Enna Jenmamo
From Kumbakonam Gopalu · 1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam | What kind of existence is this female birth! |
| Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho | Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes! |
| Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam | A life chased incessantly by suffering, |
| Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho | Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin! |
| Male | |
| Pennaai pirandhavar | For those born as women, |
| Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa | Is life nothing but a struggle? |
| Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha | Is it a cruel trick written long ago |
| Maaraattamaa | By someone in ancient times? |
| O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo… | Oh God, give me an answer! |
| Male | |
| Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam | What kind of existence is this female birth! |
| Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho | Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes! |
| Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam | A life chased incessantly by suffering, |
| Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho | Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin! |
| Male | |
| Petraval poi chaerndhaal | When the mother passed away, |
| Thandhai yena irundhavan thani aanaan | The father was left all alone. |
| Matraval thaayaanaal | When another woman became the stepmother, |
| Kottugindra kodumaiyin vadivaanaal | She became the embodiment of stinging cruelty. |
| Male | |
| Palli sellum vayadhinilae | At the tender age of going to school, |
| Katru konda paadathukku alavillaiyae | There is no limit to the bitter lessons she has learned! |
| Sumakkira vayadhillaiyae | This is not the age to carry heavy burdens, |
| Indha chumai tholaigira vazhi illaiyae | Yet there seems to be no way to lose this weight. |
| Male | |
| Sogam ondrae sondham endru | Believing sorrow is her only kin, |
| Sorna kiliyum thani aanaal | This golden parrot was left all alone; |
| Sorndhu sorndhu oindhu nindru | Exhausted, weary, and standing helpless, |
| Kaaindhu pona kani aanaal | She became a shriveled, dried fruit. |
| Thodarum thuyarangal ivalai | Won't these continuing sorrows |
| Vairangal aakaadho malar pookkaadho | Turn her into diamonds? Won't flowers bloom? |
| Male | |
| Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam | What kind of existence is this female birth! |
| Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho | Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes! |
| Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam | A life chased incessantly by suffering, |
| Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho | Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Thaniyaai pen oruthi | For a woman living all alone, |
| Ulaginil vaazhvadhu saathiyamaa | Is survival truly possible in this world? |
| Thunai indri vaazhvadhendraal | To live without any support, |
| Unmayil nadakkindra kaariyamaa | Is that something that can truly happen? |
| Male | |
| Pen oruthi veedhiyil sendraal | If a woman walks down the street, |
| Thurathidum kangalukku kanakkillaiyae | Countless are the leering eyes that chase her! |
| Pangu pottu kedukka ennum | Wanting to share and ruin her, |
| Kedu ketta aangalukku vazhakkillaiyae | Vile men lack any moral code! |
| Male | |
| Kaama paeigal aadum aattam | The wild dance played by lustful demons, |
| Kaala dhevan ivar kaiyil | The God of Time seems to be in their hands! |
| Kaanbadhellaam miruga koottam | All one sees is a pack of beasts, |
| Manidha inamae yaar kaiyil | In whose hands is humankind? |
| Vaazha vazhi indri saaga vidhi indri | With no way to live and no fate to die, |
| Azhuvaaro mannil vizhuvaaro | Will she weep or fall upon the dust? |
| Male | |
| Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam | What kind of existence is this female birth! |
| Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho | Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes! |
| Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam | A life chased incessantly by suffering, |
| Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho | Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin! |
| Male | |
| Pennaai pirandhavar | For those born as women, |
| Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa | Is life nothing but a struggle? |
| Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha | Is it a cruel trick written long ago |
| Maaraattamaa | By someone in ancient times? |
| O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo… | Oh God, give me an answer! |
| Male | |
| Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam | What kind of existence is this female birth! |
| Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho | Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes! |
| Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam | A life chased incessantly by suffering, |
| Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho | Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin! |
என்ன ஜென்மம்
இந்த பெண் ஜென்மம்
தாங்கவில்லை
இவர் படும் துயரம் ஹோ ஓ...
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
துன்பம் துரத்துகிற
ஒரு ஜென்மம்
மண்ணில் பாவமடி
பெண் ஜென்மம் ஹோ....
For those born as women,
Is life nothing but a struggle?
Is it a cruel trick written long ago
By someone in ancient times?
Oh God, give me an answer!
பெண்ணாய் பிறந்தவர்
வாழ்க்கையே போராட்டமா
அந்நாளில் எவனோ
எழுதி வைத்த மாறாட்டமா
ஓ இறைவா பதில் கூறு ஹோ ஓ...
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
என்ன ஜென்மம்
இந்த பெண் ஜென்மம்
தாங்கவில்லை
இவர் படும் துயரம் ஹோ ஓ...
When the mother passed away,
The father was left all alone.
When another woman became the stepmother,
She became the embodiment of stinging cruelty.
துன்பம் துரத்துகிற
ஒரு ஜென்மம்
மண்ணில் பாவமடி
பெண் ஜென்மம் ஹோ ஓ...
At the tender age of going to school,
There is no limit to the bitter lessons she has learned!
This is not the age to carry heavy burdens,
Yet there seems to be no way to lose this weight.
பெற்றவள் போய்ச் சேர்ந்தாள்
தந்தை என இருந்தவன்
தனி ஆனான்
மற்றவள் தாயானாள்
கொட்டுகின்ற கொடுமையின்
வடிவானாள்
Believing sorrow is her only kin,
This golden parrot was left all alone;
Exhausted, weary, and standing helpless,
She became a shriveled, dried fruit.
Won't these continuing sorrows
Turn her into diamonds? Won't flowers bloom?
பள்ளி செல்லும் வயதினிலே
கற்றுக் கொண்ட பாடத்துக்கு
அளவில்லையே
சுமக்கிற வயதில்லையே
இந்தச் சுமை தொலைகிற
வழி இல்லையே
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
சோகம் ஒன்றே சொந்தம் என்று
சொர்ணக்கிளியும் தனி ஆனாள்
சோர்ந்து சோர்ந்து ஓய்ந்து நின்று
காய்ந்து போன கனி ஆனாள்
தொடரும் துயரங்கள்
இவளை வைரங்கள் ஆக்காதோ
மலர் பூக்காதோ
For a woman living all alone,
Is survival truly possible in this world?
To live without any support,
Is that something that can truly happen?
என்ன ஜென்மம்
இந்த பெண் ஜென்மம்
நெஞ்சு கொதிக்குது
இவர் படும் துயரம் ஹோ ஓ...
If a woman walks down the street,
Countless are the leering eyes that chase her!
Wanting to share and ruin her,
Vile men lack any moral code!
துன்பம் துரத்துகிற
ஒரு ஜென்மம்
மண்ணில் பாவமடி
பெண் ஜென்மம் ஹோ ஓ...
The wild dance played by lustful demons,
The God of Time seems to be in their hands!
All one sees is a pack of beasts,
In whose hands is humankind?
With no way to live and no fate to die,
Will she weep or fall upon the dust?
தனியாய் பெண் ஒருத்தி
உலகினில் வாழ்வது சாத்தியமா
துணை இன்றி வாழ்வதென்றால்
உண்மையில் நடக்கின்ற காரியமா
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
பெண் ஒருத்தி
வீதியில் சென்றால்
துரத்திடும் கண்களுக்கு
கணக்கில்லையே
பங்கு போட்டு கெடுக்க எண்ணும்
கேடு கெட்ட ஆண்களுக்கு
வழக்கில்லையே
For those born as women,
Is life nothing but a struggle?
Is it a cruel trick written long ago
By someone in ancient times?
Oh God, give me an answer!
காமப் பேய்கள் ஆடும் ஆட்டம்
கால தேவன் இவர் கையில்
காண்பதெல்லாம் மிருகக் கூட்டம்
மனித இனமே யார் கையில்
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
வாழ வழி இன்றி
சாக விதி இன்றி அழுவாரோ
மண்ணில் விழுவாரோ
என்ன ஜென்மம்
இந்த பெண் ஜென்மம்
நெஞ்சு கொதிக்குது
இவர் படும் துயரம் ஹோ ஓ...
துன்பம் துரத்துகிற
ஒரு ஜென்மம்
மண்ணில் பாவமடி
பெண் ஜென்மம் ஹோ ஓ...
பெண்ணாய் பிறந்தவர்
வாழ்க்கையே போராட்டமா
அந்நாளில் எவனோ
எழுதி வைத்த மாறாட்டமா
ஓ இறைவா பதில் கூறு ஹோ ஓ...
என்ன ஜென்மம்
இந்த பெண் ஜென்மம்
நெஞ்சு கொதிக்குது
இவர் படும் துயரம் ஹோ ஓ...
துன்பம் துரத்துகிற
ஒரு ஜென்மம்
மண்ணில் பாவமடி
பெண் ஜென்மம் ஹோ ஓ...
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
Pennaai pirandhavar
For those born as women,
Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa
Is life nothing but a struggle?
Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha
Is it a cruel trick written long ago
Maaraattamaa
By someone in ancient times?
O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo…
Oh God, give me an answer!
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
Petraval poi chaerndhaal
When the mother passed away,
Thandhai yena irundhavan thani aanaan
The father was left all alone.
Matraval thaayaanaal
When another woman became the stepmother,
Kottugindra kodumaiyin vadivaanaal
She became the embodiment of stinging cruelty.
Palli sellum vayadhinilae
At the tender age of going to school,
Katru konda paadathukku alavillaiyae
There is no limit to the bitter lessons she has learned!
Sumakkira vayadhillaiyae
This is not the age to carry heavy burdens,
Indha chumai tholaigira vazhi illaiyae
Yet there seems to be no way to lose this weight.
Sogam ondrae sondham endru
Believing sorrow is her only kin,
Sorna kiliyum thani aanaal
This golden parrot was left all alone;
Sorndhu sorndhu oindhu nindru
Exhausted, weary, and standing helpless,
Kaaindhu pona kani aanaal
She became a shriveled, dried fruit.
Thodarum thuyarangal ivalai
Won't these continuing sorrows
Vairangal aakaadho malar pookkaadho
Turn her into diamonds? Won't flowers bloom?
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
…………………………
Thaniyaai pen oruthi
For a woman living all alone,
Ulaginil vaazhvadhu saathiyamaa
Is survival truly possible in this world?
Thunai indri vaazhvadhendraal
To live without any support,
Unmayil nadakkindra kaariyamaa
Is that something that can truly happen?
Pen oruthi veedhiyil sendraal
If a woman walks down the street,
Thurathidum kangalukku kanakkillaiyae
Countless are the leering eyes that chase her!
Pangu pottu kedukka ennum
Wanting to share and ruin her,
Kedu ketta aangalukku vazhakkillaiyae
Vile men lack any moral code!
Kaama paeigal aadum aattam
The wild dance played by lustful demons,
Kaala dhevan ivar kaiyil
The God of Time seems to be in their hands!
Kaanbadhellaam miruga koottam
All one sees is a pack of beasts,
Manidha inamae yaar kaiyil
In whose hands is humankind?
Vaazha vazhi indri saaga vidhi indri
With no way to live and no fate to die,
Azhuvaaro mannil vizhuvaaro
Will she weep or fall upon the dust?
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
Pennaai pirandhavar
For those born as women,
Vaazhkkaiyae poraattamaa
Is life nothing but a struggle?
Annaalil yevano ezhudhi vaitha
Is it a cruel trick written long ago
Maaraattamaa
By someone in ancient times?
O iraivaa badhil kooru ho… oo…
Oh God, give me an answer!
Enna jenmam indha pen jenmam
What kind of existence is this female birth!
Thaangavillai ivar padum thuyaram ho
Unbearable is the sorrow she undergoes!
Thunbam thurathugira oru jenmam
A life chased incessantly by suffering,
Mannil paavamadi pen jenmam ho
Ah, to be born a woman on this earth is a sin!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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