Ambigaiye Unnai Nambi
From Oli Piranthathu · 1980
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Oli Piranthathu1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen | Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here. |
| Yae….yae….yae….yae….yaen…. | Yae… yae… yae… yae… why… |
| Male | |
| Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen | Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here. |
| Unthan aalaya vaasalilae | Right at the entrance of your temple, |
| Thavam kidanthaen thavam kidanthaen | I did penance, I waited in devotion. |
| Maagamaagasasa thaamathaamagaga | (Musical solfege / Swara syllables) |
| Neethaneethamama kamathanisa | (Musical solfege / Swara syllables) |
| Thanisanithasa | (Musical solfege / Swara syllables) |
| Saathamaaga thaamathama nee sugamaa sammathaama | Calmly or with delay, are you doing fine, do you agree? |
| Male | |
| Unnai naan santhiththaen | I met you, |
| Nee aayiraththil oruththi | You are one in a thousand. |
| Unnai naan santhiththaen | I met you, |
| Nee aayiraththil oruththi | You are one in a thousand. |
| Ullaththaal rasiththaen | I appreciated you with all my heart, |
| Enthan paarvaiyilae niruththi | Holding you firm within my gaze. |
| Paarvaiyilae niruththi | Holding you within my gaze. |
| Male | |
| Unnai naan santhiththaen | I met you, |
| Nee aayiraththil oruththi | You are one in a thousand. |
| Male | |
| Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen | Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here. |
| Unthan aalaya vaasalilae | Right at the entrance of your temple, |
| Thavam kidanthaen | I waited in devotion. |
| Male | |
| …………….. | …………… |
| Male | |
| Mohana punnagai malarnthidumpothu | When a charming, enchanting smile blossoms, |
| Malligai thoranam manathai thodaathu | A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply. |
| Mohana punnagai malarnthidumpothu | When a charming smile blossoms, |
| Malligai thoranam manathai thodaathu | A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply. |
| Mogaththin vasamaagi mayakkam tharaathu | Getting overcome by desire will not induce intoxication. |
| Ma ma ga ni tha maanganithaa | (Musical solfege wordplay) |
| Ma ma ga ni tha maanganithaa | (Musical solfege wordplay) |
| Gama gama gama gama kanithaa maanganitha | (Musical solfege wordplay) |
| Male | |
| Sammathamaa….saagasamaa…. | Is it consent... or an adventure? |
| Sammathamma sammathammaa | Is it consent, my dear, consent? |
| Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa | Is it consent for me to come with you? |
| Sammathammaa | Is it consent, my dear? |
| Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa | Is it consent for me to come along with you? |
| Sarisamamaaga nizhal polae | Equally side by side like a shadow, |
| Naan koodavara sammathammaa….eppadi | Is it consent for me to come along... how about that? |
| Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa | Is it consent for me to come with you? |
| Male | |
| Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen | Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here. |
| Unthan aalaya vaasalilae | Unthan aalaya vaasalilae |
| Thavam kidanthaen thavam kidanthaen | I did penance, I waited in devotion. |
| Male | |
| Aasaiyin paathaiyil nee vantha kolam | The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire, |
| Anantha pothaiyil mithanthathu raagam | The melody floated in blissful intoxication. |
| Raagam….raagam….raagam….. | Melody... melody... melody... |
| Aasaiyin paathaiyil nee vantha kolam | The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire, |
| Anantha pothaiyil mithanthathu raagam | The melody floated in blissful intoxication. |
| Aarambam aagattum perinba geetham perinba geetham | Let the song of divine bliss begin, divine bliss! |
| Male | |
| Haha oru naal pothumaa | Haha, is one day enough? |
| Indroru naal pothumaa | Is just this one day enough? |
| Naan paada indroru naal pothumaa | Is one day enough for me to sing? |
| Naathamaa geethamaa naathamaa geethamaa | Is it music, is it song, is it music, is it song? |
| Unnai naan paada indru oru naal pothumaa | Is today just one day enough for me to sing of you? |
| Pothumaa…. pothumaa….pothumaa….. | Is it enough... is it enough... is it enough... |
அம்பிகையே உன்னை நம்பி வந்தேன்.....
ஏ....ஏ.....ஏ.........ஏ......ஏன்...........
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Yae… yae… yae… yae… why…
அம்பிகையே உன்னை நம்பி வந்தேன்.....
உந்தன் ஆலய வாசலிலே
தவம் கிடந்தேன் தவம் கிடந்தேன்
மாகமாகஸஸ தாமதாமகக நீதநீதமம கமதநிஸ
தநிஸநிதஸ.................
சாதமாக தாமதமா நீ சுகமா சம்மதமா
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Right at the entrance of your temple,
I did penance, I waited in devotion.
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
Calmly or with delay, are you doing fine, do you agree?
உன்னை நான் சந்தித்தேன்
நீ ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருத்தி
உன்னை நான் சந்தித்தேன்
நீ ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருத்தி
உள்ளத்தால் ரசித்தேன்
எந்தன் பார்வையிலே நிறுத்தி
பார்வையிலே நிறுத்தி
I met you,
You are one in a thousand.
I met you,
You are one in a thousand.
I appreciated you with all my heart,
Holding you firm within my gaze.
Holding you within my gaze.
உன்னை நான் சந்தித்தேன்
நீ ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருத்தி
I met you,
You are one in a thousand.
அம்பிகையே உன்னை நம்பி வந்தேன்.....
உந்தன் ஆலய வாசலிலே
தவம் கிடந்தேன்
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Right at the entrance of your temple,
I waited in devotion.
...........................
……………
மோஹன புன்னகை மலர்ந்திடும் போது
மல்லிகை தோரணம் மனதை தொடாது
மோஹன புன்னகை மலர்ந்திடும் போது
மல்லிகை தோரணம் மனதை தொடாது
மோகத்தின் வசமாகி மயக்கம் தராது
ம ம க நி த மாங்கனிதா
ம ம க நி த மாங்கனிதா
கம கம கம கம கனிதா மாங்கனிதா
When a charming, enchanting smile blossoms,
A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply.
When a charming smile blossoms,
A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply.
Getting overcome by desire will not induce intoxication.
(Musical solfege wordplay)
(Musical solfege wordplay)
(Musical solfege wordplay)
சம்மதமா..... சாகசமா.....
சம்மதம்மா சம்மதம்மா
நான் உந்தன் கூடவர சம்மதம்மா
சம்மதம்மா
நான் உந்தன் கூடவர சம்மதம்மா
சரிசமமாக நிழல் போலே
நான் கூடவர சம்மதம்மா.......எப்படி..
நான் உந்தன் கூட வர சம்மதம்மா....
Is it consent... or an adventure?
Is it consent, my dear, consent?
Is it consent for me to come with you?
Is it consent, my dear?
Is it consent for me to come along with you?
Equally side by side like a shadow,
Is it consent for me to come along... how about that?
Is it consent for me to come with you?
அம்பிகையே உன்னை நம்பி வந்தேன்.....
உந்தன் ஆலய வாசலிலே
தவம் கிடந்தேன் தவம் கிடந்தேன்
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Unthan aalaya vaasalilae
I did penance, I waited in devotion.
...........................
The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire,
The melody floated in blissful intoxication.
Melody... melody... melody...
The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire,
The melody floated in blissful intoxication.
Let the song of divine bliss begin, divine bliss!
ஆசையின் பாதையில் நீ வந்த கோலம்
ஆனந்த போதையில் மிதந்தது ராகம்
ராகம்.....ராகம்.....ராகம்.....
ஆசையின் பாதையில் நீ வந்த கோலம்
ஆனந்த போதையில் மிதந்தது ராகம்
ஆரம்பம் ஆகட்டும் பேரின்ப கீதம் பேரின்ப கீதம்
Haha, is one day enough?
Is just this one day enough?
Is one day enough for me to sing?
Is it music, is it song, is it music, is it song?
Is today just one day enough for me to sing of you?
Is it enough... is it enough... is it enough...
ஹஹ ஒரு நாள் போதுமா
இன்றொரு நாள் போதுமா
நான் பாட இன்றொரு நாள் போதுமா
நாதமா கீதமா நாதமா கீதமா
உன்னை நான் பாட இன்று ஒரு நாள் போதுமா
போதுமா...போதுமா...போதுமா........
Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Yae….yae….yae….yae….yaen….
Yae… yae… yae… yae… why…
Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Unthan aalaya vaasalilae
Right at the entrance of your temple,
Thavam kidanthaen thavam kidanthaen
I did penance, I waited in devotion.
Maagamaagasasa thaamathaamagaga
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
Neethaneethamama kamathanisa
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
Thanisanithasa
(Musical solfege / Swara syllables)
Saathamaaga thaamathama nee sugamaa sammathaama
Calmly or with delay, are you doing fine, do you agree?
Unnai naan santhiththaen
I met you,
Nee aayiraththil oruththi
You are one in a thousand.
Unnai naan santhiththaen
I met you,
Nee aayiraththil oruththi
You are one in a thousand.
Ullaththaal rasiththaen
I appreciated you with all my heart,
Enthan paarvaiyilae niruththi
Holding you firm within my gaze.
Paarvaiyilae niruththi
Holding you within my gaze.
Unnai naan santhiththaen
I met you,
Nee aayiraththil oruththi
You are one in a thousand.
Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Unthan aalaya vaasalilae
Right at the entrance of your temple,
Thavam kidanthaen
I waited in devotion.
……………..
……………
Mohana punnagai malarnthidumpothu
When a charming, enchanting smile blossoms,
Malligai thoranam manathai thodaathu
A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply.
Mohana punnagai malarnthidumpothu
When a charming smile blossoms,
Malligai thoranam manathai thodaathu
A jasmine garland cannot touch the heart as deeply.
Mogaththin vasamaagi mayakkam tharaathu
Getting overcome by desire will not induce intoxication.
Ma ma ga ni tha maanganithaa
(Musical solfege wordplay)
Ma ma ga ni tha maanganithaa
(Musical solfege wordplay)
Gama gama gama gama kanithaa maanganitha
(Musical solfege wordplay)
Sammathamaa….saagasamaa….
Is it consent... or an adventure?
Sammathamma sammathammaa
Is it consent, my dear, consent?
Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa
Is it consent for me to come with you?
Sammathammaa
Is it consent, my dear?
Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa
Is it consent for me to come along with you?
Sarisamamaaga nizhal polae
Equally side by side like a shadow,
Naan koodavara sammathammaa….eppadi
Is it consent for me to come along... how about that?
Naan unthan kooda vara sammathammaa
Is it consent for me to come with you?
Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen
Oh Ambigai, trusting you I came here.
Unthan aalaya vaasalilae
Unthan aalaya vaasalilae
Thavam kidanthaen thavam kidanthaen
I did penance, I waited in devotion.
Aasaiyin paathaiyil nee vantha kolam
The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire,
Anantha pothaiyil mithanthathu raagam
The melody floated in blissful intoxication.
Raagam….raagam….raagam…..
Melody... melody... melody...
Aasaiyin paathaiyil nee vantha kolam
The graceful appearance of yours on the path of desire,
Anantha pothaiyil mithanthathu raagam
The melody floated in blissful intoxication.
Aarambam aagattum perinba geetham perinba geetham
Let the song of divine bliss begin, divine bliss!
Haha oru naal pothumaa
Haha, is one day enough?
Indroru naal pothumaa
Is just this one day enough?
Naan paada indroru naal pothumaa
Is one day enough for me to sing?
Naathamaa geethamaa naathamaa geethamaa
Is it music, is it song, is it music, is it song?
Unnai naan paada indru oru naal pothumaa
Is today just one day enough for me to sing of you?
Pothumaa…. pothumaa….pothumaa…..
Is it enough... is it enough... is it enough...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song 'Ambigaiyae Unnai Nambi Vanthaen' weaves devotional metaphors with romantic praise. The protagonist addresses his beloved as 'Ambigai' (the divine mother Goddess), describing how he waited at the entrance of her temple in deep penance just to catch a glimpse of her. He praises her uniqueness as 'one in a thousand' whose enchanting smile surpasses the beauty of jasmine garlands, leaving him spellbound. As the song progresses, it mixes classical Carnatic swara passages (solfege) with playful lyrical rhythm. Towards the end, referencing the classical music tradition, the singer exuberantly asks whether just 'one day is enough' to sing all the praises of his beloved, bringing an energetic, blissful conclusion to the composition.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ambigaiyae unnai nambi vanthaen / Unthan aalaya vaasalilae”
Comparing the beloved directly to a Goddess (Ambigai) and her presence to a temple entrance.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Mohana punnagai malarnthidumpothu / Malligai thoranam manathai thodaathu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Ma' in 'Mohana' and 'Malligai'.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Sarisamamaaga nizhal polae”
Comparing accompanying the beloved closely to that of a shadow ('nizhal polae').
Cultural/Intertextual Allusion
“Haha oru naal pothumaa / Indroru naal pothumaa”
The line 'Oru naal pothumaa' references the iconic Carnatic-style film song 'Oru Naal Pothuma' from Thiruvilayadal, used here in a playful, energetic vocal improvisational context.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ambigaiyae Unnai Nambi Vanthaen' is a notable track from the 1980 Tamil film 'Oli Piranthathu', scored by the popular duo Shankar-Ganesh. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's vocal performance is celebrated for effortlessly combining classical swaram vocalizations with high-energy romantic improvisations.
Keep listening
More from Oli Piranthathu
Oli Piranthathu
Oli Piranthathu