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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annam Pole Unnai Sad

From Anbu Magan · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Anbu Magan1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Annam pole unnaiLike a swan, you...
Than arugil vaithaal annaiThe mother kept you near herself
Indru kangal ingae kanmani angaeToday the eyes are here, while the apple of the eye is there
Kaalam pirithathu nammaiTime has separated us
Female
Annam pole unnaiLike a swan, you...
Than arugil vaithaal annaiThe mother kept you near herself
Female
Pesum kiliyai arugil azhaithaarThey called the talking parrot near
Pechai maranthidu endraarAnd told it to forget its speech
Paadum kuyilai koondil adaithaarThey caged the singing cuckoo
Paattai izhakka endraarTo make it lose its song
Pesum kiliyai arugil azhaithaarThey called the talking parrot near
Pechai maranthidu endraarAnd told it to forget its speech
Paadum kuyilai koondil adaithaarThey caged the singing cuckoo
Paattai izhakka endraarTo make it lose its song
Aadum manadhai aasaiyai mattumOnly the dancing heart and its desires
Mooda marandhaar sendraarThey forgot to cover up before leaving
Female
Annam pole unnaiLike a swan, you...
Than arugil vaithaal annaiThe mother kept you near herself
Female
Vandhadhu polae vandhaai maganaeMy son, you came like a fleeting presence
Nindrathu polae nindraaiYou stood like a momentary pause
Thannanthaniyae annai irukkaWhile your mother remains all alone
Sendraai maganae sendraaiYou departed, my son, you departed
Vandhadhu polae vandhaai maganaeMy son, you came like a fleeting presence
Nindrathu polae nindraaiYou stood like a momentary pause
Thannanthaniyae annai irukkaWhile your mother remains all alone
Sendraai maganae sendraaiYou departed, my son, you departed
Engiruthaalum yaar valarthaalumWherever you may be, whoever raises you
En magane nee vaazhgaMay you live long, my son
Female
Annam pole unnaiLike a swan, you...
Than arugil vaithaal annaiThe mother kept you near herself
Indru kangal ingae kanmani angaeToday the eyes are here, while the apple of the eye is there
Kaalam pirithathu nammaiTime has separated us
Female
Annam pole unnaiLike a swan, you...
Than arugil vaithaal annaiThe mother kept you near herself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Annam Pole Unnai is a poignant mother's lament expressing deep sorrow over being forcibly separated from her beloved child by fate. The mother reflects on how her child was once tenderly nurtured beside her like a gentle swan. She feels incomplete, stating that while her eyes are in one place, the pupil of her eye (her precious child) has been taken elsewhere. She likens the cruel situation to caging a songbird to silence its song or calling a parrot only to forbid it from speaking. Despite the unbearable heartache and solitude of being left alone, the mother's love remains completely selfless. She pours out her heart in blessing her son, praying that no matter where he lives or who rears him, he should thrive and lead a long, blessed life. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance combined with P. Susheela's soulful rendition captures the timeless warmth and sacrifice inherent in maternal love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Annam pole unnai / Than arugil vaithaal annai

Compares the tender child to a graceful, pure swan ('Annam') nurtured closely by the mother.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indru kangal ingae kanmani angae

Uses 'kangal' (eyes) and 'kanmani' (pupil/apple of the eye) to represent the physical self versus the soul/child separated by distance.

Allegory / Imagery

Pesum kiliyai arugil azhaithaar / Paadum kuyilai koondil adaithaar

Uses the imagery of a silenced parrot and a caged cuckoo to symbolize the suppression of natural affection and forced separation.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Monai & Edhugai)

Vandhadhu polae vandhaai maganae / Nindrathu polae nindraai

Employs initial and secondary phonetic matching across lines such as 'Pesum' / 'Paadum' and 'Vandhadhu' / 'Nindrathu'.

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Trivia

trivia

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