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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Angum Ingum

From Itho Enthan Deivam · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Itho Enthan Deivam1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Angum ingum onnu renduHere and there, a few
Chinna chinna porul unduSmall, small objects exist.
Paarththaal theriyaathuYou cannot tell just by looking
Entha pakkam ennavendruWhich object is on which side.
Sonna pinbu thedungalSearch after I give you the clues,
Idhuthaan vilaiyaattu….This is the game!
Chorus
Angum ingum onnu renduHere and there, a few
Chinna chinna porul unduSmall, small objects exist.
Paarththaal theriyaathuYou cannot tell just by looking
Entha pakkam ennavendruWhich object is on which side.
Sonna pinbu thedungalSearch after I give you the clues,
Idhuthaan vilaiyaattu….This is the game!
Female
Kaakkaiyin niramum sevalin niramumCombining the color of a crow and a rooster,
Kalanthathu onnu irukkuThere is one item present.
Veettukku thevai aduppukku thevaiNeeded for the house, needed for the stove,
Jappan desaththu sarakku….It is a product imported from Japan...
Female
Coat-um soottum pottavar oruvarA person wearing a coat and suit
Paiyiniyilae adhu kidakkuHas it lying inside his bag.
Koduppaar kelu illaiyindraalAsk him and he will give it; if not,
Nee eduththu kondavarai madakkuCorner the person who took it!
Chorus
…………….
Female
Angum ingum onnu renduHere and there, a few
Chinna chinna porul unduSmall, small objects exist.
Paarthaal theriyaathuYou cannot tell just by looking
Chorus :Entha pakkam ennavendrumChorus: Which side has what,
Sonna pinpu thedungalSearch after I give you the clues,
Idhuthaan vilaiyaattu…..This is the game!
Female
Maamiyin kaiyil irukkum athanaalIt is held in aunt's hand, using which
Manakkum samaiyalum seivaalShe cooks fragrant meals.
Mama muthugil maththalam pottuPlaying a drum rhythm on uncle's back,
Raagam paadi selvaalShe walks away singing a tune.
Female
Thennaiyin arugil valarnthulla sediyinNear the coconut tree, beneath
Adiyinilae athu irukkuThe plant growing at its base, it lies.
Deviyin senkol sottrinil mithakkumThe goddess's scepter floats in cooked rice,
Thedungal udanae kidaikkumSearch right away and you will find it!
Chorus
…………….
Female
Angum ingum onnu renduHere and there, a few
Chinna chinna porul unduSmall, small objects exist.
Paarthaal theriyaathuYou cannot tell just by looking
Female
Kaiyalaviruppathu udhavikku varuvathuIt fits in hand's breadth and comes to aid,
Kalvanaiyum adhu thiruththamIt will even reform a thief.
Vellaiyar kaalaththil naattukku vanthathuIt came to this country during British rule,
Velaiyum villaiyum madangumIts labor and price double up.
Female
Achcham kondavar anumathi kettaalIf fearful people request permission,
Arasin licence kidaikkumThey will obtain a government license.
Aiyaa paavam kalviyin naayaganPity the poor master of knowledge,
Paiyinilaa adhu irukkumIt lies inside his bag.
Chorus
…………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track 'Angum Ingum Onnu Rendu' from the film 'Itho Enthan Deivam' (1972) is a riddle-filled game song performed by L. R. Eswari. The song sets up a treasure hunt where the singer gives clever poetic clues about hidden everyday objects around the household and surroundings, challenging the listeners to solve the riddles and locate them. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance shines through wordplay, double entendres, and humorous household observations, while M. S. Viswanathan's jaunty composition elevates the lighthearted, investigative mood of the scene.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Chinna chinna porul undu

The word 'Chinna' is repeated sequentially for emphasis and rhythmic appeal.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Angum ingum onnu rendu / Chinna chinna porul undu

Lines end with matching phonetic endings such as 'undu' and 'theriyaathu' to maintain a musical cadence.

Riddle Metaphor (Puthir)

Kaakkaiyin niramum sevalin niramum / Kalanthathu onnu irukku

Every stanza presents objects through allegorical descriptions, such as equating a matchbox or kitchen utensil to colorful, humorous riddles.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is a iconic treasure hunt puzzle song in 1970s Tamil cinema, where Kannadasan cleverly embedded actual answers to household items within rhythmic riddles for the characters to discover.

Keep listening

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