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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amuthe Odi Vaa

From Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu · 1960

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
12 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Amma vedhanai kaatchiyae
Vizhi kaanavillaiyoo
Sodhanai yen amma
Amirthavarshini..amirthavarshini
Amudhae odi vaa
Amudhae odi vaa
Vaan amudhae odi vaa
Amaidhi soozha ulagam vaazha arul mazhai
Amudhae odi vaa
Mannan needhiyil maaruvadhalae
Vaanum vanjanai seidhidalaamoo
Mannan needhiyil maaruvadhalae
Vaanum vanjanai seidhidalaamoo
Enna tholaiyaa ezhai maandhargal
Yengi vaadudhal podhadho
Amudhae odi vaa
Vaan amudhae odi vaa
Nallavar vaazha peidhidum mazhaiyaal
Nallavar vaazha peidhidum mazhaiyaal
Naadum vaazhndhidum enbathum poiyoo
Nellum valamum niraiya seivadhu
Neer illamal veredhu
Amudhae odi vaa
Uzhavor adaintha thuyaraal varunthi
Venmegam maeni karukkave
Mazhai neer sumandha mugilae kavindhu
Adi vaanamengum nerukkavae
Vizhipola minnal thirakkavae
Idiyosai vinnil muzhakkave
Sezhikkavae puvikkellam
Mazhai muthin thuli sindha magizhvodu
Amudhae odi vaa
Amudhae odi vaa
Vaan amudhae odi vaa
Odi vaa ..odi vaa.. odi vaa
Oh Mother, this sight of pain and sorrow,
do your eyes not see it?
Why put us through this trial, Mother?
Amritavarshini... Amritavarshini...
Come rushing, sweet nectar!
Come rushing, sweet nectar!
Nectar of the skies, come rushing!
To bring peace and sustain the world, rain of grace,
come rushing, sweet nectar!
Just because the king strays from justice,
should the skies betray us too?
Just because the king strays from justice,
should the skies betray us too?
Countless poor souls are longing and suffering—
is that not enough?
Come rushing, sweet nectar!
Nectar of the skies, come rushing!
When rain falls for the good to survive,
when rain falls for the good to survive,
is it a lie that the whole land prospers too?
What brings abundant grain and wealth to life,
without water, what else could it be?
Come rushing, sweet nectar!
Grieving the sorrow of the farmers,
let the white clouds turn dark,
let the rain-bearing clouds gather,
crowding thick across the horizon!
Let lightning flash wide like opening eyes,
let thunder roar across the sky!
So the whole earth may flourish,
scattering pearly raindrops in joy,
come rushing, sweet nectar!
Come rushing, sweet nectar!
Nectar of the skies, come rushing!
Come rushing, come rushing, come rushing!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song 'Amudhae Odi Vaa' is a heartfelt prayer for rain set in the raga Amritavarshini, which is traditionally believed in Carnatic music to evoke rainfall. The singer appeals to the divine mother and nature, questioning why the sky acts so cruelly toward the poor and the hardworking farmers simply because of earthly rulers' misdeeds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Raga Mudra (Integration of Raga Name)

Amirthavarshini..amirthavarshini

The lyrics explicitly incorporate the name of the Carnatic ragam 'Amirthavarshini' in which the song is composed.

Personification / Tharkurippetram

Uzhavor adaintha thuyaraal varunthi Venmegam maeni karukkave

The clouds are personified as compassionate beings whose bodies turn black out of deep grief for the suffering farmers.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mazhai muthin thuli sindha magizhvodu

Raindrops are poetically described as precious pearls falling from the heavens.

Refrain (Anaphora)

Amudhae odi vaa

The recurring invocation 'Amudhae odi vaa' creates rhythmic urgency and emotional longing for the rain.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed in the Carnatic scale Amritavarshini, legendary for its power to induce rain. T. G. Lingappa created a masterpiece featuring P. Susheela's resonant vocals in the 1960 film 'Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu', an adaptation of the fable 'Kingdom of Children'.

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