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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammadi Aathavittu Vellam

From Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
21 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………….
Ammaadi……….aaththavittu vellam poguthu
Kaadu vayal paayaama kadalukkum seraamaa
Kandapadi engo oduthu
Ammaadi……….aaththavittu vellam poguthu
Kaadu vayal paayaama kadalukkum seraamaa
Kandapadi engo oduthu
Poongodi onnu paaradi kanu
Poovumilla oru pinjumilla
Veenaiyum undu viralgalum undu
Meettavilla oru paattum illa
Pottathu mullai velanjuthu tholla
Idhuthaan ulagam keladiyo
Kannammaa…vaazhkkaikenna arththam kooradi
Vaayiruthum illaama vaarththai yaedhum sollaama
Oomai kanda kanavu aachchudi
……………….
Senjathu thiyaagam saernthathu paavam
Sodhanaiyo enna vedhanaiyo
Thoranam aada oorvalam poga
Paaththirunthaal manam pooththirunthaal
Nettriya inbam indraiya thunbam
Edhuthaan nadakkum naalai ingae
Ellaamae….onnukkonnu ettaa dhooramaa
Vaazha maram vachchaanaa
Thottaminnu sonnaal podhumaa
Ammaadi……….aaththavittu vellam poguthu
Kaadu vayal paayaama kadalukkum seraamaa
Kandapadi engo oduthu
...
Oh dear... the flood is overflowing from the river,
Without nourishing forests or fields, nor reaching the sea,
It flows away aimlessly, wherever it pleases.
Oh dear... the flood is overflowing from the river,
Without nourishing forests or fields, nor reaching the sea,
It flows away aimlessly, wherever it pleases.
Look at that flowering vine, my darling,
It has no flower, nor any tender fruit.
The veena is there, and the fingers are there,
Yet it is not plucked, and there is no song.
Jasmine was sown, but what grew was trouble,
Listen, my dear, this is the nature of the world!
Kannamma... tell me, what is the meaning of life?
Having a mouth yet without speaking any word,
It has become like a dream seen by a mute person!
...
Sacrifice was made, yet sin was gained,
Is this a trial, or what agony is this?
While festive garlands swayed and processions moved,
She kept watching, her heart blossoming with hope.
Yesterday's pleasure is today's pain,
What indeed will happen here tomorrow?
Is everything... an unreachable distance from one another?
If one planted a single banana tree,
Is it enough to just call it a garden?
Oh dear... the flood is overflowing from the river,
Without nourishing forests or fields, nor reaching the sea,
It flows away aimlessly, wherever it pleases.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Ammaadi Aaththavittu is a poignant philosophical composition from the 1981 Tamil film Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile. Through vivid metaphors from nature—such as a flood that wastes its water without feeding crops or joining the sea, a vine without blossoms, and an unplayed veena—lyricist Pulamaipithan reflects on the tragic irony of a life filled with potential and sacrifice that ultimately yields no happiness or fulfillment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagai)

“Kaadu vayal paayaama kadalukkum seraamaa / Kandapadi engo oduthu”

The overflowing river that misses both fields and ocean symbolizes a life squandered aimlessly without fulfilling its true purpose.

Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)

“Oomai kanda kanavu aachchudi”

Life's unexpressed sorrow and futility are compared to a dream seen by a mute person who cannot articulate it.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Nettriya inbam indraiya thunbam”

Contrasts past joy with present agony to highlight the unpredictability of fate.

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

“Pottathu mullai velanjuthu tholla”

The second consonant 't' repeats across lines, creating traditional Tamil rhythmic unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile (1981) was directed by Rajesh, who also starred in the film alongside Sulakshana. Gangai Amaran composed the music, and Malaysia Vasudevan's soulful rendition of this song remains one of the standout emotional track highlights of 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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