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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaai Pesa Theriyatha Kanne

From Sankari · 1984

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sankari1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………….....
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Naan vadikkindra kanneril unnaiBathing you in the tears I shed,
Neeraatti naan paadum paattuThe song I sing as I bathe you,
Oru nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattuIs a lullaby devoid of any peace.
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro,
Female
Thaayendru solvatharkkum thaguthiyillaiI lack even the worthiness to be called a mother,
Unnai saei endru azhaippatharkkum mudiyavillaiNor am I able to address you as my child.
Thaayendru solvatharkkum thaguthiyillaiI lack even the worthiness to be called a mother,
Unnai saei endru azhaippatharkkum mudiyavillaiNor am I able to address you as my child.
Female
Innilaiyila naanirukkum ulagilaeIn this world where I exist in such a state,
Annamae yaen piranthaai veenilaeOh swan-like child, why were you born in vain?
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Naan vadikkindra kanneril unnaiBathing you in the tears I shed,
Neeraatti naan paadum paattuThe song I sing as I bathe you,
Oru nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattuIs a lullaby devoid of any peace.
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Female
Poovodum pottodum vilangidavaeMay you shine adorned with flowers and kumkum,
Un punnagaiyil petra manam kulirnthidavaeMay the heart of the mother who bore you feel comforted by your smile,
Poovodum pottodum vilangidavaeMay you shine adorned with flowers and kumkum,
Un punnagaiyil petra manam kulirnthidavaeMay the heart of the mother who bore you feel comforted by your smile,
Female
Thangamae un vaazhvin perumaiyilaeOh golden one, in the glory of your life,
Annai naan magizhnthiduvaen unmaiyilaeI, as your mother, will truly rejoice.
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Naan vadikkindra kanneril unnaiBathing you in the tears I shed,
Neeraatti naan paadum paattuThe song I sing as I bathe you,
Oru nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattuIs a lullaby devoid of any peace.
Female
Vaai pesa theriyaatha kannaeOh my precious child, unable to speak,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro,
Aaraaro aariro aaraaroAaraaro aariro aaraaro

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply melancholic and poignant lullaby sung by a mother to her speech-impaired or helpless child. Expressing her agony and helplessness regarding her own situation, the mother laments that she feels unworthy of her maternal status and grieves over the suffering her child must endure in a cruel world. Despite her grief, she bathes her child in her tears and sings a soothing song without peace in her own heart. In the latter half, her maternal affection shines through her anguish as she wishes for a bright, honorable, and auspicious future for her child. She hopes that her child's innocent smile will bring solace to her grieving heart and promises that seeing her child prosper will be her ultimate happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naan vadikkindra kanneril unnai / Neeraatti naan paadum paattu

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating a rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'vadikkindra' and 'neeraatti' / 'thaayendru' and 'unnai' / 'poovodum' and 'un').

Metaphor / Oxymoron

Oru nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattu

Describing a soothing lullaby (thaalaattu) as lacking peace ('nimmathiye illaatha thaalaattu'), highlighting the deep contrast between the mother's soothing duty and her internal anguish.

Anaphora / Repetition

Aaraaro aariro aaraaro

Repetition of traditional lullaby vocables ('Aaraaro aariro') to establish the rhythmic structure of a classical Tamil lullaby.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by veteran music director V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu, this song relies on P. Susheela's legendary emotive voice to capture grief and maternal tenderness. It remains a notable example of emotional lullaby compositions in 1980s Tamil cinema.

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