dheepam
Magalae un paarvai thaano
Paavaendhar paadiya paadal
Magalae un vaarthai thaano
Moovaendhar maaligai dheepam
Magalae un paarvai thaano
Nenjae ponnoonjal polae
Selvamae vandhu aadu
Saeyum thaayum naalellaam
Serndhu vaazhalaam
Thaen thoongum poovae
Vaadaamal vaazhga
Aagaayam boomi anaithum
Neeyaaga thondrudhammaa
Naan kaanum kanavugal unnaal
Niraivaera koodumammaa
Aagaayam boomi anaithum
Neeyaaga thondrudhammaa
Naan kaanum kanavugal unnaal
Niraivaera koodumammaa
Neeyae ingillaiyaanaal
Mannil naan vaazhvadhaedhu
Naeram kaalam maaralaam
Naesam maarumo
Thaen thoongum poovae
Vaadaamal vaazhga
Paal vennilaavae thaeyaamal vaazhga
Ila maanae unnodu
Nizhal polae pinnodu varuven naanae
Thaen thoongum poovae
Vaadaamal vaazhga
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
O flower where honey sleeps,
Live long without withering!
O milky white moon, live long without waning!
O gentle young deer, beside you,
I will follow behind like a shadow.
Is it a song sung by the king of poets,
That has become your words, my daughter?
Is it the lamp in the palace of the three kings,
That shines in your gaze, my daughter?
Is it a song sung by the king of poets,
That has become your words, my daughter?
Is it the lamp in the palace of the three kings,
That shines in your gaze, my daughter?
My heart is like a golden swing,
Come and swing on it, my precious treasure.
Mother and child, for all our days,
Shall live happily together.
O flower where honey sleeps,
Live long without withering!
The entire sky and earth,
Appear as you alone to me, my child.
All the dreams that I dream,
Can come true through you, my child.
The entire sky and earth,
Appear as you alone to me, my child.
All the dreams that I dream,
Can come true through you, my child.
If you were not here with me,
How could I live on this earth?
Times and seasons may change,
But will this love ever change?
O flower where honey sleeps,
Live long without withering!
O milky white moon, live long without waning!
O gentle young deer, beside you,
I will follow behind like a shadow.
O flower where honey sleeps,
Live long without withering!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Thaen Thoongum Poovae' is a soulful and heartwarming lullaby/maternal ballad expressing deep maternal affection and devotional love for a child. The song uses vivid imagery from nature and classical Tamil literature to elevate the innocence and beauty of the daughter, comparing her voice to poetry sung by supreme poets and her sight to royal lamps in majestic palaces. The mother pledges eternal presence, describing herself as a shadow that will never leave her child's side. She reflects on how the child brings purpose to her life and fills her world completely, emphasizing that while time and seasons may change, a mother's affection remains timeless and unshakeable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Thaen thoongum poovae”

Addressing the child directly as a flower housing honey ('Thaen thoongum poovae') and a unwaning moon ('Paal vennilaavae').

Uvamaai (Simile)

“Nizhal polae pinnodu varuven naanae”

Comparing the mother's constant presence and protection to a shadow following closely ('Nizhal polae pinnodu varuven naanae').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Paavaendhar paadiya paadal”

Matching initial letters/sounds across words in a line ('Paavaendhar' and 'paadiya' / 'Magalae' and 'maaligai').

Emonai / Rhetorical Question

“Naesam maarumo”

Asking 'Naesam maarumo' (Will love change?) to strongly affirm that true love never changes regardless of time.

Did you know?

Trivia

While many songs of this era were composed by Ilaiyaraaja, 'Kodai Mazhai' (1986) famously featured music composed by legendary singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam himself, showcasing his musical composition skills alongside lyrics penned by the acclaimed Tamil poet Mu. Metha.

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