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Velai Illa Pattadhaari album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Amma Nee Engha Amma

From Velai Illa Pattadhaari · 2014

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
Dhanush, S. Janaki
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Movie name
Velai Illa Pattadhaari
Movie release year
2014
Lyrics added on
10 Dec 2016

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Amma amma nee enga amma
Unna vittaa enakkaaru amma
Thedi paarthenae kaanom unna
Kanna moochi yen? vaa nee velila
Amma amma nee enga amma
Unna vittaa enakkaaru amma
Naan thoongum munnae
Nee thoongi ponaai
Thaayae en mel unnakkenna kovam
Kannana kannae en dheiva pennae
Kannil dhoosi nee oodhavendum
Pagalum iravaagi bayamanadhae amma
Vilakkin thunai indri irulaanadhae
Uyirin oru paadhi pariponadhae amma
Thanimai nilaiyaanadhae
Amma amma nee enga amma
Unna vittaa enakkaaru amma
Naan pona pinnum nee vazha vendum
Endhan moochu unnakullum undu
Vaanengum vannam
Poovellaam vaasam
Naan vazhum ulagil dheivangal undu
Amma amma nee enga amma
Unna vittaa enakkaaru amma
Enga ponaalum naanum varuven
Kannaadi paaru naanum theriven
Thaayae uyir pirindhayae
Female :Kannae neyum enuyir thaanae
Male :Indru nee paadum paaattukku
Naan thoonga vennum
Female :Naan paadum thaalaattu nee thoonga
kadhoram endrendum ketkkum
Mother, mother, where are you, mother?
Who else do I have without you, mother?
I searched everywhere, but I cannot find you.
Why play hide-and-seek? Come out now!
Mother, mother, where are you, mother?
Who else do I have without you, mother?
Before I could even fall asleep,
You went to sleep forever.
Mother, what anger do you hold against me?
You are my precious eyes, my divine mother,
There is dust in my eye, come blow it away.
Day has turned into night, and I am terrified, mother.
Without the light of the lamp, it has grown so dark.
Half of my soul has been torn away, mother,
And loneliness has become permanent.
Mother, mother, where are you, mother?
Who else do I have without you, mother?
Even after I am gone, you must live on.
My breath still lives on inside you.
There are colors across the sky,
There is fragrance in every flower,
In the world where I now live, gods truly exist.
Mother, mother, where are you, mother?
Who else do I have without you, mother?
Wherever you go, I will be with you.
Look into the mirror, and you will see me.
Mother, your soul has parted from life.
Female: My darling child, aren't you my very life?
Male: To the song you sing today,
I want to fall asleep.
Female: The lullaby I sing for you to sleep
Will echo by your ears forever.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song depicts a son's devastating grief and overwhelming sense of loss following the sudden death of his mother. Struggling to come to terms with reality, he feels plunged into deep darkness and loneliness, longing for her maternal care and comfort. The dialogue-like structure bridges the earthly world and the spiritual realm, where the deceased mother responds with everlasting warmth, reassuring her son that her essence and love will forever live on through him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

“Amma amma nee enga amma”

The frantic repetition of 'Amma' emphasizes the protagonist's desperation, vulnerability, and deep emotional void.

Metaphor

“Pagalum iravaagi bayamanadhae amma”

Day turning into night symbolizes how grief instantly stripped away all joy, hope, and light from the son's life.

Imagery / Personification

“Kannaadi paaru naanum theriven”

The reflection in the mirror serves as a poignant visual metaphor showing that the mother's features and spirit live on within her child.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Anirudh Ravichander with lyrics written by Dhanush, this track features the legendary playback singer S. Janaki singing alongside Dhanush. It is particularly memorable as one of S. Janaki's final, iconic recording contributions in Tamil cinema before her complete retirement from playback singing.

Keep listening

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Annai Madiyil Kann Thirandhom1988
Kodi ParakuthuMotherhoodLoss
Petretuthu Peyarumittu1961
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Mazhai Yenave2024
Oru NodiGriefLoss

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