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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Aluvugiren

From Kaali (2018 Film) · 2018

Lyricist
Arun Bharathi
Singer
Nivas
Music director
Vijay Antony
Details
Kaali (2018 Film)2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohoo…hoo…oooOhoo…hoo…ooo
Ohoo…ooo..hooo…Ohoo…ooo..hooo…
Haaa…haaa..haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa..haa…aaa…
Haaa…haaa..haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa..haa…aaa…
Male
Adi vayitril idam koduthuGiving space in your lower abdomen (womb)
Kannukkul kaathavalaeYou protected me like the pupil of your eye
Naan rusiyaai saapidavaeSo that I could eat food deliciously
Dhinam pasiyinil paduthavalaeYou slept in hunger every single day
Male
Thoppul kodi valiyaeThrough the umbilical cord
Un uyirai kudithen naan ammaI drank your life force, oh mother
Naan thaan jeyithidavaeJust so that I would succeed in life
Anudhinamum thotraai neeyammaYou sacrificed and lost every day, mother
Kurudhiyinai kuduthavalae thaayaeOh mother who gave her blood as nourishment
Male
Ammaaaa…aluvugirenMother... I am weeping
Naan ammaa…aluvugirenI am weeping, oh mother
Ammaaaa…aluvugirenMother... I am weeping
Naan ammaaaa…katharugirenI am wailing aloud, oh mother
Male
Panikudam udainthuWhen the water bag broke
Naan varugaiyilaeAnd I was coming into this world
Kadum valiyilumEven amidst excruciating pain
Siru punnagai purinthaaiYou flashed a tender smile
Male
Unviral pidithuHolding onto your finger
Naan nadakaiyilaeWhen I learned to walk
Kaal edaravaeIf my foot stumbled
Nenjam padhariyae thudithaaiYour heart throbbed with intense worry
Male
Oorum paalai raththamaakiTransforming her blood into flowing milk
Koduthu vittu povaaiYou would feed it and leave
Sagum bothum pillaikaagaEven at the time of death, for her children
Nenjam vaaduvaaiHer heart wilts away
Male
Ada andradam kondadaTo celebrate life every day
Naam vanthu mandradaAnd to seek blessings
Thaayin paadham irukkuWhen mother's feet are right here
Pala kovil kulangal etharkkuWhy search for so many temples and holy ponds?
Male
Ammaaaa…aluvugirenMother... I am weeping
Naan ammaa…aluvugirenI am weeping, oh mother
Ammaaaa…aluvugirenMother... I am weeping
Naan ammaaaa…katharugirenI am wailing aloud, oh mother
Male
Adi vayitril idam koduthuGiving space in your lower abdomen (womb)
Kannukkul kaathavalaeYou protected me like the pupil of your eye
Naan rusiyaai saapidavaeSo that I could eat food deliciously
Dhinam pasiyinil paduthavalaeYou slept in hunger every single day
Male
Thoppul kodi valiyaeThrough the umbilical cord
Un uyirai kudithen naan ammaI drank your life force, oh mother
Naan thaan jeyithidavaeJust so that I would succeed in life
Anudhinamum thotraai neeyammaYou sacrificed and lost every day, mother
Kuridhiyinai kuduthavalae thaayaeOh mother who gave her blood as nourishment

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song from 'Kaali' is a poignant tribute to maternal love and ultimate sacrifice. The protagonist reflects on how a mother endures severe physical pain during childbirth, sacrifices her own meals to ensure her child eats, and willingly takes on defeat so her child can succeed. The song expresses deep grief and gratitude, acknowledging that a mother's blood sustains life through the umbilical cord and breast milk. The lyricist highlights that a mother's love transcends religious devotion, suggesting that serving and honoring one's mother makes pilgrimages to temples and sacred ponds unnecessary. Driven by intense emotional yearning, the protagonist cries out in sorrow while celebrating the selfless nature of motherhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Imagery & Biological Metaphor

Thoppul kodi valiyae un uyirai kudithen naan amma

Refers to the umbilical cord ('Thoppul kodi') and breast milk created from blood ('Raththamaaki'), vividly portraying biological and physical motherly sacrifice.

Emotional Contrast (Oxymoron)

Kadum valiyilum siru punnagai purinthaai

Contrasts extreme physical pain ('Kadum valiyilum') with a gentle smile ('Siru punnagai'), emphasizing a mother's unconditional love.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Ammaaaa…aluvugiren / Naan ammaa…aluvugiren

The deliberate repetition of 'Ammaaaa... aluvugiren' emphasizes the overwhelming emotional breakdown and mourning of the speaker.

Hyperbole / Rhetorical Question

Thaayin paadham irukku pala kovil kulangal etharkku

Asks why one needs temples when a mother's feet are present, elevating the status of a mother above divine places.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kaali' (2018) stars Vijay Antony, who also composed the music for the movie. Directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, the film revolves around a successful NRI doctor who travels to rural Tamil Nadu to search for his biological mother, making maternal themes central to the movie's plot.

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