- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Enga Mama
- Movie release year
- 1970
- Lyrics added on
- 9 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song from the film Enga Mama (1970) expresses the inner anguish, loneliness, and unconditional benevolence of the protagonist. Although he brings happiness to the world around him through his actions and music, he receives misunderstanding, solitude, and grief in return. He laments that society misjudges his noble heart, yet he remains selflessly dedicated to wishing well for everyone else.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Poo pondra en ullam”
Compares the delicate, pure nature of the protagonist's heart to a gentle flower.
Rhetorical Question
“Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaar”
Highlights the protagonist's emotional isolation by questioning if anyone truly cares for his life.
Irony / Antithesis
“En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaar / Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaar”
Juxtaposes the crowd dancing to his song with his own complete loneliness.
Metaphor
“Kanneerai naan engu kadan vaanguven”
Uses the concept of borrowing tears on loan to convey immense grief and proud self-restraint.
Did you know?
Trivia
Enga Mama (1970) is a Tamil remake of the 1968 Hindi hit movie Brahmachari. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan, 'Ellorum Nalam Vaazha' became one of the most famous emotional anthems of Tamil cinema.
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