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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Paattu Nee Kettu

From Thiramai · 1985

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thiramai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En paattu hah nee kettu aahaahListen to my song, ah!
Kai thattu pudhu mettuClap your hands to this new tune!
Kaalamenna……neramennaWhat does time matter? What does the moment matter?
Aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…..aa……Aa....aa...aa...aa....aa.....aa……
Female
En paattu hah nee kettu aahaahListen to my song, ah!
Kai thattu pudhu mettuClap your hands to this new tune!
Kaalamenna……neramennaWhat does time matter? What does the moment matter?
Aa….aa…aa…oo….oo….ooo…..Aa....aa...aa...oo....oo....ooo…..
Male
Ilaingyaralaam aadumpothu inbam undaagumWhen all the youth dance together, joy is born.
Anbe innaalil vedham endraagumMy love, this day becomes as sacred as scripture.
Female :Veettukullae adimaiyaagi veliyil vandhomaeFemale: Having been enslaved inside the home, we have now come outside.
Siragu kondomae sorkkam kandomaeWe acquired wings and found heaven!
Male
Ullaasam aattam paattam venumWe want celebration, dance, and music!
Female :Oorrodu paattu paada venumFemale: We want to sing along with the whole world!
Both :Ullaasam aattam paattam venumBoth: We want celebration, dance, and music!
Oorrodu paattu paada venumWe want to sing along with the whole world!
Aahaa ahhhaah ahhaahAahaa ahhhaah ahhaah
Female
Thaalelo thaalelo thaalelo….Lullaby refrain (Thaalelo thaalelo thaalelo...)
Thaalelo thaalelo…..thaale thaale thalelo….Lullaby refrain (Thaalelo thaalelo... thaale thaale thalelo...)
Female
En paattu hah nee kettu aahaahListen to my song, ah!
Kai thattu pudhu mettuClap your hands to this new tune!
Male :Kaalamenna……neramenna….Male: What does time matter? What does the moment matter?
Both :Aa….aa…aa…oo….oo….ooo…..Both: Aa....aa...aa...oo....oo....ooo…..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

En Paattu Nee Kettu from the 1985 Tamil film Thiramai is an energetic duet celebrating freedom, youthful expression, and the joyful power of music. The song expresses a spirit of liberation, particularly for women stepping out of domestic confines into the wider world, comparing this newfound liberty to gaining wings and discovering heaven. Written by Na. Kamarasan and composed by the duo Shankar Ganesh, the song highlights living in the moment regardless of time or constraints. Through vibrant vocal performances by P. Susheela and P. Jayachandran, it conveys a sense of unity, music, and carefree celebration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ullaasam aattam paattam venum / Oorrodu paattu paada venum

Repetition of the ending sound '-venum' across lines 13-16 ('ullaasam aattam paattam venum', 'oorrodu paattu paada venum') creates a rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Siragu kondomae sorkkam kandomae

Stepping out of the house into freedom is metaphorically expressed as growing wings ('siragu kondomae') and reaching heaven ('sorkkam kandomae').

Rhetorical Question

Kaalamenna……neramenna

Asking 'What is time? What is the hour?' emphasizes timeless joy and living entirely in the present moment without concern for time.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thiramai (1985) is an action drama directed by Suresh, featuring musical scoring by the popular veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Na. Kamarasan infused social themes of freedom into popular film song structures during this era.

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