Ammaanai
From Avan Oru Sarithiram · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Avan Oru Sarithiram1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai | Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one! |
| Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai | Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one! |
| Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer, |
| Thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking! |
| Female | |
| Nambiya penn oru thaaragai | The woman who trusted is a star, |
| Aval naadiya neeyoru vaanagam | You are the vast sky that she sought. |
| Nambiya penn oru thaaragai | The woman who trusted is a star, |
| Aval naadiya neeyoru vaanagam | You are the vast sky that she sought. |
| Vinnagam maariya podhilum | Even if the heavenly sky changes, |
| Indha pennagam maaruvadhillaiyae | This heart of a woman does not change! |
| Vinnagam maariya podhilum | Even if the heavenly sky changes, |
| Indha pennagam maaruvadhillaiyae | This heart of a woman does not change! |
| Female | |
| Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai | Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one! |
| Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer, |
| Thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking! |
| Male | |
| Paalinul marainthulla suvaiyena | Like the sweetness hidden within milk, |
| Vizhi palinginil maraindhathu un mugam | Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes. |
| Paalinul marainthulla suvaiyena | Like the sweetness hidden within milk, |
| Vizhi palinginil maraindhathu un mugam | Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes. |
| Aazhiyil maraindhulla maniyena unn | Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean, |
| Aasaiyil marainthullathennmanam | My heart is hidden within your desire. |
| Aazhiyil maraindhulla maniyena unn | Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean, |
| Aasaiyil marainthullathennmanam | My heart is hidden within your desire. |
| Female | |
| Kanniyin naalvagai saathiram | The four traditional virtues of a maiden, |
| Than kaadhalan kangalil maathiram | Are seen only within her lover's eyes. |
| Kanniyin naalvagai saathiram | The four traditional virtues of a maiden, |
| Than kaadhalan kangalil maathiram | Are seen only within her lover's eyes. |
| Unnidam thaan oru paathiram | Only with you lies the sacred vessel, |
| Adhil ootriya thaen mazhai un mugam | And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it. |
| Unnidam thaan oru paathiram | Only with you lies the sacred vessel, |
| Adhil ootriya thaen mazhai un mugam | And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it. |
| Female | |
| Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai | Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one! |
| Male :Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai | Male: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer, |
| Thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking! |
| Female | |
| Ponnira vandugal paadina | Golden-colored bees sang, |
| Avai poovenum methaiyil koodina | They gathered upon a bed made of flowers. |
| En iru kangaum thedina | My two eyes searched, |
| Avai yaekkathil unnidam oodina | They ran to you in deep longing. |
| Male | |
| Mangala sangugal azhaithana | Auspicious conches called out, |
| Iru mandhira mullaigal izhuthana | Two magical jasmine blossoms pulled us together. |
| Unnudan udal uyir kalanthana | Body and soul blended completely with you, |
| Ingu ondrumillai ini enakkena | Saying there is nothing left of me here anymore. |
| Male | |
| Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai | Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one! |
| Female :Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai | Female: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer, |
| Thedivarum perumaanai | The great lord who comes seeking! |
அம்மானை அழகும் மிகும் கண்மானை
அம்மானை அழகும் மிகும் கண்மானை
ஆடி வரும் பெண்மானை தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
The great lord who comes seeking!
நம்பிய பெண் ஒரு தாரகை
அவள் நாடிய நீ ஒரு வானகம்
நம்பிய பெண் ஒரு தாரகை
அவள் நாடிய நீ ஒரு வானகம்
விண்ணகம் மாறிய போதிலும்
இந்த பெண்ணகம் மாறுவதில்லையே
விண்ணகம் மாறிய போதிலும்
இந்த பெண்ணகம் மாறுவதில்லையே
The woman who trusted is a star,
You are the vast sky that she sought.
The woman who trusted is a star,
You are the vast sky that she sought.
Even if the heavenly sky changes,
This heart of a woman does not change!
Even if the heavenly sky changes,
This heart of a woman does not change!
அம்மானை அழகும் மிகும் கண்மானை
ஆடி வரும் பெண்மானை தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
The great lord who comes seeking!
பாலினுள் மறைந்துள்ள சுவையென
விழி பளிங்கினில் மறைந்தது உன் முகம்
பாலினுள் மறைந்துள்ள சுவையென
விழி பளிங்கினில் மறைந்தது உன் முகம்
ஆழியில் மறைந்துள்ள மணியென
உன் ஆசையில் மறைந்துள்ளதென் மனம்
ஆழியில் மறைந்துள்ள மணியென
உன் ஆசையில் மறைந்துள்ளதென் மனம்
Like the sweetness hidden within milk,
Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes.
Like the sweetness hidden within milk,
Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes.
Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean,
My heart is hidden within your desire.
Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean,
My heart is hidden within your desire.
கன்னியின் நால்வகை சாத்திரம்
தன் காதலன் கண்களில் மாத்திரம்
கன்னியின் நால்வகை சாத்திரம்
தன் காதலன் கண்களில் மாத்திரம்
உன்னிடம் நான் ஒரு பாத்திரம்
அதில் ஊற்றிய தேன்மழை உன்முகம்
உன்னிடம் நான் ஒரு பாத்திரம்
அதில் ஊற்றிய தேன்மழை உன்முகம்
The four traditional virtues of a maiden,
Are seen only within her lover's eyes.
The four traditional virtues of a maiden,
Are seen only within her lover's eyes.
Only with you lies the sacred vessel,
And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it.
Only with you lies the sacred vessel,
And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it.
அம்மானை அழகும் மிகும் கண்மானை
ஆடி வரும் பெண்மானை தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Male: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
The great lord who comes seeking!
பொன்னிற வண்டுகள் பாடின
அவை பூவெனும் மெத்தையில் கூடின
என்னிரு கண்களும் தேடின
அவை ஏக்கத்தில் உன்னிடம் ஓடின
Golden-colored bees sang,
They gathered upon a bed made of flowers.
My two eyes searched,
They ran to you in deep longing.
மங்கல சங்குகள் அழைத்தன
இரு மந்திர முல்லைகள் இழுத்தன
உன்னுடன் உடல் உயிர் கலந்தன
இங்கு ஒன்றுமில்லை இனி எனக்கென
Auspicious conches called out,
Two magical jasmine blossoms pulled us together.
Body and soul blended completely with you,
Saying there is nothing left of me here anymore.
அம்மானை அழகும் மிகும் கண்மானை
ஆடி வரும் பெண்மானை தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
தேடி வரும் பெருமானை
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Female: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
The great lord who comes seeking!
Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
Thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking!
Nambiya penn oru thaaragai
The woman who trusted is a star,
Aval naadiya neeyoru vaanagam
You are the vast sky that she sought.
Nambiya penn oru thaaragai
The woman who trusted is a star,
Aval naadiya neeyoru vaanagam
You are the vast sky that she sought.
Vinnagam maariya podhilum
Even if the heavenly sky changes,
Indha pennagam maaruvadhillaiyae
This heart of a woman does not change!
Vinnagam maariya podhilum
Even if the heavenly sky changes,
Indha pennagam maaruvadhillaiyae
This heart of a woman does not change!
Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
Thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking!
Paalinul marainthulla suvaiyena
Like the sweetness hidden within milk,
Vizhi palinginil maraindhathu un mugam
Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes.
Paalinul marainthulla suvaiyena
Like the sweetness hidden within milk,
Vizhi palinginil maraindhathu un mugam
Your face is hidden in the crystal mirror of my eyes.
Aazhiyil maraindhulla maniyena unn
Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean,
Aasaiyil marainthullathennmanam
My heart is hidden within your desire.
Aazhiyil maraindhulla maniyena unn
Like a gem hidden deep within the ocean,
Aasaiyil marainthullathennmanam
My heart is hidden within your desire.
Kanniyin naalvagai saathiram
The four traditional virtues of a maiden,
Than kaadhalan kangalil maathiram
Are seen only within her lover's eyes.
Kanniyin naalvagai saathiram
The four traditional virtues of a maiden,
Than kaadhalan kangalil maathiram
Are seen only within her lover's eyes.
Unnidam thaan oru paathiram
Only with you lies the sacred vessel,
Adhil ootriya thaen mazhai un mugam
And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it.
Unnidam thaan oru paathiram
Only with you lies the sacred vessel,
Adhil ootriya thaen mazhai un mugam
And your face is like the honeyed rain poured into it.
Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Male :Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai
Male: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
Thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking!
Ponnira vandugal paadina
Golden-colored bees sang,
Avai poovenum methaiyil koodina
They gathered upon a bed made of flowers.
En iru kangaum thedina
My two eyes searched,
Avai yaekkathil unnidam oodina
They ran to you in deep longing.
Mangala sangugal azhaithana
Auspicious conches called out,
Iru mandhira mullaigal izhuthana
Two magical jasmine blossoms pulled us together.
Unnudan udal uyir kalanthana
Body and soul blended completely with you,
Ingu ondrumillai ini enakkena
Saying there is nothing left of me here anymore.
Ammaanai azhagumigum kannmaanai
Oh play-ball song, the beautiful deer-eyed one!
Female :Aadivarum pennmaanai thedivarum perumaanai
Female: The great lord who comes seeking the dancing female deer,
Thedivarum perumaanai
The great lord who comes seeking!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ammaanai Azhagumigum Kannmaanai from the 1977 Tamil film Avan Oru Sarithiram is a classical romantic duet formatted around 'Ammaanai', an ancient Tamil literary and folk tradition where women sing verses while playing a game tossing wooden balls. Lyricist Kannadasan draws upon rich Tamil Sangam tropes, comparing the heroine to a delicate deer and a star inhabiting the expansive sky of her lover's heart. The song explores theme of absolute devotion, emphasizing that while the heavens may alter, true love remains steadfast and unyielding. The lyricism relies heavily on sensory metaphors—comparing love to hidden sweetness in milk, a jewel buried in the ocean floor, and honeyed rain filling a vessel. The song culminates in a grand imagery of physical and spiritual union, where two individuals merge until no separate identity remains, set to music by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Paalinul marainthulla suvaiyena”
Compares the face reflected in the eye to sweetness hidden inside milk using 'ena'.
Upamai (Simile)
“Aazhiyil maraindhulla maniyena unn”
Compares the heart immersed in desire to a precious gem hidden in the sea.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vinnagam maariya podhilum / Indha pennagam maaruvadhillaiyae”
Matching second consonants across lines ('nn' in Vinnagam and Pennagam).
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Nambiya penn oru thaaragai / Aval naadiya neeyoru vaanagam”
Directly metaphorizes the heroine as a star ('thaaragai') and her lover as the sky ('vaanagam').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ammaanai' refers to an ancient Tamil genre of poetry and a folk game played predominantly by women tossing polished wooden balls. Kannadasan cleverly adapted this classical Sangam literary form into modern film lyrics for Avan Oru Sarithiram (1977), starring Sivaji Ganesan, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan.
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