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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammadi Idhu Enna

From Mannukkul Vairam · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, B. Sasireka
Music director
Devendran
Details
Mannukkul Vairam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ammaadi idhu enna vidhiOh dear, what kind of fate is this?
Adi yaar maela kuththam solvathu….oo….Hey, whom should we blame for this?
Pooththiruntha poovu vaaduthuThe flower that blossomed is now wilting.
Ingu kaaththiruntha poovum vaaduthu….oo….And the flower that waited here is also wilting.
Female
Kannaana kanmani kannae thaalaelaeloMy darling child like my eyes, lullaby.
Kanneerai maranthu urangu thaalaelaeloForget your tears and sleep, lullaby.
Male
Paavam pachchaikili paavamPity, the innocent parrot is full of sorrow,
Parithaabam saabamIt is a plight, a curse.
Inga ichchaikkili yaaengumHere, the longing parrot yearns,
Moochchu vaangum engu thoongumGasps for breath, where will it sleep?
Male
Oorukku perusu ithukenna niyaayam solluvaeYou are an elder to the village, tell me what justice is this?
Rendumae kannuthaan yaara vittu yaara thalluvaeBoth are my eyes, whom can I cast away for the other?
Peththava manasu paththi eriyithallo…ooooThe mother's heart is burning ablaze...
Female :Aaraaro aariraariro….Female: Lullaby, lullaby...
Male
Ammaadi idhu enna vidhiOh dear, what kind of fate is this?
Adi yaar maela kuththam solvathu….oo….Hey, whom should we blame for this?
Pooththiruntha poovu vaaduthuThe flower that blossomed is now wilting.
Ingu kaaththiruntha poovum vaaduthu….oo….And the flower that waited here is also wilting.
Male
Oodam nadhi vazhiyae oodumA boat glides along the river's course,
Sila naeram thadumaarumSometimes it stumbles along the way.
Vaazhkkai vidhi vazhiyae oodumLife runs along the path of fate,
Intha naeram enna naeramWhat kind of time is this time?
Male
Kadhala nenaichchaa sontha pantham suththiyirukkuIf I think of love, relatives surround me;
Sonthaththa nenaichchaa kaadhalukku kaththi irukkuIf I think of relatives, there is a knife drawn against love.
Yaarukku yaarunnu koottal kanakkirukkuThere is a cosmic calculation deciding who belongs to whom.
Female :Aaraaro aariraariro….Female: Lullaby, lullaby...
Male
Ammaadi idhu enna vidhiOh dear, what kind of fate is this?
Adi yaar maela kuththam solvathu….oo….Hey, whom should we blame for this?
Pooththiruntha poovu vaaduthuThe flower that blossomed is now wilting.
Ingu kaaththiruntha poovum vaaduthu….oo….And the flower that waited here is also wilting.
Female
Em magalae azhuvathenna thaalaelaeloOh my daughter, why are you crying? Lullaby...
Iravu vanthaal vidiyal varum thaalaelaelo thaalaelaeloIf night comes, dawn will surely follow, lullaby, lullaby.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional lullaby from Mannukkul Vairam (1986) expresses deep maternal grief and helplessness in the face of unyielding fate. The singer laments over the suffering of innocent young women, metaphorically comparing them to delicate flowers that are wilting and parrots trapped in distress. Caught between societal duty, familial ties, and the painful sacrifices demanded by love, the mother struggles to find justice or choose between her loved ones. Despite the overwhelming sorrow, the song ends on a hopeful note, comforting the suffering daughter with the assurance that after every dark night, a new dawn will inevitably arrive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pooththiruntha poovu vaaduthu

The lyrics metaphorically describe young women as 'poovu' (flowers) and 'pachchaikili' (green parrot) to represent innocence, purity, and vulnerability.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Oodam nadhi vazhiyae oodum / Vaazhkkai vidhi vazhiyae oodum

Initial consonant/vowel sound harmony across corresponding words like 'Oodam' and 'Vaazhkkai' or 'Kadhala' and 'Sonthaththa'.

Refrain / Anaphora

Ammaadi idhu enna vidhi

The line 'Ammaadi idhu enna vidhi' and 'thaalaelaelo' recur throughout the song as a melancholic motif emphasizing recurring despair and rhythmic comfort.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mannukkul Vairam (1986) was directed by Manoj Kumar and starred legend Sivaji Ganesan alongside Sujatha and Murali. The music for the film was composed by Devendran, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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