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Isaimozhi
Karpooram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Venuma

From Karpooram · 1957

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
D. B. Ramachandran
Movie name
Karpooram
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
9 Sept 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Amma endraal paal tharuvaal
Akka endraal pazham tharuvaal
Paal venuma illai pazham venuma
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Amma endru sollum bothu aasai ponguthada
Amma endru sollum bothu aasai ponguthada
Summa kedacha sorgathilae manasum thulludhada
Summa kedacha sorgathilae manasum thulludhada
Amma endraal paalootta venum illaiyaa
Amma endraal paalootta venum illaiyaa
Andha paalukku naan engae poven sollada raaja
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Kattil ingae podavillai thottil podanum
Uluuuu….hai
Kattil ingae podavillai thottil podanum
Andha thottililae kann valara paattu paadanum
Haaa aa aaa
Kattil ingae podavillai thottil podanum
Andha thottililae kann valara paattu paadanum
Kann kottamal iravellam kavanikkavum vendum
Kann kottamal iravellam kavanikkavum vendum
Andha kittadha padhavikku naan poruthama raja
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Kanni pennai ammavakki sirikkiraaiyada
Kanni pennai ammavakki sirikkiraaiyada
Kallamilla punnagaiyil kalikkirenada
Kallamilla punnagaiyil kalikkirenada
Ennai unakku thandhu vitten chinna kannane
Ennai unakku thandhu vitten chinna kannane
Unnai ennaalumae kaathiduven inbamae raaja
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Amma endraal paal tharuvaal
Akka endraal pazham tharuvaal
Paal venuma illai pazham venuma
Amma venuma kanna akka venuma
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
A mother will give you milk,
An elder sister will give you fruit.
Do you want milk, or do you want fruit?
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
When you call me "Mother", love overflows in my heart!
When you call me "Mother", love overflows in my heart!
In this heaven found so unexpectedly, my heart dances with joy!
In this heaven found so unexpectedly, my heart dances with joy!
If I am a mother, I have to nurse you, don't I?
If I am a mother, I have to nurse you, don't I?
Where will I go for that milk? Tell me, my little prince!
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
I haven't laid a bed here, I must set up a cradle,
Oolooo… haai
I haven't laid a bed here, I must set up a cradle,
And sing a song to put you to sleep in that cradle.
Haa aa aa
I haven't laid a bed here, I must set up a cradle,
And sing a song to put you to sleep in that cradle.
I must watch over you all night without blinking an eye,
I must watch over you all night without blinking an eye,
Am I worthy of such a precious role, my little prince?
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
You made a young girl a mother and smile at me,
You made a young girl a mother and smile at me,
And I am filled with joy by your innocent smile!
And I am filled with joy by your innocent smile!
I have given myself completely to you, my little darling,
I have given myself completely to you, my little darling,
I will protect you forever, my sweet little prince!
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
A mother will give you milk,
An elder sister will give you fruit.
Do you want milk, or do you want fruit?
Do you want a mother, my darling, or an elder sister?
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender and playful expression of affection wherein a young woman interacts with a loved one, offering him the choice between motherly care and sisterly affection. She delights in the joy of being addressed with such pure warmth, comparing the sudden unearned happiness to a heaven granted effortlessly. She playfully reflects on the responsibilities of motherhood, such as rocking a cradle, singing lullabies, and staying vigilant through the night. Ultimately, she marvels at how innocent love transformed a young maiden into a maternal figure, and she vows to surrender her heart and protect him forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Paal venuma illai pazham venuma”

The speaker poses playful choices like whether the child wants a mother or sister, or milk vs. fruit, to highlight affectionate bonds.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Summa kedacha sorgathilae manasum thulludhada”

Comparing the sudden unearned joy of affection directly to 'heaven received for free'.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran Ani)

“Kattil ingae podavillai thottil podanum”

Contrasting the adult implication of a bed ('kattil') with the maternal role represented by a cradle ('thottil').

Alliteration (Monaai)

“Kanni pennai ammavakki sirikkiraaiyada”

Repetition of initial consonants ('ka') in 'Kanni', 'kallamilla', and 'kalikkirenada' creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This classic track from 'Karpooram' (1957) showcases the versatile early vocal style of L. R. Eswari, set to tunes composed by D. B. Ramachandran with lyrics written by V. Lakshmanan.

Keep listening

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