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Lyrics & meaning

Amma Thulasi Unmaiyin

From Naan Valartha Thangai · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Pondiyala Srinivasan
Details
Naan Valartha Thangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Anaithum unadharulammaEverything is your grace, oh Mother
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Anaithum unadharulammaEverything is your grace, oh Mother
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Female
Akilamum neeyae aadhiyum neeyaeYou are the universe, and you are the origin
Aandarulvaaye anbennum thaayaeRule and bless us, oh Mother who is love itself
Nadhimum en vaazhvil nilaiyaana thaayaeEver-constant Mother in my life, always
Ninaivilum kanavilum neeye thunaiIn my waking thoughts and dreams, you are my sole support
Female
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Anaithum unadharulammaEverything is your grace, oh Mother
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Female
Maanamum penmaiyum kula panbum pongaMay honor, womanhood, and family virtues overflow
Thaen mozhi selvanai thaalatti konjaTo lullaby and cherish the sweet-spoken child
Maanamum penmaiyum kula panbum pongaMay honor, womanhood, and family virtues overflow
Thaen mozhi selvanai thaalatti konjaTo lullaby and cherish the sweet-spoken child
Mangala naanum manjalum vaazhaMay the auspicious sacred thread and turmeric flourish
Manairul neengi magindhendrum vaazhaMay the darkness of the home vanish, living in joy forever
Mangala naanum manjalum vaazhaMay the auspicious sacred thread and turmeric flourish
Manairul neengi magindhendrum vaazhaMay the darkness of the home vanish, living in joy forever
Vazhi purivaai jothi neeyae thunai….Show us the path, oh divine light, you are our refuge
Female
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Anaithum unadharulammaEverything is your grace, oh Mother
Amma thulasi unmaiyin arasiMother Tulsi, queen of truth
Anaithum unadharulammaEverything is your grace, oh Mother
Amma thulasi ……Mother Tulsi...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1958 movie 'Naan Valartha Thangai' is a traditional prayer addressed to Goddess Tulsi (the sacred basil plant). The singer worships Her as the embodiment of truth, the supreme mother, and the ruler of the cosmos. She seeks Tulsi's eternal guidance and protection in both waking life and dreams. The verse goes on to pray for the abundance of feminine virtues, family honor, marital happiness (symbolized by the mangala sutra and turmeric), and the prosperity of her child. The singer asks the Goddess to dispel the darkness of ignorance in her household and lead her family toward joy and enlightenment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Akilamum neeyae aadhiyum neeyae

The repetition of the word 'neeyae' at the end of adjacent phrases creates a soothing musical rhythm.

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Aandarulvaaye anbennum thaayae

Comparing the Goddess directly to love itself ('anbennum thaayae') and calling her the queen of truth ('unmaiyin arasi').

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Mangala naanum manjalum vaazha

The repetition of the starting 'Ma' sound across words creates melodic harmony.

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Trivia

The song is composed by the veteran Telugu/Tamil music director Pendyala Nageswara Rao (credited in Tamil as Pondiyala Srinivasan). Written by the celebrated poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this track is an example of his ability to craft deeply traditional devotional lyrics alongside his famous socialist reformist songs.

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