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Lyrics & meaning

En Kannil Odum (Sad)

From Malai Naattu Mangai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
T. Pugazhenthi
Details
Malai Naattu Mangai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………A new flood of tears flows in my eyes,
Female
En kannil odum pudhu vellamIt tells a poignant story upon the bed.
Adhu kattil melae kadhai sollumOne, two, three, four, five, six...
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu ainthu aaruOn the seventh day, for this maiden,
Yaezhaam naalil paavai enakkuThere will be a wedding with music and rhythmic beats,
Melam thaalam kalyaanamA wedding adorned with flower garlands.
Poomaalai soodum kalyaanamBreezes that scatter kisses upon the flowers as they pass,
Female
Poovodu muththam sinthi pogumOh gentle breeze of the flower garden!
Thendral poongaattaraeOn his path, if you see my divine beloved,
Pogindra vazhiyil enthan deivamLook at him, oh wind,
Thannai paar kaattraeTell him that hunters have taken away the golden deer,
Female
Ponmaanai vedar kondu ponaarPlease tell him this, oh breeze!
Endru sol kattareOne, two, three, four, five, six...
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu ainthu aaruOn the seventh day, for this maiden,
Yaezhaam naalil paavai enakkuThere will be a wedding with music and rhythmic beats,
Melam thaalam kalyaanamA wedding adorned with flower garlands.
Poomaalai soodum kalyaanamFragrant hair touching the chest,
Female
Poongoonthal marbai thottuLullabying this flower-like maiden,
Poovai ennai thaalaattumThe vermilion mark and flowers will fade away,
Pottodu poovum mayumBathed entirely in tear drops.
Kanneeraalae neeraattumA tender body that wilts at a mere touch,
Female
Thottaalae thuvalum maeniA grand procession made of pure sorrow.
Thunbam enum thaerottamOne, two, three, four, five, six...
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu ainthu aaruOn the seventh day, for this maiden,
Yaezhaam naalil paavai enakkuThere will be a wedding with music and rhythmic beats,
Melam thaalam kalyaanamA wedding adorned with flower garlands.
Poomaalai soodum kalyaanamA new flood of tears flows in my eyes,
Female
En kannil odum pudhu vellamIt tells a poignant story upon the bed.
Adhu kattil melae kadhai sollumOne, two, three, four, five, six...
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu ainthu aaruOn the seventh day, for this maiden,
Yaezhaam naalil paavai enakkuThere will be a wedding with music and rhythmic beats,
Melam thaalam kalyaanamA wedding adorned with flower garlands.
Poomaalai soodum kalyaanam

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Malai Naattu Mangai' (1974), penned by Kannadasan and set to music by T. Pugazhenthi, portrays a woman grieving her impending, tragic fate. Counting down six days until her forced wedding on the seventh day, she reflects on her helplessness and sorrow through poignant imagery. She addresses the gentle breeze, pleading with it to act as a messenger and inform her beloved that she—the golden deer—has been captured by hunters. Kannadasan brilliantly contrasts traditional symbols of festive joy—drums, flower garlands, and marriage rituals—with the protagonist's profound anguish and flood of tears. S. Janaki's soulful rendition emphasizes the emotional weight of a helpless maiden being led into an unwanted union, turning a rhythmic countdown into a haunting tale of grief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Rupakam)

Ponmaanai vedar kondu ponaar

The speaker compares herself to a golden deer ('Ponmaan') captured by hunters ('vedar'), symbolizing her loss of freedom and capture into an unwanted marriage.

Personification (Apostrophe)

Pogindra vazhiyil enthan deivam / Thannai paar kaattrae / Endru sol kattare

Addressing the gentle wind as a messenger capable of seeing her beloved and delivering her distress message.

Metaphor

Thunbam enum thaerottam

Describing her continuous suffering as a chariot procession ('thaerottam') made of sorrow ('thunbam').

Rhyme / Auditory Imagery (Emonai & Pattern)

Onnu rendu moonu naalu ainthu aaru

The numerical countdown rhythm ('Onnu rendu moonu...') creates a stark structural contrast against the tragic lyrics that follow.

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Trivia

Music director T. Pugazhenthi was a long-time chief assistant and collaborator of the veteran composer K. V. Mahadevan before composing independently. Lyricist Kannadasan's signature style of using a numerical countdown ('Onnu rendu moonu...') turns what could be a playful rhythm into an expressive tragic countdown.

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