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Isaimozhi
Amma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poo Mugam Sivakka

From Amma · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Amma
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
9 Apr 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Thaayin vadivil ennai ninaithu vidu
Enakkum azhugai varum thudaithu vidu
Ini naanae undhan thaayae
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Nee endhan thozhin meedhu
Mugam saaithu kangal moodu
Thaai endru ennai kondaadu
Uravendru paadu
Sudum veyilil nadanthu vandha neram
Ival virumbhi sumandhu konda baaram
Chinna udhadu kanavugalil pesum
Sevi adhanai olindhu nindru ketkkum
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Thaayin vadivil ennai ninaithu vidu
Enakkum azhugai varum thudaithu vidu
Ini naanae undhan thaayae
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
En veenai ponadhengae
Alaigindra raagam ingae
Avan thoonga vaithaen angae
En thoookam engae
Indha iravu vidinthu vida vendum
Illai paruvam karaindhu vida vendum
Indha iravu vidinthu vida vendum
Illai paruvam karaindhu vida vendum
Poo mugam sivakka
Sogam enna naan irukka
Thaayin vadivil ennai ninaithu vidu
Enakkum azhugai varum thudaithu vidu
Ini naanae undhan thaayae
Aariroo aarirooo aariraroo aarirooo
Aariroo aarirooo aariraroo aarirooo
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Think of me as a mother,
tears come to my eyes too, wipe them away.
From now on, I am your mother...
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Resting upon my shoulder,
lean your face close and shut your eyes.
Cherish me as your mother,
sing that I am your own family.
While walking in the scorching sun,
this is the burden she gladly embraced.
Your tiny lips speak in dreams,
and my ears listen softly in secret.
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Think of me as a mother,
tears come to my eyes too, wipe them away.
From now on, I am your mother...
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Where has my veena (traditional stringed instrument) gone?
Yet its wandering melody lingers here.
I put him to sleep over there,
but where has my own sleep gone?
Either this night must break into dawn,
or my youth must quietly melt away.
Either this night must break into dawn,
or my youth must quietly melt away.
Why should your flower-like face flush red with tears?
Why feel sorrow when I am here?
Think of me as a mother,
tears come to my eyes too, wipe them away.
From now on, I am your mother...
Aariro aariro aariraro aariraro...
Aariro aariro aariraro aariraro...
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Poo Mugam Sivakka is a soulful maternal lullaby from the 1982 movie Amma, featuring lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The narrator comforts a grieving loved one, asking them to see her as a mother and offer their burdens to her. She urges the listener to rest on her shoulders, offering unconditional protection and comfort while taking on the role of a mother figure. Throughout the song, the lyricist blends tender affection with poignant existential sorrow. The speaker reflects on how she lovingly carried burdens through difficult times, listened to innocent dream-whispers, and lost her own peace and sleep in the process of putting her loved one to sleep. The song concludes with a reassuring lullaby refrain, emphasizing deep maternal sacrifice and emotional warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Poo mugam sivakka”

'Poo mugam' (flower face) compares a delicate human face to a flower, evoking innocence and vulnerability.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“En veenai ponadhengae / Alaigindra raagam ingae”

'En veenai' and 'Alaigindra raagam' compare the child/person to a veena musical instrument and a wandering melody.

Imagery (Kaatchi Mani)

“Chinna udhadu kanavugalil pesum / Sevi adhanai olindhu nindru ketkkum”

Creates a vivid visual and auditory picture of a mother secretly overhearing a child mumbling softly in sleep.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Indha iravu vidinthu vida vendum / Illai paruvam karaindhu vida vendum”

Repetition of the initial 'I' sound across consecutive lines ('Indha' / 'Illai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Vairamuthu for the 1982 Tamil film 'Amma', the lyrics prominently reflect his signature poetic touch of using musical metaphors (Veena and Raagam) to describe parental love and affection.

Keep listening

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