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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Amma Endre

From Vanji Kottai Valipan · 1958

Lyricist
Kothamangalam Subbu
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
C. Ramachandra
Details
Vanji Kottai Valipan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Amma ammaa ammaaa endraeEven if you cry out 'Mother, mother, mother'
Aayiram aandugal azhudhu purandaalumAnd roll on the ground weeping for a thousand years,
Maganae annai varuvazhlooOh son, will your mother ever return?
Unakkoru aarudhal solvaalo.. annai varuvazhlooWill she offer you words of comfort? Will mother return?
Male
Immai thavam irundhuPerforming severe penance in this life,
Unnai munnoru naal sumandhuCarrying you in her womb one day in the past,
Immai thavam irundhuPerforming severe penance in this life,
Unnai munnoru naal sumandhuCarrying you in her womb one day in the past,
Ponnai polae unnai pottri valarthitta annai varuvaazhlooWill the mother who cherished and raised you like gold ever return?
Male
Kolli idavum vagai illai endrae neeDo not feel anguished inside this cruel prison,
Kodunjiraiyil kalakkam kolladhaeThinking that you have no way to perform her final funeral rites.
Kolli idavum vagai illai endrae neeDo not feel anguished inside this cruel prison,
Kodunjiraiyil kalakkam kolladhaeThinking that you have no way to perform her final funeral rites.
Alli ida arisi illai endraal ennaa anbai chorivaai maganaeSo what if there is no rice to throw in tribute? Shower your unconditional love, my son.
Male
Kanneeraalae neeraattuBathe her memory with your tears,
Annai thannai mann melae thaalattuSing a lullaby to put mother to rest upon the earth.
Kanneeraalae neeraattuBathe her memory with your tears,
Annai thannai mann melae thaalattuSing a lullaby to put mother to rest upon the earth.
Nenja thanalaal neruppinai moottuKindle the pyre with the burning embers of your heartfelt grief,
Nee un kadaimaiyai nilai naattuUphold and execute your sacred duty.
Maganae annai varuvazhlooOh son, will your mother ever return?
Unakkoru aarudhal solvaalo.. annai varuvazhlooWill she offer you words of comfort? Will mother return?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses deep sorrow and philosophical consolation over the loss of a mother while the son is trapped in captivity. It reminds the grieving son that no amount of endless weeping or calling out will bring back a departed mother who nurtured him with divine devotion like precious gold. It urges the son not to despair in his imprisonment over being unable to perform traditional funeral rituals like lighting the pyre or offering rice. Instead, it advises him to offer his true devotion, bathe her memory with tears, light the metaphorical flame of grief from his own heart, and resolutely fulfill his moral duty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ponnai polae unnai pottri valarthitta annai varuvaazhloo

Compares the mother's loving upbringing of her child to cherishing pure gold ('Ponnai polae').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Immai thavam irundhu / Unnai munnoru naal sumandhu

Rhyming of the second consonant 'm' in 'Immai' and 'Unnai' across lines.

Rhetorical Question

Maganae annai varuvazhloo / Unakkoru aarudhal solvaalo.. annai varuvazhloo

Posing rhetorical questions ('annai varuvazhloo', 'aarudhal solvaalo') to emphasize the permanence of death and loss.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenja thanalaal neruppinai moottu

Refers to inner emotional anguish as 'Nenja thanal' (embers of the heart) to light the inner fire of duty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed poet and author Kothamangalam Subbu for the 1958 classic movie 'Vanji Kottai Valipan', this song captures a intense emotionally tragic moment where the protagonist mourns his mother's death while confined in prison. The film is renowned for Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala's iconic performances and memorable music composed by C. R. Subburaman and Master Venu.

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