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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Nee Kalankathe

From Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam · 1955

Lyricist
K. V. Srinivasan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music directors
A. Rama Rao, Hemant Kumar
Details
Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Amma aa nee kalangaadhaeMother, oh do not be distressed
Amma aa..nee thayangaadhaeMother, oh do not hesitate
Kanavanae kan kanda dheivam yenaHonoring husband as the visible god
MadhithaayaeYou respected him
Amma aaa neeyallavo pen dheivamMother, aren't you the divine goddess among women
Male
Bharadha naattirkku perumaiBringing pride to the land of Bharath
Azhithidum anikalan penkulamae..ae..Womanhood is the ornament that bestows honor
Anikalan penkulamae…ae…Womanhood is the ornament
Bharadha naattirkku perumaiBringing pride to the land of Bharath
Azhithidum anikalan penkulamae..ae..Womanhood is the ornament that bestows honor
Anikalan penkulamae…ae…Womanhood is the ornament
Male
Veeramadaivarae thunbathilumShe attains heroism even in suffering
Veeramadaivarae thunbathilumShe attains heroism even in suffering
Uyar ganniyamum perum punniyamumHigh dignity and supreme virtue
Thanniyalbaai kolvaalShe naturally possesses
Vazhvinai maghizha vaippaalShe makes life joyful
Male
Kaanagamae inba veedenaConsidering the forest as a blissful home
Nizhal polaeLike a shadow
Kaanagamae inba veedenaConsidering the forest as a blissful home
Nizhal polaeLike a shadow
Janaki pin thodarndhaal pathiyudanJanaki followed her husband
Janaki pin thodarndhaalJanaki followed
Male
Kanavan panividaiyilIn service to her husband
ManipaniyaadaigalGems and fine garments
Kanavan panividaiyilIn service to her husband
ManipaniyaadaigalGems and fine garments
Thurumbaai karudhum madandhai dheivamThe divine woman considers them as mere straw
Male
Kadavularum karpudaiya mangaiyargalEven the gods await the command
Aanaikku kaathiruppaarOf virtuous chaste women
Kadavularum karpudaiya mangaiyargalEven the gods await the command
Aanaikku kaathiruppaarOf virtuous chaste women
Aval dheivam thozhaalShe does not worship God
Thozhunar thozhudhezhuvaalWorshipping her husband, she rises
Aval dheivam thozhaalShe does not worship God
Thozhunar thozhudhezhuvaalWorshipping her husband, she rises
Peiyena peiyum mazhaiIf she commands rain to fall, rain falls
Peiyena peiyum mazhaiIf she commands rain to fall, rain falls
Male
Thannalam siridhum karudhaalWithout considering any self-interest
Udal porul thyaagamae uru kondaalShe embodies the sacrifice of body and wealth
Thannalam siridhum karudhaalWithout considering any self-interest
Udal porul thyaagamae uru kondaalShe embodies the sacrifice of body and wealth
Thuyar ethanai varinumNo matter how much sorrow comes
Boomi polae thaanumJust like the patient Earth
Mana urudhiyum kondaalShe possesses strength of mind
Male
Punnagai in sollumA smile and sweet words
Porppaniyaai anindhuAdorning them like golden ornaments
Punnagai in sollumA smile and sweet words
Porppaniyaai anindhuAdorning them like golden ornaments
Anbae uru kondaal dheivaShe took the form of divine love
Anbae uru kondaalShe took the form of divine love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song extols the noble virtues, inner strength, and divine sanctity attributed to ideal womanhood in traditional Tamil culture. It portrays a devout wife as an ornament to the nation, whose selflessness, grace, and dignity remain unshaken even amidst adversity and sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)

Aval dheivam thozhaal / Thozhunar thozhudhezhuvaal

Lines 32-37 directly paraphrase Thirukkural 55 ('Dheivam thozhaal thozhunar thozhudhezhuvaal peiyena peiyum mazhai'), asserting that a chaste wife's devotion to her spouse holds power even over natural elements like rain.

Simile (Upamai)

Boomi polae thaanum

Compares a woman's capacity for endurance and forbearance to Mother Earth ('Boomi polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Porppaniyaai anindhu

Presents sweet speech and a pleasant smile metaphorically as golden ornaments worn by the woman.

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Trivia

The song title and lyrics heavily draw upon Thirukkural couplets regarding 'Karpudaimai' (chastity and virtue). The 1955 film 'Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam', starring Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi, was a major box-office hit known for its devotional and moral themes.

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