Enna Pada
From Aan Paavam · 1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………….. | |
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Female | |
| Adha kettaa madaiyanukkum | If one listens to it, even a fool |
| Nyaanam porandhidum | Will gain wisdom |
| Moodi kedakkum pala | Many eyes that remain shut |
| Kannum therandhidum | Will open up |
| Kettaa madaiyanukkum | If one listens to it, even a fool |
| Chorus :Nyaanam porandhidum | Chorus: Will gain wisdom |
| Female :Ada moodi kedakkum pala | Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut |
| Chorus :Kannum therandhidum | Chorus: Will open up |
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………….. | |
| Female | |
| Thevaaramum padichom | We read the Thevaram |
| Thiruvaasagamum padichom | We read the Thiruvasagam |
| Theriyaama thirukkuralum | Without understanding, Thirukkural |
| Thaan padichom | Indeed we read |
| Aanaana padippai ellaam | All those grand texts and studies |
| Annaadam padichuputtu | After reading them every single day |
| Puriyaama theriyaama | Without understanding or knowing |
| Thaan muzhichom | We just blinked in confusion |
| Arivaana aathi chuvadi | The wise Aathichudi |
| Kodutthaalae avvai paatti | That grandmother Avvai gave us |
| Adhak kooda paadi | Even after singing that |
| Enna kizhichuputtom | What grand feat did we achieve? |
| Chorus | |
| Arivaana aathi chuvadi | The wise Aathichudi |
| Koduthaalae avvai paatti | That grandmother Avvai gave us |
| Adha kooda paadi | Even after singing that |
| Enna kizhichuputtom | What grand feat did we achieve? |
| Female | |
| Naadum ennaachu | What happened to the country? |
| Namma oorum ennaachu | What happened to our village? |
| Ada pesi pesi thaan | Hey, just by talking endlessly |
| Nalla pozhudhum poyaachu | All the good time was wasted away |
| Indha dhesam romba mosam | This nation is in a terrible state |
| Idha paakkum podhu ippo | When seeing all this now |
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | |
| Female | |
| Kaambodhiyum theriyum | I know Kambodhi raaga |
| Kalyaaniyum puriyum | I understand Kalyani raaga too |
| Podhuvaaga nenachadhum | Generally, whatever comes to mind |
| Naan paatteduppen | I will break into song about it |
| Aagaadha pozhappai ellaam | All useless, bad lifestyles |
| Aniyaaya nadappai ellaam | All unjust happenings around |
| Anjaama en paattil pottodaippen | Fearlessly I will shatter them in my song |
| Female | |
| Naai vaala nimuthuradhum | Straightening a dog's tail |
| Kaakaaya velukkuradhum | Washing a crow to make it white |
| Ammaadi yaaraala aagum ippo | Oh my, who can achieve these now? |
| Chorus | |
| Naai vaala nimuthuradhum | Straightening a dog's tail |
| Kaakaaya velukkuradhum | Washing a crow to make it white |
| Ammaadi yaaraala aagum ippo | Oh my, who can achieve these now? |
| Female | |
| Paakka ponaakkaa | If you look at me normally |
| Naan potta pulla thaan | I am a docile girl |
| Ada potti pottaakkaa | Hey, but if you pick a fight with me |
| Romba ketta pulla thaan | I am a very bad girl |
| Oru vaegam oru kobam | A speed and a rage |
| Onnu serum podhu ippo | When they combine together now |
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
| Female | |
| Adha kettaa madaiyanukkum | If one listens to it, even a fool |
| Chorus :Nyaanam porandhidum | Chorus: Will gain wisdom |
| Female :Ada moodi kedakkum pala | Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut |
| Chorus :Kannum therandhidum | Chorus: Will open up |
| Female | |
| Enna paada chollaadhae | Don't ask me to sing |
| Naan kanda padi paadippuduven | I will sing however I please |
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
..........................
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
அதக் கேட்டா மடையனுக்கும்
ஞானம் பொறந்திடும்
மூடிக் கெடக்கும் பல
கண்ணும் தெறந்திடும்
கேட்டா மடையனுக்கும்
If one listens to it, even a fool
Will gain wisdom
Many eyes that remain shut
Will open up
If one listens to it, even a fool
Chorus: Will gain wisdom
Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut
Chorus: Will open up
ஞானம் பொறந்திடும்
அட மூடிக் கெடக்கும் பல
குழு :
கண்ணும் தெறந்திடும்
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
..................
We read the Thevaram
We read the Thiruvasagam
Without understanding, Thirukkural
Indeed we read
All those grand texts and studies
After reading them every single day
Without understanding or knowing
We just blinked in confusion
The wise Aathichudi
That grandmother Avvai gave us
Even after singing that
What grand feat did we achieve?
தேவாரமும் படிச்சோம்
திருவாசகம் படிச்சோம்
தெரியாம திருக்குறளும்தான்
படிச்சோம்
ஆனான படிப்பை எல்லாம்
அன்னாடம் படிச்சிபுட்டு
புரியாம தெரியாமதான்
முழிச்சோம்
அறிவான ஆத்திச்சூடி
கொடுத்தாளே அவ்வைப்பாட்டி
அதக்கூட பாடி
என்ன கிழிச்சிப்புட்டோம்
The wise Aathichudi
That grandmother Avvai gave us
Even after singing that
What grand feat did we achieve?
அறிவான ஆத்திச்சூடி
கொடுத்தாளே அவ்வைப்பாட்டி
அதக்கூட பாடி
என்ன கிழிச்சிப்புட்டோம்
What happened to the country?
What happened to our village?
Hey, just by talking endlessly
All the good time was wasted away
This nation is in a terrible state
When seeing all this now
நாடும் என்னாச்சு
நம்ம ஊரும் என்னாச்சு
அட பேசிபேசித்தான்
நல்ல பொழுதும் போயாச்சு
இந்த தேசம் ரொம்ப மோசம்
இதப் பார்க்கும்போது இப்ப
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
என்னப் பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
................................
I know Kambodhi raaga
I understand Kalyani raaga too
Generally, whatever comes to mind
I will break into song about it
All useless, bad lifestyles
All unjust happenings around
Fearlessly I will shatter them in my song
காம்போதியும் தெரியும்
கல்யாணியும் புரியும்
பொதுவாக நெனச்சதும்
நான் பாட்டெடுப்பேன்
ஆகாத பொழப்பை எல்லாம்
அநியாய நடப்பை எல்லாம்
அஞ்சாம என் பாட்டில்
போட்டுடைப்பேன்
Straightening a dog's tail
Washing a crow to make it white
Oh my, who can achieve these now?
நாய் வால நிமிர்த்துறதும்
காக்காய வெளுக்குறதும்
அம்மாடி யாரால ஆகும் இப்போ
Straightening a dog's tail
Washing a crow to make it white
Oh my, who can achieve these now?
நாய் வால நிமிர்த்துறதும்
காக்காய வெளுக்குறதும்
அம்மாடி யாரால ஆகும் இப்போ
If you look at me normally
I am a docile girl
Hey, but if you pick a fight with me
I am a very bad girl
A speed and a rage
When they combine together now
பார்க்கப் போனாக்க
நான் பொட்டப் புள்ளத்தான்
அட போட்டிப் போட்டாக்க
ரொம்ப கெட்டப் புள்ளத்தான்
ஒரு வேகம் ஒரு கோபம்
ஒண்ணு சேரும்போது இப்ப
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
என்னப் பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
என்ன பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்
If one listens to it, even a fool
Chorus: Will gain wisdom
Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut
Chorus: Will open up
அதக் கேட்டா மடையனுக்கும்
குழு :
ஞானம் பொறந்திடும்
அட மூடிக் கெடக்கும் பல
குழு :
கண்ணும் தெறந்திடும்
Don't ask me to sing
I will sing however I please
என்னப் பாடச் சொல்லாதே
நான் கண்டபடி பாடிப்புடுவேன்...
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
………………………..
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Adha kettaa madaiyanukkum
If one listens to it, even a fool
Nyaanam porandhidum
Will gain wisdom
Moodi kedakkum pala
Many eyes that remain shut
Kannum therandhidum
Will open up
Kettaa madaiyanukkum
If one listens to it, even a fool
Chorus :Nyaanam porandhidum
Chorus: Will gain wisdom
Female :Ada moodi kedakkum pala
Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut
Chorus :Kannum therandhidum
Chorus: Will open up
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
………………………..
Thevaaramum padichom
We read the Thevaram
Thiruvaasagamum padichom
We read the Thiruvasagam
Theriyaama thirukkuralum
Without understanding, Thirukkural
Thaan padichom
Indeed we read
Aanaana padippai ellaam
All those grand texts and studies
Annaadam padichuputtu
After reading them every single day
Puriyaama theriyaama
Without understanding or knowing
Thaan muzhichom
We just blinked in confusion
Arivaana aathi chuvadi
The wise Aathichudi
Kodutthaalae avvai paatti
That grandmother Avvai gave us
Adhak kooda paadi
Even after singing that
Enna kizhichuputtom
What grand feat did we achieve?
Arivaana aathi chuvadi
The wise Aathichudi
Koduthaalae avvai paatti
That grandmother Avvai gave us
Adha kooda paadi
Even after singing that
Enna kizhichuputtom
What grand feat did we achieve?
Naadum ennaachu
What happened to the country?
Namma oorum ennaachu
What happened to our village?
Ada pesi pesi thaan
Hey, just by talking endlessly
Nalla pozhudhum poyaachu
All the good time was wasted away
Indha dhesam romba mosam
This nation is in a terrible state
Idha paakkum podhu ippo
When seeing all this now
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
…………………………
Kaambodhiyum theriyum
I know Kambodhi raaga
Kalyaaniyum puriyum
I understand Kalyani raaga too
Podhuvaaga nenachadhum
Generally, whatever comes to mind
Naan paatteduppen
I will break into song about it
Aagaadha pozhappai ellaam
All useless, bad lifestyles
Aniyaaya nadappai ellaam
All unjust happenings around
Anjaama en paattil pottodaippen
Fearlessly I will shatter them in my song
Naai vaala nimuthuradhum
Straightening a dog's tail
Kaakaaya velukkuradhum
Washing a crow to make it white
Ammaadi yaaraala aagum ippo
Oh my, who can achieve these now?
Naai vaala nimuthuradhum
Straightening a dog's tail
Kaakaaya velukkuradhum
Washing a crow to make it white
Ammaadi yaaraala aagum ippo
Oh my, who can achieve these now?
Paakka ponaakkaa
If you look at me normally
Naan potta pulla thaan
I am a docile girl
Ada potti pottaakkaa
Hey, but if you pick a fight with me
Romba ketta pulla thaan
I am a very bad girl
Oru vaegam oru kobam
A speed and a rage
Onnu serum podhu ippo
When they combine together now
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Adha kettaa madaiyanukkum
If one listens to it, even a fool
Chorus :Nyaanam porandhidum
Chorus: Will gain wisdom
Female :Ada moodi kedakkum pala
Female: Hey, many eyes that remain shut
Chorus :Kannum therandhidum
Chorus: Will open up
Enna paada chollaadhae
Don't ask me to sing
Naan kanda padi paadippuduven
I will sing however I please
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In 'Enna Paada Chollaadhae', the female protagonist delivers a feisty, rebellious warning not to provoke her into singing, as she will unleash raw, unfiltered truths about society. She critiques the habit of learning sacred ancient Tamil scriptures (such as Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thirukkural, and Aathichudi) by heart without actually understanding their practical wisdom or using them to create positive change. She laments how endless idle talk has ruined the nation and village moral standards.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaambodhiyum theriyum / Kalyaaniyum puriyum”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across lines 46 and 47 ('Kaambodhiyum' and 'Kalyaaniyum').
Idioms / Colloquial Proverbs (Pazhamozhi)
“Naai vaala nimuthuradhum / Kaakaaya velukkuradhum”
Uses famous Tamil proverbs—straightening a dog's tail or trying to wash a crow white—to express the impossibility of changing incorrigible, corrupt people.
Sarcasm / Rhetorical Device
“Adha kooda paadi / Enna kizhichuputtom”
Uses the informal, sarcastic Tamil idiom 'enna kizhichuputtom' (what great feat did we achieve?) to question the point of superficial knowledge without action.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed without music director and singer details in the prompt, 'Aan Paavam' (1985) was directed by Pandiarajan and featured a legendary soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. This iconic energetic song was sung by the veteran playback singer S. Janaki with lyrics penned by Vaali.
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