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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaaro Thavamirundhu

From Petralthan Pillaiya · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Petralthan Pillaiya1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aariraariraariraro…Aariraariraariraro…
Aariraraariraariraro…Aariraaraariraariraro…
Aaraariraarirario…Aaraariraarirario…
Aaraariraariraro…Aaraariraariraro…
LolalalaayiLullaby refrain…
Male
Yaaro thavamirundhuSomeone performed severe penance,
Yaaro madi sumandhuSomeone carried you in their lap,
Vaeror manai vilangaOnly to illuminate someone else's household,
Yaen pirandhaaiWhy were you born?
Male
Yaaro thavamirundhuSomeone performed severe penance,
Yaaro madi sumandhuSomeone carried you in their lap,
Vaeror manai vilangaOnly to illuminate someone else's household,
Yaen pirandhaaiWhy were you born?
Poo pol sirithirundhuHaving smiled brightly like a flower,
Pon pol valarndhirundhuHaving grown up as precious as gold,
Ezhai mana thudikka yaen pirindhaaiWhy did you leave, making this poor heart throb in pain?
Male
Chella kiliyae mella paesuSpeak softly, my beloved parrot,
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuBlow gently, O southern breeze,
Male
Tholil thavazhndhirukkaTo crawl onto my shoulders,
Thottil niraindhirukkaTo fill up the little cradle,
Pillai thunai vaendi kidandhaenaaDid I lie in waiting, yearning for a child's companionship?
Yaedho uravu varumThinking that some bond would come along,
Endrum udhavi varumAnd offer support forever,
Endrae enadhu vazhi nadandhaenaa…Did I walk along my life's path with that hope?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby from the movie Petralthan Pillaiya (1966), written by Kannadasan, expresses deep anguish, longing, and existential grief over the emotional detachment or separation from a child. The song contrasts traditional lullaby motifs with painful reality, questioning why a child who was prayed for, raised with intense affection, and nurtured like gold was destined to leave or illuminate another family's life instead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Poo pol sirithirundhu / Pon pol valarndhirundhu

Compares the innocent smile of the child to a blooming flower ('poo pol') and the child's precious upbringing to pure gold ('pon pol').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Yaaro thavamirundhu / Yaaro madi sumandhu

The repetition of the initial word 'Yaaro' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic emphasis on the mystery of destiny.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Tholil thavazhndhirukka / Thottil niraindhirukka

The second consonant 'l' sound ('lh'/'t') matches between 'Tholil' and 'Thottil', giving melodic flow to the lullaby rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Petralthan Pillaiya (1966), starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi, is an official Indian adaptation of Charlie Chaplin's iconic silent classic 'The Kid' (1921). The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with evocative lyrics written by Kannadasan.

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