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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Nee

From Anandha Kanneer · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Ramesh Srivastava, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Anandha Kanneer1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroShall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro
Male
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroShall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro
Male
Kaalai pozhudhaanadhum endrendrumAs every morning dawns, forever,
Kaadhil naan ketkum boopaalam neeyaeYou are the morning raga I hear in my ears
Female
Veettil vilakkaetriyae dheivathaiLighting the lamp at home and praying to God,
Vendum en nenjin aadhaaram neeyaeYou are the very foundation of my heart
Male
Innum siru pillai neeYou are still a young child
Engal kodi mullai neeYou are our delicate jasmine vine
Female
Naangal kondaada thaanFor us to celebrate,
Ambaal avadhaaram neeYou are an incarnation of Goddess Ambaal
Male
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Female :Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroFemale: Shall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Male :Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroMale: Shall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro
Male
Ezhai naanallavo anbai thaanAm I not a poor man? Yet love,
Kodi ponnaaga koduthaenae kannaeI gave as millions in gold, my dear child
Female
Vaazhai kandrallavo yaen ammaaAre you not a plantain shoot? Why then, my child,
Vaeru selvangal nee vandha pinnaeDo I need any other wealth after you arrived?
Male
Seethai neeyallavoAre you not Sita?
Janagan naanallavoAm I not King Janaka?
Female
Raaman yaar thaanammaaWho will be your Rama, my child?
Kaalam kai kaattumaaWill time show us in due course?
Male
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Female :Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroFemale: Shall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro
Ammaa nee vaazhga aayiram kaalamMother, may you live for a thousand years
Unnaal naan vaazhgirenBecause of you, I am living
Male :Meendum thaalaattavo aaro aaraariroMale: Shall I sing a lullaby again? Aaro Aaraariro

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional track from Anandha Kanneer (1986) expresses profound affection and deep familial bonding. The singer praises a beloved family member, wishing her a long life of a thousand years and attributing the purpose of their own life to her existence. The lyrics combine tender maternal lullabies with fatherly affection, equating the daughter/loved one to a gentle morning raga, a sweet jasmine creeper, and an incarnation of the divine mother Ambaal.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Rupakam)

Kaadhil naan ketkum boopaalam neeyae

Comparing the person directly to 'Boopaalam' (a morning raga that brings light and joy) and 'Kodi Mullai' (a delicate jasmine creeper).

Mythological Allusion (Puraana Kurippu)

Seethai neeyallavo Janagan naanallavo

References to Janaka and Sita from the epic Ramayana to signify a noble father-daughter bond, and referencing Goddess Ambaal for sacred purity.

End Rhyme / Iyaibu

Innum siru pillai nee / Engal kodi mullai nee

Repetition of the line-ending word 'nee' across consecutive lines to create a melodic and rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Anandha Kanneer (1986) is a celebrated Tamil family drama film directed by K. Vijayan, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Lakshmi, and Visu. The film's musical score was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by the veteran poet Pulamaipithan. The song highlights the emotional core of family dynamics that defined mid-1980s Tamil cinema.

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