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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Irukka Amma Irukka

From Amma Irukka · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vivek Sarathy
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Amma Irukka1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaaikkellaam thaayaagi thayai puriyum thayaveOh embodiment of mercy, who becomes mother to all mothers and grants grace
Thaayattra saeikkellaam thunai nirkkumStanding as support to all motherless children
Sezhungarunai porulaeOh treasure of abundant grace
Pasiththazhutha vaaikkellaam amuthoottiFeeding nectar to all mouths that cry in hunger
Vaazhvikkum aramaeOh righteousness that gives life
Anbe…..arulae….ammaavae….thaal pottriLove... grace... mother... praise be to your feet
Male
Nekku amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
Nekku amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
En amma ippo ambaalaavaeMy mother has now become the Goddess Ambal
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Male
Amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
En amma ippo ambaalaavaeMy mother has now become the Goddess Ambal
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Male
Ava nekku maaththiram amma illaShe is not just a mother to me
Nokkum koodaththaan ammaavaaShe is a mother to you as well
Ava nekku maaththiram amma illaShe is not just a mother to me
Nokkum koodaththaan ammaavaaShe is a mother to you as well
Enna peththa amma seththu poyittathaaSaying that the mother who gave birth to me died
Soldraalaae adhu summaavaaAre they saying that casually without reason?
Male
Amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
En amma ippo ambaalaavaeMy mother has now become the Goddess Ambal
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Male
Pattaamaniyum kittaa mamaPattamani uncle and Kittu uncle
Engitta sollungoPlease tell me
Kadaikku poganumaaDo I need to go to the shop?
Pattanam podiyaa pottalam paakkaaSnuff powder, betel leaf packet
Panneer puaiyila varuval seevalaaRosewater tobacco, roasted betel nut slices
Enna venum sollunoTell me what you need
Male
Pattaamaniyum kittaa mamaPattamani uncle and Kittu uncle
Engitta sollungoPlease tell me
Kadaikku poganumaaDo I need to go to the shop?
Pattaamaniyum kittaa mamaPattamani uncle and Kittu uncle
Engitta sollungoPlease tell me
Kadaikku poganumaaDo I need to go to the shop?
Male
Enna sonnaalum ketpaen paarungoLook, I will listen to whatever you say
Pasikkarachchae mattum saatham podungoJust give me food when I am hungry
Nekku pasikkarachchae mattum saatham podungoJust serve me food when I am hungry
Male
Paravaayillaiyae thaayillaa pullainaalumNot bad, even though you are a motherless child
Nee vaayilla pullai illaidaa pozhaichchuppoYou are not a helpless child, go ahead and survive
Yaaru mama sonnathu nekku amma irukkaaWho said that uncle? I do have a mother
Male
Amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
En amma ippo ambaalaavaeMy mother has now become the Goddess Ambal
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaaIs she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?
Male
Illaiyendru sonnathingae yaaradaaWho here said that she does not exist?
Amma illaiyendru sonnathingae yaaradaaWho here said that mother does not exist?
En thaayai antha koyilukkul paaradaaLook at my mother inside that temple
Illaiyendru sonnathingae yaaradaaWho here said that she does not exist?
Amma illaiyendru sonnathingae yaaradaaWho here said that mother does not exist?
Male
Anbu seiyyum ammaiThe loving mother
Aval angiruppathu unmaiIt is true that she is present there
Pillaiyendru ennaiTreating me as her child
Aval konjugindra annaiShe is the mother who dotes on me
Ada moodaa puththi kedaaHey fool, wicked-minded one
Angu podaa kandu vaadaaGo there and see for yourself
Moodaa kedaa podaa vaadaaFoolish, wicked, go and come back
Male
Padavaa rascal ennai kindalaa pannuraYou scoundrel, rascal, are you mocking me?
Mannichchunga mamaForgive me, uncle
Naadagaththula nee paadara mathiriyaeJust like you sing in the play
Naanum paadi kaamichaenI also sang and demonstrated
Male :Adhaanae paaththaenMale: That's what I thought
Male
Amma irukkaa amma irukkaaI have a mother, I have a mother
Kurukkal mama sollittaalaeThe priest uncle told me so
En amma ippo ambaalaavaeMy mother has now become the Goddess Ambal
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaa….Is she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?...
Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaa….Is she standing inside the sanctum sanctorum?...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional and dramatic song depicts an innocent, motherless boy who finds solace in the belief that his deceased mother has ascended to become the divine Goddess Ambal residing within the temple's sanctum sanctorum. The priest ('Kurukkal Mama') has given him this comforting thought, which the boy clings to with deep conviction and childlike innocence. Throughout the song, he offers to run errands for the village elders in exchange for basic food when hungry, while fiercely defending the belief that his mother lives on as the universal Goddess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaaikkellaam thaayaagi thayai puriyum thayave

The repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sounds ('Tha') across consecutive words in the opening invocation creates a classical rhythmic structure.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Amma irukkaa amma irukkaa

The phrase 'Amma irukkaa' (Mother is there) is repeated continually to reinforce the boy's unwavering belief and emotional security.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kurukkal mama sollittaalae ... Sannathikkullae nikkiraalaa

The matching end sounds in 'sollittaalae' and 'nikkiraalaa' build a melodious and conversational flow throughout the verses.

Dialectal Register (Brahmin Tamil Slang)

Ava nekku maaththiram amma illa / Nokkum koodaththaan ammaavaa

Lyricist Vaali uses authentic regional/community dialect words like 'Nekku' (to me), 'Nokkum' (to you), 'Pattaamani', and 'Kurukkal' to ground the character authentically.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali was renowned for seamlessly weaving authentic Tamil Brahmin dialect into song lyrics when required by the story context. This song showcases a conversational dialogue-style structure blending child-like innocence, devotional fervor, and dramatic play-acting.

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