Maths Tough
From Amma Kanakku · 2016
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Srinisha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Amma Kanakku2016
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maths appappa | Oh my, Mathematics! |
| Mug up pannuppa | Try to mug it up, buddy! |
| Mark dubbappa | The marks end up dubious, buddy! |
| Maths appappa | Oh my, Mathematics! |
| Pickup pannalum | Even if you pick it up, |
| Exam-il zero pa | It is a zero in the exam, buddy! |
| Female | |
| Maths-ai yaar | Who on earth brought |
| Kondu vandhaan | Mathematics here? |
| Students-ku yen | Why did they inflict |
| Torture thandhaan | Such torture on students? |
| Alpha beta-nu soldraan | They talk about Alpha and Beta, |
| Trignometry-nu koldraan | They kill us with Trigonometry! |
| Female | |
| Hei newton | Hey Newton, |
| Einsteinum | And Einstein too, |
| Ada thandhaanae noi | Alas, they gave us a disease! |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Female | |
| Maths tough-u pa | Mathematics is tough, buddy! |
| Pickup-u pannalum | Even if you try to pick it up, |
| Stuckup-u aagumpaa | It gets totally stuck up, buddy! |
| Chorus | |
| Amma ponnum | Mother and daughter |
| Orae classilae | In the exact same classroom, |
| Nalla super combination | What a super combination! |
| Padippil koda potti pottidum | Competing even in studies, |
| Tough tough tough tough | Tough, tough, tough, tough |
| Combination | Combination! |
| Chorus | |
| Terroraa irukku situation | The situation feels terrifying, |
| Puriyala indha equation | I do not understand this equation, |
| Vidaama padichaa confusion | Studying incessantly brings confusion, |
| Ada eppovumae erangala | Ah, it never comes down— |
| En tension | My tension! |
| Chorus | |
| Evan vechaan examination | Who created examinations? |
| Pass mark endroru fixation | Fixing something called a pass mark? |
| Mindu kulla oru calculation | A constant calculation inside the mind, |
| Mathsu endraalae enga | Whenever Mathematics is mentioned, |
| Studentsukku eppavum | For us students, it is always |
| Frustration…… | Frustration! |
| Female | |
| Thurathi thurathi | Chasing and chasing, |
| Torture dhaan tharudhae | It inflicts pure torture. |
| Maths-um pei dhaano | Is Mathematics a ghost or what? |
| Vaalai aatti | Wagging its tail, |
| Vandhu ingae vizhudhae | It comes and falls right here, |
| Maths-um naai dhaano | Is Mathematics a dog or what? |
| Female | |
| Left-il pala velai joli | On the left, so many chores and tasks, |
| Right-il mathsoda rally | On the right, a rally of Mathematics, |
| Left ai rightaakkum veli | The fence making left into right, |
| Rendum seriyaachu tally | Both got tallied up correctly! |
| Female | |
| Dhillaaga irundhaalum | Even if one is brave, |
| Bayamaachu doi | Fear creeps in, oh my! |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Female | |
| Maths appappa | Oh my, Mathematics! |
| Mug up pannuppa | Try to mug it up, buddy! |
| Mark dubbappa | The marks end up dubious, buddy! |
| Maths appappa | Oh my, Mathematics! |
| Pickup pannalum | Even if you pick it up, |
| Exam-il zero pa | It is a zero in the exam, buddy! |
| Female | |
| Maths-ai yaar | Who on earth brought |
| Kondu vandhaan | Mathematics here? |
| Students-ku yen | Why did they inflict |
| Torture thandhaan | Such torture on students? |
| Alpha beta-nu soldraan | They talk about Alpha and Beta, |
| Trignometry-nu koldraan | They kill us with Trigonometry! |
| Female | |
| Hei newton | Hey Newton, |
| Einsteinum | And Einstein too, |
| Ada thandhaanae noi | Alas, they gave us a disease! |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Thadhinginathom | Thadhinginathom |
| Female | |
| Maths tough-u pa | Mathematics is tough, buddy! |
| Pickup-u pannalum | Even if you try to pick it up, |
| Stuckup-u aagumpaa | It gets totally stuck up, buddy! |
மேத்ஸ் அப்பப்பா
மக் அப் பண்ணுப்பா
மார்க் டுப்பப்பா
மேத்ஸ் அப்பப்பா
பிக்அப் பண்ணாலும்
எக்ஸாமில் ஜீரோ பா
Oh my, Mathematics!
Try to mug it up, buddy!
The marks end up dubious, buddy!
Oh my, Mathematics!
Even if you pick it up,
It is a zero in the exam, buddy!
மேத்ஸை யார்
கொண்டு வந்தான்
ஸ்டுடென்ட்ஸ்கு ஏன்
டார்ச்சர் தந்தான்
ஆல்பா பீட்டான்னு சொல்றான்
ட்ரிக்னோமெட்ரி கொல்றான்
Who on earth brought
Mathematics here?
Why did they inflict
Such torture on students?
They talk about Alpha and Beta,
They kill us with Trigonometry!
ஹேய் நியூட்டன்
ஐன்ஸ்டீனும்
அட தந்தானே நோய்
ததிங்கினதோம்
ததிங்கினதோம்
ததிங்கினதோம்
Hey Newton,
And Einstein too,
Alas, they gave us a disease!
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
மேத்ஸ் டப் பா
பிக்அப் பண்ணாலும்
ஸ்டக் அப் ஆகும்பா
Mathematics is tough, buddy!
Even if you try to pick it up,
It gets totally stuck up, buddy!
அம்மா பொன்னும்
ஒரே கிளாசிலே
நல்ல சூப்பர் காம்பினேஷன்
படிப்பில் கூட போட்டி போட்டிடும்
டப் டப் டப் டப்
காம்பினேஷன்
Mother and daughter
In the exact same classroom,
What a super combination!
Competing even in studies,
Tough, tough, tough, tough
Combination!
டெரர்ரா இருக்கு சிட்டுவேஷன்
புரியல இந்த இகு வேஷன்
விடாம படிச்சா கன்பூயூசன்
அட எப்பவுமே எறங்கல
என் டென்சன்
The situation feels terrifying,
I do not understand this equation,
Studying incessantly brings confusion,
Ah, it never comes down—
My tension!
இவன் வச்சான் எக்ஸாமிநேஷன்
பாஸ் மார்க் என்றொரு பிக்ஸ்சேஷன்
மைண்டுகுள்ள ஒரு கால்குலேஷன்
மேத்ஸு என்றாலே எங்க
ஸ்டுடென்ட்ஸ்க்கு எப்பவும்
பிரஸ்ட்ரேஷன்....
Who created examinations?
Fixing something called a pass mark?
A constant calculation inside the mind,
Whenever Mathematics is mentioned,
For us students, it is always
Frustration!
துரத்தி துரத்தி
டார்ச்சர் தான் தருதே
மேத்ஸும் பேய் தானோ
வாலை ஆட்டி
வந்து இங்கே விழுதே
மேத்ஸும் நாய் தானோ
Chasing and chasing,
It inflicts pure torture.
Is Mathematics a ghost or what?
Wagging its tail,
It comes and falls right here,
Is Mathematics a dog or what?
லெப்டில் பல வேலை ஜோலி
ரைட்டில் மேத்ஸோட ராலி
லெப்ட்டை ரைட்டாக்கும் வேலி
ரெண்டும் சரியாச்சு டேலி
On the left, so many chores and tasks,
On the right, a rally of Mathematics,
The fence making left into right,
Both got tallied up correctly!
தில்லாக இருந்தாலும்
பயமாச்சு டோய்
ததிங்கினதோம்
Even if one is brave,
Fear creeps in, oh my!
Thadhinginathom
மேத்ஸ் அப்பப்பா
மக் அப் பண்ணுப்பா
மார்க் டுப்பப்பா
மேத்ஸ் அப்பப்பா
பிக்அப் பண்ணாலும்
எக்ஸாமில் ஜீரோ பா
Oh my, Mathematics!
Try to mug it up, buddy!
The marks end up dubious, buddy!
Oh my, Mathematics!
Even if you pick it up,
It is a zero in the exam, buddy!
மேத்ஸை யார்
கொண்டு வந்தான்
ஸ்டுடென்ட்ஸ்கு ஏன்
டார்ச்சர் தந்தான்
ஆல்பா பீட்டான்னு சொல்றான்
ட்ரிக்னோமெட்ரி கொல்றான்
Who on earth brought
Mathematics here?
Why did they inflict
Such torture on students?
They talk about Alpha and Beta,
They kill us with Trigonometry!
ஹேய் நியூட்டன்
ஐன்ஸ்டீனும்
அட தந்தானே நோய்
ததிங்கினதோம்
ததிங்கினதோம்
ததிங்கினதோம்
Hey Newton,
And Einstein too,
Alas, they gave us a disease!
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
மேத்ஸ் டப் பா
பிக் அப் பண்ணாலும்
ஸ்டக் அப் ஆகும்பா
Mathematics is tough, buddy!
Even if you try to pick it up,
It gets totally stuck up, buddy!
Maths appappa
Oh my, Mathematics!
Mug up pannuppa
Try to mug it up, buddy!
Mark dubbappa
The marks end up dubious, buddy!
Maths appappa
Oh my, Mathematics!
Pickup pannalum
Even if you pick it up,
Exam-il zero pa
It is a zero in the exam, buddy!
Maths-ai yaar
Who on earth brought
Kondu vandhaan
Mathematics here?
Students-ku yen
Why did they inflict
Torture thandhaan
Such torture on students?
Alpha beta-nu soldraan
They talk about Alpha and Beta,
Trignometry-nu koldraan
They kill us with Trigonometry!
Hei newton
Hey Newton,
Einsteinum
And Einstein too,
Ada thandhaanae noi
Alas, they gave us a disease!
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Maths tough-u pa
Mathematics is tough, buddy!
Pickup-u pannalum
Even if you try to pick it up,
Stuckup-u aagumpaa
It gets totally stuck up, buddy!
Amma ponnum
Mother and daughter
Orae classilae
In the exact same classroom,
Nalla super combination
What a super combination!
Padippil koda potti pottidum
Competing even in studies,
Tough tough tough tough
Tough, tough, tough, tough
Combination
Combination!
Terroraa irukku situation
The situation feels terrifying,
Puriyala indha equation
I do not understand this equation,
Vidaama padichaa confusion
Studying incessantly brings confusion,
Ada eppovumae erangala
Ah, it never comes down—
En tension
My tension!
Evan vechaan examination
Who created examinations?
Pass mark endroru fixation
Fixing something called a pass mark?
Mindu kulla oru calculation
A constant calculation inside the mind,
Mathsu endraalae enga
Whenever Mathematics is mentioned,
Studentsukku eppavum
For us students, it is always
Frustration……
Frustration!
Thurathi thurathi
Chasing and chasing,
Torture dhaan tharudhae
It inflicts pure torture.
Maths-um pei dhaano
Is Mathematics a ghost or what?
Vaalai aatti
Wagging its tail,
Vandhu ingae vizhudhae
It comes and falls right here,
Maths-um naai dhaano
Is Mathematics a dog or what?
Left-il pala velai joli
On the left, so many chores and tasks,
Right-il mathsoda rally
On the right, a rally of Mathematics,
Left ai rightaakkum veli
The fence making left into right,
Rendum seriyaachu tally
Both got tallied up correctly!
Dhillaaga irundhaalum
Even if one is brave,
Bayamaachu doi
Fear creeps in, oh my!
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Maths appappa
Oh my, Mathematics!
Mug up pannuppa
Try to mug it up, buddy!
Mark dubbappa
The marks end up dubious, buddy!
Maths appappa
Oh my, Mathematics!
Pickup pannalum
Even if you pick it up,
Exam-il zero pa
It is a zero in the exam, buddy!
Maths-ai yaar
Who on earth brought
Kondu vandhaan
Mathematics here?
Students-ku yen
Why did they inflict
Torture thandhaan
Such torture on students?
Alpha beta-nu soldraan
They talk about Alpha and Beta,
Trignometry-nu koldraan
They kill us with Trigonometry!
Hei newton
Hey Newton,
Einsteinum
And Einstein too,
Ada thandhaanae noi
Alas, they gave us a disease!
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Thadhinginathom
Maths tough-u pa
Mathematics is tough, buddy!
Pickup-u pannalum
Even if you try to pick it up,
Stuckup-u aagumpaa
It gets totally stuck up, buddy!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Maths Appappa from the film Amma Kanakku humorously captures the intense frustration and academic anxiety students experience when dealing with Mathematics. The lyrics rail against complex mathematical concepts like Trigonometry and equations, playfully blaming legendary scientists like Newton and Einstein for bringing such suffering upon students. It reflects the plot context of a mother joining her daughter's class to motivate her, turning study time into a high-stakes, tense competition.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Terroraa irukku situation / Puriyala indha equation / Vidaama padichaa confusion”
Continuous usage of English words ending in '-ation' to create a rhythmic, rhyming effect representing academic stress.
Metaphor
“Maths-um pei dhaano... Maths-um naai dhaano”
Comparing the subject of Mathematics to a ghost (pei) and a dog (naai) to highlight fear and persistent annoyance.
Repetition (Anaphora / Sorkal Aavarthanam)
“Thurathi thurathi”
Repetition of words like 'Thurathi thurathi' and 'Tough tough' to emphasize relentless pressure.
Did you know?
Trivia
Amma Kanakku (2016) is the official Tamil remake of the critically acclaimed Hindi film Nil Battey Sannata. Interestingly, both lyrics and music for this track were composed by maestro Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, demonstrating his knack for writing colloquial, youth-centric song lyrics.
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