Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thotta Idam Thulanga

From Muthu Chippi · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Muthu Chippi1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arithaai perithaaiRare and grand,
VanakkaththirkuriyathaaiWorthy of sacred respect,
Eliyathaai valiyathaai endrumae iniyathaaiSimple yet strong, and forever sweet,
Malarnthaai kaninthathaaiYou bloomed and ripened,
Manathilae nirainthathaaiYou completely filled our hearts,
Valarnthathaai vaazhvathaai vantha thaaiYou grew, became our existence, O mother who came to us,
Engal thaai…..engal thaai….Our mother... our mother...
Male
Thotta idam thulanga varumMay every place you touch shine with brilliance,
Thaaikulamae varugaWelcome, O embodiment of motherhood!
Thotta idam thulanga varumMay every place you touch shine with brilliance,
Thaaikulamae varugaWelcome, O embodiment of motherhood!
Male
Kan patta idam poo malarumWherever your gaze falls, flowers bloom,
Pon magalae varugaWelcome, O golden maiden,
Pon magalae varuga…..nee varugaWelcome, O golden maiden... please come!
Male
Karunai endra deepamCarrying the lamp named compassion
Iru kangalil yeanthiya thaayaeIn both of your eyes, O mother,
Kaalangalthorum nenjil vanthuComing into our hearts through all eras,
Kovil konda neeyaeYou are the one who has established a temple within us.
Male
Poo mugath thaamarai maelaeUpon your lotus-like countenance,
Arul pozhigindra dheivaththaayaeO divine mother showering gracious blessings!
Poo mugath thaamarai maelaeUpon your lotus-like countenance,
Arul pozhigindra dheivaththaayaeO divine mother showering gracious blessings!
Vaanam paarththa bhoomikellamTo the parched earth gazing up at the sky,
Maari enbathu neeyaeYou are the life-giving rain,
Muththu maari enbathu neeyae…You are the precious pearl-like rain...
Muththu maari enbathu neeyae…You are the precious pearl-like rain...
Male
Thotta idam thulanga varumMay every place you touch shine with brilliance,
Thaaikulamae varugaWelcome, O embodiment of motherhood!
Male
Idhayam unnai paadumThe heart shall sing your praise,
Nalla ennangal maalaigal podumNoble thoughts shall place garlands upon you.
Innal vantha naeram unthanDuring times of trouble and suffering,
Punnagai aaruthal koorumYour gentle smile offers comforting solace.
Male
Vaavena vendidumpothuWhen called upon in prayer,
Edhir varugindra selvam neeyaeYou are the divine wealth that appears before us.
Naalum konda penmaikkellaamTo all of womanhood adorned with goodness,
Thalaiviyaagiya thaayaeO mother who reigns as the supreme leader!
Oru thalaiviyaagiya thaayae…..O mother who reigns as the supreme leader...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deep homage to divine motherhood and the sanctified status of women. The lyrics exalt motherly virtue, comparing the presence of a loving mother figure to auspiciousness, blooming flowers, comforting light, and life-giving rain to a dry land. Through lyrical imagery, lyricist Vaali portrays womanhood as an embodiment of grace, compassion, and leadership that uplifts society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Arithaai perithaai / Eliyathaai valiyathaai endrumae iniyathaai

The opening lines feature identical ending suffixes ('-aai'), creating a rhythmic and musical cadence characteristic of classical Tamil poetry.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Karunai endra deepam / Iru kangalil yeanthiya thaayae

Compassion is directly metaphorized as a light/lamp ('Karunai endra deepam') held within the eyes of the mother.

Uvamaani / Imagery

Vaanam paarththa bhoomikellam / Maari enbathu neeyae

The mother's arrival is compared to life-giving rain ('Maari') falling upon drought-stricken land ('Vaanam paarththa bhoomi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vaali for the 1968 Tamil film 'Muthu Chippi', this song showcases his mastery over traditional Tamil praise poetry (Pillaitamil / Thaai Vanakkam formats), blending divine veneration with cinematic melody.

Keep listening

More from Muthu Chippi