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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammaavendre Nee

From Panakkaari · 1953

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Panakkaari1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ammaa vendraeWhen calling out 'Mother',
Nee azhaikkum kuralilaeIn the very voice you use to call,
Petra annaiyilum sirandhaGreater even than the mother who gave birth,
Anbae pongudhaeLove overflows!
Female
Maanilammael undhanUpon this earth, your
Paal magizhvaai endrumMilk, joyfully forever,
Vaanjai kolvaaraePeople will cherish with deep affection,
Vaazhndhidu vaaraeAnd live long and prosper!
Maanilammael undhanUpon this earth, your
Paal magizhvaai endrumMilk, joyfully forever,
Vaanjai kolvaaraePeople will cherish with deep affection,
Vaazhndhidu vaaraeAnd live long and prosper!
Female
Thaenadhu polLike sweet honey,
Dhinam nee tharum paaladhanaalaeBecause of the milk you yield daily,
Thaenadhu polLike sweet honey,
Dhinam nee tharum paaladhanaalaeBecause of the milk you yield daily,
Seeva amudha gnjaanamThe vital nectar of true wisdom,
Peruga seivadhanaalaeBecause it causes to swell and multiply,
Seeva amudha gnjaanamThe vital nectar of true wisdom,
Peruga seivadhanaalaeBecause it causes to swell and multiply,
Nalamaevum selvam yaavumAll forms of wealth bringing well-being,
Kulavummigamenmaelae…ae….Will flourish abundantly upon us...
Female
Maanilammael undhanUpon this earth, your
Paal magizhvaai endrumMilk, joyfully forever,
Vaanjai kolvaaraePeople will cherish with deep affection,
Vaazhndhidu vaaraeAnd live long and prosper!
Female
Azhaghaana maadappuraavaeO beautiful dove,
Anbae neeyaeYou are love personified,
Aanandha maai vaanilJoyously into the high sky,
Parandhu selvaayaeYou fly away!
Adhai thodarndhaeFollowing after that,
Nalvanna puraavaeO vibrant, colorful dove,
Nee sellaFor you to go,
Adhai thodarndhaeFollowing after that,
Nalvanna puraavaeO vibrant, colorful dove,
Nee sella aasai kondaayoDid you desire to go,
PaasathinaalaeOut of pure affection?
Aasai kondaayo paasathinaalaeDid you desire out of pure affection?
Aasai kondaayo paasathinaalaeDid you desire out of pure affection?
Andhi pozhudhaagum munnaeBefore dusk descends,
Adhu vandhu saerum unnodaeIt will return to unite with you.
Udan aadippaadi sodiyaagaTogether singing and dancing as a pair,
Magizhndhidalaam pin adhanodaeYou can rejoice with it thereafter!
Female
Maanilammael undhanUpon this earth, your
Paal magizhvaai endrumMilk, joyfully forever,
Vaanjai kolvaaraePeople will cherish with deep affection,
Vaazhndhidu vaaraeAnd live long and prosper!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender lyrical expresson praising maternal affection, nurture, and nature. It begins by comparing the pure, nourishing milk given with love to maternal affection itself, noting how it nurtures both bodily strength and heavenly wisdom ('Seeva amudha gnjaanam'). The lyrics invoke imagery of cows/maternal giving as well as gentle birds ('maadappuraa' or roosting doves), celebrating companionship, harmony with nature, and the joy of divine blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile)

Thaenadhu pol

Compares the daily milk given to sweet honey ('Thaenadhu pol / Dhinam nee tharum paaladhanaalae').

Metaphor (Rupaka)

Seeva amudha gnjaanam

Metaphorically compares knowledge/wisdom gained to life-giving divine nectar ('Seeva amudha gnjaanam').

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Maanilammael undhan / Vaanjai kolvaarae

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'Maanilammael' and 'Vaanjai kolvaarae' / 'Vaazhndhidu vaarae' across lyrical couplets.

Anaphora / Repetition

Aasai kondaayo paasathinaalae

Repetition of the line 'Aasai kondaayo paasathinaalae' emphasizes deep emotional longing and affectionate desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

Panakkaari (1953) starred M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi. The lyrics were penned by the famed Classical Carnatic composer and lyricist Papanasam Sivan, who frequently infused classical imagery and spiritual purity into early Tamil cinema songs.

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