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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Enna Pada Sad

From Aan Paavam · 1985

Lyricist: Vaali
Singer: S. Janaki
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Aan Paavam
Movie release year: 1985
Lyrics added on: 23 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Appa paadi parandha kuyil

Vaadi kedakkudhu

Kanneer kadalil idhu

Aadi kedakkudhu

Paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Poovaaramum nenachu

Ponnoonjalum nenachu

Punnaagi ponadhenna en manasu

Ellaamae poopadhilla

Poothaalum kaaippadhilla

Ariyaama ponadhu thaan en thavaru

Vaaraadha thendralukku

Vazhi paathu kaathirundhen

Idhazh vaadum pookkala pol

Naan irundhen

Kaanal neerukkul

Naan thoondil pottaenae

Meena kaanaamal

Naan maatti kondenae

Sogam thaabam

Nenja vaattum podhu

Ippo paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Onnaagavae irundhom

Onnaagavae parandhom

Ullaasa kiligala pol

Vaazhndhirundhom

Ooraarin kan pada thaan

Ullangal pun pada thaan

Vevveru dhisaigalilae

Poi vizhundhom

Yaarodu yaara kondu

Dheivangal serkkum endru

Puriyaama paattukkala

Naam padichom

Paarvai podhaadho

Nam paasam paesaadho

Vaarthai yenammaa

Idhil maunam melammaa

Oru raagam oru thaalam

Adhu maari pochu ippo

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Appa paadi parandha kuyil

Vaadi kedakkudhu

Kanneer kadalil idhu

Aadi kedakkudhu

Paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Enna paada chollaadhae

Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

The cuckoo that once flew and sang

Now lies withered and weak;

In an ocean of tears,

It drifts helplessly.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Dreaming of a garland of flowers,

And dreaming of a golden swing,

Why has my heart been left so deeply wounded?

Not everything blooms,

And even what blooms does not always bear fruit;

Failing to realize this was my mistake.

For a gentle breeze that would never come,

I watched the path and waited;

Like a flower with wilting petals,

I was left to fade away.

Into a mirage,

I cast my fishing line;

Without finding any fish,

I got trapped myself.

When grief and longing

Torment my heart,

Don't ask me to sing now,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

We were once together,

We flew together,

Like joyful parrots,

We lived our lives.

Struck by the town's evil eye,

Only for our hearts to be wounded,

In completely different directions,

We fell apart.

Whom God will bring together

And unite with whom,

Without understanding this at all,

We sang our songs.

Isn't a glance enough?

Won't our love speak for itself?

Why do we need words?

Silence is better now.

The melody and the rhythm

Have completely changed today.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

The cuckoo that once flew and sang

Now lies withered and weak;

In an ocean of tears,

It drifts helplessly.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Don't ask me to sing,

I am a voiceless little cuckoo.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Enna Paada Chollaadhae' is a deeply poignant song reflecting grief, heartbreak, and emotional paralysis following broken hopes and separation. The protagonist compares themselves to a 'mute cuckoo'—a bird once full of joy and song, now withered and drowning in an ocean of tears. The lyrics express the agonizing transformation of innocent dreams (symbolized by flower garlands and golden swings) into deep emotional wounds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Naan oomaiyaana chinna kuyilu”

The speaker compares themselves directly to a 'mute cuckoo bird' unable to sing, representing lost voice, helplessness, and grief.

Metaphor

“Kanneer kadalil idhu aadi kedakkudhu”

Tears are metaphorically elevated to an 'ocean' in which the suffering cuckoo flounces helplessly.

Simile

“Idhazh vaadum pookkala pol naan irundhen”

Explicit comparison using 'pol' (like/as) comparing the speaker's languishing state to flowers with drooping petals.

Simile

“Ullaasa kiligala pol vaazhndhirundhom”

Uses 'pol' to compare the past joyful life of the lovers to carefree, playful parrots.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Poovaaramum nenachu / Ponnoonjalum nenachu”

The second letter 'n' (ன்/ன) creates a pleasing rhythmic rhyme across consecutive lines.

Imagery / Surrealistic Metaphor

“Kaanal neerukkul naan thoondil pottaenae”

Casting a fishing rod into a mirage creates vivid, heartbreaking imagery of seeking hope and sustenance in an illusion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Enna Paada Chollaadhae' is from the hit 1985 Tamil romantic comedy 'Aan Paavam', directed by Pandiarajan in his directorial debut. The film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. Despite being a lighthearted comedy film overall, this particular song stands out as one of its most emotional and soul-stirring melodies.

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