Enna Peru
From Engal Selvi · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, P. Leela, K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Engal Selvi1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Chinna chinna kannai kaatti | Showing her tiny eyes, |
| Sirikkum enga pappaavukku | For our smiling baby girl! |
| Female | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Female | |
| Annam endru peru vachchaa | If named Annam (Swan), |
| Appadiyae nadakkanum | She must walk gracefully like one. |
| Sornam endru peru vachchaa | If named Sornam (Gold), |
| Thangam pola jolikkanum | She must shine like gold. |
| Chorus | |
| Annam endru peru vachchaa | If named Annam (Swan), |
| Appadiyae nadakkanum | She must walk gracefully like one. |
| Sornam endru peru vachchaa | If named Sornam (Gold), |
| Thangam pola jolikkanum | She must shine like gold. |
| Chorus | |
| Adhanaala enna peru vaikkalaam | Therefore, what name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Chinna chinna kannai kaatti | Showing her tiny eyes, |
| Sirikkum enga pappaavukku | For our smiling baby girl! |
| Female | |
| Azhakaaga seedhaiyinnu idattummaa | Shall we give her the beautiful name Seetha? |
| Seedhai andru patta kashtamellaam padattumaa | Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then? |
| Seedhai andru patta kashtamellaam padattumaa | Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then? |
| Female :Aiyyayiyo | Female: Oh dear, no! |
| Female | |
| Thamayanthinnu peru vachu paattu padikkavaa | Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song? |
| Thamayanthinnu peru vachu paattu padikkavaa | Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song? |
| Female | |
| En thangaththukkum avalai pola | For my precious gold, like her, |
| Saniyan pidikkavaa | Should cursed misfortune strike? |
| En thangaththukkum avalai pola | For my precious gold, like her, |
| Saniyan pidikkavaa | Should cursed misfortune strike? |
| Female | |
| Saaviththiri peru vaikkavaa | Shall I name her Savithri? |
| Saaviththiri peru vaikkavaa | Shall I name her Savithri? |
| Female | |
| Emadharmanodu sandai podavaa | To fight with the God of Death (Yama)? |
| Emadharmanodu sandai podavaa | To fight with the God of Death (Yama)? |
| Female | |
| Chanthiramathi poruththamaa | Is Chandramathi suitable? |
| Iva thaali melae varuththamaa | Or would it bring sorrow upon her sacred wedding thread? |
| Anthari sundhari kamalam bangajam | Names like Anthari, Sundhari, Kamalam, Bangajam, |
| Azhagi pathmini enbathu pola | Azhagi, Padmini and so on... |
| Chorus | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Chinna chinna kannai kaatti | Showing her tiny eyes, |
| Sirikkum enga pappaavukku | For our smiling baby girl! |
| Female | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Female | |
| Thevarukullae sirantha moovarai | Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized |
| Mayanga vaiththa deviyaval anusayaa | The supreme Trinity among the gods... |
| Thevarukullae sirantha moovarai | Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized |
| Mayanga vaiththa deviyaval anusayaa | The supreme Trinity among the gods... |
| Female | |
| Antha paavi aval vaazhnaalil | That poor woman, during her lifetime, |
| Patta thuyar meththa undu | Endured immense grief and sorrow; |
| Pazhangathai ariyaayaa | Don't you know the ancient lore? |
| Male | |
| Paandavar aivarukku | For the five Pandavas, |
| Paththiniyaai vantha antha paanjaaliyin peyar sollu | Mention the name of Draupadi (Paanjaali) who became their wife! |
| Bharathththil sandai vara kaaranamaai iruntha | She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata, |
| Antha paththiniyai vittu thalli | Leave aside that chaste woman, |
| Veru pazhanthamizh peyar sollu | Tell me another ancient Tamil name! |
| Chorus | |
| Bharathththil sandai vara kaaranamaai iruntha | She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata, |
| Antha paththiniyai vittu thalli | Leave aside that chaste woman, |
| Veru pazhanthamizh peyar sollu | Tell me another ancient Tamil name! |
| Chorus | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Chinna chinna kannai kaatti | Showing her tiny eyes, |
| Sirikkum enga pappaavukku | For our smiling baby girl! |
| Female | |
| Enna peru vaikkalaam | What name shall we give? |
| Eppadi azhaikkalaam | How shall we call her? |
| Female | |
| Kaipidiththa kanavan avan | The husband whose hand she held, |
| Kann niraintha seivam endru | Considering him as God filled in her eyes, |
| Kaalamellaam vaazhntha vantha | Who lived all her life with devotion, |
| Kannagi devi | Goddess Kannagi! |
| Female | |
| Needhi kalangaama kandavudan | Upon witnessing uncompromised justice served, |
| Kanavanudan saernthu sendra | Rejoined her husband and departed, |
| Karpukkarasi kopperundevi | Queen Kopperundevi, the icon of chastity! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa…oo…ooo…oo… | Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa…oo…ooo…oo… |
| Kaipidiththa kanavan avan | The husband whose hand she held, |
| Kann niraintha seivam endru | Considering him as God filled in her eyes, |
| Kaalamellaam vaazhntha vantha | Who lived all her life with devotion, |
| Kannagi devi | Goddess Kannagi! |
| Female | |
| Vel pidiththu pormunaiyil | Holding a spear on the battlefield, |
| Vettri thedi thantha velnaatchi veera rani | Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory! |
| Chorus :Vel pidiththu pormunaiyil | Holding a spear on the battlefield, |
| Vettri thedi thantha velnaatchi veera rani | Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory! |
| Female | |
| Intha veeramigum maathar magal | This brave daughter among women |
| Maenmaiyudan vaazhnthiduvaal | Will live with grandeur and nobility, |
| Vetri magal tamizhselvi aamaa | Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory! |
| Chorus | |
| Intha veeramigum maathar magal | This brave daughter among women |
| Maenmaiyudan vaazhnthiduvaal | Will live with grandeur and nobility, |
| Vetri magal tamizhselvi aamaa | Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory! |
| Chorus | |
| Tamil selvi engal tamil selvi | Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi, |
| Sokka thangaththukku nalla peyar tamil selvi | A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi! |
| Tamil selvi engal tamil selvi | Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi, |
| Sokka thangaththukku nalla peyar tamil selvi | A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi! |
| Tamil selvi tamil selvi tamil selvi | Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi! |
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
சின்ன சின்ன கண்ணை காட்டி
சிரிக்கும் எங்க பாப்பாவுக்கு
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
Showing her tiny eyes,
For our smiling baby girl!
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
அன்னம் என்று பேரு வச்சா
அப்படியே நடக்கணும்
சொர்ணம் என்று பேரு வச்சா
தங்கம் போல ஜொலிக்கணும்
If named Annam (Swan),
She must walk gracefully like one.
If named Sornam (Gold),
She must shine like gold.
அன்னம் என்று பேரு வச்சா
அப்படியே நடக்கணும்
சொர்ணம் என்று பேரு வச்சா
தங்கம் போல ஜொலிக்கணும்
If named Annam (Swan),
She must walk gracefully like one.
If named Sornam (Gold),
She must shine like gold.
அதனால் என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
சின்ன சின்ன கண்ணை காட்டி
சிரிக்கும் எங்கள் பாப்பாவுக்கு
Therefore, what name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
Showing her tiny eyes,
For our smiling baby girl!
அழகாக சீதையின்னு இடட்டுமா
சீதை அன்று பட்ட கஷ்டமெல்லாம் படட்டுமா
சீதை அன்று பட்ட கஷ்டமெல்லாம் படட்டுமா
அய்யையோ
Shall we give her the beautiful name Seetha?
Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then?
Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then?
Female: Oh dear, no!
தமயந்தின்னு பேரு வச்சு பாட்டு படிக்காவா
தமயந்தின்னு பேரு வச்சு பாட்டு படிக்காவா
Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song?
Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song?
என் தங்கத்துக்கும் அவளைப் போல
சனியன் பிடிக்கவா
என் தங்கத்துக்கும் அவளைப் போல
சனியன் பிடிக்கவா
For my precious gold, like her,
Should cursed misfortune strike?
For my precious gold, like her,
Should cursed misfortune strike?
சாவித்திரி பேரு வைக்கவா
சாவித்திரி பேரு வைக்கவா
Shall I name her Savithri?
Shall I name her Savithri?
எமதர்மனோடு சண்டை போடவா
எமதர்மனோடு சண்டை போடவா
To fight with the God of Death (Yama)?
To fight with the God of Death (Yama)?
சந்திரமதி பொருத்தமா இவ
தாலி மேலே வருத்தமா
அந்தரி சுந்தரி கமலம் பங்கஜம்
அழகி பத்மினி என்பது போல
Is Chandramathi suitable?
Or would it bring sorrow upon her sacred wedding thread?
Names like Anthari, Sundhari, Kamalam, Bangajam,
Azhagi, Padmini and so on...
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
சின்ன சின்ன கண்ணை காட்டி
சிரிக்கும் எங்கள் பாப்பாவுக்கு
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
Showing her tiny eyes,
For our smiling baby girl!
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
தேவருக்குள்ளே சிறந்த மூவரை
மயங்க வைத்த தேவியவள் அனுசயா
தேவருக்குள்ளே சிறந்த மூவரை
மயங்க வைத்த தேவியவள் அனுசயா
Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized
The supreme Trinity among the gods...
Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized
The supreme Trinity among the gods...
அந்த பாவி அவள் வாழ்நாளில்
பட்ட துயர் மெத்த உண்டு
பழங்கதை அறியாயா
That poor woman, during her lifetime,
Endured immense grief and sorrow;
Don't you know the ancient lore?
பாண்டவர் ஐவருக்கு
பத்தினியாய் வந்த அந்த பாஞ்சாலியின் பெயர் சொல்லு
பாரதத்தில் சண்டை வர காரணமாய் இருந்த
அந்த பத்தினியை விட்டு தள்ளு
வேறு பழந்தமிழ் பெயர் சொல்லு
For the five Pandavas,
Mention the name of Draupadi (Paanjaali) who became their wife!
She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata,
Leave aside that chaste woman,
Tell me another ancient Tamil name!
பாரதத்தில் சண்டை வர காரணமாய் இருந்த
அந்த பத்தினியை விட்டு தள்ளு
வேறு பழந்தமிழ் பெயர் சொல்லு
She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata,
Leave aside that chaste woman,
Tell me another ancient Tamil name!
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
சின்ன சின்ன கண்ணை காட்டி
சிரிக்கும் எங்கள் பாப்பாவுக்கு
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
Showing her tiny eyes,
For our smiling baby girl!
என்ன பேரு வைக்கலாம்
எப்படி அழைக்கலாம்
What name shall we give?
How shall we call her?
கைப்பிடித்த கணவன் அவன்
கண் நிறைந்த தெய்வம் என்று
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ்ந்த வந்த
கண்ணகி தேவி
The husband whose hand she held,
Considering him as God filled in her eyes,
Who lived all her life with devotion,
Goddess Kannagi!
நீதி களங்கமாக கண்டவுடன்
கணவனுடன் சேர்ந்து சென்ற
கற்புக்கரசி கோப்பெருந்தேவி
Upon witnessing uncompromised justice served,
Rejoined her husband and departed,
Queen Kopperundevi, the icon of chastity!
ஆஅ...ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....ஓ....ஓஒ....ஓ.....
கைப்பிடித்த கணவன் அவன்
கண் நிறைந்த தெய்வம் என்று
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ்ந்த வந்த
கண்ணகி தேவி
Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa…oo…ooo…oo…
The husband whose hand she held,
Considering him as God filled in her eyes,
Who lived all her life with devotion,
Goddess Kannagi!
வேல் பிடித்து போர்முனையில்
வெற்றி தேடி தந்த வேள்நாச்சி வீர ராணி
குழு :
வேல் பிடித்து போர்முனையில்
வெற்றி தேடி தந்த வேள்நாச்சி வீர ராணி
Holding a spear on the battlefield,
Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory!
Holding a spear on the battlefield,
Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory!
இந்த வீரமிகும் மாதர் மகள்
மேன்மையுடன் வாழ்ந்திடுவாள்
வெற்றி மகள் தமிழ்செல்வி ஆமா .......
This brave daughter among women
Will live with grandeur and nobility,
Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory!
இந்த வீரமிகும் மாதர் மகள்
மேன்மையுடன் வாழ்ந்திடுவாள்
வெற்றி மகள் தமிழ்செல்வி ஆமா .......
This brave daughter among women
Will live with grandeur and nobility,
Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory!
தமிழ்செல்வி எங்கள் தமிழ்செல்வி
சொக்க தங்கத்துக்கு நல்ல பெயர் தமிழ்செல்வி
தமிழ்செல்வி எங்கள் தமிழ்செல்வி
சொக்க தங்கத்துக்கு நல்ல பெயர் தமிழ்செல்வி
தமிழ்செல்வி தமிழ்செல்வி தமிழ்செல்வி
Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi,
A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi!
Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi,
A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi!
Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi!
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Chinna chinna kannai kaatti
Showing her tiny eyes,
Sirikkum enga pappaavukku
For our smiling baby girl!
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Annam endru peru vachchaa
If named Annam (Swan),
Appadiyae nadakkanum
She must walk gracefully like one.
Sornam endru peru vachchaa
If named Sornam (Gold),
Thangam pola jolikkanum
She must shine like gold.
Annam endru peru vachchaa
If named Annam (Swan),
Appadiyae nadakkanum
She must walk gracefully like one.
Sornam endru peru vachchaa
If named Sornam (Gold),
Thangam pola jolikkanum
She must shine like gold.
Adhanaala enna peru vaikkalaam
Therefore, what name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Chinna chinna kannai kaatti
Showing her tiny eyes,
Sirikkum enga pappaavukku
For our smiling baby girl!
Azhakaaga seedhaiyinnu idattummaa
Shall we give her the beautiful name Seetha?
Seedhai andru patta kashtamellaam padattumaa
Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then?
Seedhai andru patta kashtamellaam padattumaa
Should she then suffer all the hardships Seetha suffered back then?
Female :Aiyyayiyo
Female: Oh dear, no!
Thamayanthinnu peru vachu paattu padikkavaa
Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song?
Thamayanthinnu peru vachu paattu padikkavaa
Shall I name her Damayanthi and sing a song?
En thangaththukkum avalai pola
For my precious gold, like her,
Saniyan pidikkavaa
Should cursed misfortune strike?
En thangaththukkum avalai pola
For my precious gold, like her,
Saniyan pidikkavaa
Should cursed misfortune strike?
Saaviththiri peru vaikkavaa
Shall I name her Savithri?
Saaviththiri peru vaikkavaa
Shall I name her Savithri?
Emadharmanodu sandai podavaa
To fight with the God of Death (Yama)?
Emadharmanodu sandai podavaa
To fight with the God of Death (Yama)?
Chanthiramathi poruththamaa
Is Chandramathi suitable?
Iva thaali melae varuththamaa
Or would it bring sorrow upon her sacred wedding thread?
Anthari sundhari kamalam bangajam
Names like Anthari, Sundhari, Kamalam, Bangajam,
Azhagi pathmini enbathu pola
Azhagi, Padmini and so on...
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Chinna chinna kannai kaatti
Showing her tiny eyes,
Sirikkum enga pappaavukku
For our smiling baby girl!
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Thevarukullae sirantha moovarai
Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized
Mayanga vaiththa deviyaval anusayaa
The supreme Trinity among the gods...
Thevarukullae sirantha moovarai
Goddess Anasuya, who mesmerized
Mayanga vaiththa deviyaval anusayaa
The supreme Trinity among the gods...
Antha paavi aval vaazhnaalil
That poor woman, during her lifetime,
Patta thuyar meththa undu
Endured immense grief and sorrow;
Pazhangathai ariyaayaa
Don't you know the ancient lore?
Paandavar aivarukku
For the five Pandavas,
Paththiniyaai vantha antha paanjaaliyin peyar sollu
Mention the name of Draupadi (Paanjaali) who became their wife!
Bharathththil sandai vara kaaranamaai iruntha
She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata,
Antha paththiniyai vittu thalli
Leave aside that chaste woman,
Veru pazhanthamizh peyar sollu
Tell me another ancient Tamil name!
Bharathththil sandai vara kaaranamaai iruntha
She was the reason for the war in Mahabharata,
Antha paththiniyai vittu thalli
Leave aside that chaste woman,
Veru pazhanthamizh peyar sollu
Tell me another ancient Tamil name!
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Chinna chinna kannai kaatti
Showing her tiny eyes,
Sirikkum enga pappaavukku
For our smiling baby girl!
Enna peru vaikkalaam
What name shall we give?
Eppadi azhaikkalaam
How shall we call her?
Kaipidiththa kanavan avan
The husband whose hand she held,
Kann niraintha seivam endru
Considering him as God filled in her eyes,
Kaalamellaam vaazhntha vantha
Who lived all her life with devotion,
Kannagi devi
Goddess Kannagi!
Needhi kalangaama kandavudan
Upon witnessing uncompromised justice served,
Kanavanudan saernthu sendra
Rejoined her husband and departed,
Karpukkarasi kopperundevi
Queen Kopperundevi, the icon of chastity!
Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa…oo…ooo…oo…
Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa…oo…ooo…oo…
Kaipidiththa kanavan avan
The husband whose hand she held,
Kann niraintha seivam endru
Considering him as God filled in her eyes,
Kaalamellaam vaazhntha vantha
Who lived all her life with devotion,
Kannagi devi
Goddess Kannagi!
Vel pidiththu pormunaiyil
Holding a spear on the battlefield,
Vettri thedi thantha velnaatchi veera rani
Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory!
Chorus :Vel pidiththu pormunaiyil
Holding a spear on the battlefield,
Vettri thedi thantha velnaatchi veera rani
Brave queen Velu Nachiyar who brought victory!
Intha veeramigum maathar magal
This brave daughter among women
Maenmaiyudan vaazhnthiduvaal
Will live with grandeur and nobility,
Vetri magal tamizhselvi aamaa
Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory!
Intha veeramigum maathar magal
This brave daughter among women
Maenmaiyudan vaazhnthiduvaal
Will live with grandeur and nobility,
Vetri magal tamizhselvi aamaa
Yes, she is Tamizhselvi, the daughter of victory!
Tamil selvi engal tamil selvi
Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi,
Sokka thangaththukku nalla peyar tamil selvi
A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi!
Tamil selvi engal tamil selvi
Tamilselvi, our Tamilselvi,
Sokka thangaththukku nalla peyar tamil selvi
A fine name for pure gold is Tamilselvi!
Tamil selvi tamil selvi tamil selvi
Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi, Tamilselvi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Enna Peru Vaikkalaam' from the movie 'Engal Selvi' (1960) is a playful and culturally rich naming-ceremony track. Family members gather to select the perfect name for a newborn baby girl. As they evaluate traditional mythological heroines such as Seetha, Damayanthi, Savithri, Chandramathi, Anasuya, and Paanjaali (Draupadi), they reject each name because every one of these epic figures endured tragic suffering, misfortune, or war in her life. They want to protect the child from such a fate. Turning away from tragic mythological figures, they seek inspiration in Tamil history and epics—recalling righteous and courageous figures like Kannagi, Queen Kopperundevi, and the warrior queen Velu Nachiyar. Ultimately, they enthusiastically choose the name 'Tamizhselvi' ('Treasure of Tamil'), symbolizing purity, triumph, and cultural pride, wishing the young girl a life filled with dignity, glory, and joy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Enna peru vaikkalaam / Eppadi azhaikkalaam”
The lines end with the matching rhyming suffixes '-laam' (vaikkalaam / azhaikkalaam).
Simile (Upamai)
“Thangam pola jolikkanum”
Compares how bright the child's life should shine to gold ('Thangam pola').
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Chinna chinna kannai kaatti”
Repetition of the initial 'Ch' sound across adjacent words ('Chinna chinna').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sokka thangaththukku nalla peyar tamil selvi”
Refers directly to the baby girl as 'sokka thangam' (pure refined gold).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Enna Peru Vaikkalaam' from 'Engal Selvi' (1960) features music composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan. Sung as a playful trio by L. R. Eswari, P. Leela, and K. Jamunarani, the song cleverly incorporates Kannadasan's deep knowledge of Indian mythology and Tamil history, contrasting tragic mythological figures against heroic Tamil women to arrive at the child's name, Tamizhselvi.
Keep listening
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