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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Enbathu Tamizh

From Teacheramma · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Teacheramma1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ammaa….aaa…..aa…..aa…..Mother... ah...
Ammaa….aaMother... ah...
Female
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.
Female
Ammaa illaadha kuzhandhaigatkumEven for children who do not have a mother,
Aandavan vazhangum arul vaarthaiIt is a word of grace granted by God.
Ammaa illaadha kuzhandhaigatkumEven for children who do not have a mother,
Aandavan vazhangum arul vaarthaiIt is a word of grace granted by God.
Female
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.
Female
Kavalaiyil varuvadhum ammaa ammaaThe word uttered in times of worry is 'Amma, Amma',
Karunaiyil varuvadhum ammaa ammaaThe word uttered in times of grace is 'Amma, Amma'.
Thavaru seidhaalum mannippukaagaEven if one commits a mistake, for forgiveness,
Dharumathai azhaipadhum ammaa ammaaCalling upon divine virtue itself is 'Amma, Amma'.
Female
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.
Female
Bhoomiyin peyarum ammaa ammaaThe name given to the Earth is 'Amma, Amma',
Punniya nadhiyum ammaa ammaaThe sacred river is also called 'Amma, Amma'.
Thaai mozhi endrum thaayagam endrumDescribing as mother tongue and motherland,
Dhaarani azhaippadhum ammaa ammaaWhat the entire world calls upon is 'Amma, Amma'.
Female
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.
Female
Ammaa irundhaal paal tharuvaalIf a mother is present, she will give milk,
Avaladhu anbai yaar tharuvaarBut who can ever give love like hers?
Ammaa irundhaal paal tharuvaalIf a mother is present, she will give milk,
Avaladhu anbai yaar tharuvaarBut who can ever give love like hers?
Female
Anaadhai ennum kodumaiayi theerkaTo eradicate the cruelty of being an orphan,
Aandavan vadivil aval varuvaalShe comes to us in the very form of God.
Aandavan vadivil aval varuvaalShe comes to us in the very form of God.
Female
Ammaa enbadhu thamizh vaarthai'Amma' (Mother) is a Tamil word,
Adhudhaan kuzhandhaiyin mudhal vaarthaiAnd it is the very first word spoken by a child.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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