Ammamma Enakku
From Nathaiyil Muthu · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nathaiyil Muthu1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ammammaa enakku | Oh dear, to me |
| Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu | A wondrous thought comes to mind |
| Ammammaa enakku | Oh dear, to me |
| Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu | A wondrous thought comes to mind |
| Neerilae therintha mugam | The face seen in the water |
| Alai alaiyaai kalainthathammaa | Dispersed away wave by wave |
| Female | |
| Nenjilae padhintha mugam | The face imprinted in the heart |
| Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa | Stood permanently like a statue |
| Nenjilae padhintha mugam | The face imprinted in the heart |
| Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa | Stood permanently like a statue |
| Female | |
| Ammammaa enakku | Oh dear, to me |
| Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu | A wondrous thought comes to mind |
| Male | |
| Appappaa neruppaa | Oh my, it is fire! |
| Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa | Why is the river water burning hot, oh man! |
| Appappaa neruppaa | Oh my, it is fire! |
| Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa | Why is the river water burning hot, oh man! |
| Male | |
| Maeniyil kodhippirunthaal | If the body is boiling with heat |
| Neeraalae adangumappaa | It will subside with water, my friend |
| Maeniyil kodhippirunthaal | If the body is boiling with heat |
| Neeraalae adangumappaa | It will subside with water, my friend |
| Male | |
| Nenjilae kodhipeduththaal | If the heart is boiling with heat |
| Yaaraalae adangumappaa | Who can calm it down, my friend? |
| Nenjilae kodhipeduththaal | If the heart is boiling with heat |
| Yaaraalae adangumappaa | Who can calm it down, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Appappaa neruppaa | Oh my, it is fire! |
| Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa | Why is the river water burning hot, oh man! |
| Female | |
| Vellaththilae thullura meen | The fish jumping in the river flood |
| Kaalai mattum kadikkuthammaa | Bites only the legs |
| Vellaththilae thullura meen | The fish jumping in the river flood |
| Kaalai mattum kadikkuthammaa | Bites only the legs |
| Female | |
| Ullaththilae thullura meen | The fish leaping inside the heart |
| Ullaththilae thullura meen | The fish leaping inside the heart |
| Ullukkullae kadikkuthammaa | Bites deep inside from within |
| Male | |
| Kaayaththirkku marunthirukku | There is medicine for a wound |
| Kattu poda kayirukku | There is bandage/rope to bind it |
| Kaayaththirkku marunthirukku | There is medicine for a wound |
| Kattu poda kayirukku | There is bandage/rope to bind it |
| Female | |
| Kattupada aalirukku | There is someone to be bound to |
| Metti poda kaalirukku | There are feet to wear toe-rings |
| Kattupada aalirukku | There is someone to be bound to |
| Metti poda kaalirukku | There are feet to wear toe-rings |
| Female | |
| Ammammaa enakku | Oh dear, to me |
| Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu | A wondrous thought comes to mind |
| Male | |
| Iru karai thazhuvikittu | Embracing both banks on its way |
| Odugindra vellam idhu | This is the flood water that runs |
| Iru karai thazhuvikittu | Embracing both banks on its way |
| Odugindra vellam idhu | This is the flood water that runs |
| Maru karai kaanaamal | Without seeing the other shore |
| Marugidum ullam idhu | This heart grieves in confusion |
| Female | |
| Akkaraiyaai thaedi vanthaal | If one comes searching with affection |
| Ikkaraiyum puriyaatho | Won't this shore also be understood? |
| Akkaraiyaai thaedi vanthaal | If one comes searching with affection |
| Ikkaraiyum puriyaatho | Won't this shore also be understood? |
| Virainthidum kaavirikku | For the fast-flowing Kaveri river |
| Thiraikkadal theriyaatho…. | Does it not know the ocean of waves? |
| Male | |
| Appappaa neruppaa | Oh my, it is fire! |
| Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa | Why is the river water burning hot, oh man! |
| Female | |
| Thannaiththaan marakkumpadi | Making one forget oneself |
| Ennennavo mayakkamammaa | What a strange intoxication/trance this is |
| Katti vachchi kaaththa manam | The mind that was tied up and guarded |
| Kattavizhnthu parakkuthammaa | Gets untied and flies away |
| Male | |
| Ingenna vaazhnthathammaa | What kind of life was lived here? |
| Yaekkam vanthu soozhnthathammaa | Longing came and surrounded it |
| Ingenna vaazhnthathammaa | What kind of life was lived here? |
| Yaekam vanthu soozhnthathammaa | Longing came and surrounded it |
| Thanguthadai thaandi manam | Crossing over all barriers, the heart |
| Pongi pongi vazhiyuthammaa | Overwhelms and overflows with emotion |
| Female | |
| Ammammaa enakku | Oh dear, to me |
| Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu | A wondrous thought comes to mind |
| Male :Appappaa neruppaa | Male: Oh my, it is fire! |
| Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa | Why is the river water burning hot, oh man! |
| Female | |
| …………………. | ... |
அம்மம்மா எனக்கு
அதிசய நெனப்பு தோணுது
அம்மம்மா எனக்கு
அதிசய நெனப்பு தோணுது
நீரிலே தெரிந்த முகம்
அலைஅலையாய் கலைந்ததம்மா
Oh dear, to me
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Oh dear, to me
A wondrous thought comes to mind
The face seen in the water
Dispersed away wave by wave
நெஞ்சிலே பதிந்த முகம்
சிலையாய் நிலைத்ததம்மா
நெஞ்சிலே பதிந்த முகம்
சிலையாய் நிலைத்ததம்மா
The face imprinted in the heart
Stood permanently like a statue
The face imprinted in the heart
Stood permanently like a statue
அம்மம்மா எனக்கு
அதிசய நெனப்பு தோணுது
Oh dear, to me
A wondrous thought comes to mind
அப்பப்பா நெருப்பா
ஆத்து ஜலம் சுடுவதேனப்பா
அப்பப்பா நெருப்பா
ஆத்து ஜலம் சுடுவதேனப்பா
Oh my, it is fire!
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
Oh my, it is fire!
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
ஆண்
: மேனியில் கொதிப்பிருந்தால்
நீராலே அடங்குமப்பா
மேனியில் கொதிப்பிருந்தால்
நீராலே அடங்குமப்பா
If the body is boiling with heat
It will subside with water, my friend
If the body is boiling with heat
It will subside with water, my friend
நெஞ்சிலே கொதிப்பெடுத்தால்
யாராலே அடங்குமப்பா
நெஞ்சிலே கொதிப்பெடுத்தால்
யாராலே அடங்குமப்பா
If the heart is boiling with heat
Who can calm it down, my friend?
If the heart is boiling with heat
Who can calm it down, my friend?
அப்பப்பா நெருப்பா
ஆத்து ஜலம் சுடுவதேனப்பா....
Oh my, it is fire!
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
வெள்ளத்திலே துள்ளுற மீன்
காலை மட்டும் கடிக்குதம்மா
வெள்ளத்திலே துள்ளுற மீன்
காலை மட்டும் கடிக்குதம்மா
The fish jumping in the river flood
Bites only the legs
The fish jumping in the river flood
Bites only the legs
உள்ளத்திலே துள்ளுற மீன்
உள்ளத்திலே துள்ளுற மீன்
உள்ளுக்குள்ளே கடிக்குதம்மா
The fish leaping inside the heart
The fish leaping inside the heart
Bites deep inside from within
காயத்திற்கு மருந்திருக்கு
கட்டு போட கையிருக்கு
காயத்திற்கு மருந்திருக்கு
கட்டு போட கையிருக்கு
There is medicine for a wound
There is bandage/rope to bind it
There is medicine for a wound
There is bandage/rope to bind it
கட்டுப்பட ஆளிருக்கு
மெட்டி போட காலிருக்கு
கட்டுப்பட ஆளிருக்கு
மெட்டி போட காலிருக்கு
There is someone to be bound to
There are feet to wear toe-rings
There is someone to be bound to
There are feet to wear toe-rings
அம்மம்மா எனக்கு
அதிசய நெனப்பு தோணுது
Oh dear, to me
A wondrous thought comes to mind
இரு கரை தழுவிகிட்டு
ஓடுகின்ற வெள்ளம் இது
இரு கரை தழுவிகிட்டு
ஓடுகின்ற வெள்ளம் இது
மறு கரை காணாமல்
மருகிடும் உள்ளம் இது
Embracing both banks on its way
This is the flood water that runs
Embracing both banks on its way
This is the flood water that runs
Without seeing the other shore
This heart grieves in confusion
அக்கரையாய் தேடி வந்தால்
இக்கரையும் புரியாதோ
அக்கரையாய் தேடி வந்தால்
இக்கரையும் புரியாதோ
விரைந்திடும் காவிரிக்கு
திரைக்கடல் தெரியாதோ.....
If one comes searching with affection
Won't this shore also be understood?
If one comes searching with affection
Won't this shore also be understood?
For the fast-flowing Kaveri river
Does it not know the ocean of waves?
அப்பப்பா நெருப்பா
ஆத்து ஜலம் சுடுவதேனப்பா....
Oh my, it is fire!
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
தன்னைத்தான் மறக்கும்படி
என்னென்னவோ மயக்கமம்மா
கட்டி வச்சி காத்த மனம்
கட்டவிழ்ந்து பறக்குதம்மா
Making one forget oneself
What a strange intoxication/trance this is
The mind that was tied up and guarded
Gets untied and flies away
இங்கென்ன வாழ்ந்ததம்மா
ஏக்கம் வந்து சூழ்ந்ததம்மா
இங்கென்ன வாழ்ந்ததம்மா
ஏக்கம் வந்து சூழ்ந்ததம்மா
தங்குத்தடை தாண்டி மனம்
பொங்கி பொங்கி வழியுதம்மா.....
What kind of life was lived here?
Longing came and surrounded it
What kind of life was lived here?
Longing came and surrounded it
Crossing over all barriers, the heart
Overwhelms and overflows with emotion
அம்மம்மா எனக்கு
அதிசய நெனப்பு தோணுது
அப்பப்பா நெருப்பா
ஆத்து ஜலம் சுடுவதேனப்பா....
Oh dear, to me
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Male: Oh my, it is fire!
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
...............................
...
Ammammaa enakku
Oh dear, to me
Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Ammammaa enakku
Oh dear, to me
Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Neerilae therintha mugam
The face seen in the water
Alai alaiyaai kalainthathammaa
Dispersed away wave by wave
Nenjilae padhintha mugam
The face imprinted in the heart
Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa
Stood permanently like a statue
Nenjilae padhintha mugam
The face imprinted in the heart
Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa
Stood permanently like a statue
Ammammaa enakku
Oh dear, to me
Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Appappaa neruppaa
Oh my, it is fire!
Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
Appappaa neruppaa
Oh my, it is fire!
Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
Maeniyil kodhippirunthaal
If the body is boiling with heat
Neeraalae adangumappaa
It will subside with water, my friend
Maeniyil kodhippirunthaal
If the body is boiling with heat
Neeraalae adangumappaa
It will subside with water, my friend
Nenjilae kodhipeduththaal
If the heart is boiling with heat
Yaaraalae adangumappaa
Who can calm it down, my friend?
Nenjilae kodhipeduththaal
If the heart is boiling with heat
Yaaraalae adangumappaa
Who can calm it down, my friend?
Appappaa neruppaa
Oh my, it is fire!
Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
Vellaththilae thullura meen
The fish jumping in the river flood
Kaalai mattum kadikkuthammaa
Bites only the legs
Vellaththilae thullura meen
The fish jumping in the river flood
Kaalai mattum kadikkuthammaa
Bites only the legs
Ullaththilae thullura meen
The fish leaping inside the heart
Ullaththilae thullura meen
The fish leaping inside the heart
Ullukkullae kadikkuthammaa
Bites deep inside from within
Kaayaththirkku marunthirukku
There is medicine for a wound
Kattu poda kayirukku
There is bandage/rope to bind it
Kaayaththirkku marunthirukku
There is medicine for a wound
Kattu poda kayirukku
There is bandage/rope to bind it
Kattupada aalirukku
There is someone to be bound to
Metti poda kaalirukku
There are feet to wear toe-rings
Kattupada aalirukku
There is someone to be bound to
Metti poda kaalirukku
There are feet to wear toe-rings
Ammammaa enakku
Oh dear, to me
Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Iru karai thazhuvikittu
Embracing both banks on its way
Odugindra vellam idhu
This is the flood water that runs
Iru karai thazhuvikittu
Embracing both banks on its way
Odugindra vellam idhu
This is the flood water that runs
Maru karai kaanaamal
Without seeing the other shore
Marugidum ullam idhu
This heart grieves in confusion
Akkaraiyaai thaedi vanthaal
If one comes searching with affection
Ikkaraiyum puriyaatho
Won't this shore also be understood?
Akkaraiyaai thaedi vanthaal
If one comes searching with affection
Ikkaraiyum puriyaatho
Won't this shore also be understood?
Virainthidum kaavirikku
For the fast-flowing Kaveri river
Thiraikkadal theriyaatho….
Does it not know the ocean of waves?
Appappaa neruppaa
Oh my, it is fire!
Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
Thannaiththaan marakkumpadi
Making one forget oneself
Ennennavo mayakkamammaa
What a strange intoxication/trance this is
Katti vachchi kaaththa manam
The mind that was tied up and guarded
Kattavizhnthu parakkuthammaa
Gets untied and flies away
Ingenna vaazhnthathammaa
What kind of life was lived here?
Yaekkam vanthu soozhnthathammaa
Longing came and surrounded it
Ingenna vaazhnthathammaa
What kind of life was lived here?
Yaekam vanthu soozhnthathammaa
Longing came and surrounded it
Thanguthadai thaandi manam
Crossing over all barriers, the heart
Pongi pongi vazhiyuthammaa
Overwhelms and overflows with emotion
Ammammaa enakku
Oh dear, to me
Adhisaya nenappu thonuthu
A wondrous thought comes to mind
Male :Appappaa neruppaa
Male: Oh my, it is fire!
Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa
Why is the river water burning hot, oh man!
………………….
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nathaiyil Muthu's song 'Ammammaa Enakku' is a passionate duet between lovers playing in the river, expressing their burgeoning desire, emotional longing, and romantic bond through vivid metaphors of water, fire, and nature. The female lead expresses how her lover's reflection remains etched like a permanent statue in her heart even when water waves dissolve physical reflections, while the male lead speaks of how the cool river water feels hot due to the burning romantic passion inside him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Nenjilae padhintha mugam / Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa”
Comparing the face imprinted in the heart to an unshakeable stone statue ('Silaiyaai nilaithathammaa') and internal desires to a fish biting inside the soul ('Ullaththilae thullura meen').
Oxymoron / Paradox
“Appappaa neruppaa / Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa”
Describing cool river water as burning fire ('Aaththu jalam suduvathenappaa') to highlight the intense internal warmth of love.
Rhyme / Alliteration (Edugai & Monai)
“Kattupada aalirukku / Metti poda kaalirukku”
Use of matching internal rhyming and initial consonant matching across lines such as 'Kaayaththirkku' and 'Kattu poda' / 'Kattupada' and 'Metti poda'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Ammammaa Enakku' from the 1973 film Nathaiyil Muthu features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics by Vaali. It stands out as one of the classic river-romance duets sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.
Keep listening
More from Nathaiyil Muthu
Nathaiyil Muthu
Nathaiyil Muthu
Nathaiyil Muthu