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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Ammamma

From Naagam · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Naagam
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
20 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………..
Amma ammamma thaangaathamma
Appa appappa thoongaathamma
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaen
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma
Amma ammamma thaangaathamma
Appa appappa thoongaathamma
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaen
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma
Mamara kiliaa thaamara kodiyaa
Valarnthaen paaru naanthaan
Valaiyal potta maanthaan
Maappilla nenappu manasula poranthu
Yaekkam pudichchu vaatta iruttil bodhai ootta
Nilavum enakku neruppaa Irukku
Amma ammamma appa appappa
Amma ammamma thaangaathamma
Appa appappa thoongaathamma
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaen
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma
Punnagai puriyum menagai inamthaan
Edhirae aadum ponnu pudhiraa pesum kannu
Vaalipa murukku ha haa yaarukku irukku
Irunthaa kooda aadu idaiyil thaalam podu
Thaniyaa kuthichchaa thanalaa kodhikkum
Amma ammamma appa appappa
Amma ammamma thaangaathamma
Appa appappa thoongaathamma
Chinna ponnu naan enna pannuvaen
Margazhi kuliru vaaduthu thaliru amma…amma…amma….
...
Oh mother, oh my, I cannot bear this!
Oh father, oh goodness, I cannot sleep!
What can I do, a young girl like me?
In this Margazhi (winter) chill, this tender shoot is wilting, oh mother...
Oh mother, oh my, I cannot bear this!
Oh father, oh goodness, I cannot sleep!
What can I do, a young girl like me?
In this Margazhi (winter) chill, this tender shoot is wilting, oh mother...
Like a parrot on a mango tree, like a lotus vine,
Look at me, see how I have grown!
A doe adorned with bangles!
Thoughts of a bridegroom have blossomed in my heart,
Longing torments me, intoxicating me in the dark,
Even the cool moon feels like fire to me...
Oh mother, oh my! Oh father, oh goodness!
Oh mother, oh my, I cannot bear this!
Oh father, oh goodness, I cannot sleep!
What can I do, a young girl like me?
In this Margazhi (winter) chill, this tender shoot is wilting, oh mother...
I belong to the smiling kind like Menaka (the celestial dancer),
A girl dancing before you, her eyes speaking in riddles!
Who has the fiery pride of youth? Ha ha!
If you have it, dance with me and match the rhythm with your waist!
If I dance all alone, my body boils like glowing embers!
Oh mother, oh my! Oh father, oh goodness...
Oh mother, oh my, I cannot bear this!
Oh father, oh goodness, I cannot sleep!
What can I do, a young girl like me?
In this Margazhi (winter) chill, this tender shoot is wilting, oh mother... mother... mother...
Female
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Female
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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