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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Amma Nee Engha Amma

From Velai Illa Pattadhaari · 2014

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
Dhanush, S. Janaki
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Velai Illa Pattadhaari2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Amma amma nee enga ammaMother, mother, where are you, mother?
Unna vittaa enakkaaru ammaWho else do I have besides you, mother?
Thedi paarthenae kaanom unnaI searched for you, but I couldn't find you.
Kanna moochi yen? vaa nee velilaWhy play hide and seek? Come outside!
Male
Amma amma nee enga ammaMother, mother, where are you, mother?
Unna vittaa enakkaaru ammaWho else do I have besides you, mother?
Male
Naan thoongum munnaeBefore I could go to sleep,
Nee thoongi ponaaiYou went to sleep forever.
Thaayae en mel unnakkenna kovamOh mother, why are you angry with me?
Kannana kannae en dheiva pennaeMy precious eyes, my divine woman,
Kannil dhoosi nee oodhavendumYou must blow away the dust in my eye.
Male
Pagalum iravaagi bayamanadhae ammaEven daytime has turned into night and become frightening, mother.
Vilakkin thunai indri irulaanadhaeWithout the support of light, everything has turned dark.
Uyirin oru paadhi pariponadhae ammaOne half of my soul has been stolen away, mother.
Thanimai nilaiyaanadhaeSolitude has now become permanent.
Male
Amma amma nee enga ammaMother, mother, where are you, mother?
Unna vittaa enakkaaru ammaWho else do I have besides you, mother?
Female
Naan pona pinnum nee vazha vendumEven after I am gone, you must live on.
Endhan moochu unnakullum unduMy breath still resides within you.
Vaanengum vannamColors all across the sky,
Poovellaam vaasamFragrance in all the flowers,
Naan vazhum ulagil dheivangal unduIn the world where I live, gods exist.
Male
Amma amma nee enga ammaMother, mother, where are you, mother?
Unna vittaa enakkaaru ammaWho else do I have besides you, mother?
Female
Enga ponaalum naanum varuvenWherever you go, I will follow.
Kannaadi paaru naanum therivenLook into the mirror, and you will see me.
Male
Thaayae uyir pirindhayaeOh mother, your life has departed.
Female :Kannae neyum enuyir thaanaeFemale: My dear child, you are my life too.
Male :Indru nee paadum paaattukkuMale: For the song you sing today,
Naan thoonga vennumI need to sleep.
Female :Naan paadum thaalaattu nee thoongaFemale: The lullaby I sing for you to sleep
kadhoram endrendum ketkkumWill echo near your ears forever.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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