Neeye Gathi Amma
From Chinna Durai · 1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa… | You are my only refuge, Oh Mother... |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa… | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother... |
| Female | |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my only refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my only refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa | Why torment good people? |
| Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa | Why plunge them into agony? |
| Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa | Why torment good people? |
| Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa | Why plunge them into agony? |
| Nee thaanae kaavaladi sodhanai podhumadi | You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test! |
| Female | |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my only refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… aa….aaa…. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aaa….aaa….aaa… | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aaa….aa….aaa…. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa….aaa…aaa…. | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Dharumam thazhaikka vandha raasaavum | Is it destiny that the king who came to flourish righteousness |
| Verum tharaiyil kidakka vidhiyo | Lies on the bare ground? |
| Dhinamum thuyaril ingu naan vaadi | Should I wither here daily in sorrow |
| Sudum kanalil eriya vidhiyo | And burn in hot embers by fate? |
| Arumai thalaivan uyir pogaamal | Without letting our dear leader's life end, |
| Nee abayam koduthu vidammaa | Please grant your refuge, Oh Mother! |
| Thalaivan karunai manam nogaamal | Without hurting the leader's compassionate heart, |
| Avar thuyaram thudaithu vidammaa | Wipe away his sorrow, Oh Mother! |
| Female | |
| Kaattu mugam kaattu maakaali | Show your face, show it, Oh Mahakali! |
| Kanneer idhai maatrru karumaari | Change these tears, Oh Karumari! |
| Yaetru vizhi dheepam adhai yaetru | Light it, light the lamp of eyes! |
| Podhum adi podhum vilaiyaattu | Enough, Oh Mother, enough of your game! |
| Female | |
| Siva sakthi siva sakthi yena unnai | What is the meaning of calling you |
| Azhaithadhan porul ennavo | Siva Sakthi, Siva Sakthi? |
| Paduthavan ezhundhida oru sakthi thara | To give strength so the bedridden man may rise, |
| Innum manam illaiyo varam illaiyo | Do you still lack the heart or lack the boon? |
| Female | |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa | Why torment good people? |
| Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa | Why plunge them into agony? |
| Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa | Why torment good people? |
| Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa | Why plunge them into agony? |
| Nee thaanae kaavaladi sodhanai podhumadi | You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test! |
| Female | |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Neeyae gadhi ammaa | You are my refuge, Oh Mother |
| En thaayae thunai ammaa | My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother |
| Female | |
| Koyil kundrathilae | On the temple hill, |
| Adi theeyai nee moottalaam | You may light a fire; |
| Ezhai nenjathilae | But in the poor man's heart, |
| Adi nee yaen thee moottinaai | Why did you kindle a fire? |
| Ezhaikku aadhaaram avar thaanammaa | He is the sole support for the poor, Oh Mother! |
| Anjaadha nenjukku thuyar yaenamma | Why give grief to a fearless heart, Oh Mother? |
| En aavi ponaalum pogattumae | Even if my soul departs, let it go, |
| En jeevan avar endrum vaazhattumae | But let him, who is my life, live forever! |
| Male | |
| Thalaivan pizhaikka | For the leader to survive, |
| Enadhu uyirai tharavaa | Shall I offer my life? |
| Dharumam nilaikka | For righteousness to prevail, |
| Thanalil irangi varavaa | Shall I step into the burning embers? |
| Enadhu uyirai eduppaai | Take my life away, |
| Avarai pizhaikka viduvaai | But spare him and let him live! |
| Aangaari omkaariyae… maari… | Oh Fierce Goddess Omkari... Mari... |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa… aa… | Ah... ah... |
நீயே கதி அம்மா......
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா......
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother...
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother...
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நல்லவரை வாட்டுவதா
வேதனையில் ஆழ்த்துவதா
நல்லவரை வாட்டுவதா
வேதனையில் ஆழ்த்துவதா
நீ தானே காவலடி சோதனை போதுமடி
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Why torment good people?
Why plunge them into agony?
Why torment good people?
Why plunge them into agony?
You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test!
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
ஆ.....ஆ......ஆஆஆ.....
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
தருமம் தழைக்க வந்த ராசாவும்
வெறும் தரையில் கிடக்க விதியோ
தினமும் துயரில் இங்கு தான் வாடி
சுடும் கனலில் எரிய விதியோ
அருமைத் தலைவன் உயிர் போகாமல்
நீ அபயம் கொடுத்து விடம்மா
தலைவன் கருணை மனம் நோகாமல்
அவர் துயரம் துடைத்து விடம்மா
Is it destiny that the king who came to flourish righteousness
Lies on the bare ground?
Should I wither here daily in sorrow
And burn in hot embers by fate?
Without letting our dear leader's life end,
Please grant your refuge, Oh Mother!
Without hurting the leader's compassionate heart,
Wipe away his sorrow, Oh Mother!
காட்டு முகம் காட்டு மாகாளி
கண்ணீர் இதை மாற்று கருமாரி
ஏற்றும் விழி தீபம் அதை ஏற்று
போதும் அடி போதும் விளையாட்டு
Show your face, show it, Oh Mahakali!
Change these tears, Oh Karumari!
Light it, light the lamp of eyes!
Enough, Oh Mother, enough of your game!
சிவ சக்தி சிவ சக்தி என உன்னை
அழைத்ததன் பொருள் என்னவோ
படுத்தவன் எழுந்திட ஒரு சக்தி தர
இன்னும் மனம் இல்லையோ வரம் இல்லையோ
What is the meaning of calling you
Siva Sakthi, Siva Sakthi?
To give strength so the bedridden man may rise,
Do you still lack the heart or lack the boon?
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நல்லவரை வாட்டுவதா
வேதனையில் ஆழ்த்துவதா
நல்லவரை வாட்டுவதா
வேதனையில் ஆழ்த்துவதா
நீ தானே காவலடி சோதனை போதுமடி
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Why torment good people?
Why plunge them into agony?
Why torment good people?
Why plunge them into agony?
You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test!
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
நீயே கதி அம்மா
என் தாயே துணை அம்மா
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
கோயில் குன்றத்திலே
அடி தீயை நீ மூட்டலாம்
ஏழை நெஞ்சத்திலே
அடி நீ ஏன் தீ மூட்டினாய்
ஏழைக்கு ஆதாரம் அவர் தானம்மா
அஞ்சாத நெஞ்சுக்கு துயர் ஏனம்மா
என் ஆவி போனாலும் போகட்டுமே
என்ஜீவன் அவர் என்றும் வாழட்டுமே
On the temple hill,
You may light a fire;
But in the poor man's heart,
Why did you kindle a fire?
He is the sole support for the poor, Oh Mother!
Why give grief to a fearless heart, Oh Mother?
Even if my soul departs, let it go,
But let him, who is my life, live forever!
தலைவன் பிழைக்க
எனது உயிரை தரவா
தருமம் நிலைக்க
தனலில் இறங்கி வரவா
எனது உயிரை எடுப்பாய்
அவரைப் பிழைக்க விடுவாய்
ஆங்காரி ஓம்காரியே... மாரி...
For the leader to survive,
Shall I offer my life?
For righteousness to prevail,
Shall I step into the burning embers?
Take my life away,
But spare him and let him live!
Oh Fierce Goddess Omkari... Mari...
ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ....
ஆஅ......ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....
ஆ.....ஆ.....
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah...
Neeyae gadhi ammaa…
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother...
En thaayae thunai ammaa…
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother...
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa
Why torment good people?
Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa
Why plunge them into agony?
Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa
Why torment good people?
Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa
Why plunge them into agony?
Nee thaanae kaavaladi sodhanai podhumadi
You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test!
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my only refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Aa… aa….aaa….
Ah... ah... ah...
Aaa….aaa….aaa…
Ah... ah... ah...
Aaa….aa….aaa….
Ah... ah... ah...
Aa….aaa…aaa….
Ah... ah... ah...
Dharumam thazhaikka vandha raasaavum
Is it destiny that the king who came to flourish righteousness
Verum tharaiyil kidakka vidhiyo
Lies on the bare ground?
Dhinamum thuyaril ingu naan vaadi
Should I wither here daily in sorrow
Sudum kanalil eriya vidhiyo
And burn in hot embers by fate?
Arumai thalaivan uyir pogaamal
Without letting our dear leader's life end,
Nee abayam koduthu vidammaa
Please grant your refuge, Oh Mother!
Thalaivan karunai manam nogaamal
Without hurting the leader's compassionate heart,
Avar thuyaram thudaithu vidammaa
Wipe away his sorrow, Oh Mother!
Kaattu mugam kaattu maakaali
Show your face, show it, Oh Mahakali!
Kanneer idhai maatrru karumaari
Change these tears, Oh Karumari!
Yaetru vizhi dheepam adhai yaetru
Light it, light the lamp of eyes!
Podhum adi podhum vilaiyaattu
Enough, Oh Mother, enough of your game!
Siva sakthi siva sakthi yena unnai
What is the meaning of calling you
Azhaithadhan porul ennavo
Siva Sakthi, Siva Sakthi?
Paduthavan ezhundhida oru sakthi thara
To give strength so the bedridden man may rise,
Innum manam illaiyo varam illaiyo
Do you still lack the heart or lack the boon?
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa
Why torment good people?
Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa
Why plunge them into agony?
Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa
Why torment good people?
Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa
Why plunge them into agony?
Nee thaanae kaavaladi sodhanai podhumadi
You are the guardian goddess; enough of this test!
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Neeyae gadhi ammaa
You are my refuge, Oh Mother
En thaayae thunai ammaa
My Mother, you are my support, Oh Mother
Koyil kundrathilae
On the temple hill,
Adi theeyai nee moottalaam
You may light a fire;
Ezhai nenjathilae
But in the poor man's heart,
Adi nee yaen thee moottinaai
Why did you kindle a fire?
Ezhaikku aadhaaram avar thaanammaa
He is the sole support for the poor, Oh Mother!
Anjaadha nenjukku thuyar yaenamma
Why give grief to a fearless heart, Oh Mother?
En aavi ponaalum pogattumae
Even if my soul departs, let it go,
En jeevan avar endrum vaazhattumae
But let him, who is my life, live forever!
Thalaivan pizhaikka
For the leader to survive,
Enadhu uyirai tharavaa
Shall I offer my life?
Dharumam nilaikka
For righteousness to prevail,
Thanalil irangi varavaa
Shall I step into the burning embers?
Enadhu uyirai eduppaai
Take my life away,
Avarai pizhaikka viduvaai
But spare him and let him live!
Aangaari omkaariyae… maari…
Oh Fierce Goddess Omkari... Mari...
Aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah...
Aa… aa…
Ah... ah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Neeyae Gadhi Ammaa is a poignant, high-pitched emotional song from the 1999 film Chinna Durai. The song features a desperate devotee calling out to the fierce mother goddess (Mahakali / Karumari) to cure and protect a noble leader who lies critically incapacitated. The lyrics question the fairness of cosmic justice, asking why good people who uphold righteousness must suffer and burn in agony. Driven by deep loyalty and selflessness, the devotee offers her own life and soul in exchange for her leader's recovery. She expresses readiness to walk through burning embers or surrender her breath as long as her beloved leader lives, pleading with the goddess to stop testing them and grant the boon of life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Etuakai (Second-letter Assonance)
“Dharumam thazhaikka vandha raasaavum... / Verum tharaiyil kidakka vidhiyo...”
In lines 20-23, the second letter 'ru'/'nu' creates a rhythmic harmony (Dharumam / Verum / Dhinamum / Sudum).
Rhetorical Questioning
“Nallavarai vaattuvadhaa / Vaedhanaiyil aazhthuvadhaa”
The lyrics frequently question divine justice and fate to emphasize the depth of anguish.
Metaphor
“Ezhai nenjathilae / Adi nee yaen thee moottinaai”
'Thee moottinaai' (kindling a fire) metaphorically represents inflicting intolerable emotional agony into a poor person's heart.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Neeyae gadhi ammaa / En thaayae thunai ammaa”
The repetition of 'Neeyae gadhi ammaa' creates a intense hypnotic chant of absolute surrender.
Did you know?
Trivia
Chinna Durai (1999) stars R. Sarathkumar and Roja, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vasan. This song serves as a climax dramatic prayer sequence in the film where ultimate devotion and sacrifice are pledged to save the protagonist.
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