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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanakkam Vanakkam Aiyaa Ammaa

From Madappura · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Madappura1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Anaikkum kaiyaal thallaadheengaDo not push us away with the hands that embrace
Indha samayamAt this crucial time
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Female
Vaayirukku engalukkum vayirirukkuWe too have a mouth, we too have a stomach
Vaattugindra pasi pini thuyar irukkuWe suffer from tormenting hunger, illness, and grief
Vaazhuvadhu ungal kaiyil thaanirukkuOur survival rests entirely in your hands
Vaayirukku engalukkum vayirirukkuWe too have a mouth, we too have a stomach
Vaattugindra pasi pini thuyar irukkuWe suffer from tormenting hunger, illness, and grief
Vaazhuvadhu ungal kaiyil thaanirukkuOur survival rests entirely in your hands
Female
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Female
Pattri padara vandha pachaiA green vine that came seeking support to climb
PasungodiyaiA tender young creeper
Pandhalae thalluvadhum sariyaaIs it right for the trellis itself to push it away?
Pattri padara vandha pachaiA green vine that came seeking support to climb
PasungodiyaiA tender young creeper
Pandhalae thalluvadhum sariyaaIs it right for the trellis itself to push it away?
Female
Pettravargal thangalShould parents make a big deal
Pillaigal kuraigalaiOut of the faults and shortcomings
Peridhaai kolluvadhu muraiyaaOf their own children?
Pettravargal thangalShould parents make a big deal
Pillaigal kuraigalaiOut of the faults and shortcomings
Peridhaai kolluvadhu muraiyaaOf their own children?
Female
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Female
Anda nizhal thedi varumThose who come seeking shade
NondigalaiThe weak and helpless
Aala maram adithae virattuvadhum undoDoes the banyan tree ever beat and chase them away?
Vandhavarai vaazha vaikkumPeople blessed with wealth who sustain all who come to them
Vasadhi padaithavangaThose who are prosperous
Thandanaigal tharuvadhum nandroIs it right for them to inflict punishments?
Female
Kannirukku ungalukku karuthirukkuYou have eyes, you have wisdom and discernment
Kaiyendhum enga nilai therinjirukkuYou know our plight as we hold out our begging hands
Kadavulum neenga thaan engalukkuYou are like God to us
Kannirukku ungalukku karuthirukkuYou have eyes, you have wisdom and discernment
Kaiyendhum enga nilai therinjirukkuYou know our plight as we hold out our begging hands
Kadavulum neenga thaan engalukkuYou are like God to us
Female
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Anaikkum kaiyaal thallaadheengaDo not push us away with the hands that embrace
Indha samayamAt this crucial time
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge
Female
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Aiyaa ammaa unga abayamSir, Madam, we seek your refuge

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply moving plea for compassion, mercy, and social empathy. The speaker addresses wealthy, powerful benefactors on behalf of the poor and vulnerable, begging for refuge and support. Through emotional appeals, the song highlights basic human needs—hunger, health, and survival—and asks those in power to act with divine benevolence rather than harsh judgment. Using rich natural allegories, the lyrics compare the relationship between the rich and poor to that of a supporting trellis for a creeper vine or a shade-giving banyan tree for weary travelers. It reminds the privileged that true nobility lies in sheltering and forgiving those who depend on them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Pattri padara vandha pachai Pasungodiyai Pandhalae thalluvadhum sariyaa

The helper/guardian is compared to a 'Pandhal' (trellis) and the dependent to a 'Pasungodi' (tender creeper vine).

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Anda nizhal thedi varum Nondigalai Aala maram adithae virattuvadhum undo

A benefactor providing refuge is compared to an 'Aala maram' (banyan tree) giving shade to the weary and disabled.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Pattri padara vandha pachai Pasungodiyai Pandhalae

Repetition of the consonant sound 'P' at the beginning of consecutive words for rhythmic effect.

Rhetorical Questions

Pandhalae thalluvadhum sariyaa / Thandanaigal tharuvadhum nandro

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to provoke moral reflection about duty and kindness.

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Trivia

Madappura (1962) was a Tamil action-drama starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The film's musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi, who was celebrated for writing songs with strong social themes and ethical message for MGR's films.

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