Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Pathi Kettu

From Mannukketha Ponnu · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Mannukketha Ponnu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
……………
Male
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumilla haeThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me, hey!
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumillaThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me.
Male
Maattu vandi maelaeriRiding atop a bullock cart,
Maruthamuththu vaaraandiHere comes Maruthamuthu!
Pallikoodam pogaamaWithout ever attending school,
Pattam vaanga poraandiHe is going to earn a degree!
Male
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumilla haeiThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me, hey!
Male
Vaelai mattum seiyaamaththaan suththaamaWithout staying completely idle without doing work,
Vettithanamaaga engum nikkaamaWithout standing around uselessly anywhere,
Vaelai mattum seiyaamaththaan suththaamaWithout staying completely idle without doing work,
Vettithanamaaga engum nikkaamaWithout standing around uselessly anywhere,
Male
Thandachchoru thingaamaWithout eating unearned food for free,
Hai hai hoi haiHey hey hoi hey!
Michcham soru vaikkaamaWithout leaving any leftover food behind,
Hai hai hoi haiHey hey hoi hey!
Male
Thandachchoru thingaamaWithout eating unearned food for free,
Michcham soru vaikkaamaWithout leaving any leftover food behind,
Sonna vaela seiyya vanthaThe one who comes to do whatever task is asked,
Nalla pulla naanthaanaeI am that good child, am I not?
Male
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumillaThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me.
Male
Maattu vandi maelaeriRiding atop a bullock cart,
Maruthamuththu vaaraandiHere comes Maruthamuthu!
Pallikoodam pogaamaWithout ever attending school,
Pattam vaanga poraandiHe is going to earn a degree!
Chorus
……………….
Male
Poi purattuu sollugira vaai ilaI do not have a mouth that speaks lies and deceit,
Enna pola nandri ulla naai illaThere is no dog as loyal and grateful as me,
Poi purattuu sollugira vaai ilaI do not have a mouth that speaks lies and deceit,
Enna pola nandri ulla naai illaThere is no dog as loyal and grateful as me,
Male
Anbirukkum nenjukullaInside a heart filled with love,
Haei haei hae haeHey hey hey hey!
Ennaikkumae kallmillaThere is never any guile or malice,
Haa haa haihaaHa ha hai haa!
Male
Anbirukkum nenjukullaInside a heart filled with love,
Ennaikkumae kallmillaThere is never any guile or malice,
Nallavanga vaazhththu sollumPraised and blessed by good people,
Sella pilla naanthaanaeI am the beloved child, am I not?
Male
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumillaThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me.
Enna paththi kettu paaru oorukullaeAsk around the village about me,
Kuththam kurai soldravaga yaarumillaThere is no one who finds fault or speaks ill of me.
Male
Maattu vandi maelaeriRiding atop a bullock cart,
Maruthamuththu vaaraandiHere comes Maruthamuthu!
Pallikoodam pogaamaWithout ever attending school,
Pattam vaanga poraandiHe is going to earn a degree!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively, self-affirming folk track from the 1985 movie 'Mannukketha Ponnu', sung from the perspective of the protagonist Maruthamuthu. He proudly declares his spotless reputation across the village, boasting that no one can point out a single flaw in his character. Despite not having formal education ('pallikoodam pogaama'), he takes pride in his industrious nature, moral uprightness, and willingness to perform any honest work without being a burden on anyone. Throughout the track, the lyrics emphasize core rural values: loyalty, truthfulness, hard work, and a heart devoid of malice ('kallamilla'). Maruthamuthu compares his loyalty to that of a faithful dog and celebrates being a beloved, respected youth in his community. The overall tone is cheerful, rustic, and brimming with unpretentious self-confidence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Anbirukkum nenjukulla / Ennaikkumae kallmilla

The second consonant 'n' (ன்) rhymes in 'Anbirukkum' and 'Ennaikkumae', adhering to traditional Tamil ethugai structure.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Poi purattuu sollugira vaai ila / Enna pola nandri ulla naai illa

The lines end with matching rhyming phonetic sounds ('vaai ila' / 'naai illa').

Simile / Cultural Metaphor

Enna pola nandri ulla naai illa

The speaker metaphorically compares his unwavering gratitude and loyalty to that of a faithful dog ('naai'), a common folk idiom in rural Tamil culture.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Pallikoodam pogaama / Pattam vaanga poraandi

The initial letter 'Pa' (ப) creates alliteration across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1985 film 'Mannukketha Ponnu' marked the directorial debut of actor-director Ramarajan. The soundtrack for the film was composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring rustic, folk-infused compositions tailored for rural themes. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu during the period when he frequently collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja to create popular rural hit songs.

Keep listening

More from Mannukketha Ponnu