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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbe Amudha (Happy)

From Amudha · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Amudha1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Nee paalamuthaa suvai thaenamuthaaAre you milk-nectar or sweet honey-nectar?
Illai paarkadal pirantha kaniyamuthaaOr are you the divine fruit-nectar born from the ocean of milk?
Unthan sollamuthaa idhazh suvaiyamuthaaIs your speech nectar, or is the taste of your lips nectar?
Konjam nil amuthaa adhai sol amuthaaWait a moment, Amudha, and tell me that, Amudha.
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Nee paalamuthaa suvai thaenamuthaaAre you milk-nectar or sweet honey-nectar?
Illai paarkadal pirantha kaniyamuthaaOr are you the divine fruit-nectar born from the ocean of milk?
Unthan sollamuthaa idhazh suvaiyamuthaaIs your speech nectar, or is the taste of your lips nectar?
Konjam nil amuthaa adhai sol amuthaaWait a moment, Amudha, and tell me that, Amudha.
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Male
Devan kovil kaniyum manamumThe fruit and fragrance of the Lord's temple,
Devi ennidam thanthaayoO Goddess, did you give them to me?
Devan kovil kaniyum manamumThe fruit and fragrance of the Lord's temple,
Devi ennidam thanthaayoO Goddess, did you give them to me?
Male
Aavi kalanthu kovil edukkaTo blend our souls and build a temple,
Azhagu silaiyena vanthaayo….Did you come like a beautiful sculpted idol?
Male
Ennai azhaikkum unthan sannithiYour sanctum calls out to me,
Thannai koduththaal nimmathiThere will be peace only if you surrender yourself.
Kelvi ingae mounam angaeThe question is asked here, but silence prevails there,
Killai mozhigal ponathengaeWhere have your sweet, parrot-like words gone?
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Male
Kangal ennum kanintha thiraatchaiYour eyes, which resemble ripe, juicy grapes,
Kanni endrunnai sollaathoDo they not proclaim you as a youthful maiden?
Kangal ennum kanintha thiraatchaiYour eyes, which resemble ripe, juicy grapes,
Kanni endrunnai sollaathoDo they not proclaim you as a youthful maiden?
Male
Kannam irandil minnum azhaguThe radiant beauty shining on both your cheeks,
Kadhal mayakkam kollaathoDoes it not cause an enchanting spell of love?
Male
Velli nilaavai paathi pilanthuAs if splitting the silver moon in half,
Alli anintha kungumamAnd wearing the gathered vermilion (kungumam),
Velli nilaavai paathi pilanthuAs if splitting the silver moon in half,
Alli anintha kungumamAnd wearing the gathered vermilion (kungumam),
Ponathengae engum illaiWhere did it go? It is nowhere else,
Endrum irukkum ennidamIt permanently resides with me.
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…
Nee paalamuthaa suvai thaenamuthaaAre you milk-nectar or sweet honey-nectar?
Illai paarkadal pirantha kaniyamuthaaOr are you the divine fruit-nectar born from the ocean of milk?
Unthan sollamuthaa idhazh suvaiyamuthaaIs your speech nectar, or is the taste of your lips nectar?
Konjam nil amuthaa adhai sol amuthaaWait a moment, Amudha, and tell me that, Amudha.
Male
Anbae amuthaa…anbae…My sweet love Amudha… my love…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track 'Anbae Amuthaa' expresses a lover's intense admiration and poetic fascination for his beloved, Amudha. The lyrics repeatedly play on the word 'Amudha' (meaning nectar or divine sweetness), comparing her presence, speech, eyes, and demeanor to various forms of celestial nectar, ripe fruits, and divine grace. He wonders if she is a statue brought to life from a temple to blend souls with him, while playfully questioning her shy silence. Kannadasan's evocative verses paint imagery of radiant beauty—comparing her eyes to ripe grapes and her forehead mark to the split silver moon. The lover surrenders to her charm, seeking peace in her embrace while celebrating the eternal connection they share.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Polyptoton (Wordplay on 'Amuthaa')

Nee paalamuthaa suvai thaenamuthaa

Repeated use of the suffix/word 'Amuthaa' across lines ('Paalamuthaa', 'Thaenamuthaa', 'Kaniyamuthaa', 'Sollamuthaa', 'Suvaiyamuthaa') to emphasize extreme sweetness.

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile (Rupaka)

Kangal ennum kanintha thiraatchai

Comparing her eyes directly to ripe grapes ('Kangal ennum kanintha thiraatchai') and comparing her forelock/face to a silver moon split in half.

Emoni / Rhyme (Tamil Edhugai & Monai)

Velli nilaavai paathi pilanthu / Alli anintha kungumam

Second letter rhyme (Edhugai) seen in lines such as 'Kelvi ingae' / 'Killai mozhigal' and 'Velli nilaavai' / 'Alli anintha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by MS Viswanathan and sung by TM Soundararajan, this song features Kannadasan's iconic poetic trademark where the character's name 'Amudha' is seamlessly woven into complex classical Tamil metaphors describing nectar (Amudham).

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