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Lyrics & meaning

Ammammaa Pasikkudhammaa

From Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, Poornima
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaasu panam kaetkavillai
Pidi soru podhum
Kaasu panam kaetkavillai
Pidi soru podhum
Paal pazhamum thaevai illai
Pazhanchoru podhum
Koduppadhanaalae kuraiyaadhammaa
Iraikkira ootru vatraadhammaa
Gangaiyum kaaviriyum
Paaindhodum naadu
Gangaiyum kaaviriyum
Paaindhodum naadu
Thingira sotrukku alaivadhengal paadu
Koochalgalaal engal
Pasi theerumaa
Koottatthai paarthu vayiraarumaa
{Kaalam varum naal variyil
Uyir vaazha vaendum
Kan thirandhu paarumaiyaa
Punniyamaa pogum} (2)
Karunaiyil thaanae
Manam vaazhudhu
Kadavulai polae
Gunam vaazhudhu
We are not asking for cash or money,
Just a handful of rice is enough.
We are not asking for cash or money,
Just a handful of rice is enough.
We do not need milk or fruits,
Simple leftover rice is enough.
Giving will never lessen what you have, mother,
A spring that is drawn from never runs dry, mother.
The Ganga and the Cauvery
Flow across this land,
The Ganga and the Cauvery
Flow across this land,
Yet wandering around for a bite of food is our plight.
Will all this loud shouting
Satisfy our hunger?
Will just watching these crowds fill our bellies?
Until the day our time arrives,
We need to stay alive.
Open your eyes and look at us, sir,
It will bring you good blessings.
It is through kindness alone
That the heart truly lives,
And just like God,
A generous nature lives on.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses the poignant plea of the underprivileged who ask not for luxury or wealth, but for basic sustenance to stay alive. They emphasize that simple leftover rice is sufficient for them and remind society that charity does not deplete one's fortune, much like an active water spring that never runs dry.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Iraikkira ootru vatraadhammaa”

Comparing act of giving charity to drawing water from a spring that never dries up.

Antithesis (Muran)

“Paal pazhamum thaevai illai / Pazhanchoru podhum”

Contrasting luxurious food (paal pazhamum - milk and fruit) with humble food (pazhanchoru - cold leftover rice) to highlight contentment.

Simile (Uwamai)

“Kadavulai polae Gunam vaazhudhu”

Comparing a compassionate nature to godliness.

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Trivia

The song from 'Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi' (1977) features lyrics written by Panchu Arunachalam, known for embedding social philosophy and realistic depictions of human suffering into simple Tamil lyrics.

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