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Isaimozhi
Seeman Petra Selvangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Nee Illai Amaithi Illai

From Seeman Petra Selvangal · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Seeman Petra Selvangal
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Amaaa..aaa…..aa…amaaa
Ammaa nee illai amaidhi illai
Vazhvil amaidhi illai amaidhi illai
Ammaa nee illai amaidhi illai
Vazhvil amaidhi illai amaidhi illai
Anbum aasaiyum panbum paasamum
Anbum aasaiyum panbum paasamum
Nenjilae irundha podhum nimmadhi illai
Nimmadhi illai
Amaaa..aaa…..aa…amaaa
Thandhai adipathuvum
Thaaiyaar anaipadhuvum
Indha ulaginilae iyarkaiyin thathuvamaa
Thandhai adipathuvum
Thaaiyaar anaipadhuvum
Indha ulaginilae iyarkaiyin thathuvamaa
Thandhai veruthaalum..thaayae
Thandhai veruthaalum thaayae nee irundhaal
Annan pirivaaroo allal adaivaaroo
Annan pirivaaroo allal adaivaaroo
Ammaa nee illai amaidhi illai
Vazhvil amaidhi illai amaidhi illai
Amaaa..aaa…..aa…amaaa
Ah, mother... ah... ah, mother...
Mother, without you, there is no peace.
There is no peace in life, no peace at all.
Mother, without you, there is no peace.
There is no peace in life, no peace at all.
Love and longing, virtue and affection—
Love and longing, virtue and affection—
Even with all these in the heart, there is no peace of mind.
There is no peace of mind.
Ah, mother... ah... ah, mother...
A father striking in anger,
And a mother embracing with comfort,
Is this nature's truth in this world?
A father striking in anger,
And a mother embracing with comfort,
Is this nature's truth in this world?
Even if a father turns away... oh Mother,
Even if a father turns away, oh Mother, if only you were here,
Would my brother leave us? Would he suffer such sorrow?
Would my brother leave us? Would he suffer such sorrow?
Mother, without you, there is no peace.
There is no peace in life, no peace at all.
Ah, mother... ah... ah, mother...
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotional song expresses the irreplaceable role of a mother in maintaining peace and unity within a family. The speaker grieves the absence of her mother, noting that despite having love, virtue, and affection in one's heart, true tranquility remains elusive without maternal presence. The lyrics contrast the disciplining nature of a father with the soothing warmth of a mother, emphasizing how a mother acts as the vital anchor that prevents siblings from drifting apart or suffering distress.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Anbum aasaiyum panbum paasamum

Repetition of initial vocalic and consonantal sounds ('a' and 'p') to create rhythmic flow.

Antithesis

Thandhai adipathuvum / Thaaiyaar anaipadhuvum

Juxtaposition of contrasting parental actions (father's strict discipline versus mother's comforting embrace).

Rhetorical Question

Indha ulaginilae iyarkaiyin thathuvamaa

Posing a reflective question about family balance as an inherent rule of nature.

Anaphora / Repetition

Ammaa nee illai amaidhi illai / Vazhvil amaidhi illai amaidhi illai

Repetition of the refrain 'Amaidhi illai' (There is no peace) to intensify the emotional feeling of grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1962 Tamil film 'Seeman Petra Selvangal', this heart-touching melody composed by T. R. Pappa highlights P. Susheela's expressive vocals and A. Maruthakasi's poignant lyricism on maternal devotion.

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