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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Amma Ennum Un

From Nandha En Nila · 1977

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Nandha En Nila1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannukkutty sellammaaDear calf, my darling child
Kallamattra ponnammaInnocent golden one
Nalla vazhi sollammaShow me a good path, dear
Naanum vaaren nillammaWait, I am coming along too
Female
Amma amma ennumCalling out 'Mother, Mother'
Un kural kaettaeUpon hearing your voice
Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhammaBeautiful Tamil language was born
Amma amma ennumCalling out 'Mother, Mother'
Un kural kaettaeUpon hearing your voice
Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhammaBeautiful Tamil language was born
Anbae anbae endru azhaippadhu polaeAs if calling out 'Love, Love'
Arul mozhi kaattril midhandha dhammaWords of grace floated in the breeze
Amma amma ennumCalling out 'Mother, Mother'
Un Kural kaettaeUpon hearing your voice
Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhammaBeautiful Tamil language was born
Female
Malaiyinile kudhichu vandha pulliLike a spotted deer leaping down from the mountains
Maanena manasu mayangudhammaMy mind is mesmerized by you
Thanimaiyil enakkoru thunaiyena varuvaaiYou come as my companion in loneliness
Thazhuvidum karangalil sugam pala tharuvaaiYou bestow endless comfort in embracing arms
Paasathil ne oru mazhalaiammaIn pure affection, you are an innocent child
Oru paavamum ariyaa piraviyammaA soul that knows no sin at all
Amma amma ennumCalling out 'Mother, Mother'
Un Kural kaettaeUpon hearing your voice
Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhammaBeautiful Tamil language was born
Female
Kazhuthu mani kalakalakka varumComing with your neck bell jingling
Kaaladi osaiyai kaettirundhenI listened closely to the sound of your footsteps
Aalaya mani oli adhuvena arindhenI realized it sounded like a sacred temple bell
Adhu tharum isaiyinil kavalaiyai marandhenIn the music it created, I forgot all my worries
Naan ingu vaazhvadhu unakkallavaaAm I not living here solely for your sake?
Nalla naal varum viraivil namakkallavaaWon't good days arrive for us very soon?
Amma amma ennumCalling out 'Mother, Mother'
Un Kural kaettaeUpon hearing your voice
Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhammaBeautiful Tamil language was born
Female
Kannukkutty sellammaaDear calf, my darling child
Kallamattra ponnammaInnocent golden one
Nalla vazhi sollammaShow me a good path, dear
Naanum vaaren nillammaWait, I am coming along too

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannukkutty Sellamma' from Nandha En Nila (1977) is a tender expression of affection towards an innocent calf/child. The singer poetically claims that the very sound of the calf calling 'Amma' (Mother) feels like the sacred origin of the Tamil language itself. The lyrics weave deep emotional warmth, portraying the calf as a source of companionship during lonely times and a beacon of hope for brighter days ahead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole / Poetic Metaphor

Amma amma ennum / Un kural kaettae / Azhagiya thamizh mozhi pirandhadhamma

Extolling the innocence of the call 'Amma' by poetically suggesting that the beautiful Tamil language was birthed upon hearing it.

Simile (Upamai)

Malaiyinile kudhichu vandha pulli maanena manasu mayangudhamma

Comparing the movement of the calf to a lively spotted deer leaping down a mountain side.

Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi)

Kazhuthu mani kalakalakka varum

Use of rhythmic sound words 'kalakalakka' to imitate the tinkling sound of the bell around the neck.

Mona (Initial Rhyme / Assonance)

Kannukkutty sellammaa / Kallamattra ponnamma

Repetition of starting letter sounds across consecutive lines ('Kannukkutty' and 'Kallamattra').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by veteran Malayalam music maestro V. Dakshinamurthy, this song showcases the poetic depth of lyricist Na. Kamarasan. It remains one of Tamil cinema's sweetest maternal and tenderly affectionate compositions sung beautifully by S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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