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Lyrics & meaning

En Kathaithaan

From Bandha Pasam · 1962

Lyricist
Ki. Rajagopal
Singers
P. Susheela, S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Bandha Pasam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En kadhai thaan un kadhaiyum…My story is indeed your story...
Un kadhai thaan en kadhaiyum…Your story is indeed my story...
Female
En kadhai thaan un kadhaiyum…My story is indeed your story...
Un kadhai thaan en kadhaiyum…Your story is indeed my story...
Paadhaiyil thaan siru maattramThere is only a slight change in the path
Payanathilae yaemaattramDisappointment in the journey
Yaemaattram… yaemaattram…Disappointment... disappointment...
Female
Unmai endra sol irukkumThe word called 'truth' exists
Oorukaaga pirandhirukkumBorn only for the world outside
Unmai endra sol irukkumThe word called 'truth' exists
Oorukaaga pirandhirukkumBorn only for the world outside
Penmai endra pughazh irukkumThe praise called 'womanhood' exists
Pechodu nindrirukkumIt remains confined only to speech
Penmai endra pughazh irukkumThe praise called 'womanhood' exists
Pechodu nindrirukkumIt remains confined only to speech
Paadhaiyil thaan siru maattramThere is only a slight change in the path
Payanathilae yaemaattramDisappointment in the journey
Yaemaattram… yaemaattram…Disappointment... disappointment...
Female
En kadhai thaan un kadhaiyum…My story is indeed your story...
Un kadhai thaan en kadhaiyum…Your story is indeed my story...
Paadhaiyil thaan siru maattramThere is only a slight change in the path
Payanathilae yaemaattramDisappointment in the journey
Yaemaattram… yaemaattram…Disappointment... disappointment...
Female
Kaadhal endra sol irukkumThe word called 'love' exists
Kadhaiyodu mudindhirukkumIt ends merely within stories
Kanneer endru ondru irukkumThere is something called tears
Kanniyarkkae pirandhirukkumBorn especially for maidens
Adhu kanniyarkkae pirandhirukkumThat is born especially for maidens
Female
Udhattalavil sirippirukkumThere is a smile on the lips
Ullathilae neruppirukkumThere is a fire in the heart
Udhattalavil sirippirukkumThere is a smile on the lips
Ullathilae neruppirukkumThere is a fire in the heart
Uruvathilae azhagirukkumThere is beauty in the form
Vanjam angae kudiyirukkumDeceit resides right there
Perum vanjam angae kudiyirukkumGreat deceit resides right there
Paadhaiyil thaan siru maattramThere is only a slight change in the path
Payanathilae yaemaattramDisappointment in the journey
Yaemaattram… yaemaattram…Disappointment... disappointment...
Female
Thiyaagam endra sol irukkumThe word called 'sacrifice' exists
Kaadhalarai pirithu vaikkumIt separates lovers from each other
Kaalam endru ondru irukkumThere is something called time
Kadhaigalaiyae maattri vaikkumIt changes the stories themselves
Un kadhaigalaiyae maattri vaikkumIt changes your stories themselves
Female
Vaazhkkaiyilae aangalukkuIn life, for men
Kaadhal oru pandhaattamLove is just a game of ball
Vaazhkkaiyilae aangalukkuIn life, for men
Kaadhal oru pandhaattamLove is just a game of ball
Kanniyarkku vaazhvil adhuFor maidens in life, it
Kaalam ellaam poraattamIs a lifelong struggle
Tham kaalam ellaam poraattamTheir lifelong struggle

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant commentary on shared grief, fate, and the social inequalities faced by women in love and life. The speaker emphasizes that despite slight variations in their individual paths, both characters share the exact same disappointing destiny. High virtues like truth, honor of womanhood, and love exist as grand words or mere stories, yet they offer little real comfort when put to the test.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Antithesis

Udhattalavil sirippirukkum / Ullathilae neruppirukkum

Contrasts outward appearances with inner feelings (smile on the lips vs. fire in the heart; outward beauty vs. hidden deceit).

Metaphor

Vaazhkkaiyilae aangalukku / Kaadhal oru pandhaattam

Compares love to a casual ball game for men, while framing it as a lifelong battle/struggle for women.

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Udhattalavil sirippirukkum / Ullathilae neruppirukkum

Repetition of the initial 'U' sound in 'Udhattalavil' and 'Ullathilae'.

Emoni / Rhyme

Paadhaiyil thaan siru maattram / Payanathilae yaemaattram

End-rhyming words 'siru maattram' and 'yaemaattram' reinforce the mood of continuous disappointment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bandha Pasam (1962) was directed by A. Bhimsingh and starred Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and Devika. The film's soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this soulful track reflects the emotional peak of female bonding and shared sorrow common in 1960s Tamil melodramas.

Keep listening

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