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Lyrics & meaning

Enna Desamo

From Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enna dhesamoWhat kind of land is this?
Idhu enna dhesamoWhat land is this?
Ingu poigal koodiyaeWhere lies gather together
Oru niyaayam pesumoTo preach about justice?
Dharmam thongi pogumoWill righteousness wither away?
Needhi vellumo ingu naeraagumoWill justice triumph and set things right here?
Male
Enna dhesamoWhat kind of land is this?
Idhu enna dhesamoWhat land is this?
Male
Inba thunbam enbathuJoy and sorrow
Iravu pagalai pondrathuAre just like night and day.
Kaalam naalai maaralaamTime may change tomorrow,
Kaayam ellam aaralaamAll wounds may heal.
Kaalam naalai maaralaamTime may change tomorrow,
Kaayam ellam aaralaamAll wounds may heal.
Male
Sogam enna thozhanaeWhy this sorrow, my friend?
Soozhchchi velvaai veeraanaeO warrior, you will overcome this conspiracy!
Edhirththu nindru poriduStand up, confront them, and fight!
Indru ooivedu nee indru ooiveduTake rest today; you take rest today.
Male
Enna dhesamoWhat kind of land is this?
Idhu enna dhesamoWhat land is this?
Male
Pirakkum podhum perillaiThere is no name when you are born,
Irakkum pothum perillaiThere is no name when you die.
Idaiyil thaanae kuzhappangalAll confusions exist only in between,
Vaazhkkaiyodu vazhakkugalAlong with the struggles and court disputes of life.
Idaiyil thaanae kuzhappangalAll confusions exist only in between,
Vaazhkkaiyodu vazhakkugalAlong with the struggles and court disputes of life.
Male
Jeyikka pogum maanidaaO human destined to win,
Mayakkam ingae yaenadaaWhy this daze and confusion here?
Uruthiyodu keladaaDemand answers with determination,
Unmai neeyadaa oo unmai neeyadaaYou are the ultimate truth, oh, you are the truth!
Male
Enna dhesamoWhat kind of land is this?
Idhu enna dhesamoWhat land is this?
Ingu poigal koodiyaeWhere lies gather together
Oru niyaayam pesumoTo preach about justice?
Dharmam thongi pogumoWill righteousness wither away?
Needhi vellumo ingu naeraagumoWill justice triumph and set things right here?
Male
Enna dhesamoWhat kind of land is this?
Idhu enna dhesamoWhat land is this?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Enna Dhesamo' is a poignant, socially reflective song from the 1985 movie 'Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal'. Written by Vairamuthu, the song acts as a philosophical critique of societal injustice, questioning a corrupt world where lies gather to lecture on righteousness and justice appears endangered. It functions both as an existential commentary on the human condition and as a source of solace for a protagonist facing systemic betrayal. Narratively, the song offers profound comfort and motivation to a grieving hero. It reassures him that suffering is transient like night giving way to day, and that time heals all emotional wounds. By highlighting that humans arrive in this world nameless and leave nameless, the lyrics urge the protagonist not to be paralyzed by temporary legal battles and deceit, but to rise with courage and realize his own intrinsic truth and capacity for triumph.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Inba thunbam enbathu / Iravu pagalai pondrathu

The lyrics compare the alternating cycle of pleasure and pain to the natural transition of night and day using the explicit comparative word 'pondrathu' (like).

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kaalam naalai maaralaam / Kaayam ellam aaralaam

The second letter 'la' (ல) / 'ya' (ய) sound rhythmically matches across lines while maintaining an identical long initial vowel 'Kaa' (கா).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Pirakkum podhum perillai / Irakkum pothum perillai

Both consecutive lines end with the exact same phrase 'perillai' (no name), creating an echoing end rhyme.

Muran (Antithesis)

Inba thunbam / Iravu pagalai

Uses contrasting antonym pairs—joy/sorrow (Inba/Thunbam) and night/day (Iravu/Pagalai)—to highlight the dualities of life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in 'Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal' (1985), a film directed by Balu Mahendra starring Rajinikanth and Ambika. Though the film's music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the track carries a deeply contemplative tone typical of the director-composer duo's collaborations. Lyricist Vairamuthu's lines skillfully blend philosophical existentialism with the dramatic needs of a story centered on legal and social injustice.

Keep listening

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