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Thirudathe album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Anbale Thannuyirai

From Thirudathe · 1961

Lyricist
M. K. Aathmanathan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Thirudathe
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
12 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Anbaalae than uyirai
Amudhaakki
Ennaiyoru aalaakki vaazha vaithaal
Annaiyaval pettra payan adaiyaamal
Ulagai vittu kanmoodi urangi vittaal
Ulagai vittu kanmoodi urangi vittaal
Kanmoodi… urangi vittaal
Pettravarkku perumai tharum
Pettravarkku perumai tharum
Pillai nenjil amaidhiyillai
Pillai nenjil amaidhiyillai…
Amaidhiyillai… amaidhiyillai…
With love, her very life
she turned into nectar,
raising me and helping me stand on my own feet.
Yet without enjoying the rewards of motherhood,
she left this world, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
She left this world, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
Closed her eyes… and went to sleep forever.
Though bringing pride to the mother who bore him,
Though bringing pride to the mother who bore him,
there is no peace in this son's heart.
There is no peace in this son's heart…
No peace… no peace…
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song reflects the deep sorrow and yearning of a child who has lost his mother. The lyrics convey how the mother poured all her love, turning her life into nourishing nectar to raise him into a worthy individual. However, before she could enjoy the fruit of her motherhood or witness his success, she passed away, leaving the world forever. Though the child strives to live a life that brings honor to her memory, his heart remains restless and bereft of peace due to her tragic absence. The song highlights the tragic irony of a son who can make his mother proud, yet cannot share that pride with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Amudhaakki

Comparing a mother's life and love to 'Amudham' (nourishing nectar of immortality).

Euphemism

Ulagai vittu kanmoodi urangi vittaal

Using 'closing eyes and sleeping' to gently express the tragedy of death.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pettravarkku perumai tharum

Alliteration of the initial sound 'P' ('Pettravarkku' and 'perumai') creating a melodic rhythm.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Amaidhiyillai… amaidhiyillai…

Repetition of the phrase 'Amaidhiyillai' emphasizes the intense grief and lack of mental peace felt by the protagonist.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thirudathe (1961) is a classic Tamil film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and K. A. Thangavelu. Though often credited as 'Unknown' in brief lyrics listings, the film's music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, and this emotional song was sung by P. Susheela, serving as a critical emotional turning point in the storyline.

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