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Padithal Mattum Podhuma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Annan Kaattiya Vazhiyamma

From Padithal Mattum Podhuma · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
5 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Idhu anbaal vilaintha pazhiyamma
Kannai imayae keduthathamma
En kaiyae ennai adithathamma
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Thottaal chuduvathu neruppagum
Thodaamal chuduvathu sirippagum
Thottaal chuduvathu neruppagum
Thodaamal chuduvathu sirippagum
Therinthae keduppathu pagaiyagum
Theriyaamal keduppathu uravagum
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Idhu anbaal vilaintha pazhiyamma
Kannai imayae keduthathamma
En kaiyae ennai adithathamma
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Adaikkalam endrae ninathirunthen
Anaithavanae nenjai yerithu vittan
Kodutharulvaai endru vendi nindren
Kumbitta kaigalai murithu vittan
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Avanai ninaithae naan irundhen
Avan thannai ninaithae vaazhndirundhaan
Avanai ninaithae naan irundhen
Avan thannai ninaithae vaazhndirundhaan
Innum avanai marakkavillai
Avan ithanai seidhum naan verukkavillai
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
Idhu anbaal vilaintha pazhiyamma
Kannai imayae keduthathamma
En kaiyae ennai adithathamma
Annan kattiya vazhi amma
This is the path my brother built, mother,
This is the blame born of love, mother.
The eyelid itself has harmed the eye, mother,
My own hand has struck against me, mother.
This is the path my brother built, mother.
Fire burns only when you touch it,
A mocking smile burns without even touching.
Fire burns only when you touch it,
A mocking smile burns without even touching.
An enemy harms you knowingly,
A loved one ruins you without even realizing.
This is the path my brother built, mother,
This is the blame born of love, mother.
The eyelid itself has harmed the eye, mother,
My own hand has struck against me, mother.
This is the path my brother built, mother.
I thought of him as my safe shelter,
Yet the one who embraced me burned my heart.
I stood begging for his kindness,
Yet he broke the hands I folded in prayer.
This is the path my brother built, mother.
I lived thinking only of him,
While he lived thinking only of himself.
I lived thinking only of him,
While he lived thinking only of himself.
Even now, I have not forgotten him,
Despite all he did, I cannot hate him.
This is the path my brother built, mother,
This is the blame born of love, mother.
The eyelid itself has harmed the eye, mother,
My own hand has struck against me, mother.
This is the path my brother built, mother.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses the deep pain of betrayal experienced at the hands of an elder brother, who was once held in the highest regard. The protagonist laments that the very person expected to protect him ended up causing him immense psychological and emotional anguish. Using powerful metaphors of self-inflicted harm and paradoxical fire, the lyricist captures the profound tragedy of kin hurting kin. Despite the suffering, cruelty, and selfish actions of the elder brother, the protagonist displays unconditional love and forgiveness. He reflects on how his adoration was selfless while his brother's actions were self-centered, yet concludes that he cannot bring himself to hate the person he once revered.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Ethirsol

“Kannai imayae keduthathamma”

The eyelid, whose natural function is to protect the eye, is described as harming it, symbolizing betrayal by a natural protector.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Thottaal chuduvathu neruppagum / Thodaamal chuduvathu sirippagum”

Contrasts literal fire (which burns on physical contact) with mockery or deceptive smiles (which burn emotionally from a distance).

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Therinthae keduppathu pagaiyagum / Theriyaamal keduppathu uravagum”

The second consonant sound matches across lines ('r' sound in Therinthae and Theriyaamal).

Idiomatic Metaphor

“En kaiyae ennai adithathamma”

Uses the image of one's own hand striking oneself to portray betrayal by a close family member.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the classic 1962 Tamil film 'Padithal Mattum Podhuma', featuring Sivaji Ganesan and M. R. Radha. The music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics penned by Kannadasan and vocals rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.

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