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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Chinnam

From Oorai Therinjikitten · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Oorai Therinjikitten1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Ennaa chinnam{What symbol?
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nampa chinnamMale: Our symbol!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nalla solluMale: Say it clearly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Adichchu solluMale: Say it emphatically!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Joraa solluMale: Say it loudly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :JeyikkirathuMale: The one that wins is!
Chorus :Paanai chinnam} (2)Chorus: Pot symbol!} (2)
Male
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-ta poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-ta poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Male
Chinnaththula melaagumAmong all symbols, the greatest is
Paanai chinnamthaangaOnly the pot symbol!
Ippa sonna solla kaappaththumTo elect someone who keeps their word,
Sinthikkanum nengaYou must think and choose wisely!
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-ta poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Male
Maamanukku thembu varaTo give strength to the uncle,
Murungagaaya vaangi tharomWe will buy and give drumsticks!
Machchinikku aasai varaTo excite the sister-in-law,
Podalangaaya vaangi tharomWe will buy and give snake gourds!
Male
Maamanukku thembu vara murungagaayaTo give strength to the uncle, drumsticks
Chorus :Vaangi tharomChorus: We will buy and give!
Male :Machchinikku aasai vara podalangaayaMale: To excite the sister-in-law, snake gourds
Chorus :Vaangi tharomChorus: We will buy and give!
Male
Amman kovil ursavaththilAt the local temple festival,
Anurathaava aada soldromWe will ask actress Anuradha to dance!
Paththu vote-tu onnaa vanthaaIf ten votes come together,
Pakkaththula ukkaaththuvom vaa saamiWe will let you sit right beside us, come sir!
Vera pakkam po saami….Go to the other side, sir...
Male
Hae ammaa kaiyila vote-ta paaruHey, look at the vote in mother's hand!
Chorus :Paanaiyila pottu paaruChorus: Cast it for the pot symbol!
Male :Appa kaiyila vote-ta paaruMale: Look at the vote in father's hand!
Chorus :Paanaiyila pottu paaruChorus: Cast it for the pot symbol!
Male :Chittu kaiyila vote-ta paaruMale: Look at the vote in the young girl's hand!
Chorus :Paanaiyila…..Chorus: Into the pot...
Male
Haei ennanadaaHey, what is this?
Vote-tu ketkka vantha idaththulaIn a place where we came asking for votes,
Chittu kittungiraingaThey are talking about young girls!
Male
Nhaa….chittu illainaNha... if not a young girl,
Chiththi chiththiAunt, aunt!
Male :Haei chiththi kaiyila vote-ta paaruMale: Hey, look at the vote in aunt's hand!
Chorus :Paanaiyila pottu paaruChorus: Cast it for the pot symbol!
Male
Ennaa chinnamWhat symbol?
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nampa chinnamMale: Our symbol!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nalla solluMale: Say it clearly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Adichchu solluMale: Say it emphatically!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Joraa solluMale: Say it loudly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :JeyikkirathuMale: The one that wins is!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote- tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Male
Chinnaththula melaagumAmong all symbols, the greatest is
Paanai chinnamthaangaOnly the pot symbol!
Ippa sonna solla kaappaththumTo elect someone who keeps their word,
Sinthikkanum nengaYou must think and choose wisely!
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Male
Naanga therthalla jeyichchominnaaIf we win in this election,
Un veettu erumaikku thanni vaippomWe will provide water for the buffalo at your house,
Paruththi kottai vaippomWe will feed it cottonseeds,
Vachchu paal karappomAnd milk it for you!
Male
Thaaikkulam kanneera thodaikka poromWe are going to wipe the tears of womanhood,
Theruvil paattila pottuththaan odaikka poromWe are going to smash liquor bottles on the street!
Saarayak kadaigala thedapporomWe are going to search for liquor shops,
Chorus :Thedi moodapporom poottu podapporomChorus: Search for them, close them down, and put locks on them!
Male :Ippa naanga poromMale: Now we are leaving!
Chorus :Ippa naanga poromChorus: Now we are leaving!
Male
Ennaa chinnamWhat symbol?
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nampa chinnamMale: Our symbol!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Nalla solluMale: Say it clearly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Adichchu solluMale: Say it emphatically!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :Joraa solluMale: Say it loudly!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male :JeyikkirathuMale: The one that wins is!
Chorus :Paanai chinnamChorus: Pot symbol!
Male
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote- tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.
Male
Chinnaththula melaagumAmong all symbols, the greatest is
Paanai chinnamthaangaOnly the pot symbol!
Ippa sonna solla kaappaththumTo elect someone who keeps their word,
Sinthikkanum nengaYou must think and choose wisely!
Chorus
Naanga kumpidurom ellorumWe fold our hands in respect, everyone,
Vote-tu poda vangaCome to cast your vote.
Unga thambigala polaththaanJust like your younger brothers,
Kettukkirom naangaWe humbly request you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a satirical political campaign track from the film 'Oorai Therinjikitten' (1988). The protagonist campaigns for local elections under the 'Pot' (Paanai) symbol, addressing villagers with comical humility while promising ridiculous, exaggerated favors in exchange for their votes. From buying specific vegetables for relatives and organizing temple dance performances to feeding household cattle and closing down liquor stores, the lyricist lampoons the absurd freebies and empty rhetoric typical of local election campaigns. Written with characteristic wit by Vaali, the song uses colloquial street slang and lighthearted call-and-response choruses to capture the theatrical nature of grassroots political rallies in Tamil Nadu. Beneath the humor, it serves as a light social commentary on voter bribery and political opportunism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Assonance / Second Letter Rhyme)

Maamanukku thembu vara / Machchinikku aasai vara

The second consonant 'm' ('ாம' and 'ாச்' sharing matching vowel length/rhyme sound) aligns rhythmically across consecutive couplet lines.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Murungagaaya vaangi tharom / Podalangaaya vaangi tharom

Both lines end with the identical phrase 'vaangi tharom', creating a catchy musical rhyme.

Angatham (Satire / Parody)

Un veettu erumaikku thanni vaippom / Paruththi kottai vaippom / Vachchu paal karappom

The lyrics exaggerate campaign promises to the point of absurdity (promising to personally feed and milk voters' buffaloes), utilizing political parody.

Repetition (Call and Response)

Ennaa chinnam / Paanai chinnam

The persistent repetition of the election symbol 'Paanai chinnam' acts as a rhythmic anchor reflecting traditional political slogan shouting.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Oorai Therinjikitten' (1988), starring Pandiarajan, this song features a classic comedic political campaign sequence composed by Devendran with lyrics by Vaali. The pot symbol ('Paanai') was historically a real independent election symbol in Tamil Nadu politics, making the satire instantly relatable to rural audiences during the late 1980s.

Keep listening

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