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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annaiyai Pol Oru Dheivam Illai

From Annaiyin Aanai · 1958

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Annaiyin Aanai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pathu maadhamFor ten months
Sumandhirundhu petraalShe carried us in her womb and gave birth
Pagal iravaaiDay and night
Vizhithirundhu valarthaalShe stayed awake and nurtured us
Vithaganaai kalvi pera vaithaalShe educated us to become wise and accomplished
Maedhiniyil naam vaazha seidhaalShe enabled us to live well in this world
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Aval adi thozha marappavar manidharillaiThose who forget to bow at her feet are not human
Manidharillai mannil manidharillaiNot human, on this earth they are not human
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Aval adi thozha marappavar manidharillaiThose who forget to bow at her feet are not human
Manidharillai mannil manidharillaiNot human, on this earth they are not human
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Male
Thunbamum thollaiyumSorrow and trouble
Yaetru kondae…Enduring them continuously…
Ae… ae… ae…Ae… ae… ae…
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Thunbamum thollaiyumSorrow and trouble
Yaetru kondae nammaiEnduring them all for us
Sugam pera vaithidumShe makes us experience happiness
Karunai vellamAn overflowing flood of compassion
Sugam pera vaithidum karunai vellamAn overflowing flood of compassion that grants us comfort
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Aval adi thozha marappavar manidharillaiThose who forget to bow at her feet are not human
Manidharillai mannil manidharillaiNot human, on this earth they are not human
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Male
Naalellaam pattiniyaaiAll day long in hunger and starvation
IrundhiduvaalShe would remain
Oru naazhighai nam pasiEven for a short hour, our hunger
Porukka maattaalShe could not tolerate
Maelellaam ilaithida paadu pattae…Toiling until her own body grew thin and frail…
Maenmaiyaai naam vaazha seidhiduvaal…She ensures that we live a life of greatness and dignity…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Male
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illaiThere is no deity equal to a mother
Aval adi thozha marappavar manidharillaiThose who forget to bow at her feet are not human
Manidharillai mannil manidharillaiNot human, on this earth they are not human
Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illai…There is no deity equal to a mother…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Annaiyin Aanai' (1958) is a poignant homage to motherhood, portraying a mother as the ultimate living deity on earth. The lyrics vividly describe the boundless sacrifices a mother makes—from carrying a child for ten months and sacrificing her sleep, to starving herself so her children never go hungry, and working to exhaustion so they can lead educated, noble lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Annaiyai pol oru dheivam illai

Compares a mother directly to a divine deity using the comparative word 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sugam pera vaithidum karunai vellam

Metaphorically compares motherly love and kindness to an overflowing flood ('karunai vellam').

Repetition / Emphasis (Adukkuthodar)

Manidharillai mannil manidharillai

Repeats 'manidharillai' to passionately emphasize that failing to honor a mother forfeits one's humanity.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Maelellaam ilaithida paadu pattae… / Maenmaiyaai naam vaazha seidhiduvaal…

Matching initial consonants/sounds ('Maelellaam' / 'Maenmaiyaai') creating melodic harmony.

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Trivia

The film 'Annaiyin Aanai' (1958) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. This song, rendered by T. M. Soundararajan with lyrics penned by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, became a timeless anthem across Tamil-speaking regions celebrating maternal devotion.

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