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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Uranga Koodathu

From Sakthi Leelai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. R. Vijaya
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Sakthi Leelai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Uranga koodathu kanne mayanga koodathuDo not sleep, my darling, do not faint
Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattuLet the little bird smile today, held in this mother's hands
Uranga koodathu kanne mayanga koodathuDo not sleep, my darling, do not faint
Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattuLet the little bird smile today, held in this mother's hands
Uranga koodathuYou must not sleep
Female
Chandhiran vanthathai kanduSeeing the arrival of the moon
Nalla alli malarvathum unduThe good water lily blooms
Chandhiran vanthathai kanduSeeing the arrival of the moon
Nalla alli malarvathum unduThe good water lily blooms
Chandhiran sentru kaalaiyum vanthalWhen the moon leaves and the morning arrives
Alli siripathum enguWhere is the lily's smile?
Female
Chandhiran sentru kaalaiyum vanthalWhen the moon leaves and the morning arrives
Alli siripathum enguWhere is the lily's smile?
Uranga koodathu kanne mayanga koodathuDo not sleep, my darling, do not faint
Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattuLet the little bird smile today, held in this mother's hands
Uranga koodathuYou must not sleep
Female
Maanam kaakum pillai ennaiThe child who protects honor
Naalum kaaka vendumMust protect me every day
Naalai enni vazhum annaiThe mother living with hope for tomorrow
Asai theerka vendumMust have her wishes fulfilled
Maanam kaakum pillai ennaiThe child who protects honor
Naalum kaaka vendumMust protect me every day
Naalai enni vazhum annaiThe mother living with hope for tomorrow
Asai theerka vendumMust have her wishes fulfilled
Unakum indri enakum sollaFor you or for me today
Mozhigal illai kanneThere are no words left to speak, my dear
Female
Unakum indri enakum sollaFor you or for me today
Mozhigal illai kanneThere are no words left to speak, my dear
Uranga koodathu kanne mayanga koodathuDo not sleep, my darling, do not faint
Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattuLet the little bird smile today, held in this mother's hands
Uranga koodathuYou must not sleep
Female
Megam podum kolam polaLike patterns drawn by clouds
Kaalam maarakodumTime may keep changing
Thaimai kooda vaimai kaakaEven motherhood, to protect the truth
Thaanum maara kodumMay have to change itself
Megam podum kolam polaLike patterns drawn by clouds
Kaalam maarakodumTime may keep changing
Thaimai kooda vaimai kaakaEven motherhood, to protect the truth
Thaanum maara kodumMay have to change itself
Anaithe unnai eduthaalYet when I embrace you and lift you up
Antha ennam maarum kanneThat troubling thought vanishes, my dear
Female
Anaithe unnai eduthaalYet when I embrace you and lift you up
Antha ennam maarum kanneThat troubling thought vanishes, my dear
Uranga koodathu kanne mayanga koodathuDo not sleep, my darling, do not faint
Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattuLet the little bird smile today, held in this mother's hands
Uranga koodathuYou must not sleep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Uranga Koodathu is a poignant maternal lullaby from Sakthi Leelai where a mother expresses profound affection and bittersweet emotions while holding her child. She gently asks her child not to fall asleep or drift away, wanting to savor every fleeting moment of tenderness. Drawing analogies from nature—like water lilies that bloom under the moon but wither by morning—she reflects on how happiness can be temporary and subject to time's unpredictable changes. Deepening into philosophical themes, she muses that time alters like cloud patterns and that even sacred motherhood might sometimes face difficult trials to uphold truth. However, holding her child close brings her immediate comfort, dissolving all lingering doubts and fears.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Megam podum kolam pola / Kaalam maarakodum

Comparing the constantly changing nature of time to the temporary and evolving rangoli-like patterns formed by clouds in the sky.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indru sirikattum chittu intha annai kaipattu

Referring affectionately to the child as a 'chittu' (a little bird).

Analogy / Nature Symbolism

Chandhiran sentru kaalaiyum vanthal / Alli siripathum engu

Using the night-blooming lily (alli) that closes at daybreak to symbolize transient moments of joy and peace.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Maanam kaakum pillai ennai / Naalum kaaka vendum

Rhyming the second consonant sound in adjacent lines (Maanam / Naalum / Naalai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Sakthi Leelai (1972) is a classic Tamil mythological film directed by T. R. Ramanna. The soundtrack was composed independently by T. K. Ramamoorthy following the split of the legendary Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo. The lyricist, Kannadasan, infuses deep maternal emotion and philosophical depth into this lullaby, which remains a tender classic sung by M. R. Vijaya.

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