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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annai Vendukiral Unnai

From Punitha Anthoniyar · 1976

Lyricist
Naanjil Durai
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Punitha Anthoniyar1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Annai vendugiraalThe Mother prays
Unnai kaapadharkkuTo protect and save you
Thannai unarndhu viduRealize who you truly are
Thavarai thiruthi viduCorrect your mistakes
Male
Annai vendugiraalThe Mother prays
Unnai kaapadharkkuTo protect and save you
Thannai unarndhu viduRealize who you truly are
Thavarai thiruthi viduCorrect your mistakes
Kattilil eendreduthaalShe gave birth to you on the bed
Thottilil kaathirundhaalShe waited patiently by the cradle
Vattilil sorumittaalShe served you food on the plate
Etti uhaithaayae ammaaYet you kicked her away, oh mother!
Male
Annai vendugiraalThe Mother prays
Unnai kaapadharkkuTo protect and save you
Thannai unarndhu viduRealize who you truly are
Thavarai thiruthi viduCorrect your mistakes
Male
Thaayinum periyathoruGreater than a mother
Kovil ingaedhuWhere is a temple here?
Thannallam illaadha selvamShe is a selfless treasure
Thaayinum periyathoruGreater than a mother
Kovil ingaedhuWhere is a temple here?
Thannallam illaadha selvamShe is a selfless treasure
Thooyavan yesupiraanThe pure Lord Jesus
Thaayaarin anbaalThrough motherly love
Maanilam kondaadum deivamBecame the God worshipped across the world
Male
Devathaai marie annaiMother Mary, the divine mother
Devanin thooya annaiThe holy mother of God
Thaaikkaval thaayallavooIs she not the guardian mother of all mothers?
Aval magan nee yallavooAre you not her child?
Amma….. ammaa…Mother... oh mother...
Male
Thaaimaiyai kondaadumHonoring motherhood
Parisutha aaviThe Holy Spirit
Devanin nizhalodu saerumJoins with the shadow of God
Thaayin vayiru erindhaalIf a mother's womb burns with anguish
Nee pogum paadhaiEvery path you walk upon
Yaavum mullaaga maarumWill turn entirely into thorns
Male
Karppukku maenmi koduGive glory to purity and virtue
Kalavini maranthu viduForget theft and deceit
Poimaiyai azhithu viduEradicate falsehood
Thaaimaiyai paninthu viduBowing humbly before motherhood
Ammaaa…..Mother...
Male
Annai vendugiraalThe Mother prays
Unnai kaapadharkkuTo protect and save you
Thannai unarndhu viduRealize who you truly are
Thavarai thiruthi viduCorrect your mistakes
Male
Yesuvai siluvai dhanilUpon the cross
Araindhaanae yudhanThe Jew nailed Jesus
Avanukkum anbu thandhaar devanYet God showered love even upon him
Yesuvai siluvai dhanilUpon the cross
Araindhaanae yudhanThe Jew nailed Jesus
Avanukkum anbu thandhaar devanYet God showered love even upon him
Paavathin thandanaiyae mudivu endraalumEven if punishment is the consequence of sin
Parigaaram ulladhu thaan paavamThere is indeed a path to atonement for sin
Male
Siluvai munn mandiyiduKneel before the Holy Cross
Seidhadhai solli viduConfess all that you have done
Kanneerai oda viduLet your tears flow freely
Karaigalai thudaithu viduWipe away the stains of your sins
Male
Siluvai munn mandiyiduKneel before the Holy Cross
Seidhadhai solli viduConfess all that you have done
Kanneerai oda viduLet your tears flow freely
Karaigalai thudaithu viduWipe away the stains of your sins
Male
Annai vendugiraalThe Mother prays
Unnai kaapadharkkuTo protect and save you
Thannai unarndhu viduRealize who you truly are
Thavarai thiruthi viduCorrect your mistakes

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional devotional song from the movie Punitha Anthoniyar (1976) emphasizes themes of motherly devotion, self-reflection, repentance, and divine forgiveness. Sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan with music by M. S. Vishwanathan, the song serves as a moral awakening call to a straying individual. It highlights how a mother sacrifices everything to nurture her child and warns that causing sorrow to one's mother brings hardship upon oneself. The lyrics draw parallels between human motherhood and the divine mother, Mother Mary, as well as the infinite grace of Lord Jesus Christ, who offered unconditional love even to those who crucified Him. The song urges the listener to kneel before the cross, repent with sincere tears, confess their wrongdoings, and seek spiritual cleansing and redemption.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kattilil eendreduthaal / Thottilil kaathirundhaal / Vattilil sorumittaal

The second consonant 'tt' (ட்) rhymes across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic harmony.

Iyeibu (End Rhyme)

Thannai unarndhu vidu / Thavarai thiruthi vidu

Matching ending verb suffixes '-vidu' across structural chorus lines creating a firm imperative tone.

Metaphor

Thaayinum periyathoru Kovil ingaedhu / Thannallam illaadha selvam

Comparing a mother's selfless existence to a sacred temple and an invaluable treasure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Punitha Anthoniyar' (1976) centers on the life and miracles of Saint Anthony of Padua. Sung by legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan and composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, this song remains one of the most famous Tamil Christian devotional film tracks, noted for blending Christian theology with classical Tamil literary themes of maternal respect.

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