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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ammavil Thodanguthu

From Orey Saatchi · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Orey Saatchi
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
11 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
Kaithozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Oru kavalai unakkillai othukkol
Naalum sompalai kazhiththu
Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu
Anbu enbathai koottu
Pagutharivu enbathai perukku
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
Kadal mel thirinthu kappalil mithanthu
Karaiyai kandaan kolmbus
Kadumpani kulirai porutpaduththaamal
Imaiyathai thottaan densing
Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu
Nilavai mithithaan armstrong
Avanukku melae palapadi kadanthu
Nilavai mithithaan armstrong
Adhupol neengal arivilum uzhaippilum
Puvi mel vilanganum orr naal
Muyarchi enbathu thiruvinaiyaakkum
Munnor sollae nanmai undaakkum
Valluvan sollum avvaiyin vaakkum
Vaazhkkaiyai kaattum kannaadi
Ullathai moodi maraiththaal unnai
Deivam kaattum pinnaadi
Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu
Unmai ondrey uyir naadi
Endrum nallathu yaettram tharuvathu
Unmai ondrey uyir naadi
Engae unathu kavanam thambi
Ingae enathu paattai paadi
Kuttram paarkkin suttram illai
Kuraiyae illaa manithan illai
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
Naalum sompalai kazhiththu
Nee nalla paadhaiyai vaguththu
Anbu enbathai koottu
Pagutharivu enbathai perukku
Ammaavil thodanguthu pirappu
Aanaavil thodanguthu padippu
Sanmaanam enbathu sirappu
Endrum thanmaanam tharuvathu uzhaippu
Birth begins with a mother,
Learning begins with the first letter 'Aa',
A reward is a great honor,
Hard work is what always gives self-respect.
Learn a trade with your own hands,
And accept that you will have no worries.
Subtract laziness each day,
Chart out a good path for yourself,
Add love to your life,
And multiply your power of reason!
Birth begins with a mother,
Learning begins with the first letter 'Aa',
A reward is a great honor,
Hard work is what always gives self-respect.
Sailing across the oceans on a ship,
Columbus discovered new shores.
Without minding the bitter snow and cold,
Tenzing climbed the Himalayas.
Going many steps higher than him,
Armstrong set foot on the moon.
Going many steps higher than him,
Armstrong set foot on the moon.
Like them, through knowledge and hard work,
You must shine in this world one day.
Hard work always brings prosperity,
The words of our elders bring good fortune.
The sayings of Valluvar and Avvai
Are a mirror reflecting how to live.
If you try to conceal what is in your heart,
God will expose the truth in the end.
Doing good will always lift you higher,
Truth alone is the lifeblood.
Doing good will always lift you higher,
Truth alone is the lifeblood.
Where is your attention, little brother?
Come here and sing my song!
If you look only for faults, you will have no loved ones,
There is no human without flaws.
Birth begins with a mother,
Learning begins with the first letter 'Aa',
A reward is a great honor,
Hard work is what always gives self-respect.
Subtract laziness each day,
Chart out a good path for yourself,
Add love to your life,
And multiply your power of reason!
Birth begins with a mother,
Learning begins with the first letter 'Aa',
A reward is a great honor,
Hard work is what always gives self-respect.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

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From the same album

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