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Kumbakonam Gopalu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Jenmamo

From Kumbakonam Gopalu · 1998

Lyricist
Vasan
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kumbakonam Gopalu
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
7 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Pennaai pirandhavar
Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa
Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha
Maaraattamaa
O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo…
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Petraval poi chaerndhaal
Thandhai yena irundhavan thani aanaan
Matraval thaayaanaal
Kottugindra kodumaiyin vadivaanaal
Palli sellum vayadhinilae
Katru konda paadathukku alavillaiyae
Sumakkira vayadhillaiyae
Indha chumai tholaigira vazhi illaiyae
Sogam ondrae sondham endru
Sorna kiliyum thani aanaal
Sorndhu sorndhu oindhu nindru
Kaaindhu pona kani aanaal
Thodarum thuyarangal ivalai
Vairangal aakaadho malar pookkaadho
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
…………………………
Thaniyaai pen oruthi
Ulaginil vaazhvadhu saathiyamaa
Thunai indri vaazhvadhendraal
Unmayil nadakkindra kaariyamaa
Pen oruthi veedhiyil sendraal
Thurathidum kangalukku kanakkillaiyae
Pangu pottu kedukka ennum
Kedu ketta aangalukku vazhakkillaiyae
Kaama paeigal aadum aattam
Kaala dhevan ivar kaiyil
Kaanbadhellaam miruga koottam
Manidha inamae yaar kaiyil
Vaazha vazhi indri saaga vidhi indri
Azhuvaaro mannil vizhuvaaro
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Pennaai pirandhavar
Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa
Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha
Maaraattamaa
O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo…
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
What kind of birth is this, to be born a woman?
The grief they endure is unbearable, ho...
A life constantly chased by sorrow,
to be born a woman is a curse on this earth, ho...
For those born as women,
is life itself an endless struggle?
Written down by someone long ago,
is this a cruel twist of fate?
Oh God, answer me, ho... oh...
What kind of birth is this, to be born a woman?
The grief they endure is unbearable, ho...
A life constantly chased by sorrow,
to be born a woman is a curse on this earth, ho...
The mother who gave birth passed away,
and the man who was a father was left alone.
Another woman became the stepmother,
taking the form of relentless cruelty.
At an age meant for going to school,
there is no measure to the harsh lessons she learned.
This is not the age to carry such loads,
yet there is no way for this burden to end.
With sorrow as her only companion,
the precious golden parrot was left all alone.
Weary, drained, and completely broken,
she became like a withered fruit.
Through these continuous sorrows,
will diamonds not form? Will a flower not bloom?
What kind of birth is this, to be born a woman?
The grief they endure is unbearable, ho...
A life constantly chased by sorrow,
to be born a woman is a curse on this earth, ho...
...
For a woman all alone,
is it possible to live in this world?
To live without any support,
can that ever truly happen?
If a woman walks down the street,
countless prowling eyes chase after her.
Plotting together to ruin her life,
yet there is no justice against these wicked men.
Lustful demons run wild,
holding the power of death in their hands.
Wherever you look, there is a pack of beasts;
in whose hands does humanity rest?
With no way to live and no release in death,
will she just weep and collapse to the ground?
What kind of birth is this, to be born a woman?
The grief they endure is unbearable, ho...
A life constantly chased by sorrow,
to be born a woman is a curse on this earth, ho...
For those born as women,
is life itself an endless struggle?
Written down by someone long ago,
is this a cruel twist of fate?
Oh God, answer me, ho... oh...
What kind of birth is this, to be born a woman?
The grief they endure is unbearable, ho...
A life constantly chased by sorrow,
to be born a woman is a curse on this earth, ho...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from Kumbakonam Gopalu (1998) is a poignant lament on the struggles, discrimination, and societal hardships faced by women. It traces the grief of an innocent young girl who loses her mother, faces neglect and abuse from a cruel stepmother, and is forced to bear emotional burdens far beyond her age. The lyrics highlight how society often treats vulnerable women with cruelty rather than compassion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Petraval poi chaerndhaal / Matraval thaayaanaal

The second consonant 'tra' (ற்ற) rhymes across the two lines, creating rhythm.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam

The initial letter 'Thu' (து) repeats in 'Thunbam' and 'thurathugira'.

Metaphor

Sorna kiliyum thani aanaal

Comparing the innocent young girl to a 'Sorna kili' (golden parrot).

Metaphor

Kaama paeigal aadum aattam

Describing predatory, malicious men as 'Kaama paeigal' (lustful demons).

Rhetorical Question

Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa

Posing a dramatic question about whether a woman's entire life is destined to be a struggle.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kumbakonam Gopalu (1998) stars Pandiarajan in the lead role. The song's lyrics were written by Vasan, focusing on deep emotional and social commentary about the hardships faced by women in society.

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