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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Kodumai Enna Kodumai

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaithi Kannayiram1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Antho endru mudiyumithuAlas, when will this come to an end?
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Antho endru mudiyumithuAlas, when will this come to an end?
Male
Kanniyam sirithum thavaraathuWithout deviating even a bit from dignity,
Kadamaiyinindrum vazhuvaathWithout faltering from duty,
Unmai vaazha uzhaikkum nallorGood people who toil so truth may live,
Ullam udainthae vaaduvathuSuffer with broken hearts and wither away!
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Male
Pazhikku anjaap paathagaraalBecause of sinners who do not fear disgrace,
Paambai pondra theeyavaraalBecause of evil people who are venomous like snakes,
Paal manam maaraa chinnanjsiru kuzhanthaiAn innocent little child whose milk-scent hasn't faded,
Thaayai pirinthae thaviththiduthae…Is separated from its mother and suffers in agony...
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Male
Ammavendra seai kuralaiThe child's voice crying out 'Mother',
Annai ketka mudiyavilaiThe mother is unable to hear!
Ammavendra seai kuralaiThe child's voice crying out 'Mother',
Annai ketka mudiyavilaiThe mother is unable to hear!
Arugil irunthum arinthidaamalUnaware despite being right nearby,
Urugi yaengum thunba nilaiIt is a heartbreaking state of yearning and grief!
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Male
Vellai ullam padaiththavargalThose blessed with pure, innocent hearts,
Pillai paasaththin vilaivaagaAs a result of their deep love for their child,
Thollaigal yaetru thudiyaai thudiththiEndure hardships, writhing in pain,
Kallarai pola padhunguvathu…And stay hidden and silent like a tomb...
Male
Enna kodumai enna kodumaiWhat a cruelty, what a cruelty,
Enna kodumaiyithuWhat a cruelty this is!
Antho endru mudiyumithuAlas, when will this come to an end?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Kaithi Kannayiram expresses deep grief, moral indignation, and lamentation over the tragic suffering of righteous people. The lyrics highlight how innocent, duty-bound, and virtuous individuals often face immense suffering due to the cruel machinations of wicked, snake-like villains. It laments the painful separation of an innocent infant from its loving mother, emphasizing the tragedy where the mother cannot even hear her child's helpless cries despite being close by.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paambai pondra theeyavaraal

Compares evil, deceitful people directly to venomous snakes using the explicit comparative word 'pondra'.

Simile (Upamai)

Kallarai pola padhunguvathu…

Compares the helpless, silent, motionless hiding of pure souls to a lifeless grave/tomb ('kallarai pola').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pazhikku anjaap paathagaraal / Paambai pondra theeyavaraal

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound across consecutive lines.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vellai ullam padaiththavargal / Pillai paasaththin vilaivaaga

Matching of the second consonant sound 'lla' (llai) between 'Vellai' and 'Pillai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) is a notable Tamil drama film directed by U. S. Raman. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. This emotional track sung by T. M. Soundararajan powerfully conveys the film's thematic core of innocence being framed and suffering unjust hardship.

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