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Lyrics & meaning

Ammamma Thambi Endru Nambi

From Rajapart Rangadurai · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Pushpalatha
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Rajapart Rangadurai
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
22 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ammammaa…
Thambi endru nambi
Avan unnai valarthaar
Ammammaa…
Thambi endru nambi
Avan unnai valarthaar
Thaai endrum thandhai endrum
Thannai ninaithaar
Thaai endrum thandhai endrum
Thannai ninaithaar
Athu unakkaaga vaazhndha
Ullam allavo
Ammammaa…
Thambi endru nambi
Avan unnai valarthaar
{Malai pola valamaana
Manam vendum unakku
Sei nandri marakaatha
Gunam vendum unakku} (2)
Deivangal undendru
Nambikkai kondu
Sevaigal seithaal
Un dhesam sezhikkum
Nee pirarkaaga vaazhvadhu
Inbam allavoo
{Pala kodi ullangal
Vazhkindra naadu
Pathinaalu mozhi pesum
Azhagaana veedu} (2)
Ina sandai mozhi sandai
Koodaathu ingu
Ellorum oru thaayin
Makkal allavoo
Naam ellorum innaatu
Mannar allavoo
Ammammaa…
Thambi endru nambi
Avan unnai valarthaar
Thaai endrum thandhai endrum
Thannai ninaithaar
Ammammaa…
Thambi endru nambi
Avan unnai valarthaar
Oh...
Believing in you as his brother,
He raised you up.
Oh...
Believing in you as his brother,
He raised you up.
As both mother and father,
He saw himself.
As both mother and father,
He saw himself.
Wasn't that a heart
That lived only for you?
Oh...
Believing in you as his brother,
He raised you up.
A heart as vast as a mountain
Is what you need,
A character that never forgets gratitude
Is what you must possess.
Believing that God exists,
Holding on to that faith,
If you render service to people,
Your nation will flourish.
Living your life for others,
Isn't that true joy?
A country where millions of souls
Live side by side,
Speaking fourteen languages,
A beautiful home.
Fights over community and language
Must never happen here.
Aren't we all children
Of the very same mother?
Aren't we all
The masters of this nation?
Oh...
Believing in you as his brother,
He raised you up.
As both mother and father,
He saw himself.
Oh...
Believing in you as his brother,
He raised you up.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Did you know?

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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