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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammamma Thambi Endru Nambi

From Rajapart Rangadurai · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Pushpalatha
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Rajapart Rangadurai1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ammammaa…Ah, dear me…
Thambi endru nambiTrusting you as his younger brother,
Avan unnai valarthaarHe raised you up.
Female
Ammammaa…Ah, dear me…
Thambi endru nambiTrusting you as his younger brother,
Avan unnai valarthaarHe raised you up.
Thaai endrum thandhai endrumBoth as a mother and as a father,
Thannai ninaithaarHe considered himself to be.
Thaai endrum thandhai endrumBoth as a mother and as a father,
Thannai ninaithaarHe considered himself to be.
Athu unakkaaga vaazhndhaWasn't that a heart that lived
Ullam allavoSolely for your sake?
Female
Ammammaa…Ah, dear me…
Thambi endru nambiTrusting you as his younger brother,
Avan unnai valarthaarHe raised you up.
Female
{Malai pola valamaana{Like a mountain, a broad and rich
Manam vendum unakkuHeart you must possess;
Sei nandri marakaathaA nature that never forgets gratitude,
Gunam vendum unakku} (2)That virtue you must possess.} (2)
Female
Deivangal undendruBelieving that divine forces exist,
Nambikkai konduHolding firm in that faith,
Sevaigal seithaalIf you render selfless service,
Un dhesam sezhikkumYour nation will prosper and flourish.
Nee pirarkaaga vaazhvadhuLiving your life for the sake of others,
Inbam allavooIs that not true bliss?
Female
{Pala kodi ullangal{A land where several crores of souls
Vazhkindra naaduLive together in harmony,
Pathinaalu mozhi pesumSpeaking fourteen distinct languages,
Azhagaana veedu} (2)A beautiful single household.} (2)
Female
Ina sandai mozhi sandaiConflicts over race and conflicts over language
Koodaathu inguMust not occur here;
Ellorum oru thaayinAren't we all children born
Makkal allavooTo the very same mother?
Naam ellorum innaatuAren't all of us the sovereign kings
Mannar allavooOf this noble country?
Female
Ammammaa…Ah, dear me…
Thambi endru nambiTrusting you as his younger brother,
Avan unnai valarthaarHe raised you up.
Thaai endrum thandhai endrumBoth as a mother and as a father,
Thannai ninaithaarHe considered himself to be.
Female
Ammammaa…Ah, dear me…
Thambi endru nambiTrusting you as his younger brother,
Avan unnai valarthaarHe raised you up.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Rajapart Rangadurai (1973) serves as an emotional and philosophical reflection on fraternal sacrifice, filial gratitude, and national integration. The speaker reminds a younger brother of the selfless devotion of his elder brother, who nurtured him with the unconditional love and responsibility of both a mother and a father. The lyrics stress the importance of maintaining an open, grand heart and holding onto gratitude for those who sacrificed for one's upbringing. Kannadasan brilliantly broadens this familial bond into a national ethos. He urges citizens to live for others, serve the community, and reject communal or linguistic divisiveness. By portraying India as a single beautiful household harboring diverse languages and cultures, the song reminds every citizen that they are joint rulers of a land built on unity and mutual respect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Malai pola valamaana Manam vendum unakku

Compares the generous, majestic qualities of a human heart to a noble mountain ('Malai pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Pathinaalu mozhi pesum Azhagaana veedu

Metaphorically portrays a multi-lingual nation with diverse communities as a single unified beautiful house ('Azhagaana veedu').

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Nee pirarkaaga vaazhvadhu Inbam allavoo

Uses reflective questioning ('allavo') to emphasize moral truths and remind the listener of unspoken duties.

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai)

Thambi endru nambi / Thannai ninaithaar

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds across consecutive lines ('Thambi' / 'Thannai', 'Ina' / 'Ellorum') creating melodic rhythm.

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Trivia

The song 'Ammammaa Thambi Endru Nambi' from Rajapart Rangadurai (1973) was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, and written by 'Kaviarasu' Kannadasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan playing a stage actor, highlighting the deep emotional bond between theatrical performers and their family obligations.

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