En Kaiyil Irupathu
From Mangudi Minor · 1978
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Mangudi Minor1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| En kayil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti | Pouring out my arts of love, |
| Kaana thudippathu vettri | What I long to see is victory! |
| Female | |
| Poovo ponno yaetho onnu | A flower or gold, something or another, |
| Pennaai valarnthathu | Has grown up as a woman. |
| Velo vaalo yaedho onnu | A spear or a sword, something or another, |
| Pennaai malarnthathu | Has blossomed as a woman. |
| Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval | She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to! |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti | Pouring and showering my arts of love, |
| Kaana thudippathu vettri | What I long to see is victory! |
| Female | |
| Poovo ponno yaetho onnu | A flower or gold, something or another, |
| Pennaai valarnthathu | Has grown up as a woman. |
| Velo vaalo yaedho onnu | A spear or a sword, something or another, |
| Pennaai malarnthathu | Has blossomed as a woman. |
| Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval | She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to! |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Female | |
| Thaenil konjam paalil konjam udhattilae | A bit of honey, a bit of milk upon the lips, |
| Oorum aaraai odum intha sirippilae | Flowing like a river in this smile, |
| Noolil nindru aadum idai vanappilae | In the beauty of the waist that sways on a thread, |
| Yaedho oru bodhai varum anaippilae | An intoxication comes within an embrace. |
| Female | |
| Yaaro sonnaar paaraattinaar | Someone said so, someone praised me, |
| Saei pol ennai thaalaattinaar | Lulled me to sleep like a child. |
| Ingae en sorkkam | Here is my paradise, |
| Irukkuthu azhaikkuthu vaa vaa | It is here, inviting me, come, come! |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti | Pouring and showering my arts of love, |
| Kaana thudippathu vettri | What I long to see is victory! |
| Female | |
| Poovo ponno yaetho onnu | A flower or gold, something or another, |
| Pennaai valarnthathu | Has grown up as a woman. |
| Velo vaalo yaedho onnu | A spear or a sword, something or another, |
| Pennaai malarnthathu | Has blossomed as a woman. |
| Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval | She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to! |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Female | |
| Kaalam idhu kaalam idhu ninaikkalaam | This is the time, this is the time we can ponder, |
| Manjal tharum thaiyal mugam inikkalaam | The face of the turmeric-adorned woman can feel sweet, |
| Female | |
| Kannil bodhai undaal varum | Intoxication arises when eyes fill with desire, |
| Pennil bodhai kandal varum | Intoxication arises upon beholding a woman, |
| Inthaa pon muththam kodukkalaam | Here, a golden kiss can be given, |
| Edukkalaam vaa vaa…. | Can be taken, come, come... |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi | A crowd surrounds me all around. |
| Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti | Pouring and showering my arts of love, |
| Kaana thudippathu vettri | What I long to see is victory! |
| Female | |
| Poovo ponno yaetho onnu | A flower or gold, something or another, |
| Pennaai valarnthathu | Has grown up as a woman. |
| Velo vaalo yaedho onnu | A spear or a sword, something or another, |
| Pennaai malarnthathu | Has blossomed as a woman. |
| Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval | She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to! |
| Female | |
| En kaiyil iruppathu kathi | What I hold in my hand is a knife, |
| Oru koottam iruppathu suththi…..aa…. | A crowd surrounds me all around... ah... |
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
நான் காதல் கலைகளை கொட்டி
காணத் துடிப்பது வெற்றி.....
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Pouring out my arts of love,
What I long to see is victory!
பூவோ பொன்னோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் வளர்ந்தது
வேலோ வாளோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் மலர்ந்தது
நினைத்ததை நடத்தியே முடிப்பவள்
A flower or gold, something or another,
Has grown up as a woman.
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Has blossomed as a woman.
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
நான் காதல் கலைகளை கொட்டி கொட்டி கொட்டி
காணத் துடிப்பது வெற்றி.....
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
What I long to see is victory!
பூவோ பொன்னோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் வளர்ந்தது
வேலோ வாளோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் மலர்ந்தது
நினைத்ததை நடத்தியே முடிப்பவள்
A flower or gold, something or another,
Has grown up as a woman.
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Has blossomed as a woman.
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
தேனில் கொஞ்சம் பாலில் கொஞ்சம் உதட்டிலே
ஊரும் ஆறாய் ஓடும் இந்த சிரிப்பிலே
நூலில் நின்று ஆடும் இடை வனப்பிலே
ஏதோ ஒரு போதை வரும் அணைப்பிலே
A bit of honey, a bit of milk upon the lips,
Flowing like a river in this smile,
In the beauty of the waist that sways on a thread,
An intoxication comes within an embrace.
யாரோ சொன்னார் பாராட்டினார்
சேய் போல் என்னை தாலாட்டினார்
இங்கே என் சொர்க்கம்
இருக்குது அழைக்குது வா வா.....
Someone said so, someone praised me,
Lulled me to sleep like a child.
Here is my paradise,
It is here, inviting me, come, come!
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
நான் காதல் கலைகளை கொட்டி கொட்டி கொட்டி
காணத் துடிப்பது வெற்றி.....
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
What I long to see is victory!
பூவோ பொன்னோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் வளர்ந்தது
வேலோ வாளோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் மலர்ந்தது
நினைத்ததை நடத்தியே முடிப்பவள்
A flower or gold, something or another,
Has grown up as a woman.
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Has blossomed as a woman.
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
காலம் இது காலம் இது நினைக்கலாம்
மஞ்சள் தரும் தையல் முகம் இனிக்கலாம்
This is the time, this is the time we can ponder,
The face of the turmeric-adorned woman can feel sweet,
கண்ணில் போதை உண்டால் வரும் .
பெண்ணில் போதை கண்டால் வரும்
இந்தா பொன் முத்தம் கொடுக்கலாம்
எடுக்கலாம் வா வா......
Intoxication arises when eyes fill with desire,
Intoxication arises upon beholding a woman,
Here, a golden kiss can be given,
Can be taken, come, come...
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி
நான் காதல் கலைகளை கொட்டி கொட்டி கொட்டி
காணத் துடிப்பது வெற்றி.....
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
What I long to see is victory!
பூவோ பொன்னோ ஏதோ ஒண்ணு
பெண்ணாய் வளர்ந்தது
வேலோ வாளோ ஏதோ ஒன்னு
பெண்ணாய் மலர்ந்தது
நினைத்ததை நடத்தியே முடிப்பவள்
A flower or gold, something or another,
Has grown up as a woman.
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Has blossomed as a woman.
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
என் கையில் இருப்பது கத்தி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்குது சுத்தி....ஆ....
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
A crowd surrounds me all around... ah...
En kayil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti
Pouring out my arts of love,
Kaana thudippathu vettri
What I long to see is victory!
Poovo ponno yaetho onnu
A flower or gold, something or another,
Pennaai valarnthathu
Has grown up as a woman.
Velo vaalo yaedho onnu
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Pennaai malarnthathu
Has blossomed as a woman.
Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
Kaana thudippathu vettri
What I long to see is victory!
Poovo ponno yaetho onnu
A flower or gold, something or another,
Pennaai valarnthathu
Has grown up as a woman.
Velo vaalo yaedho onnu
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Pennaai malarnthathu
Has blossomed as a woman.
Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Thaenil konjam paalil konjam udhattilae
A bit of honey, a bit of milk upon the lips,
Oorum aaraai odum intha sirippilae
Flowing like a river in this smile,
Noolil nindru aadum idai vanappilae
In the beauty of the waist that sways on a thread,
Yaedho oru bodhai varum anaippilae
An intoxication comes within an embrace.
Yaaro sonnaar paaraattinaar
Someone said so, someone praised me,
Saei pol ennai thaalaattinaar
Lulled me to sleep like a child.
Ingae en sorkkam
Here is my paradise,
Irukkuthu azhaikkuthu vaa vaa
It is here, inviting me, come, come!
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
Kaana thudippathu vettri
What I long to see is victory!
Poovo ponno yaetho onnu
A flower or gold, something or another,
Pennaai valarnthathu
Has grown up as a woman.
Velo vaalo yaedho onnu
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Pennaai malarnthathu
Has blossomed as a woman.
Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Kaalam idhu kaalam idhu ninaikkalaam
This is the time, this is the time we can ponder,
Manjal tharum thaiyal mugam inikkalaam
The face of the turmeric-adorned woman can feel sweet,
Kannil bodhai undaal varum
Intoxication arises when eyes fill with desire,
Pennil bodhai kandal varum
Intoxication arises upon beholding a woman,
Inthaa pon muththam kodukkalaam
Here, a golden kiss can be given,
Edukkalaam vaa vaa….
Can be taken, come, come...
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi
A crowd surrounds me all around.
Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti
Pouring and showering my arts of love,
Kaana thudippathu vettri
What I long to see is victory!
Poovo ponno yaetho onnu
A flower or gold, something or another,
Pennaai valarnthathu
Has grown up as a woman.
Velo vaalo yaedho onnu
A spear or a sword, something or another,
Pennaai malarnthathu
Has blossomed as a woman.
Ninaiththathai nadaththiyae mudippaval
She is one who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to!
En kaiyil iruppathu kathi
What I hold in my hand is a knife,
Oru koottam iruppathu suththi…..aa….
A crowd surrounds me all around... ah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'En kayil iruppathu kathi' from the film Mangudi Minor (1978) is a seductive yet fiercely empowering song centered around a strong female protagonist. She describes the dual nature of womanhood—possessing both the gentle beauty of flowers and gold, and the sharp, dangerous strength of spears and swords. With an aura of supreme confidence, she asserts that she will conquer any challenge and achieve victory using her charm and intellect. The track balances romantic allure with bold self-determination, emphasizing that a woman is capable of accomplishing anything she sets her mind to while holding a captivated audience in awe.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edukai (Second letter rhyme)
“En kayil iruppathu kathi / Oru koottam iruppathu suththi”
Matching second consonants in Tamil poetic meter, seen in 'kathi' / 'suththi' / 'kotti' / 'vettri'.
Metaphor & Contrast
“Poovo ponno yaetho onnu / Velo vaalo yaedho onnu”
Comparing the female persona to delicate entities ('Poovo ponno' - flower or gold) contrasted against sharp weapons ('Velo vaalo' - spear or sword).
Repetition / Anaphora
“Naan kadhal kalaigalai kotti kotti kotti”
Emphasis through repeated action words like 'kotti kotti kotti' (pouring out) and 'vaa vaa' (come, come).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mangudi Minor' (1978) featured music by Chandrabose, who was known for blending folk and retro beat patterns during the late 70s. Sung eloquently by P. Susheela with lyrics by Vaali, the song uses sharp knife and weapon metaphors to highlight female agency and fierceness within a catchy cabaret/dance sequence context.
Keep listening
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