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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Enbathu Tamizh

From Teacheramma · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Teacheramma
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ammaa….aaa…..aa…..aa…..
Ammaa….aa
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Ammaa illaadha kuzhandhaigatkum
Aandavan vazhangum arul vaarthai
Ammaa illaadha kuzhandhaigatkum
Aandavan vazhangum arul vaarthai
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Kavalaiyil varuvadhum ammaa ammaa
Karunaiyil varuvadhum ammaa ammaa
Thavaru seidhaalum mannippukaaga
Dharumathai azhaipadhum ammaa ammaa
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Bhoomiyin peyarum ammaa ammaa
Punniya nadhiyum ammaa ammaa
Thaai mozhi endrum thaayagam endrum
Dhaarani azhaippadhum ammaa ammaa
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Ammaa irundhaal paal tharuvaal
Avaladhu anbai yaar tharuvaar
Ammaa irundhaal paal tharuvaal
Avaladhu anbai yaar tharuvaar
Anaadhai ennum kodumaiayi theerka
Aandavan vadivil aval varuvaal
Aandavan vadivil aval varuvaal
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai
Mother... Ah... ah... ah...
Mother... Ah...
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
Even for children who have no mother,
It is a word of grace given by God.
Even for children who have no mother,
It is a word of grace given by God.
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
In times of sorrow, what we cry out is 'Amma, Amma',
In moments of mercy, what we whisper is 'Amma, Amma'.
Even after doing wrong, to ask for forgiveness,
The goodness we call upon is 'Amma, Amma'.
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
The earth itself is called Mother,
The holy river too is called Mother.
As mother tongue and as motherland,
The world addresses them as Mother.
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
If a mother is there, she gives her milk,
Yet who else can give the love she gives?
If a mother is there, she gives her milk,
Yet who else can give the love she gives?
To erase the cruelty of being an orphan,
She arrives in the form of God.
She arrives in the form of God.
'Amma' is a Tamil word,
And it is a child's very first word.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from the 1968 Tamil movie Teacheramma is a touching homage to the sacred concept of motherhood. Lyricist Kannadasan elevates the simple Tamil word 'Amma' (Mother) into a universal symbol of divine grace, comfort, and ultimate love, reminding us that it is the very first syllable articulated by an infant.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain

“Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai”

The lines 'Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai / Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthai' repeat throughout as a central chorus theme.

Epiphora (Edbukani / Repetition)

“Kavalaiyil varuvadhum ammaa ammaa”

Ending consecutive lines with the phrase 'ammaa ammaa' creates rhythmic emphasis and lyrical beauty.

Metaphor

“Bhoomiyin peyarum ammaa ammaa”

The song directly equates Mother to Earth ('Bhoomi'), holy rivers, mother tongue, motherland, and God.

Moni / Initial Rhyme (Moonaai)

“Anaadhai ennum kodumaiayi theerka”

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('A') in lines like 'Ammaa', 'Aandavan', and 'Anaadhai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic poet Kannadasan, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous lyrical tributes to mothers. The film 'Teacheramma' (1968) starred Jaishankar and C. R. Vijayakumari.

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From the same album

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View album
Soodikoduthaval Naan Thozhi1968
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