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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kolli Malai Saralamma

From Jakkamma · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Sheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Jakkamma1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kollimalai saaral ammaThe drizzling rain on Kolli Hills, O mother
Kuliradikkum boomiyammaIs a land that shivers with cold, O mother
Kollimalai saaral ammaThe drizzling rain on Kolli Hills, O mother
Kuliradikkum boomiyammaIs a land that shivers with cold, O mother
Mangalamaai angu oru maanirundhathuAn auspicious female deer lived there
Andha maanodu aan maanum vaazhnthirunthadhuAnd along with that deer, a male deer also lived happily
Female
Chinna chinna kutty renduTwo small, little young ones
Sirikkum thanga petti renduTwo smiling treasure boxes of gold
Female
Chinna chinna kutty renduTwo small, little young ones
Sirikkum thanga petti renduTwo smiling treasure boxes of gold
Sernthiruntha maangalukku pirandhu vandhadhuWere born to those united deer
Andha jeevanodu paasam ennum virundhu vandhadhuAlong with those lives came a feast called affection
Female
Kollimalai saaral ammaThe drizzling rain on Kolli Hills, O mother
Kuliradikkum boomiyammaIs a land that shivers with cold, O mother
Female
Ooril oru vedan ammaThere was a hunter in the village, O mother
Uyir parikkum paaviyammaA sinner who snatched away lives, O mother
Female
Ooril oru vedan ammaThere was a hunter in the village, O mother
Uyir parikkum paaviyammaA sinner who snatched away lives, O mother
Ooralavum illaiyamma karunai enbadhuHe possessed not even a tiny grain of compassion, O mother
Avan ullathilae pirandhadhu kodumai enbadhuCruelty was what was born inside his heart
Ooralavum illaiyamma karunai enbadhuHe possessed not even a tiny grain of compassion, O mother
Avan ullathilae pirandhadhu kodumai enbadhuCruelty was what was born inside his heart
Female
Kaattu vedan thudithu vandhaanThe wild hunter arrived eagerly
Vaettaiyadi mudikka vandhaanHe came to complete his hunting game
Kandu konda aan maanoo kobam kondathuSpotting him, the male deer grew enraged
Andha kalathinilae aan maanin uyir pirinthathuIn that battle, the male deer lost its life
Female
Manammuditha kanavanaukkuFor her wedded husband
Maalaiyidu katti veithuAdorning a garland for him
Dhinam adhai pen maanaeDaily, the female deer
Thozhudhu vandhadhuCame and worshipped him
Thann chinna chinna kuttigalaiHer own little children
Thozhavum sonnadhuShe instructed to bow down and worship as well
Female
Purinthavarai puriyum endruBelieving it will be understood as far as possible
Mudinthavarai solli vittenI have told the story to the best of my ability
Irundha kadhai ivvalavae ennidathilaeThis was all the story that I had with me
Ini edhirkaalam yaavaiyumae unnidathilaeNow the entire future lies in your hands
Ini edhirkaalam yaavaiyumae unnidathilaeNow the entire future lies in your hands

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents an allegorical fable set against the backdrop of the misty Kolli Hills. It tells the story of a happy deer family—a loving pair of deer and their two adorable fawns—whose peaceful world is shattered when a heartless hunter enters the forest. The brave male deer confronts the hunter to protect his family but tragically loses his life in the struggle. Devastated yet dutiful, the female deer sets up a shrine for her fallen partner, worshipping his memory daily and teaching her fawns to honor their father's ultimate sacrifice. Through this fable, the narrator conveys a deeper moral lesson about tragedy, grief, duty, and passing on the truth to the next generation, placing the responsibility of what comes next into the listener's hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Sirikkum thanga petti rendu

The young fawns are poetically referred to as 'sirikkum thanga petti' (smiling boxes of gold), symbolizing their preciousness and pure joy.

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Andha jeevanodu paasam ennum virundhu vandhadhu

Bonding and deep emotional warmth are described as 'paasam ennum virundhu' (a feast called affection), framing family love as nourishing spiritual food.

Anaphora / Repetition

Kollimalai saaral amma

The refrain 'amma' at the end of alternating lines creates a rhythmic storytelling cadence characteristic of folk ballads.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kollimalai saaral amma / Kuliradikkum boomiyamma

Matching initial consonant sounds in Tamil verse structure (e.g., 'Kollimalai' and 'Kuliradikkum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from the 1972 Tamil film 'Jakkamma' features evocative lyrics by Kannadasan, who frequently used animal fables and nature motifs to allegorize human emotions, moral choices, and tragic destinies. Music director S. M. Subbaiah Naidu composed the folk-inspired score.

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