Ammava Naan
From Apoorva Sagodharargal · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Apoorva Sagodharargal1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| {Ammaava naan kaala thottu | I must touch my mother's feet |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti | I must build a temple for my mother |
| Kummidanum doi} (2) | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Chorus | |
| Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa | Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one |
| Onna pola | Like you |
| Paathadhillae nalla pulla | I have never seen such a good child |
| Bhoomi melae.. | On this earth.. |
| Male | |
| Ada onnaattam ha ha | Ah, like you, ha ha |
| Onnum illae pinnum illae | There is nothing before or after |
| Ammaavae | Oh Mother |
| Ammaava naan kaala thottu | I must touch my mother's feet |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Enga aaththaava naan koyil katti | I must build a temple for my mother |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Male | |
| Vaanam pozhiyudhu | The sky pours rain |
| Bhoomi vilaiyudhu endraanae | The earth yields crops, he said |
| Adha sonnavana thaan | The one who said that |
| Nallavan endru sonnaanae | Was called a good person |
| Male | |
| Velanjadhellaam yevan oruthan | The one who ate up all that was harvested |
| Thinnaanae | By eating it alone |
| Adha kettavana thaan | Was called a bad person |
| Kettavan endru sonnaanae | Was called a bad person |
| Male | |
| Kattabhomman sonnadhellaam | Is the one doing what Kattabhomman preached |
| Seiyuravan kettavanaa | Really a bad person? |
| Nyaayamaa neenga sollungho | Tell me fairly, is this justice? |
| Male | |
| Ada annaatchiyae | Oh respected elder brother! |
| Aalukkoru needhiyilla doi | Justice is not different for different people, oh friend! |
| Ada yennaalumae | Ah, on any given day |
| Nalladhukku jaadhiyilla doi | Goodness has no caste, oh friend! |
| Male | |
| Naa ulladhaiyum nalladhaiyum | To speak the truth and what is good |
| Sollida yenakku piravi kodukkum | Give me birth to speak this, oh Mother! |
| Male | |
| Ammaavae | Oh Mother |
| Chorus :Ammaava naan kaala thottu | Chorus: I must touch my mother's feet |
| Male :Kummidanum doi | Male: And worship her, oh friend! |
| Chorus :Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti | Chorus: I must build a temple for my mother |
| Male :Kummidanum doi | Male: And worship her, oh friend! |
| Chorus | |
| Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa | Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one |
| Onna pola | Like you |
| Paathadhillae nalla pulla | I have never seen such a good child |
| Bhoomi melae.. | On this earth.. |
| Male | |
| Ada onnaattam ha ha | Ah, like you, ha ha |
| Onnum illae pinnum illae | There is nothing before or after |
| Ammaava naan kaala thottu | I must touch my mother's feet |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti | I must build a temple for my mother |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Male | |
| Machi uutukaran | Friend, you look at the landlord |
| Thuddu veetukaaran paakuriyae | And the rich man with money |
| Swami utchan thailyila | You speak of the destiny |
| Vecha ezhutha nee solluriyae | Written on top of the head by God |
| Male | |
| Ezhai panakaaram | Is there rich and poor |
| Swamiyilum undu paakiriyaa | Even among Gods, do you see? |
| Indha medu pallathukku | Who is the reason for this inequality |
| Karanam yaarunu ketkuriyaa.. | High and low, do you ask?.. |
| Male | |
| Arasa mara pullaiyaaru | Lord Ganesha under the sacred fig tree |
| Andiyaga nikkuraru | Stands like a destitute hermit |
| Yaaruda eluthi vechathu | Who wrote all this fate? |
| Male | |
| Anga vennai vadiyum | There, butter drips down |
| Pullankuzhal kannan mugathula doi | On Krishna's face playing the flute, oh friend! |
| Inga yenna vadiyum | Here, what is dripping down |
| Subramani annan mugathula doi | On brother Subramani's face, oh friend! |
| Male | |
| Idhu manushan dhaana | Was this written by a human being? |
| Yezhudhinaanu | Was it written so? |
| Kandu pudikka bhudhiya kodukkanum | Mother, grant me the wisdom to find out |
| Male | |
| Ammaava naan kaala thottu | I must touch my mother's feet |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti | I must build a temple for my mother |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Chorus | |
| Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa | Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one |
| Onna pola | Like you |
| Paathadhillae nalla pulla | I have never seen such a good child |
| Bhoomi melae.. | On this earth.. |
| Male | |
| Ada onnaattam ha ha | Ah, like you, ha ha |
| Onnum illae pinnum illae | There is nothing before or after |
| Ammaavae | Oh Mother |
| Ammaava naan kaala thottu | I must touch my mother's feet |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
| Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti | I must build a temple for my mother |
| Kummidanum doi | And worship her, oh friend! |
{ அம்மாவ நான்
கால தொட்டு கும்மிடனும்
டோய் அட ஆத்தாவ நான்
கோயில் கட்டி கும்மிடனும்
டோய் } (2)
I must touch my mother's feet
And worship her, oh friend!
I must build a temple for my mother
And worship her, oh friend!
பொட்டழகா
பொட்டழகா ஒன்ன
போல பாத்ததில்லே
நல்ல புள்ள பூமி மேலே
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Like you
I have never seen such a good child
On this earth..
அட ஒன்னாட்டம்
ஹா ஹா ஒன்னும் இல்லே
பின்னும் இல்லே அம்மாவே
அம்மாவ நான் கால தொட்டு
கும்மிடனும் டோய் எங்க
ஆத்தாவ நான் கோயில் கட்டி
கும்மிடனும் டோய்
Ah, like you, ha ha
There is nothing before or after
Oh Mother
I must touch my mother's feet
And worship her, oh friend!
I must build a temple for my mother
And worship her, oh friend!
வானம் பொழியுது
பூமி விளையுது என்றானே
அத சொன்னவன தான்
நல்லவன் என்று சொன்னானே
The sky pours rain
The earth yields crops, he said
The one who said that
Was called a good person
வெளஞ்சதெல்லாம்
எவன் ஒருத்தன் தின்னானே
அத கேட்டவன தான் கெட்டவன்
என்று சொன்னானே
The one who ate up all that was harvested
By eating it alone
Was called a bad person
Was called a bad person
கட்டபொம்மன்
சொன்னதெல்லாம் செய்யுறவன்
கெட்டவனா நியாயமா நீங்க
சொல்லுங்கோ
Is the one doing what Kattabhomman preached
Really a bad person?
Tell me fairly, is this justice?
அட அண்ணாச்சியே
ஆளுக்கொரு நீதியில்ல டோய்
அட எந்நாளுமே நல்லதுக்கு
ஜாதியில்ல டோய்
Oh respected elder brother!
Justice is not different for different people, oh friend!
Ah, on any given day
Goodness has no caste, oh friend!
நா உள்ளதையும்
நல்லதையும் சொல்லிட
எனக்கு பிறவி கொடுக்கும்
To speak the truth and what is good
Give me birth to speak this, oh Mother!
அம்மாவே
குழு :
அம்மாவ நான்
கால தொட்டு
கும்மிடனும் டோய்
குழு :
அட ஆத்தாவ நான்
கோயில் கட்டி
கும்மிடனும் டோய்
Oh Mother
Chorus: I must touch my mother's feet
Male: And worship her, oh friend!
Chorus: I must build a temple for my mother
Male: And worship her, oh friend!
பொட்டழகா
பொட்டழகா ஒன்ன
போல பாத்ததில்லே
நல்ல புள்ள பூமி மேலே
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Like you
I have never seen such a good child
On this earth..
அட ஒன்னாட்டம்
ஹா ஹா ஒன்னும் இல்லே
பின்னும் இல்லே அம்மாவ
நான் கால தொட்டு கும்மிடனும்
டோய் அட ஆத்தாவ நான்
கோயில் கட்டி கும்மிடனும்
டோய்
Ah, like you, ha ha
There is nothing before or after
I must touch my mother's feet
And worship her, oh friend!
I must build a temple for my mother
And worship her, oh friend!
மச்சி ஊட்டுக்காரன்
துட்டு வீட்டுக்காரன் பாக்குறியே
சுவாமி உச்சந் தலையில வெச்ச
எழுத்த நீ சொல்லுறியே
Friend, you look at the landlord
And the rich man with money
You speak of the destiny
Written on top of the head by God
ஏழை பணக்காரன்
ஸ்வாமியிலும் உண்டு
பாக்கிறியா இந்த மேடு
பள்ளத்துக்கு காரணம்
யாருனு கேட்குறியா
Is there rich and poor
Even among Gods, do you see?
Who is the reason for this inequality
High and low, do you ask?..
அரச மர புள்ளையாரு
ஆண்டியாக நிக்குறாரு யாருடா
எழுதி வெச்சது
Lord Ganesha under the sacred fig tree
Stands like a destitute hermit
Who wrote all this fate?
அங்க வெண்ணை
வடியும் புல்லாங்குழல்
கண்ணன் முகத்துல டோய்
இங்க எண்ணை வடியும்
சுப்பிரமணி அண்ணன்
முகத்துல டோய்
There, butter drips down
On Krishna's face playing the flute, oh friend!
Here, what is dripping down
On brother Subramani's face, oh friend!
இது மனுஷன்
தானா எழுதினானு கண்டு
புடிக்க புத்திய கொடுக்கணும்
Was this written by a human being?
Was it written so?
Mother, grant me the wisdom to find out
அம்மாவ நான்
கால தொட்டு கும்மிடனும்
டோய் அட ஆத்தாவ நான்
கோயில் கட்டி கும்மிடனும்
டோய்
I must touch my mother's feet
And worship her, oh friend!
I must build a temple for my mother
And worship her, oh friend!
பொட்டழகா
பொட்டழகா ஒன்ன
போல பாத்ததில்லே
நல்ல புள்ள பூமி மேலே
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Like you
I have never seen such a good child
On this earth..
அட ஒன்னாட்டம்
ஹா ஹா ஒன்னும் இல்லே
பின்னும் இல்லே அம்மாவே
அம்மாவ நான் கால தொட்டு
கும்மிடனும் டோய் அட
ஆத்தாவ நான் கோயில்
கட்டி கும்மிடனும் டோய்
Ah, like you, ha ha
There is nothing before or after
Oh Mother
I must touch my mother's feet
And worship her, oh friend!
I must build a temple for my mother
And worship her, oh friend!
{Ammaava naan kaala thottu
I must touch my mother's feet
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti
I must build a temple for my mother
Kummidanum doi} (2)
And worship her, oh friend!
Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Onna pola
Like you
Paathadhillae nalla pulla
I have never seen such a good child
Bhoomi melae..
On this earth..
Ada onnaattam ha ha
Ah, like you, ha ha
Onnum illae pinnum illae
There is nothing before or after
Ammaavae
Oh Mother
Ammaava naan kaala thottu
I must touch my mother's feet
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Enga aaththaava naan koyil katti
I must build a temple for my mother
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Vaanam pozhiyudhu
The sky pours rain
Bhoomi vilaiyudhu endraanae
The earth yields crops, he said
Adha sonnavana thaan
The one who said that
Nallavan endru sonnaanae
Was called a good person
Velanjadhellaam yevan oruthan
The one who ate up all that was harvested
Thinnaanae
By eating it alone
Adha kettavana thaan
Was called a bad person
Kettavan endru sonnaanae
Was called a bad person
Kattabhomman sonnadhellaam
Is the one doing what Kattabhomman preached
Seiyuravan kettavanaa
Really a bad person?
Nyaayamaa neenga sollungho
Tell me fairly, is this justice?
Ada annaatchiyae
Oh respected elder brother!
Aalukkoru needhiyilla doi
Justice is not different for different people, oh friend!
Ada yennaalumae
Ah, on any given day
Nalladhukku jaadhiyilla doi
Goodness has no caste, oh friend!
Naa ulladhaiyum nalladhaiyum
To speak the truth and what is good
Sollida yenakku piravi kodukkum
Give me birth to speak this, oh Mother!
Ammaavae
Oh Mother
Chorus :Ammaava naan kaala thottu
Chorus: I must touch my mother's feet
Male :Kummidanum doi
Male: And worship her, oh friend!
Chorus :Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti
Chorus: I must build a temple for my mother
Male :Kummidanum doi
Male: And worship her, oh friend!
Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Onna pola
Like you
Paathadhillae nalla pulla
I have never seen such a good child
Bhoomi melae..
On this earth..
Ada onnaattam ha ha
Ah, like you, ha ha
Onnum illae pinnum illae
There is nothing before or after
Ammaava naan kaala thottu
I must touch my mother's feet
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti
I must build a temple for my mother
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Machi uutukaran
Friend, you look at the landlord
Thuddu veetukaaran paakuriyae
And the rich man with money
Swami utchan thailyila
You speak of the destiny
Vecha ezhutha nee solluriyae
Written on top of the head by God
Ezhai panakaaram
Is there rich and poor
Swamiyilum undu paakiriyaa
Even among Gods, do you see?
Indha medu pallathukku
Who is the reason for this inequality
Karanam yaarunu ketkuriyaa..
High and low, do you ask?..
Arasa mara pullaiyaaru
Lord Ganesha under the sacred fig tree
Andiyaga nikkuraru
Stands like a destitute hermit
Yaaruda eluthi vechathu
Who wrote all this fate?
Anga vennai vadiyum
There, butter drips down
Pullankuzhal kannan mugathula doi
On Krishna's face playing the flute, oh friend!
Inga yenna vadiyum
Here, what is dripping down
Subramani annan mugathula doi
On brother Subramani's face, oh friend!
Idhu manushan dhaana
Was this written by a human being?
Yezhudhinaanu
Was it written so?
Kandu pudikka bhudhiya kodukkanum
Mother, grant me the wisdom to find out
Ammaava naan kaala thottu
I must touch my mother's feet
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti
I must build a temple for my mother
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa
Oh beautiful mark on the forehead, beautiful one
Onna pola
Like you
Paathadhillae nalla pulla
I have never seen such a good child
Bhoomi melae..
On this earth..
Ada onnaattam ha ha
Ah, like you, ha ha
Onnum illae pinnum illae
There is nothing before or after
Ammaavae
Oh Mother
Ammaava naan kaala thottu
I must touch my mother's feet
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Ada aaththaava naan koyil katti
I must build a temple for my mother
Kummidanum doi
And worship her, oh friend!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deep expression of devotion to motherly love intertwined with socio-philosophical reflections on equality, justice, and human destiny. The protagonist praises his mother as the supreme deity deserving of a temple and eternal reverence. Simultaneously, through playful yet profound folk rhetoric, he questions social disparities and class divisions, invoking historical and mythological imagery like Veerapandiya Kattabhomman and Lord Ganesha to challenge the notion that poverty is merely divine destiny.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Ammaava naan kaala thottu / Kummidanum doi”
The second consonant 'm' matches across lines 'Ammaava' and 'Kummidanum', creating rhythmic harmony characteristic of traditional Tamil poetry.
Monaich Chol (Initial letter alliteration)
“Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa”
Repetition of the 'Po' sound at the beginning of consecutive words ('Pottazhaghaa pottazhaghaa') adds melodic cadence.
Rhetorical Questioning and Metaphor
“Anga vennai vadiyum / Inga yenna vadiyum”
The lyricist uses contrast between butter dripping on Krishna's face and sweat on a working man's face as a metaphor for social imbalance.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the iconic 1989 blockbuster 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', starring Kamal Haasan in a double role. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, the song showcases Appu's dwarf character expressing intense filial love and social philosophical observations through energetic folk rhythm.
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