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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Sonnathu Polave

From Chella Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Kumaradevan
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
B. A. Chidambaranathan
Details
Chella Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Amma sonnadhu polvaeJust as mother said,
Appa sonnangaFather spoke.
Enga appa sonnadhu polavaeJust as our father said,
Amma sonnangaMother spoke.
Amma sonnadhu polvaeJust as mother said,
Appa sonnangaFather spoke.
Enga appa sonnadhu polavaeJust as our father said,
Amma sonnangaMother spoke.
Female
Avanga sonna maadhiriyae ivangairukangaThese people are just as those people described.
Avanga sonna maadhiriyaeJust as they said,
ivangairukangathese people are here.
Aalukkoru pakkamaaga thavam irukkaangaThey are sitting quietly apart, like doing penance on each side.
Female
Amma sonnadhu polvaeJust as mother said,
Appa sonnangaFather spoke.
Enga appa sonnangaOur father spoke.
Female
Mamaa kooda doova doovaHaving a childish rift with uncle,
Maami moonji nallaalaeAunt's face does not look pleased.
Onnukku rendu muttaai thandhaIf given two candies instead of one,
Odivara thannalaeShe comes running on her own.
Maami ponnukku podavaiyillaeAunt's daughter does not have a saree,
Markettuku poyi vaangaGo to the market and buy one.
Maappillai ponnu jodiya poyiGo together as groom and bride,
Ellaam vaangikittu vaangaAnd buy everything you need.
Female
Amma sonnadhu polvaeJust as mother said,
Appa sonnangaFather spoke.
Enga appa sonnagaOur father spoke.
Female
Chinna bazar cinema beachChinna Bazaar, cinema, and the beach,
Jolliyaaga poyi vaangaGo and enjoy cheerfully.
Chinna bazar cinema beachChinna Bazaar, cinema, and the beach,
Jolliyaaga poyi vaangaGo and enjoy cheerfully.
Panamillaenaa naan tharenIf you don't have money, I will give you,
Pathu kaasu indhaangaHere, take ten paise.
Panamillaenaa naan tharenIf you don't have money, I will give you,
Pathu kaasu indhaangaHere, take ten paise.
Female
Enga veettu thottilai polaeLike the cradle at our home,
Yen maama podalaWhy hasn't uncle put up one?
Unga paapa eppo varuvaaWhen is your baby coming?
Enakku konjam sollungaPlease tell me a little bit.
Female
Amma sonnadhu polvaeJust as mother said,
Appa sonnangaFather spoke.
Enga appa sonnadhu polavaeJust as our father said,
Amma sonnangaMother spoke.
Female
Avanga sonna maadhiriyae ivangairukangaThese people are just as those people described.
Aalukkoru pakkamaaga thavam irukkaangaThey are sitting quietly apart, like doing penance on each side.
Thavam irukkaanga thavam irukkaangaDoing penance, doing penance.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song from the 1969 film 'Chella Penn' captures a child's innocent observation of family dynamics. Sung from a child's perspective, the song highlights how the aunt and uncle act exactly as the child's parents described them. The child lightheartedly points out the small quarrels between relatives, bribing them with sweets, and encouraging them to go shopping at Chinna Bazaar, visit the beach, and watch movies together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Amma sonnadhu polvae / Appa sonnanga

The repeated phrase 'Amma sonnadhu polvae / Appa sonnanga' creates a rhythmic, sing-song structure characteristic of children's songs in Tamil cinema.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Panamillaenaa naan tharen / Pathu kaasu indhaanga

Matching initial consonant 'P' sound in 'Panamillaenaa' and 'Pathu kaasu' creates melodic cohesion.

Colloquial Onomatopoeia

Mamaa kooda doova doova

The phrase 'doova doova' is child slang used in Tamil culture to represent a playful quarrel or sulking state between family members.

Did you know?

Trivia

Singing icon M. S. Rajeswari was the go-to playback singer for child characters in classic Tamil cinema due to her natural ability to emulate a young child's pitch and expression. This track composed by B. A. Chidambaranathan remains a classic example of late 1960s domestic comedic tracks.

Keep listening

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