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Isaimozhi
Chakkalathi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Paattu

From Chakkalathi · 1980

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chakkalathi
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
10 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Enna paattu paada…
M… enna thaalam poda
Onnum puriyaliyae mm…
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Aa… vandi odum satham paattukkaetha sandham
Vandi odum satham paattukkaetha sandham
Maadu rendum thaalam poda komba komba aattudhu
Nikkaadhae odu idhu sarkkaaru roadu
Nikkaadhae odu idhu sarkkaaru roadu
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Pallikkoda naeram aachu vaegamaaga poganum
Dhae… drrr…. rr…
Pallikkoda naeram aachu vaegamaaga poganum
Vandi poottunaa sandi aatura
Kaappi hotel ah paathu nikkira
Thannaanae naanaa… aa… thannaanae naanaa
Thannaanae naanaa thannaanae naanaa
Vekkaadhae aasa adhu vengaaya dhosa
Vekkaadhae aasa adhu vengaaya dhosa
Angaeyum ingaeyum kanna nee vekkaadhae
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Koothu maeda yaerinaakkaa nooru vaesham podalaam
Haahhaa haahhaa haahhaa haa
Koothu maeda yaerinaakkaa nooru vaesham podalaam
Maedai indriyae vaesham poduraan
Aala polavae thaalam poduraan
Thannaanae naanaa… aa… thannaanae naanaa
Thannaanae naanaa thannaanae naanaa
Sollaadhae raasaa veen pollaappu vaenaa
Sollaadhae raasaa veen pollaappu vaenaa
Kandaalum sollaadhae sonnaalum kaekkaadhae
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Enna paattu paada enna thaalam poda
Vandi odum satham paattukkaetha sandham
Maadu rendum thaalam poda komba komba aattudhu
Nikkaadhae odu idhu sarkkaaru roadu
Nikkaadhae odu idhu sarkkaaru roadu
Nikkaadhae odu idhu sarkkaaru roadu
What song should I sing...
Mmm... what beat should I keep?
I can't figure out a thing, mmm...
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
Ah... the sound of the moving cart is the rhythm for the song!
The sound of the moving cart is the rhythm for the song!
Keeping the beat, both bulls shake their horns!
Don't stop, run! This is the government road!
Don't stop, run! This is the government road!
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
It's time for school, we have to go fast!
Hey... trrrr... rr...
It's time for school, we have to go fast!
Once hitched to the cart, you act so stubborn!
You stop and stare at the coffee hotel!
Thannaane naanaa... ah... thannaane naanaa
Thannaane naanaa thannaane naanaa
Don't set your heart on it, it's an onion dosa!
Don't set your heart on it, it's an onion dosa!
Don't let your eyes wander here and there!
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
If you get on a drama stage, you can play a hundred roles!
Haha haha haha ha!
If you get on a drama stage, you can play a hundred roles!
He puts on an act even without a stage!
Nodding along just like a decent man!
Thannaane naanaa... ah... thannaane naanaa
Thannaane naanaa thannaane naanaa
Don't speak up, my friend, don't invite needless trouble!
Don't speak up, my friend, don't invite needless trouble!
Even if you see it, don't say a word; even if told, don't listen!
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
What song should I sing, what beat should I keep?
The sound of the moving cart is the rhythm for the song!
Keeping the beat, both bulls shake their horns!
Don't stop, run! This is the government road!
Don't stop, run! This is the government road!
Don't stop, run! This is the government road!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This lighthearted Tamil folk song captures the rhythmic journey of a cart driver traveling down a public road. Confused about what song or beat to play, the singer takes inspiration from the sounds around him—the clatter of the bullock cart wheels and the rhythmic swaying of his oxen's horns. As he drives his cart along, he playfully chides his bullocks for getting distracted by roadside attractions like coffee shops and onion dosas, urging them to hurry because school time is approaching.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vandi odum satham paattukkaetha sandham

The second letter harmony in 'satham' and 'sandham' creates a natural rhythmic beat that mimics the motion of a bullock cart.

Personification

Maadu rendum thaalam poda komba komba aattudhu

The oxen driving the cart are playfully described as keeping time to the music and swaying their horns like performers.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vekkaadhae aasa adhu vengaaya dhosa

The repetition of the initial 'v' sound in 'Vekkaadhae' and 'vengaaya' enhances the song's folksy, playful lyricism.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from Chakkalathi (1980) features Ilaiyaraaja both as composer and solo vocalist, penned by lyricist Muthulingam to capture authentic Tamil rural life.

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