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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enga Mamanukkum

From Thaai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thaai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!
Female
Mamara thoppukkullae panthalittuErecting a wedding canopy inside the mango grove,
Maangalum kondu vantha manjal thattuEven the deer brought the platter of turmeric.
Mamara thoppukkullae panthalittuErecting a wedding canopy inside the mango grove,
Maangalum kondu vantha manjal thattuEven the deer brought the platter of turmeric.
Santhanam poosi kolla vanthathu rendu chittuTwo little sparrows came to apply sandalwood paste,
Thanthathu vaanampaadi shaanthupottuAnd the skylark gifted the tilak for the forehead.
Female
Aalamaram mela renduAtop the banyan tree, two
Anil vanthu thulluthadiSquirrels come and leap around, my friend,
Ramarukku paalam kattaTo build the bridge for Lord Rama,
Pona kadhai solluthadiThey recite the legendary tale of how they helped!
Female
Aalamaram mela renduAtop the banyan tree, two
Anil vanthu thulluthadiSquirrels come and leap around, my friend,
Ramarukku paalam kattaTo build the bridge for Lord Rama,
Pona kadhai solluthadiThey recite the legendary tale of how they helped!
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!
Female
Bhoomikku pachai vanna selaikattiDraping Mother Earth in a lush green saree,
Saamanthi poovil nalla katchai kattiAdorning her with a sash made of chrysanthemum flowers,
Megaththai koondhal endru poovachchu pinnalittuTreating the dark clouds as hair, braided with blossoms,
Anantham paaduthamma thaali kattuThe auspicious tying of the sacred thread sings in pure bliss!
Female
Kottungadi kottungadiBeat the drums, girls, beat them!
Kottu melam kottungadiBeat the festive wedding drums!
Kola mayil aadalukkuFor the dance of the grand peacock,
Medai onnu kattungadiBuild a magnificent stage, oh girls!
Female
Kottungadi kottungadiBeat the drums, girls, beat them!
Kottu melam kottungadiBeat the festive wedding drums!
Kola mayil aadalukkuFor the dance of the grand peacock,
Medai onnu kattungadiBuild a magnificent stage, oh girls!
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!
Female
Oorani velli kendai meenai kanduSeeing the silver carp fish in the village pond,
Pottikku vanthathammaa kangal renduHer pair of eyes came to compete with them.
Thamarai poovil hoi hoiWith lotus flowers, hoi hoi,
Maarbinai moodi hoi hoiCovering her chest, hoi hoi,
Neerinil aaduthammaa thangam ondruA golden maiden bathes in the cool water.
Female
Kaaththadiththu kaaththadiththuAs the breeze blows and blows,
Ponnu manam thulluthadiThe bride's heart leaps with excitement,
Kaalaiyila kooda adhuEven in the early morning,
Veru kadhai solluthadiIt tells a whole different story!
Female
Kaaththadiththu kaaththadiththuAs the breeze blows and blows,
Ponnu manam thulluthadiThe bride's heart leaps with excitement,
Kaalaiyila kooda adhuEven in the early morning,
Veru kadhai solluthadiIt tells a whole different story!
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!
Female
Enga mamanukkumIt is the wedding of my maternal uncle
Maamikkum kalyaanamAnd my aunt
Rendu yaanai kattiWith two elephants leading,
Poguthmmaa oorkolamThe procession is passing by, my friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Enga Mamanukkum Maamikkum Kalyaanam is a vibrant, celebratory song from the 1974 Tamil film 'Thaai'. It paints a idyllic picture of a grand village wedding where nature itself joins in the festivities. Birds, deer, and squirrels are anthropomorphized as wedding guests and helpers who arrange turmeric, sandalwood, and forehead decor, while Mother Earth is depicted as a bride adorned in green foliage and flower garlands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Bhoomikku pachai vanna selaikatti

Mother Earth is personified as a woman dressed in a green saree celebrating the wedding.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kottungadi kottungadi / Kottu melam kottungadi / Medai onnu kattungadi

Repetition of the rhyming suffix '-ungadi' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic beat reflecting the drum rhythm.

Allusion

Ramarukku paalam katta Pona kadhai solluthadi

Refers to the famous Hindu epic Ramayana legend where squirrels helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka.

Simile / Metaphor

Oorani velli kendai meenai kandu Pottikku vanthathammaa kangal rendu

Compares the bride's eyes to shimmering silver carp fish competing in beauty.

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Trivia

The film 'Thaai' (1974) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. Composed by the iconic duo M. S. Viswanathan and penned by Kannadasan, this playful song sung by P. Susheela remains a popular choice in Tamil culture for celebratory occasions and family gatherings.

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