Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Mamma Dear Mamma

From Mangala Nayagi · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Mangala Nayagi1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vinn padaiththaan mann padaiththaanHe created the sky and created the earth,
Pala kodi uyir padaiththaanHe created millions of living beings.
Padaiththum oru perumaiyillai en ninaiththaanFeeling no pride despite all his creations, what did he think?
Maru kanamae iraivan thaayai padaiththaanThe very next moment, God created the mother.
Iraivan thaayai padaiththaanGod created the mother.
Female
Oo…..mammaa dear mammaaOh... Mamma, dear Mamma!
Unathandri oru dheivam illaiThere is no God other than you.
Naam moovar oru thaayin pillaiWe three are children of one mother,
Piriyaamal uravaadum killaiParrots in a bond, never separating.
We love you we wish you happy birth day to youWe love you, we wish you happy birthday to you!
Female
Oo…..mammaa dear mammaaOh... Mamma, dear Mamma!
Unathandri oru dheivam illaiThere is no God other than you.
Naam moovar oru thaayin pillaiWe three are children of one mother,
Piriyaamal uravaadum killaiParrots in a bond, never separating.
Chorus :We love you we wish you happy birth day to youChorus: We love you, we wish you happy birthday to you!
Female
Anbil nee aagaaya gangaiIn love, you are the heavenly Ganges,
Panbil nee seedhaavin thangaiIn virtue, you are like Sita's sister,
Nee enna sonnaalum vedhamWhatever you say is sacred scripture,
Amma un thaalaattum geedhamMother, your lullaby is a holy song.
Uravu virumbum varangalThe blessings that loved ones desire,
Alikkum thaayin karangalAre granted by a mother's hands.
Chorus :We love you we wish you happy birth day to youChorus: We love you, we wish you happy birthday to you!
Female
Oo…..mammaa dear mammaaOh... Mamma, dear Mamma!
Unathandri oru dheivam illaiThere is no God other than you.
Female
Kanneeril neeraadi nindraaiYou stood bathing in tears,
Panneeril neeraada naangalSo that we could bathe in rosewater.
Thunbaththai poraadi vendraaiYou fought through sorrow and conquered it,
Inbaththai kondaada naangalSo that we could celebrate in joy.
Nandri Uraikka ninaiththomWe wished to express our gratitude,
Oru vaarththaiyindri thaviththomYet struggled, rendered speechless.
Chorus :We love you we wish you happy birth day to youChorus: We love you, we wish you happy birthday to you!
Chorus
Oo…..mammaa dear mammaaOh... Mamma, dear Mamma!
Unathandri oru dheivam illaiThere is no God other than you.
Naam moovar oru thaayin pillaiWe three are children of one mother,
Piriyaamal uravaadum killaiParrots in a bond, never separating.
We love you we wish you happy birth day to youWe love you, we wish you happy birthday to you!
happy birth day to youHappy birthday to you!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This heartfelt song from 'Mangala Nayagi' (1980) is a celebratory birthday tribute to a beloved mother from her children. The lyrics open with a poetic legend: God created the universe and all living beings, yet felt incomplete until He created a mother. The siblings express that to them, their mother is the highest deity, and they are like inseparable lovebirds united under her care.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second letter assonance)

Anbil nee aagaaya gangai / Panbil nee seedhaavin thangai

The second letter 'n' (ன்) matches in both consecutive lines, creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nee enna sonnaalum vedham / Amma un thaalaattum geedham

The words 'vedham' and 'geedham' rhyme at the end of consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Anbil nee aagaaya gangai

The mother's love is metaphorically equated to the celestial Ganges, symbolizing pure and endless affection.

Antithesis / Muran

Kanneeril neeraadi nindraai / Panneeril neeraada naangal

Contrast between the mother bathing in tears ('kanneer') vs the children bathing in rosewater ('panneer') to highlight her sacrifice.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mangala Nayagi' (1980) features music composed by V. Kumar, affectionately known as 'Mellisai Maamani'. Lyricist Vaali crafted this touching tribute song blending traditional Tamil reverence for motherhood with a contemporary birthday celebration chorus.

Keep listening

More from Mangala Nayagi