Kaalam Ennum
From Thalattu Ketkuthamma · 1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaalam enum noolilae…..ae….ae… | On the thread called Time... |
| Ingu paesum bommaigal aadudhu aa…..aa…. | The talking puppets dance here... |
| Paavam rendu bommaiyum vidum… | The poor two dolls shed... |
| Kanneer kannatthil odudhu | Tears that stream down the cheeks. |
| Aa……aa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa….. | Aalap / Vocal melody... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
| Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan | The gift of motherhood bestowed by God... |
| Vaendaam enum penmai thaan | Yet rejected by womanhood... |
| Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae…. | Has become a strange wonder... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
| Male | |
| Kandrugalai eendredukka | To give birth to calves... |
| Aadum maadum anjudhaa | Do goats and cows hesitate or fear? |
| Karpath thadai vaendum endru | Asking for birth control... |
| Dheivaththidam kenjudhaa | Do they beg before God? |
| Pillai ondru vaendum endru | Desiring to have a single child... |
| Yeththanaiyo thaaik kulam | How many mothers/women... |
| Koyil kulam saami endru | Visit temples, sacred tanks, and deities... |
| Sutri vandhu vaendidum | Circumambulate and pray repeatedly? |
| Male | |
| Sutri vandha podhilum | Even after making all those holy rounds... |
| Petredukka koodumo | Is it granted for everyone to give birth? |
| Mukkulikkum yaarumae | Can everyone who dives deep into the ocean... |
| Mutthedukka aagumo | Retrieve a precious pearl? |
| Pennai oru dheivamaai | The reason people speak of... |
| Paesugindra kaaranam | A woman as a divine deity... |
| Aval thaangum thaaimai thaan……. | Is solely the motherhood she endures... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
| Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan | The gift of motherhood bestowed by God... |
| Vaendaam enum penmai thaan | Yet rejected by womanhood... |
| Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae…. | Has become a strange wonder... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
| Male | |
| Ai irandu maadham yendru | Enduring ten long months... |
| Annai padum vaedhanai | The severe pain that a mother undergoes... |
| Kai irandil thaenai alli kondu | Scooping up sweet honey in both hands... |
| Varum saadhanai | Is a grand achievement brought forth. |
| Sorum indri neerum indri | Without food and without water... |
| Saambal thinna thondralaam | She might feel the craving to consume ash. |
| Thitthikkindra mutthangalai | Yet sweet and sugary kisses... |
| Pillaiyidam vaangalaam | Can be received from her child in return. |
| Male | |
| Pachai vanna thaar vidum | Giving yield to a green stalk of bananas... |
| Vaazhai maram saaindhidum | The banana tree falls down. |
| Muththukkalai eendridum | Yielding precious pearls inside... |
| Sippigalum maaindhidum | The oysters perish as well. |
| Pillaigalai thaangidum | By bearing and nurturing children... |
| Penmai uyir vaazhndhidum | Womanhood retains its true life purpose. |
| Idhu dhaevan theerppu thaan…………. | This is indeed the divine verdict of God... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
| Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan | The gift of motherhood bestowed by God... |
| Vaendaam enum penmai thaan | Yet rejected by womanhood... |
| Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae…. | Has become a strange wonder... |
| Male | |
| Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan | The word called 'Mother'... |
| Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam | Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings. |
| Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa | Will everyone be blessed with it? |
| Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam | Is it a fortune to hear it with love? |
காலம் எனும் நூலிலே......ஏ.....ஏ.....
இங்கு பேசும் பொம்மைகள் ஆடுது ஆ...ஆ.....
பாவம் ரெண்டு பொம்மையும் விடும்
கண்ணீர் கன்னத்தில் ஓடுது
ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....ஆ...ஆஅ.....ஆ......ஆ.....
On the thread called Time...
The talking puppets dance here...
The poor two dolls shed...
Tears that stream down the cheeks.
Aalap / Vocal melody...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
தேவன் தரும் தாய்மைதான்
வேண்டாம் எனும் பெண்மைதான்
விந்தையானதே......ஏ.....
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Has become a strange wonder...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
கன்றுகளை ஈன்றெடுக்க
ஆடும் மாடும் அஞ்சுதா
கர்ப்பத்தடை வேண்டும் என்று
தெய்வத்திடம் கெஞ்சுதா
பிள்ளை ஒன்று வேண்டும் என்று
எத்தனையோ தாய்குலம்
கோயில் குளம் சாமியென்று
சுற்றி வந்து வேண்டிடும்
To give birth to calves...
Do goats and cows hesitate or fear?
Asking for birth control...
Do they beg before God?
Desiring to have a single child...
How many mothers/women...
Visit temples, sacred tanks, and deities...
Circumambulate and pray repeatedly?
சுற்றி வந்த போதிலும்
பெற்றெடுக்க கூடுமோ
முக்குளிக்கும் யாருமே
முத்தெடுக்க ஆகுமோ
பெண்ணை ஒரு தெய்வமாய்
பேசுகின்ற காரணம்
அவள் தாங்கும் தாய்மைதான்.........
Even after making all those holy rounds...
Is it granted for everyone to give birth?
Can everyone who dives deep into the ocean...
Retrieve a precious pearl?
The reason people speak of...
A woman as a divine deity...
Is solely the motherhood she endures...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
தேவன் தரும் தாய்மைதான்
வேண்டாம் எனும் பெண்மைதான்
விந்தையானதே......ஏ.....
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Has become a strange wonder...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
ஐயிரண்டு மாதம் என்று
அன்னை படும் வேதனை
கையிரண்டில் தேனை அள்ளி கொண்டு
வரும் சாதனை
சோறும் இன்றி நீருமின்றி
சாம்பல் தின்ன தோன்றலாம்
தித்திக்கின்ற முத்தங்களை
பிள்ளையிடம் வாங்கலாம்
Enduring ten long months...
The severe pain that a mother undergoes...
Scooping up sweet honey in both hands...
Is a grand achievement brought forth.
Without food and without water...
She might feel the craving to consume ash.
Yet sweet and sugary kisses...
Can be received from her child in return.
பச்சை வண்ண தார்விடும்
வாழைமரம் சாய்ந்திடும்
முத்துக்களை ஈன்றிடும்
சிப்பிக்களும் மாய்ந்திடும்
பிள்ளைகளை தாங்கிடும்
பெண்மை உயிர் வாழ்ந்திடும்
இது தேவன் தீர்ப்பு.........
Giving yield to a green stalk of bananas...
The banana tree falls down.
Yielding precious pearls inside...
The oysters perish as well.
By bearing and nurturing children...
Womanhood retains its true life purpose.
This is indeed the divine verdict of God...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
தேவன் தரும் தாய்மைதான்
வேண்டாம் எனும் பெண்மைதான்
விந்தையானதே......ஏ.....
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Has become a strange wonder...
அம்மா எனும் வார்த்தைதான்
பல அர்த்தம் சொல்கிற வாக்கியம்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வாய்க்குமா
அதை காதால் கேட்கிற பாக்கியம்
The word called 'Mother'...
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Kaalam enum noolilae…..ae….ae…
On the thread called Time...
Ingu paesum bommaigal aadudhu aa…..aa….
The talking puppets dance here...
Paavam rendu bommaiyum vidum…
The poor two dolls shed...
Kanneer kannatthil odudhu
Tears that stream down the cheeks.
Aa……aa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa…..
Aalap / Vocal melody...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Vaendaam enum penmai thaan
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae….
Has become a strange wonder...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Kandrugalai eendredukka
To give birth to calves...
Aadum maadum anjudhaa
Do goats and cows hesitate or fear?
Karpath thadai vaendum endru
Asking for birth control...
Dheivaththidam kenjudhaa
Do they beg before God?
Pillai ondru vaendum endru
Desiring to have a single child...
Yeththanaiyo thaaik kulam
How many mothers/women...
Koyil kulam saami endru
Visit temples, sacred tanks, and deities...
Sutri vandhu vaendidum
Circumambulate and pray repeatedly?
Sutri vandha podhilum
Even after making all those holy rounds...
Petredukka koodumo
Is it granted for everyone to give birth?
Mukkulikkum yaarumae
Can everyone who dives deep into the ocean...
Mutthedukka aagumo
Retrieve a precious pearl?
Pennai oru dheivamaai
The reason people speak of...
Paesugindra kaaranam
A woman as a divine deity...
Aval thaangum thaaimai thaan…….
Is solely the motherhood she endures...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Vaendaam enum penmai thaan
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae….
Has become a strange wonder...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Ai irandu maadham yendru
Enduring ten long months...
Annai padum vaedhanai
The severe pain that a mother undergoes...
Kai irandil thaenai alli kondu
Scooping up sweet honey in both hands...
Varum saadhanai
Is a grand achievement brought forth.
Sorum indri neerum indri
Without food and without water...
Saambal thinna thondralaam
She might feel the craving to consume ash.
Thitthikkindra mutthangalai
Yet sweet and sugary kisses...
Pillaiyidam vaangalaam
Can be received from her child in return.
Pachai vanna thaar vidum
Giving yield to a green stalk of bananas...
Vaazhai maram saaindhidum
The banana tree falls down.
Muththukkalai eendridum
Yielding precious pearls inside...
Sippigalum maaindhidum
The oysters perish as well.
Pillaigalai thaangidum
By bearing and nurturing children...
Penmai uyir vaazhndhidum
Womanhood retains its true life purpose.
Idhu dhaevan theerppu thaan………….
This is indeed the divine verdict of God...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Dhaevan tharum thaaimaithaan
The gift of motherhood bestowed by God...
Vaendaam enum penmai thaan
Yet rejected by womanhood...
Oru vindhai aanadhae….ae….
Has become a strange wonder...
Ammaa enum vaartthaithaan
The word called 'Mother'...
Pala arththam solgira vaakkiyam
Is a statement that holds so many profound meanings.
Yellorkkum vaaikkumaa
Will everyone be blessed with it?
Adhai kaadhaal kaetkira baakkiyam
Is it a fortune to hear it with love?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ammaa Enum Vaartthaithaan from Thalattu Ketkuthamma is a deeply emotional ode to motherhood and womanhood. The song begins with a philosophical observation that human beings are like puppets dancing to the thread of time. It draws a stark contrast between animals, who reproduce effortlessly without fear, and human women who often go through countless prayers, temple visits, and penance just to be blessed with a child, emphasizing that motherhood is a rare divine grace not given to everyone.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvagam)
“Kaalam enum noolilae…..ae….ae…”
Human beings are metaphorically depicted as talking puppets controlled by the thread of Time ('Kaalam enum noolilae... bommaigal aadudhu').
Analogy (Uvamai)
“Pachai vanna thaar vidum Vaazhai maram saaindhidum”
A mother's sacrifice is compared to nature: a banana tree that dies after yielding its fruit and an oyster that perishes after producing pearls.
Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)
“Sorum indri neerum indri”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound across lines, such as 'Sorum' and 'Saambal' or 'Pachai' and 'Muththukkalai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by the legendary Vaali and rendered by K. J. Yesudas for the 1991 Tamil drama film Thalattu Ketkuthamma, starring Prabhu and Kanaka.
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