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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Kutram

From Dikkatra Parvathi · 1974

Lyricist
Rajaji
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Chitti Babu
Details
Dikkatra Parvathi1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enna kuttram seidhaenoWhat crime have I committed,
Ellorum kaanamalUnseen by everyone?
Enna kuttram seidhaenoWhat crime have I committed,
Ellorum kaanamalUnseen by everyone?
Annai suttramellaamMother and all my relatives,
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Female
Enna kuttram seidhaenoWhat crime have I committed,
Ellorum kaanamalUnseen by everyone?
Annai suttramellaamMother and all my relatives,
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Female
Kondraarai thindraenooDid I devour those who killed?
Thindraarai kondrenooDid I kill those who devoured?
Kondraarai thindraenooDid I devour those who killed?
Thindraarai kondrenooDid I kill those who devoured?
Kondraarai thindraenooDid I devour those who killed?
Thindraarai kondrenooDid I kill those who devoured?
Kondraarai thindraenooDid I devour those who killed?
Thindraarai kondrenooDid I kill those who devoured?
Ennadhadhu ellaam ennumAll that is mine, claiming it so,
Ichai marandhenooDid I forget my selfless desire?
Female
Enna kuttram seidhaenoWhat crime have I committed,
Ellorum kaanamalUnseen by everyone?
Annai suttramellaamMother and all my relatives,
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Female
Saadhiyil kootuvaaroWill they accept me into our caste?
Samayathaar ennuvaarooWill people of faith count me as one of theirs?
Saadhiyil kootuvaaroWill they accept me into our caste?
Samayathaar ennuvaarooWill people of faith count me as one of theirs?
Perittu vaazhndhadhellaamAll the prestige and reputation I lived with,
Pechukku idamaachudhadiHas now become mere fodder for local gossip, my friend.
Perittu vaazhndhadhellaamAll the prestige and reputation I lived with,
Pechukku idamaachudhadiHas now become mere fodder for local gossip, my friend.
Pechukku idamaachudhadiHas now become mere fodder for local gossip, my friend.
Pechukku idamaachudhadiHas now become mere fodder for local gossip, my friend.
Female
Enna kuttram seidhaenoWhat crime have I committed,
Ellorum kaanamalUnseen by everyone?
Annai suttramellaamMother and all my relatives,
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?
Ariyaaroo ambuviyalDo they not understand the ways of this world?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the agony, confusion, and social isolation experienced by a woman facing unjust societal judgment. She questions what grave crime she could have committed to deserve such cruelty from her own family, relatives, and community. She wonders why her loved ones fail to understand the harsh realities of the world and why society isolates those who suffer. Through intense rhetorical questions, she questions if she committed horrendous acts like killing or devouring someone to warrant such ostracization. A once-honorable life built on dignity has dissolved into cheap gossip and public scandal, leaving her questioning whether she will ever be accepted back into her community or religious fold. The song captures deeply rooted social stigmas and existential grief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Chiasmus / Antithesis

Kondraarai thindraenoo / Thindraarai kondrenoo

Inversion of words across adjacent lines to highlight extreme absurdities that society acts as if she committed.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Saadhiyil kootuvaaro / Samayathaar ennuvaaroo

Repetition of the initial 'Sa' sound creates rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Perittu vaazhndhadhellaam / Pechukku idamaachudhadi

The second letter consonant sound 'ri' / 'ch' pairing aligns with classical Tamil meter rules.

Rhetorical Questioning

Enna kuttram seidhaeno / Ellorum kaanamal

Posing rhetorical questions to emphasize helplessness and the absurdity of societal condemnation.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for this song were written by C. Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji), freedom fighter and the last Governor-General of India, based on his own short story 'Dikkatra Parvathi'. The film was directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

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