Aanum Pennum
From Vairamalai · 1954
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- A. P. Komala
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Vairamalai1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna | Without a woman's companionship for a man, |
| Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga | What is this world? What is a joyful world? |
| Nalla aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna | Without a woman's companionship for a good man, |
| Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga | What is this world? What is a joyful world? |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Female | |
| Naanam acham madam payirppu | Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve, |
| Naal vaghai gunamungha | Are the four traditional virtues of women. |
| Naanam acham madam payirppu | Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve, |
| Naal vaghai gunamungha | Are the four traditional virtues of women. |
| Idhai nandraai arindhavar saerndhu padichaa | If those who understand these well study together, |
| Thunbam illengha endrum thunbam illengha | There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow. |
| Idhai nandraai arindhavar saerndhu padichaa | If those who understand these well study together, |
| Thunbam illengha endrum thunbam illengha | There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow. |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Female | |
| Kalaiyae migum silaiyae nigar | A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue, |
| Azhagae nirai mangai | A maiden full of beauty. |
| Kalaiyae migum silaiyae nigar | A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue, |
| Azhagae nirai mangai | A maiden full of beauty. |
| Nalla kalvikoodam thannil aangal | In a good school, beside men, |
| Arugae valar thanghai | She grows like a younger sister. |
| Nalla kalvikoodam thannil aangal | In a good school, beside men, |
| Arugae valar thanghai | She grows like a younger sister. |
| Female | |
| Ullamenghum inbam ponghum | Joy overflows in the heart everywhere, |
| Indha unmai kandaale | If one realizes this truth. |
| Kallam illai kalvi kolvaar | Devoid of deceit, they acquire education, |
| Iru kangal kolluvaarae | Cherishing it like two eyes. |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Female | |
| Panjum theeyum pakkam irundhaal | If cotton and fire are placed next to each other, |
| Pathi eriyungha | It catches fire and burns. |
| Aanaal paditha pengal panju illengha | But educated women are not weak like cotton; |
| Pakka irumbunga konjam parthu pazhagunga | They are strong like solid iron, so learn to interact with respect. |
| Female | |
| Jegamae perum sugamae tharum | Bringing great joy to the whole world, |
| Arivae migum vallal | Is a generous benefactor rich in wisdom. |
| Kalvi selva koottam thannil pengal | In the gathering of educational wealth, beside women, |
| Arugae valar annan | He grows like an elder brother. |
| Female | |
| Ullamengum inbam pongum | Joy overflows in the heart everywhere, |
| Indha unmai kandaalae | If one realizes this truth. |
| Kallam illai aanum pennum | Without deceit, men and women, |
| Iru kangal enbomae | Let us call them the two eyes! |
| Female | |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
| Nalla aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna | Without a woman's companionship for a good man, |
| Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga | What is this world? What is a joyful world? |
| Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa | If men and women study together, |
| Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga | Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous. |
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
ஆணுக்குப் பெண் துனையில்லேன்னா
உலகம் ஏதுங்க இன்ப உலகம் ஏதுங்க
நல்ல ஆணுக்குப் பெண் துனையில்லேன்னா
உலகம் ஏதுங்க இன்ப உலகம் ஏதுங்க
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Without a woman's companionship for a man,
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
Without a woman's companionship for a good man,
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
நாணம் அச்சம் மடம் பயிர்ப்பு
நால்வகை குணமுங்க
நாணம் அச்சம் மடம் பயிர்ப்பு
நால்வகை குணமுங்க
இதை நன்றாய் அறிந்தவர் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
துன்பம் இல்லீங்க என்றும் துன்பம் இல்லீங்க
இதை நன்றாய் அறிந்தவர் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
துன்பம் இல்லீங்க என்றும் துன்பம் இல்லீங்க
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve,
Are the four traditional virtues of women.
Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve,
Are the four traditional virtues of women.
If those who understand these well study together,
There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow.
If those who understand these well study together,
There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow.
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
கலையே மிகும் சிலையே நிகர்
அழகே நிறை மங்கை
கலையே மிகும் சிலையே நிகர்
அழகே நிறை மங்கை
நல்ல கல்விக்கூடம் தன்னில் ஆண்கள்
அருகே வளர் தங்கை
நல்ல கல்விக்கூடம் தன்னில் ஆண்கள்
அருகே வளர் தங்கை
A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue,
A maiden full of beauty.
A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue,
A maiden full of beauty.
In a good school, beside men,
She grows like a younger sister.
In a good school, beside men,
She grows like a younger sister.
உள்ளமெங்கும் இன்பம் பொங்கும்
இந்த உண்மை கண்டாலே
கள்ளம் இல்லை கல்வி கொள்வார்
இரு கண்கள் கொள்ளுவாரே.......
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
Joy overflows in the heart everywhere,
If one realizes this truth.
Devoid of deceit, they acquire education,
Cherishing it like two eyes.
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
பஞ்சும் தீயும் பக்கமிருந்தால்
பத்தி எரியுங்க
ஆனால் படித்த பெண்கள் பஞ்சு இல்லீங்க
பக்கா இரும்புங்க கொஞ்சம் பார்த்து பழகுங்க
If cotton and fire are placed next to each other,
It catches fire and burns.
But educated women are not weak like cotton;
They are strong like solid iron, so learn to interact with respect.
ஜெகமே பெறும் சுகமே தரும்
அறிவே மிகும் வள்ளல்
கல்வி செல்வக் கூட்டம் தன்னில் பெண்கள்
அருகே வளர் அண்ணன்
Bringing great joy to the whole world,
Is a generous benefactor rich in wisdom.
In the gathering of educational wealth, beside women,
He grows like an elder brother.
உள்ளமெங்கும் இன்பம் பொங்கும்
இந்த உண்மை கண்டாலே
கள்ளம் இல்லை ஆணும் பெண்ணும்
இரு கண்கள் என்போமே .......
Joy overflows in the heart everywhere,
If one realizes this truth.
Without deceit, men and women,
Let us call them the two eyes!
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
நல்ல ஆணுக்குப் பெண் துனையில்லேன்னா
உலகம் ஏதுங்க இன்ப உலகம் ஏதுங்க
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சேர்ந்து படிச்சா
ஆபத்தென்பாங்க சிலர் ஆபத்தென்பாங்க
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Without a woman's companionship for a good man,
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
If men and women study together,
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna
Without a woman's companionship for a man,
Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
Nalla aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna
Without a woman's companionship for a good man,
Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Naanam acham madam payirppu
Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve,
Naal vaghai gunamungha
Are the four traditional virtues of women.
Naanam acham madam payirppu
Shyness, fear, modesty, and reserve,
Naal vaghai gunamungha
Are the four traditional virtues of women.
Idhai nandraai arindhavar saerndhu padichaa
If those who understand these well study together,
Thunbam illengha endrum thunbam illengha
There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow.
Idhai nandraai arindhavar saerndhu padichaa
If those who understand these well study together,
Thunbam illengha endrum thunbam illengha
There is no sorrow, sir, there is never any sorrow.
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Kalaiyae migum silaiyae nigar
A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue,
Azhagae nirai mangai
A maiden full of beauty.
Kalaiyae migum silaiyae nigar
A woman rich in art, comparable to a graceful statue,
Azhagae nirai mangai
A maiden full of beauty.
Nalla kalvikoodam thannil aangal
In a good school, beside men,
Arugae valar thanghai
She grows like a younger sister.
Nalla kalvikoodam thannil aangal
In a good school, beside men,
Arugae valar thanghai
She grows like a younger sister.
Ullamenghum inbam ponghum
Joy overflows in the heart everywhere,
Indha unmai kandaale
If one realizes this truth.
Kallam illai kalvi kolvaar
Devoid of deceit, they acquire education,
Iru kangal kolluvaarae
Cherishing it like two eyes.
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Panjum theeyum pakkam irundhaal
If cotton and fire are placed next to each other,
Pathi eriyungha
It catches fire and burns.
Aanaal paditha pengal panju illengha
But educated women are not weak like cotton;
Pakka irumbunga konjam parthu pazhagunga
They are strong like solid iron, so learn to interact with respect.
Jegamae perum sugamae tharum
Bringing great joy to the whole world,
Arivae migum vallal
Is a generous benefactor rich in wisdom.
Kalvi selva koottam thannil pengal
In the gathering of educational wealth, beside women,
Arugae valar annan
He grows like an elder brother.
Ullamengum inbam pongum
Joy overflows in the heart everywhere,
Indha unmai kandaalae
If one realizes this truth.
Kallam illai aanum pennum
Without deceit, men and women,
Iru kangal enbomae
Let us call them the two eyes!
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Nalla aanukku pen thunaiyillaenna
Without a woman's companionship for a good man,
Ulagam yedhunga inba ulagham yedhunga
What is this world? What is a joyful world?
Aanum pennum saerndhu padichaa
If men and women study together,
Aabathenbaanga silar aabathenbaanga
Some say it is dangerous, yes, some say it is dangerous.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This progressive song from the 1954 film Vairamalai, written by lyricist Kannadasan, addresses societal conservative skepticism regarding co-education. It directly counters the old proverb that placing men and women together is like placing 'cotton near fire.' Kannadasan redefines educated women as strong as 'iron' rather than fragile cotton, emphasizing that education instills moral discipline, self-respect, and maturity. The lyricist highlights that in an educational setting, male and female students view each other with pure, sibling-like affection (brother and sister). Ultimately, the song portrays men and women as two complementary eyes of society, asserting that joint education fosters mutual respect, removes deceit, and creates a harmonious world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Iru kangal enbomae”
Comparing men and women to 'two eyes' (Iru kangal), signifying that both are equally indispensable for complete vision and societal progress.
Analogy / Contrast (Uvamai)
“Aanaal paditha pengal panju illengha / Pakka irumbunga”
Contrasting the conservative analogy of cotton and fire (Panjum theeyum) with educated women being strong like solid iron (Pakka irumbunga).
Traditional Enumeration (Sollani)
“Naanam acham madam payirppu / Naal vaghai gunamungha”
Listing the four classical virtues ascribed to women in Tamil tradition (Naanam, Acham, Madam, Payirppu) to build a foundation for moral character.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Arugae valar thanghai / Arugae valar annan”
Comparing the female peer in an educational institution to a younger sister (Thanghai) and the male peer to an elder brother (Annan).
Did you know?
Trivia
Vairamalai (1954) featured music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and lyrics written by Kannadasan. Recorded during an era when co-education was a subject of heated debate in Tamil Nadu, this song served as a prominent piece of social commentary promoting female literacy and progressive gender parity in educational institutions.
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