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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Varam Thantha

From Sippikkul Muthu · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sippikkul Muthu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Laali laali laali laaliLullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Laali laali laali laaliLullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
{Varam thandha saamyku{For the God who granted me a boon,
Padhamaana laaliA tender lullaby,
Raajaadhi raajanukkuFor the King of kings,
Idhamaana laali} (2)A comforting lullaby} (Repeat 2x)
Female
Kurumbaana kannanukkuFor the mischievous Krishna,
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaaa....aaa....aaa...aaa...
Kurumbaana kannanukkuFor the mischievous Krishna,
Sugamaana laaliA soothing lullaby,
Jagam potrum dhevanukkuFor the God praised by the world,
Vagaiyaana laaliA special lullaby,
Female
Varam thandha saamykuFor the God who granted me a boon,
Padhamaana laaliA tender lullaby,
Raajaadhi raajanukkuFor the King of kings,
Idhamaana laaliA comforting lullaby,
Female
Aari raaro aari raaro….Aari raaro, aari raaro...
Aari raaro aari raaro….Aari raaro, aari raaro...
Female
{Kalyaana raamanukku{For auspicious Rama,
Kousalyai naanae} (2)I am Kausalya} (Repeat 2x)
{Edhuvamsa veeranukku{For the hero of the Yadu dynasty,
Yasodhai naanae} (2)I am Yashoda} (Repeat 2x)
Female
Karu yaanai muganukkuFor the dark elephant-faced Lord,
{Karu yaanai muganukku{For the dark elephant-faced Lord,
Malai annai naanae} (2)I am Mother Parvati} (Repeat 2x)
Paarpotrum muruganukkuFor Lord Murugan praised by the world,
Paarvadhiyum naanaeI am Parvati as well,
Female
Varam thandha saamykuFor the God who granted me a boon,
Padhamaana laaliA tender lullaby,
Raajaadhi raajanukkuFor the King of kings,
Idhamaana laaliA comforting lullaby,
Female
Aari raari rooo….Aari raari rooo...
Aari raari rooo….Aari raari rooo...
Female
{Aanandha kannanukku{For blissful Krishna,
Aazhvaarum naanae} (2)I am the Alvar saint} (Repeat 2x)
{Sri raman kaadu vandha{When Sri Rama came to the forest,
Kamba naadan naanae} (2)I am Kamban, the epic poet} (Repeat 2x)
Female
{Raama raajanukku{For King Rama,
Vaalmiki naanae} (2)I am Valmiki} (Repeat 2x)
Aagaaya vannanukkuFor the sky-complexioned Lord,
Thyagaiyar naanaeI am saint Thyagaraja,
Female
Varam thandha saamykuFor the God who granted me a boon,
Padhamaana laaliA tender lullaby,
Raajaadhi raajanukkuFor the King of kings,
Idhamaana laaliA comforting lullaby,
Female
Kurumbaana kannanukkuFor the mischievous Krishna,
Sugamaana laaliA soothing lullaby,
Jagam potrum dhevanukkuFor the God praised by the world,
Vagaiyaana laaliA special lullaby,
Female
Varam thandha saamykuFor the God who granted me a boon,
Padhamaana laaliA tender lullaby,
Raajaadhi raajanukkuFor the King of kings,
Idhamaana laaliA comforting lullaby,
Female
Aari raaro aari raaro….Aari raaro, aari raaro...
Aari raaro aari raaro….Aari raaro, aari raaro...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This beautiful song is a classical lullaby expressing intense motherly and spiritual affection. The singer cradles her loved one, viewing him not merely as a child, but as divine avatars—Lord Rama, Krishna, Ganesha, and Murugan. In doing so, she adopts the role of their legendary mothers (Kausalya, Yashoda, Parvati). As the lullaby progresses, her love elevates into devotion, seeing herself as the great saint-poets and devotees—such as the Alvars, Kamban, Valmiki, and Thyagaraja—who immortalized these deities through their poetry and songs. The lullaby blends maternal love (Vatsalya) with sacred devotion (Bhakti).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Padhamaana laali / Idhamaana laali / Sugamaana laali

The suffix '-aana laali' recurs at the end of consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic, hypnotic lullaby cadence.

Uvamaani / Roopakam (Metaphor)

Sri raman kaadu vandha Kamba naadan naanae

The speaker identifies herself directly with historical and mythological figures (Kousalya, Yashoda, Kamban, Valmiki, Thyagaraja) to express her devotion.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Laali laali laali laali

Reduplication of soothing refrain words like 'laali' and 'aari raaro' typical of traditional Tamil lullabies.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is from 'Sippikkul Muthu' (1986), the Tamil version of Kasinathuni Viswanath's iconic Telugu film 'Swathi Muthyam' starring Kamal Haasan and Radhika. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with Tamil lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.

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