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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engengum Kandenamma

From Ullasa Paravaigal · 1980

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ullasa Paravaigal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaa aamaaWomen came dressed in gold, yes!
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaaWomen came dressed in gold, my dear!
Male
Vaazhvil oru naalaeJust one day in life,
Paarthaal adhu podhumIt is enough just to see it!
Pakkatthil nee sendru perenna thaanendruGo near her and ask her name,
Medhuvaaga kettup paar raamaa raamaaGently try asking, Oh Rama!
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaaWomen came dressed in gold, my dear!
Ammaa ammaaOh dear, oh dear!
Male
Aei… naan thaanaa maatti kollaHey... Should I get trapped on my own?
Aasa irundhaa kelunga saaruIf you desire, go ahead and ask, sir!
Male
Ada paravaalla paaAh, it's alright man!
Male
KoduppaaShe will give...
Male :EnnadhuWhat's that?
Male :Ava koduppaaShe will give...
Male :EnnadhuWhat's that?
Male :AnaippaaShe will embrace...
Male :HaiyoOh my!
Male :Mella anaippaaShe will gently embrace...
Male :SabaashBravo!
Male :Romba sogamaa…So soothingly...
Kannathil pattendru vachaalae sattendruWhen she suddenly slapped right on the cheek,
Sollaama mukkaadu podunga neengaCover your face with a veil without a word!
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaaWomen came dressed in gold, my dear!
Amaaaa ammammaaYes, oh dear!
Male
Hoi… naan raajaa ketten paaruHey... look, I asked like a king!
Aasai kondu sirippaa enna paarthuShe will smile with desire looking at me,
Rasippaa mella varuvaaShe will admire, and slowly come over...
Anaippaa mutham koduppaaShe will embrace and give a kiss,
Romba padhamaa…Very tenderly...
Ennenna pandhayam ippodhae kaanbippenI'll show you what bets I can win right now!
En polae killaadi ingae thaan yaaruWho else is an expert player like me here?
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaaWomen came dressed in gold, my dear!
Male
Rampa pampa rampa pampa pampaa[Scatting vocalization]
Rababa paappa rababa paappa raappaa[Scatting vocalization]
Laalla laalla laa laalla laalla laa[Lalala vocalization]
Laalla laalla laalla laalla laallaa[Lalala vocalization]
Male
Daei… aiyo aiyaiyoHey... oh dear, oh my god!
Vetkam ammaa mogathula angangaeShame has swollen up on the face, my dear,
Veengip pochuIt has swollen up!
Male :Nallaa theridhaaIs it clearly visible?
Male :VaazhvilIn life...
Male :HaiyoOh my!
Male :Oru naalaeJust one day...
Male :AamaaYes...
Male :KoduthaaIf she gave...
Male :EnnadhuWhat's that?
Male :Adhu podhumThat is enough!
Male :PodhaadhuNot enough!
Male :Adhu podhum…That is enough...
Ooru vittu oor vandhu ponnukku alanjaalaeIf you wander from town to town chasing girls,
Idhu thaanae paadanga kettukkongaIsn't this the lesson? Listen to this!
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Pengal kannathil thandhaarammaaWomen gave it right on the cheek, my dear!
Vaazhvil oru paadamA lesson in life!
Ini vendaam idhu podhumNo more of this, this is enough!
Dhoorathil nee sendruStanding at a distance,
Poitaalaa avalendruTo see if she has left,
Medhuvaaga etti paar raamaa raamaaGently peep and check, Oh Rama!
Male
Engengum kandenammaaI saw them everywhere, my dear!
Male :Naan matten paaNot me, man!
Male :Pengal kannathil thandhaarammaaWomen gave it right on the cheek, my dear!
Aiyo… appaa…Oh my... father...!
Male :Haiyaiyo…Oh no...
Male :HaiyaiyoooOh nooo!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Engengum Kandenammaa is a playful, comic track from the movie Ullasa Paravaigal (1980). The song depicts a hilarious situation where overconfidence meets a comedic reality check. Initially, the protagonist boasts about his charm, believing that approaching beautiful women will result in romantic affection, hugs, and kisses. However, his attempts end up getting him slapped across the face.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Pun

Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaa / Pengal kannathil thandhaarammaa

A humorous shift in lyric from 'women came clad in gold' to 'women gave it right on the cheek' (slapped), creating comedic contrast.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Engengum kandenammaa / Pengal thangathil vandhaarammaa

The lines end with the rhyming sound 'ammaa', establishing a rhythmic and catchy folk refrain.

Onomatopoeia / Vocal Scatting

Rampa pampa rampa pampa pampaa

Rhythmic vocal syllables used for musical flair and comic tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Panchu Arunachalam for the 1980 film 'Ullasa Paravaigal', starring Kamal Haasan. The soundtrack of this movie is celebrated for its diverse musical styles and creative vocal arrangements.

Keep listening

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