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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Pattu En Pattu

From Poomani · 1996

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poomani1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Heyy ehey heyy heyyHey, ehe, hey, hey
Heyy eheyy eheyy heyyyHey, ehe, ehe, hey
Ahaa…aaa…aaa….Aha... aaa... aaa...
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.
Male
Un pozhudhu poganumFor you, it is just to pass the time,
Enako pozhappa paakanumBut for me, it is my livelihood.
Unnai pazhudhu paakanumI must fix and mend you,
Enakkullae azhuthu theekanumAnd weep away all the sorrow trapped within me.
Adi maanae un nenjaiOh dear deer, your heart,
Thuvaikkira raagamithuThis is a melody that cleanses and washes it.
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.
Male
Azhaagana maadathilaeIn a beautiful balcony,
Vantha kili iranduTwo parrots arrived,
Vantha kili iranduTwo parrots arrived.
Athil aalolam paadi manamAmong them, singing a sorrowful tune,
Nondha kili ondruOne parrot's heart was deeply hurt,
Nondha kili ondruOne parrot's heart was deeply hurt.
Male
Kaathirundha chinna kiliThe waiting little parrot,
Kaayam pattu kathuthadiGets wounded and cries out in pain.
Nethu vantha vannakiliThe colorful parrot that arrived yesterday,
Nenja nenja kothuthadiKeeps pecking directly at the heart!
Ila maanae…Oh young deer...
Thathalikum oththai kiliThe struggling lonely parrot,
Thaavudhadi vettu kiliA wild hunting bird leaps upon it.
Nizhal thedum kili ingaeWill the parrot seeking shade here,
Nijam kaanumaaEver witness reality?
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.
Male
Un pozhudhu poganumFor you, it is just to pass the time,
Enako pozhappu paakanumBut for me, it is my livelihood.
Unnai pazhudhu paakanumI must fix and mend you,
Enakkullae azhudhu theekanumAnd weep away all the sorrow trapped within me.
Adi maane un nenjaiOh dear deer, your heart,
Thuvaikkira raagamithuThis is a melody that cleanses and washes it.
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.
Male
Aathoram velikattiFencing along the riverbank,
Nandhavanam pottenI laid out a flower garden,
Naan nanthavanam pottenI laid out a flower garden.
Athil azhagaga malar sedigalIn it, beautiful flowering plants,
Nattu vaithu valarthenI planted and nurtured,
Naan nattu vaithu valarthenI planted and nurtured.
Male
Poo malar vanthathellaamAll the flowers that bloomed,
Puththam puthu vaasamadiCarried a brand new fragrance, my dear.
Pooparikka vanthavaloBut the girl who arrived to pluck flowers,
Puthiyila mosamadiWas filled with deceit in her mind!
Adi maanaeOh dear deer,
Male
Kaiyil ulla muththucharamThe pearl garland in your hand,
Bathirama vachikkanumMust be held with utmost care.
Oru noolu pirichaalumEven if a single thread gets loosened,
Urinthu odumaeEvery pearl will slip away and scatter!
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.
Male
Un pozhudhu poganumFor you, it is just to pass the time,
Enako pozhappu paakanumBut for me, it is my livelihood.
Unnai pazhudhu paakanumI must fix and mend you,
Enakkullae azhudhu theekanumAnd weep away all the sorrow trapped within me.
Adi maane un nenjaiOh dear deer, your heart,
Thuvaikkira raagamithuThis is a melody that cleanses and washes it.
Male
En paatu en paatuMy song, my song,
Nenjinikkum poongaathuA gentle breeze sweet to the heart.
Thaalattu thaalattuA lullaby, a lullaby,
Thaavi varum thaenoothuA spring of honey leaping forth.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie Poomani is a deeply emotional, allegorical piece where the singer uses metaphors of nature, birds, and flowers to convey grief, betrayal, and life lessons. The protagonist contrasts the superficial pastime of others with his own deep-seated struggle for survival and emotional relief. Through his music, which he compares to a cleansing breeze and a comforting lullaby, he seeks to heal both himself and the listener while weeping away hidden pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Nenjinikkum poongaathu / Thaavi varum thaenoothu

Comparing music/song to a sweet breeze ('Nenjinikkum poongaathu') and a springing source of honey ('Thaavi varum thaenoothu').

Allegory (உள்ளுறை உவமம்)

Vantha kili irandu... Nondha kili ondru

Using parrots, flowers, and pearl strands as allegorical representations of relationships, vulnerability, betrayal, and delicate human connections.

Edhugai (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyme)

Thaalattu thaalattu / Thaavi varum thaenoothu

Rhyming of the second letter 'th' in successive lines: 'Thaalattu' and 'Thaavi'.

Monai (மோனை - First Letter Alliteration)

Nizhal thedum kili ingae / Nijam kaanumaa

Alliteration of the initial letter 'N' across 'Nizhal' and 'Nijam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for the 1996 film Poomani was composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by renowned poet Mu. Metha. The movie starred Murali and Devayani in lead roles, featuring songs deeply rooted in rural Tamil folk sensibilities.

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