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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ellorakkum Nallavana

From Enna Petha Raasa · 1989

Lyricist
Ilaiyaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enna Petha Raasa1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaehae yae…..yaehae yae…..Yaehae yae... yaehae yae...
Yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae ehaeYaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae ehae
Yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae ehae haeYaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae ehae hae
Male
Ellaarukkum nallavanaa pera vaanganumYou should earn a good name among everyone.
Antha pera vachchu pinnaala nee oora vaanganumUsing that good reputation, you should win over the whole town later.
Padum paatta paaru naatta paaru veetta paaru road-ta paaruLook at the song being sung, look at the country, look at the house, look at the road,
Sinthichchu paaththidanumYou must reflect and contemplate upon it.
Male
Nalla singaara thambigalaaOh handsome younger brothers,
Yaarum thottaalae suttupudumIf anyone touches you, you will burn them;
Ilam minsaara kambigalaaYou are like young electric wires!
Male
Ellaarukkum nallavanaa pera vaanganumYou should earn a good name among everyone.
Antha pera vachchu pinnaala nee oora vaanganumUsing that good reputation, you should win over the whole town later.
Chorus
………………...
Male
Enna peththa raasa endruLook at the mother who coddles you,
Unnai konjum thaaya paaruCalling you 'the king who gave birth to me'.
Kai mulaichchu kaal mulaichchuHaving grown hands and legs,
Pesum dheivam edhu veruIs there any other living God who talks?
Male
Raththam madha paalaakkiTurning her blood into sweet milk,
Thanthathu thaaithaandaaIt is the mother who gave it to you!
Peththu ava podaattiIf she had not given birth to you,
Illaiyael saeithaandaaThere would be no child at all!
Male
Kandapadi thaayai pesumThis town also has scoundrels,
Kaavaaliyum ulla ooruWho speak disrespectfully of mothers.
Antha vazhi neeyum ponaalIf you tread on that same path,
Repair aagum untha peruYour reputation will get ruined.
Paatta paaru naatta paaru veetta paaru road-ta paaruLook at the song, look at the country, look at the house, look at the road,
Sinthichchu paaththidanumYou must reflect and contemplate upon it.
Male
Nalla singaara thambigalaaOh handsome younger brothers,
Yaarum thottaalae suttupudumIf anyone touches you, you will burn them;
Ilam minsaara kambigalaaYou are like young electric wires!
Male
Ellaarukkum nallavanaa pera vaanganumYou should earn a good name among everyone.
Antha pera vachchu pinnaala nee oora vaanganumUsing that good reputation, you should win over the whole town later.
Chorus
………………...
Male
Kuppai mela kuppaiyaththaanDo not dump rubbish upon rubbish,
Kottaathae nee ooru naarumOtherwise, the town will stink.
Thappu mela thappu senjaaIf you commit mistake upon mistake,
Thaayaththaanae poyi serumIt will ultimately affect your mother.
Male
Paaraiyil neer odumWater flows over a rock,
Yaeru mattum yaeraathuBut a plow cannot dig into it.
Paasam vitta perodumWith affection lost, reputation slips away,
Sonna sollu yaeraathuAnd wise words won't sink into mind.
Male
Puththi solli eththanaiyoGiving advice, so many songs,
Paadiputtaen nooru nooruI have sung in hundreds!
Paarai pola mandaiyilaIn minds hard like rocks,
Yaeralaiyae bore-u bore-uNothing enters, it feels so boring!
Paatta paaru naatta paaru veetta paaru road-ta paaruLook at the song, look at the country, look at the house, look at the road,
Sinthichchu paaththidanumYou must reflect and contemplate upon it.
Male
Nalla singaara thambigalaaOh handsome younger brothers,
Yaarum thottaalae suttupudumIf anyone touches you, you will burn them;
Ilam minsaara kambigalaaYou are like young electric wires!
Male
Ellaarukkum nallavanaa pera vaanganumYou should earn a good name among everyone.
Antha pera vachchu pinnaala nee oora vaanganumUsing that good reputation, you should win over the whole town later.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic philosophical song serves as moral guidance directed towards young men. The narrator advises the youth to build an honorable character, respect their mothers, and live a life that earns the trust and love of their community. It highlights the irreplaceable sacrifices of a mother, urging youngsters not to follow bad company or commit repeated mistakes that bring shame to their parents. Using vivid everyday metaphors—such as electric wires, rocks, and waste management—the song cautions against stubbornness and disregard for wisdom. It encourages thoughtful reflection on the state of society, urging young people to harness their high energy constructively and maintain a good name that endures.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ilam minsaara kambigalaa

Compares energetic young men to 'ilam minsaara kambigalaa' (young electric wires) that burn anyone who touches them.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Pesum dheivam edhu veru

Refers to mother as 'pesum dheivam' (a speaking/living deity).

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai)

Padum paatta paaru naatta paaru veetta paaru road-ta paaru

Rhyming of second letters across adjacent lines ('Paatta', 'Sinthichchu').

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Paarai pola mandaiyila

Compares a stubborn and unreceptive mind to a rock ('paarai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt attributes music and vocals as unknown, 'Enna Petha Raasa' (1989) features a celebrated soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Ramarajan. This track stands out as a popular moral advice song blending folk rhythm with social consciousness.

Keep listening

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