Endha Kadai Selai
From Athaivida Ragasiyam · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Athaivida Ragasiyam1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae | Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body? |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae | Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body? |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| Kaanjanaa ranjana moganaa saarathaa | Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha... |
| Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa | There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside? |
| Chorus | |
| Hae hae entha kadai saelai | Hey hey, which shop's saree, |
| Intha ponnu udal melae | On this girl's body, |
| Izukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae | To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper, |
| Ponaa aayiram aayiram sela | Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes, |
| Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae | To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper, |
| Ponaa aayiram aayiram sela | Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes, |
| Female | |
| Ragasiyam engeyo dhisayam yaedhedho | The secret is somewhere, miraculous things are somewhere, |
| Avalukku ennadi udal oru kannaadi | What is it for her? Her body is like a glass mirror, |
| Paruvam uruvam azhagu palakodi roopaa | Her youth, form, and beauty are worth tens of millions of rupees! |
| Chorus | |
| Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae | Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body? |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa | Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha... |
| Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa | There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside? |
| Chorus | |
| Hae hae entha kadai selai | Hey hey, which shop's saree, |
| Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae | On this girl's body, on her body, |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu | The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam, |
| Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu | The speech made by the woman who lost her honor, |
| Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu | The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam, |
| Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu | The speech made by the woman who lost her honor, |
| Female | |
| Gowravam pogaamal vaazhum vazhiyundu | There is a way to live without losing your dignity, |
| Aayiram pudhu selai vaangavum vagaiyundu | There are ways to buy a thousand new sarees, |
| Arivum thiranum irunthaa palakodi roopaa | If you have intellect and talent, it is worth tens of millions of rupees! |
| Female | |
| Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa | Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha... |
| Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa | There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside? |
| Chorus | |
| Hae hae entha kadai selai | Hey hey, which shop's saree, |
| Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae | On this girl's body, on her body, |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| Pengal velaikku pogindra kaalam | This is an era where women go to work, |
| Nalla velaigal naattil yaeralam | There are plenty of good jobs available in the country, |
| Pengal velaikku pogindra kaalam | This is an era where women go to work, |
| Nalla velaigal naattil yaeralam | There are plenty of good jobs available in the country, |
| Female | |
| Udalin undaana kalaiyinai kondaadu | Celebrate the artistry born out of physical labor, |
| Pudhu vazhi kandaalae thunivudan nadai podu | Once you discover a new path, walk it with courage, |
| Ulagam madhikkum perumai adhuthaandi vaazhkkai | Life is all about the honor respected by the world! |
| Female | |
| Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa | Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha... |
| Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa | There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside? |
| Chorus | |
| Hae hae entha kadai selai | Hey hey, which shop's saree, |
| Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae | On this girl's body, on her body, |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
| Female | |
| Entha kadai selai | Which shop's saree, |
| Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae | On this girl's body, on her body, |
| Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae | It pulls people in; with what money was this bought? |
எந்த கடை சேலை இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
எந்த கடை சேலை இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
காஞ்சனா ரஞ்சனா மோகனா சாரதா
விஷயம் இதுல இருக்கு வெளியே சொல்லட்டுமா
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
ஹே ஹே எந்த கடை சேலை
இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
On this girl's body,
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
பொண்ணு பார்வைக்கு பூங்கொடி போலே
போனா ஆயிரம் ஆயிரம் சேல
பொண்ணு பார்வைக்கு பூங்கொடி போலே
போனா ஆயிரம் ஆயிரம் சேல
To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper,
Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes,
To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper,
Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes,
ரகசியம் எங்கேயோ அதிசயம் ஏதேதோ
அவளுக்கு என்னடி உடல் ஒரு கண்ணாடி
பருவம் உருவம் அழகு பலகோடி ரூபா
The secret is somewhere, miraculous things are somewhere,
What is it for her? Her body is like a glass mirror,
Her youth, form, and beauty are worth tens of millions of rupees!
எந்த கடை சேலை இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
காஞ்சனா ரஞ்சனா மோகனா சாரதா
விஷயம் இதுல இருக்கு வெளியே சொல்லட்டுமா
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
ஹே ஹே எந்த கடை சேலை
இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
On this girl's body, on her body,
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
..........................
...
மங்கை பங்கஜம் வீசிடும் வீச்சு
மானம் போனவள் பேசிடும் பேச்சு
மங்கை பங்கஜம் வீசிடும் வீச்சு
மானம் போனவள் பேசிடும் பேச்சு
The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam,
The speech made by the woman who lost her honor,
The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam,
The speech made by the woman who lost her honor,
கௌரவம் போகாமல் வாழும் வழியுண்டு
ஆயிரம் புது சேலை வாங்கவும் வகையுண்டு
அறிவும் திறனும் இருந்தா பலகோடி ரூபா
There is a way to live without losing your dignity,
There are ways to buy a thousand new sarees,
If you have intellect and talent, it is worth tens of millions of rupees!
காஞ்சனா ரஞ்சனா மோகனா சாரதா
விஷயம் இதுல இருக்கு வெளியே சொல்லட்டுமா
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
ஹேய் ஹேய் எந்த கடை சேலை
இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
On this girl's body, on her body,
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
பெண்கள் வேலைக்கு போகின்ற காலம்
நல்ல வேலைகள் நாட்டில் ஏராளம்
பெண்கள் வேலைக்கு போகின்ற காலம்
நல்ல வேலைகள் நாட்டில் ஏராளம்
This is an era where women go to work,
There are plenty of good jobs available in the country,
This is an era where women go to work,
There are plenty of good jobs available in the country,
உடலின் உண்டான கலையினை கொண்டாடு
புது வழி கண்டாலே துணிவுடன் நடை போடு
உலகம் மதிக்கும் பெருமை அதுதான்டி வாழ்க்கை
Celebrate the artistry born out of physical labor,
Once you discover a new path, walk it with courage,
Life is all about the honor respected by the world!
காஞ்சனா ரஞ்சனா மோகனா சாரதா
விஷயம் இதுல இருக்கு வெளியே சொல்லட்டுமா
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
ஹேய் ஹேய் எந்த கடை சேலை
இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
On this girl's body, on her body,
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
பெண்
: எந்த கடை சேலை
இந்த பொண்ணு உடல் மேலே
இழுக்குதம்மா ஆள இது எந்த பணத்தாலே
Which shop's saree,
On this girl's body, on her body,
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Kaanjanaa ranjana moganaa saarathaa
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
Hae hae entha kadai saelai
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
Intha ponnu udal melae
On this girl's body,
Izukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae
To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper,
Ponaa aayiram aayiram sela
Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes,
Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae
To look at, the girl is like a flowering creeper,
Ponaa aayiram aayiram sela
Thousands and thousands of sarees wherever she goes,
Ragasiyam engeyo dhisayam yaedhedho
The secret is somewhere, miraculous things are somewhere,
Avalukku ennadi udal oru kannaadi
What is it for her? Her body is like a glass mirror,
Paruvam uruvam azhagu palakodi roopaa
Her youth, form, and beauty are worth tens of millions of rupees!
Entha kadai selai intha ponnu udal melae
Which shop's saree is this on this girl's body?
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
Hae hae entha kadai selai
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae
On this girl's body, on her body,
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
…………….
...
Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu
The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam,
Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu
The speech made by the woman who lost her honor,
Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu
The flourish cast by the maiden Pangajam,
Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu
The speech made by the woman who lost her honor,
Gowravam pogaamal vaazhum vazhiyundu
There is a way to live without losing your dignity,
Aayiram pudhu selai vaangavum vagaiyundu
There are ways to buy a thousand new sarees,
Arivum thiranum irunthaa palakodi roopaa
If you have intellect and talent, it is worth tens of millions of rupees!
Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
Hae hae entha kadai selai
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae
On this girl's body, on her body,
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Pengal velaikku pogindra kaalam
This is an era where women go to work,
Nalla velaigal naattil yaeralam
There are plenty of good jobs available in the country,
Pengal velaikku pogindra kaalam
This is an era where women go to work,
Nalla velaigal naattil yaeralam
There are plenty of good jobs available in the country,
Udalin undaana kalaiyinai kondaadu
Celebrate the artistry born out of physical labor,
Pudhu vazhi kandaalae thunivudan nadai podu
Once you discover a new path, walk it with courage,
Ulagam madhikkum perumai adhuthaandi vaazhkkai
Life is all about the honor respected by the world!
Kaajana ranjanaa moganaa saarathaa
Kanjana, Ranjana, Mohana, Saradha...
Vishayam idhula irukku veliyae sollattumaa
There is a secret matter in this, shall I reveal it outside?
Hae hae entha kadai selai
Hey hey, which shop's saree,
Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae
On this girl's body, on her body,
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Entha kadai selai
Which shop's saree,
Intha ponnu udal melae udal melae
On this girl's body, on her body,
Izhukkuthammaa aala idhu entha panaththaalae
It pulls people in; with what money was this bought?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Entha Kadai Selai' blends playful rhythm with strong social commentary regarding female empowerment, materialism, and dignity. Initially, the song poses a curious question about the luxurious sarees worn by young women, questioning the source of such wealth and highlighting the superficial allure of beauty and fashion. As the lyrics progress, lyricist Kannadasan infuses a moral and reformative message, cautioning against sacrificing self-respect or honor for material pleasures. He reminds women that in the modern era, opportunities abound to work, earn, and build a dignified living through intellect, talent, and honest labor. Ultimately, the song encourages women to stand on their own feet with courage and pride.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae”
Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words ('Ponnu', 'paarvaikku', 'poongodi', 'polae') creates a melodic initial rhyme.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Mangai pangajam veesidum veechchu / Maanam ponaval pesidum pechchu”
The lines end with rhyming words 'veechchu' and 'pechchu', creating a rhythmic cadence.
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Ponnu paarvaikku poongodi polae”
The girl's delicate appearance is compared to a flowering creeper ('poongodi') using the comparison word 'polae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“udal oru kannaadi”
Directly equating the girl's delicate physical form to glass/mirror ('kannaadi').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1978 movie 'Athaivida Ragasiyam', this track exemplifies his characteristic style of inserting progressive social reform messages—such as women's economic independence and self-dignity—into upbeat, popular cinema song structures.
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