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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammai Aanavan

From Murugan Adimai · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Murugan Adimai1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavanHe became a mother to me, and he became a father.
Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavanHe became a mother to me, and he became a father.
Female :Nanmaiyanavan ulagil unmaiyanavanFemale: He is goodness personified, he is truth in this world.
Male :Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavanMale: He became a mother to me, and he became a father.
Male
Thaaimai vendrathu pillai thavamum vendrathuMotherhood won, and the child's penance also won.
Female :Vaaimai vendrathu bakthi valimaiFemale: Truth won, and devotion's strength
vendrathuwon.
Male :Thaaimai vendrathu pillai thavamum vendrathuMale: Motherhood won, and the child's penance also won.
Female :Vaaimai vendrathu bakthi valimaiFemale: Truth won, and devotion's strength
vendrathuwon.
Male
Nermai vendrathu muruga needhi vendrathuHonesty won, Oh Muruga, justice won.
Nermai vendrathu muruga needhi vendrathuHonesty won, Oh Muruga, justice won.
Female :Swami sakthiyaal engal dharumam vendrathuFemale: By the power of the Lord, our righteousness won.
Male
Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavanHe became a mother to me, and he became a father.
Female :Nanmaiyanavan ulagil unmaiyanavanFemale: He is goodness personified, he is truth in this world.
Male
Acham therndhathu engal anbum vendrathuFear has cleared, and our love has won.
Female :Aiyam theerndhathu aiyan arulum vendrathuFemale: Doubt has been resolved, and the Lord's grace has won.
Male :Acham therndhathu engal anbum vendrathuMale: Fear has cleared, and our love has won.
Female :Aiyam theerndhathu aiyan arulum vendrathuFemale: Doubt has been resolved, and the Lord's grace has won.
Male
Kavalai theerndhadhu engal kaalam vendrathuWorry has ended, and our time has won.
Kavalai theerndhadhu engal kaalam vendrathuWorry has ended, and our time has won.
Female :Kalam kalamaai seidha sevai vendrathuFemale: The service done across generations has won.
Both :Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavanBoth: He became a mother to me, and he became a father.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ammaiyanavan Emakku Appanaanavan is a soulful Tamil devotional song from the 1977 movie Murugan Adimai, scored by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song extols Lord Murugan as the ultimate divine figure who embodies both maternal tenderness and paternal protection for His ardent devotees. The lyrics celebrate the ultimate victory of truth (Vaaimai), righteousness (Dharma), honesty (Nermai), and pure devotion (Bakthi). By placing complete faith in the divine, the devotees find their fears and doubts vanquished, leading to moral and spiritual triumph after generations of dedicated service.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavan

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' ('Ammaiyanavan', 'appanaanavan') establishing rhythmic harmony in the refrain.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme / Epiphora)

Thaaimai vendrathu pillai thavamum vendrathu

Repetition of the refrain word 'vendrathu' (victorious/won) at the end of clauses to emphasize divine triumph.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kavalai theerndhadhu engal kaalam vendrathu

Initial consonant 'K' repetition ('Kavalai', 'kaalam') connecting emotional relief with temporal triumph.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Ammaiyanavan emakku appanaanavan

Envisioning the divine lord as simultaneously fulfilling the role of mother (compassion) and father (protection).

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Trivia

This track from Murugan Adimai (1977) draws inspiration from classic Tamil Bhakti literature like Abhirami Antati and Thiruvasagam, where God is venerated as both 'Ammai' (Mother) and 'Appan' (Father). Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully blends high devotional philosophy with accessible devotional phrasing for Tamil cinema.

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