Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Marutha Nattu Veeran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Enge Selkindaraai

From Marutha Nattu Veeran · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Movie name
Marutha Nattu Veeran
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
3 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kallirukkum mullirukkum…
Karunaaga paambirukkum…
Thollai tharum boomiyilae…
Thooya manam kondavalae…
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai appaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai appaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Azhugindraayaa azhudhu vidu
Alaigindraayaa alaindhu vidu
Azhugindraayaa azhudhu vidu
Alaigindraayaa alaindhu vidu
Mazhalai sumandha mayilae ulagil
Mazhalai sumandha mayilae ulagil
Karunaiyai mattum marandhu vidu
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Vaalum valivum irundhaalum
Un manadhinil urudhi niraindhaalum
Vaalum valivum irundhaalum
Un manadhinil urudhi niraindhaalum
Soozhum vanjaga soozhchiyil undhan
Soozhum vanjaga soozhchiyil undhan
Tholum vaalum en seiyum
Engae selgindraai appaa
Engae selgindraai
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Kottai irundhum arasillai…
Konjum kiliyidam mozhi illai…
Paadal pirandhum isai illai…
Valar paavai unakkum thunai illai…
Engae selgindraai ammaa
Engae selgindraai
Ovvoru iravum vidiyumadaa…
Ovvoru thadaiyum azhiyumadaa…
Ulla thunivum muyarchiyum konda
Uthama vaazhvum malarumadaa…
Kannilae kaanbadhellaam
Kavalaigalaai valarndhaalum
Unmai malarum oli pirakkum kalangaadhae…
There are stones and there are thorns...
There are black venomous snakes...
In this world filled with troubles...
O pure-hearted woman...
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, father?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, father?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
If you want to weep, cry your heart out,
If you want to wander, go on and wander,
If you want to weep, cry your heart out,
If you want to wander, go on and wander,
O peacock carrying your infant child, in this world,
O peacock carrying your infant child, in this world,
Just forget about expecting any mercy.
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Even if you possess a sword and strength,
Even if your heart is filled with courage,
Even if you possess a sword and strength,
Even if your heart is filled with courage,
Against the deceitful traps that surround you,
Against the deceitful traps that surround you,
What can your strong shoulders and sword achieve?
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Though there is a fortress, there is no king...
The sweet-talking parrot has no words to speak...
Though a song is born, it has no melody...
And you, young woman, have no companion to support you...
Where are you going, mother?
Where are you going?
Every dark night will surely turn to dawn,
Every obstacle in the way will crumble,
With courage in the heart and persistent effort,
A noble life will surely blossom...
Even if everything you see before your eyes
Grows into unending sorrows,
Truth will blossom and light will be born, do not lose heart...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track from Marutha Nattu Veeran reflects deep emotional turmoil, abandonment, and existential crisis faced by a family amidst political upheaval and conspiracy. The lyricist addresses parents ('ammaa' and 'appaa') lost in wandering, warning them of the cruel hazards of the world—metaphorically described as thorns, stones, and cobras—where even pure hearts and brave swords are powerless against deceit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Mazhalai sumandha mayilae ulagil

Compares a mother carrying her infant child to a graceful peacock carrying its young.

Imagery / Symbolism

Kallirukkum mullirukkum / Karunaaga paambirukkum

Stones, thorns, and black cobras are used as vivid symbols representing the hidden dangers, moral hazards, and treacherous enemies in society.

Iyaipu (Rhyming)

Ovvoru iravum vidiyumadaa… / Ovvoru thadaiyum azhiyumadaa…

The repetitive ending suffix '-adaa' creates a rhythmic, comforting poetic cadence (Iyaipu).

Monai (Alliteration)

Azhugindraayaa azhudhu vidu / Alaigindraayaa alaindhu vidu

Initial letter 'A' is repeated across consecutive lines to give a poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, this song showcases his signature philosophical outlook. Even when depicting dire tragedy and betrayal, the song transitions into a powerful message of hope and resilience in the final stanzas ('Ovvoru iravum vidiyumadaa').

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Marutha Nattu Veeran

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.