Ammavil Thodanguthu
From Orey Saatchi · 1974
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Orey Saatchi1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu | Birth begins with the mother |
| Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu | Education begins with the first letter 'Aa' |
| Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu | Receiving an honor or award is prestige |
| Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu | It is hard work that always bestows self-respect |
| Female | |
| Kaithozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a practical trade or skill |
| Oru kavalai unakkillai othukkol | Agree that you will then have no worries |
| Female | |
| Naalum sompalai kazhiththu | Subtract laziness every single day |
| Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu | Carve out a good path for yourself |
| Anbu enbathai koottu | Add love to your life |
| Pagutharivu enbathai perukku | Multiply rational thinking and wisdom |
| Female | |
| Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu | Birth begins with the mother |
| Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu | Education begins with the first letter 'Aa' |
| Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu | Receiving an honor or award is prestige |
| Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu | It is hard work that always bestows self-respect |
| Female | |
| Kadal mel thirinthu kappalil mithanthu | Sailing across the wide oceans on a ship |
| Karaiyai kandaan kolmbus | Columbus discovered the distant shore |
| Kadumpani kulirai porutpaduththaamal | Without minding the severe frost and cold |
| Imaiyathai thottaan densing | Tenzing conquered the mighty Himalayas |
| Female | |
| Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu | Going several steps beyond him |
| Nilavai mithithaan armstrong | Armstrong stepped onto the moon |
| Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu | Going several steps beyond him |
| Nilavai mithithaan armstrong | Armstrong stepped onto the moon |
| Adhupol neengal arivilum uzhaippilum | Similarly, in intelligence and hard work |
| Puvi mel vilanganum orr naal | You must shine on this earth one day |
| Female | |
| Muyarchi enbathu thiruvinaiyaakkum | Persistent effort creates prosperity and success |
| Munnor sollae nanmai undaakkum | The words of our ancestors produce goodness |
| Female | |
| Valluvan sollum avvaiyin vaakkum | The couplets of Valluvar and sayings of Avvai |
| Vaazhkkaiyai kaattum kannaadi | Are mirrors that reflect true life |
| Ullathai moodi maraiththaal unnai | If you conceal and hide your inner intentions |
| Deivam kaattum pinnaadi | God will expose you eventually |
| Female | |
| Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu | Doing good always brings elevation in life |
| Unmai ondrey uyir naadi | Truth alone is the essential lifeline |
| Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu | Doing good always brings elevation in life |
| Unmai ondrey uyir naadi | Truth alone is the essential lifeline |
| Engae unathu kavanam thambi | Where is your attention, my little brother? |
| Ingae enathu paattai paadi | Singing my song right here |
| Female | |
| Kuttram paarkkin suttram illai | If you look only for faults, you will have no kith or kin |
| Kuraiyae illaa manithan illai | There is no human being without any flaws |
| Female | |
| Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu | Birth begins with the mother |
| Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu | Education begins with the first letter 'Aa' |
| Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu | Receiving an honor or award is prestige |
| Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu | It is hard work that always bestows self-respect |
| Female | |
| Naalum sompalai kazhiththu | Subtract laziness every single day |
| Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu | Carve out a good path for yourself |
| Anbu enbathai koottu | Add love to your life |
| Pagutharivu enbathai perukku | Multiply rational thinking and wisdom |
| Female | |
| Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu | Birth begins with the mother |
| Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu | Education begins with the first letter 'Aa' |
| Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu | Receiving an honor or award is prestige |
| Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu | It is hard work that always bestows self-respect |
அம்மாவில் தொடங்குது பிறப்பு
ஆனாவில் தொடங்குது படிப்பு
சன்மானம் என்பது சிறப்பு
என்றும் தன்மானம் தருவது உழைப்பு....
Birth begins with the mother
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
ஒரு கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒத்துக்கொள்
Learn a practical trade or skill
Agree that you will then have no worries
நாளும் சோம்பலை கழித்து
நீ நல்ல பாதையை வகுத்து
அன்பு என்பதை கூட்டு
பகுத்தறிவு என்பதை பெருக்கு...
Subtract laziness every single day
Carve out a good path for yourself
Add love to your life
Multiply rational thinking and wisdom
அம்மாவில் தொடங்குது பிறப்பு
ஆனாவில் தொடங்குது படிப்பு
சன்மானம் என்பது சிறப்பு
என்றும் தன்மானம் தருவது உழைப்பு....
Birth begins with the mother
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
கடல் மேல் திரிந்து கப்பலில் மிதந்து
கரையை கண்டான் கொலம்பஸ்
கடும்பனிக் குளிரை பொருட்படுத்தாமல்
இமயத்தை தொட்டான் டென்சிங்
Sailing across the wide oceans on a ship
Columbus discovered the distant shore
Without minding the severe frost and cold
Tenzing conquered the mighty Himalayas
கடல் மேல் திரிந்து கப்பலில் மிதந்து
கரையை கண்டான் கொலம்பஸ்
கடும்பனிக் குளிரை பொருட்படுத்தாமல்
இமயத்தை தொட்டான் டென்சிங்
Going several steps beyond him
Armstrong stepped onto the moon
Going several steps beyond him
Armstrong stepped onto the moon
Similarly, in intelligence and hard work
You must shine on this earth one day
அவனுக்கு மேலே பலப்படி கடந்து
நிலவை மிதித்தான் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்
அவனுக்கு மேலே பலப்படி கடந்து
நிலவை மிதித்தான் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்
அதுபோல் நீங்கள் அறிவிலும் உழைப்பிலும்
புவி மேல் விளங்கணும் ஓர் நாள்
Persistent effort creates prosperity and success
The words of our ancestors produce goodness
முயற்சி என்பது திருவினையாக்கும்
முன்னோர் சொல்லே நன்மை உண்டாக்கும்
The couplets of Valluvar and sayings of Avvai
Are mirrors that reflect true life
If you conceal and hide your inner intentions
God will expose you eventually
வள்ளுவன் சொல்லும் ஔவையின் வாக்கும்
வாழ்க்கையை காட்டும் கண்ணாடி
உள்ளதை மூடி மறைத்தால் உன்னை
தெய்வம் காட்டும் பின்னாடி
Doing good always brings elevation in life
Truth alone is the essential lifeline
Doing good always brings elevation in life
Truth alone is the essential lifeline
Where is your attention, my little brother?
Singing my song right here
வள்ளுவன் சொல்லும் ஔவையின் வாக்கும்
வாழ்க்கையை காட்டும் கண்ணாடி
உள்ளதை மூடி மறைத்தால் உன்னை
தெய்வம் காட்டும் பின்னாடி
If you look only for faults, you will have no kith or kin
There is no human being without any flaws
என்றும் நல்லது ஏற்றம் தருவது
உண்மை ஒன்றே உயிர் நாடி
என்றும் நல்லது ஏற்றம் தருவது
உண்மை ஒன்றே உயிர் நாடி
எங்கே உனது கவனம் தம்பி
இங்கே எனது பாட்டைப் படி
Birth begins with the mother
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
குற்றம் பார்க்கின் சுற்றம் இல்லை
குறையே இல்லா மனிதன் இல்லை
Subtract laziness every single day
Carve out a good path for yourself
Add love to your life
Multiply rational thinking and wisdom
அம்மாவில் தொடங்குது பிறப்பு
ஆனாவில் தொடங்குது படிப்பு
சன்மானம் என்பது சிறப்பு
என்றும் தன்மானம் தருவது உழைப்பு....
Birth begins with the mother
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
நாளும் சோம்பலை கழித்து
நீ நல்ல பாதையை வகுத்து
அன்பு என்பதை கூட்டு
பகுத்தறிவு என்பதை பெருக்கு...
அம்மாவில் தொடங்குது பிறப்பு
ஆனாவில் தொடங்குது படிப்பு
சன்மானம் என்பது சிறப்பு
என்றும் தன்மானம் தருவது உழைப்பு....
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Birth begins with the mother
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
Kaithozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a practical trade or skill
Oru kavalai unakkillai othukkol
Agree that you will then have no worries
Naalum sompalai kazhiththu
Subtract laziness every single day
Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu
Carve out a good path for yourself
Anbu enbathai koottu
Add love to your life
Pagutharivu enbathai perukku
Multiply rational thinking and wisdom
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Birth begins with the mother
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
Kadal mel thirinthu kappalil mithanthu
Sailing across the wide oceans on a ship
Karaiyai kandaan kolmbus
Columbus discovered the distant shore
Kadumpani kulirai porutpaduththaamal
Without minding the severe frost and cold
Imaiyathai thottaan densing
Tenzing conquered the mighty Himalayas
Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu
Going several steps beyond him
Nilavai mithithaan armstrong
Armstrong stepped onto the moon
Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu
Going several steps beyond him
Nilavai mithithaan armstrong
Armstrong stepped onto the moon
Adhupol neengal arivilum uzhaippilum
Similarly, in intelligence and hard work
Puvi mel vilanganum orr naal
You must shine on this earth one day
Muyarchi enbathu thiruvinaiyaakkum
Persistent effort creates prosperity and success
Munnor sollae nanmai undaakkum
The words of our ancestors produce goodness
Valluvan sollum avvaiyin vaakkum
The couplets of Valluvar and sayings of Avvai
Vaazhkkaiyai kaattum kannaadi
Are mirrors that reflect true life
Ullathai moodi maraiththaal unnai
If you conceal and hide your inner intentions
Deivam kaattum pinnaadi
God will expose you eventually
Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu
Doing good always brings elevation in life
Unmai ondrey uyir naadi
Truth alone is the essential lifeline
Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu
Doing good always brings elevation in life
Unmai ondrey uyir naadi
Truth alone is the essential lifeline
Engae unathu kavanam thambi
Where is your attention, my little brother?
Ingae enathu paattai paadi
Singing my song right here
Kuttram paarkkin suttram illai
If you look only for faults, you will have no kith or kin
Kuraiyae illaa manithan illai
There is no human being without any flaws
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Birth begins with the mother
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
Naalum sompalai kazhiththu
Subtract laziness every single day
Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu
Carve out a good path for yourself
Anbu enbathai koottu
Add love to your life
Pagutharivu enbathai perukku
Multiply rational thinking and wisdom
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Birth begins with the mother
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Education begins with the first letter 'Aa'
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Receiving an honor or award is prestige
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
It is hard work that always bestows self-respect
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a motivational and educational anthem emphasizing fundamental human values, hard work, continuous learning, and self-respect. It opens with basic life lessons—linking birth to mother, literacy to the first alphabet letter, and dignity to honest labor. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly incorporates mathematical operations as metaphors for life: subtracting laziness, adding love, and multiplying rational thinking. The song inspires youth by citing historical achievers like Columbus, Tenzing Norgay, and Neil Armstrong to illustrate that human perseverance knows no boundaries.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Mathematical Metaphor / Arithmetical Imagery
“Naalum sompalai kazhiththu / Anbu enbathai koottu / Pagutharivu enbathai perukku”
Vaali uses arithmetic operations (subtract, add, multiply) as moral advice for personal development.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu / Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu”
Matching opening sounds across adjacent lines (Ammaavil / Aanaavil).
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Valluvan sollum avvaiyin vaakkum / Ullathai moodi maraiththaal unnai”
Second consonant rhyme between lines ('mm' in Ammaavil and 'nn' in Aanaavil or 'll' in Valluvan / Ullathai).
Proverbial Allusion (Thirukkural & Avvaiyar)
“Muyarchi enbathu thiruvinaiyaakkum / Valluvan sollum avvaiyin vaakkum”
Direct referencing of Tamil ethical literature, quoting Thiruvalluvar's concept 'Muyarchi thiruvinaiyaakkum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Vaali cleverly weaves Tamil proverbs (such as 'Kuttram paarkkin suttram illai' and 'Muyarchi thiruvinaiyaakkum') alongside modern historical milestones (Columbus discovering America, Tenzing Norgay conquering Everest, and Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon) to make classic Tamil moral values relatable to younger generations in modern times.
Keep listening
More from Orey Saatchi
Orey Saatchi
Orey Saatchi
Orey Saatchi