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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Ammamma

From Naagam · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Naagam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………..Oh mother, oh mother, I cannot bear this!
Female
Amma ammamma thaangaathammaOh father, oh father, I cannot sleep!
Appa appappa thoongaathammaWhat can I, a young girl, do?
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaenThe cold of Margazhi month makes this tender leaf wither, oh mother!
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru ammaOh mother, oh mother, I cannot bear this!
Female
Amma ammamma thaangaathammaOh father, oh father, I cannot sleep!
Appa appappa thoongaathammaWhat can I, a young girl, do?
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaenThe cold of Margazhi month makes this tender leaf wither, oh mother!
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru ammaAm I a mango tree parrot or a lotus vine?
Female
Mamara kiliaa thaamara kodiyaaLook at how I have grown up!
Valarnthaen paaru naanthaanI am a bangled deer!
Valaiyal potta maanthaanThoughts of a groom have been born in my heart,
Maappilla nenappu manasula poranthuAs longing plagues me, intoxicating the darkness,
Yaekkam pudichchu vaatta iruttil bodhai oottaEven the cool moon feels like fire to me!
Nilavum enakku neruppaa IrukkuOh mother, oh mother, oh father, oh father!
Amma ammamma appa appappaOh mother, oh mother, I cannot bear this!
Female
Amma ammamma thaangaathammaOh father, oh father, I cannot sleep!
Appa appappa thoongaathammaWhat can I, a young girl, do?
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaenThe cold of Margazhi month makes this tender leaf wither, oh mother!
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru ammaThis girl smiling gracefully is of Menaka's celestial lineage,
Female
Punnagai puriyum menagai inamthaanA girl dancing right in front, with eyes that speak in riddles!
Edhirae aadum ponnu pudhiraa pesum kannuYouthful pride, ha ha, who possesses it?
Vaalipa murukku ha haa yaarukku irukkuIf you have it, dance along and step to the rhythm with your waist!
Irunthaa kooda aadu idaiyil thaalam poduIf I dance alone, it boils like live embers!
Thaniyaa kuthichchaa thanalaa kodhikkumOh mother, oh mother, oh father, oh father!
Amma ammamma appa appappaOh mother, oh mother, I cannot bear this!
Female
Amma ammamma thaangaathammaOh father, oh father, I cannot sleep!
Appa appappa thoongaathammaWhat can I, a young girl, do?
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaenThe cold of Margazhi month makes this tender leaf wither, oh mother... mother... mother...
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma…amma…amma….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song from Naagam (1985) captures the romantic restlessness and youthful awakening of a young woman during the chilly winter month of Margazhi. Unable to sleep as romantic desires stir in her heart, she laments playfully to her parents about how the cold weather and her solitude make even the soothing moonlight feel like burning fire. She compares her beauty and grace to celestial maidens and tender vines, expressing a playful urge to dance and find companionship to dispel the chilly solitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Valaiyal potta maanthaan

Compares the girl to a bangled deer ('Valaiyal potta maanthaan') and a tender leaf ('thaliru').

Oxymoron / Contrast

Nilavum enakku neruppaa Irukku

Contrasts the inherently cool moon ('Nilavu') with fire ('neruppu') to emphasize her inner turmoil and heat of desire.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma

Matching end sounds with 'kuliru' and 'thaliru' adding a rhythmic melodic flow.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Mamara kiliaa thaamara kodiyaa

Repetition of the 'M' sound in 'Mamara' and 'thaamara' creating poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naagam (1985) featured music by the famed duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by Vaali. S. P. Sailaja's energetic vocal rendition effectively conveyed the youthful playfulness and sensual mood of the composition.

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