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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aanattam Pennattam

From Ennaipol Oruvan · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ennaipol Oruvan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………..A dance for men and a dance for women must be danced,
Male
Aanaattam pennaattam aada venumThis unacceptable devilish dance must change.
Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venumA dance for men and a dance for women must be danced,
Aanaattam pennaattam aada venumThis unacceptable devilish dance must change.
Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venumLike flowers, women need gentleness,
Male
Poovaattam pengalukku menmai venumOr else the priest must come and perform an exorcism!
Illai poosari vanthuthaan ootta venumLike flowers, women need gentleness,
Poovaattam pengalukku menmai venumOr else the priest must come and perform an exorcism!
Illai poosari vanthuthaan ootta venumA dance for men and a dance for women must be danced,
Male
Aanaattam pennaattam aada venumThis unacceptable devilish dance must change.
Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venumThe city life that you saw,
Male
Nee kanda pattana vaasamHow many disguises have I seen!
Naan kandaen eththanai veshamThe city life that you saw,
Nee kanda pattana vaasamHow many disguises have I seen!
Naan kandaen eththanai veshamThere is cultural philosophy, my city brother,
Panpaattu thaththuvam undu en pattina thambiWe also have our own distinct perspective.
Namakkendru paarvaiyum unduKnow one thing, understand yourself,
Male
Onnu therinjikko unna purinjikkoConduct yourself well, open your eyes.
Nalla nadanthukka kanna thoranthukkoA dance for men and a dance for women must be danced,
Male
Aanaattam pennaattam aada venumThis unacceptable devilish dance must change.
Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venumHey girl, like a jasmine bud,
Male
Hae ponnu malligai mottuCome and drape your saree properly!
Vaa nallaa selaiyai kattuWhy did you come casting shame aside?
Yaen vanthaai naanaththai vittuCome and apply a bit of vermilion.
Vaa konjam kungumam ittuThis is not Western culture,
Male
Mael naattu sangathi allaMy city girl,
En pattana ponnuWhat is our nation's culture?
Nam naattu sangathi ennaThis is not Western culture,
Mael naattu sangathi allaMy city girl,
En pattana ponnuWhat is our nation's culture?
Nam naattu sangathi ennaRestrain your gaze, control your feet,
Male
Kannai surukkikko kaalai adakkikkoFold your hands properly,
Kaiyai madakkikkoThink of yourself as precious gold.
Ponna nenaichchikkoA dance for men and a dance for women must be danced,
Male
Aanaattam pennaattam aada venumThis unacceptable devilish dance must change.
Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venum

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Aanaattam Pennaattam', the protagonist delivers a social commentary on modern youth and westernization. He advocates for maintaining traditional values, modesty, and social decorum rather than adopting chaotic modern trends, which he metaphorically calls a 'devilish dance' (peyaattam). The lyrics stress self-respect, cultural identity, and restraint.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Poovaattam pengalukku menmai venum

Compares gentle womanly behavior to a blooming flower ('Poovaattam') and a young woman to a jasmine bud ('malligai mottu').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Onnu therinjikko unna purinjikko / Nalla nadanthukka kanna thoranthukko

Phrases end with rhythmic, rhyming suffixes like '-aattam', '-venum', and '-jikko'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Intha aagaatha peyaattam maara venum

Refers to wild, modern Western dancing or uncouth behavior metaphorically as a 'peyaattam' (possession/devilish dance).

Did you know?

Trivia

Ennaipol Oruvan (1978) starred Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, this song is rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and reflects the conservative commentary common in Tamil films during the late 1970s.

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