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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennadi Mayakkama

From Savale Samali · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Savale Samali1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
KattuppadaadhaeDo not be restrained.
Unadhu urimaiyai vittu tharaadhaeDo not give up your rights.
KattuppadaadhaeDo not be restrained.
Unadhu urimaiyai vittu tharaadhaeDo not give up your rights.
Vetkappadaadhae vilaga achappadaadhaeDon't feel shy, don't fear stepping away.
Vetkappadaadhae vilaga achappadaadhaeDon't feel shy, don't fear stepping away.
Kalyaanam enbadho oppandham thaanadiMarriage is merely a contract, girl.
Eppodhum maaralaam karppodu vaazhalaamIt can change anytime; one can still live with dignity.
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Female
Manjalodu kungumamumAdorned with turmeric and vermilion,
Maalaigalum soodi avaland wearing flower garlands, she
Vaazhgiraal vidhavai polaelives like a widow.
Manjalodu kungumamumAdorned with turmeric and vermilion,
Maalaigalum soodi avaland wearing flower garlands, she
Vaazhgiraal vidhavai polaelives like a widow.
Ival vaazhaadha pen endru ooraarin sollambuThe arrow of words from townspeople saying 'she is an unfulfilled woman'
Paayum endhan melaepierces right through me.
Paayum endhan melae… ae…Pierces right through me... ae...
Aa… aa… aa…Aa... aa... aa...
Female
Hahahhaha hahahaha hahahahahaHahahhaha hahahaha hahahahaha
Female
Manjal ennadi maalai ennadi naagareega ulagilWhat do turmeric or garlands matter in a modern world?
Manjal ennadi maalai ennadi naagareega ulagilWhat do turmeric or garlands matter in a modern world?
Manam illaadhadhai manam enbadhuCalling a bond 'marriage' when there is no love or heart in it
Maara vendum viraivilmust change very soon.
Vanji avanai vanji varuvaan unnai kenjiTrifle with him, young lady; he will come begging to you.
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Female
Anbendra ondru thaan pennallavaaIsn't a woman's true nature defined by love?
Nam panpaadu pennukku kannallavaaIsn't our cultural heritage like an eye to a woman?
Thaai pola vaazhvadhae magalallavaaIsn't living like one's mother the true path for a daughter?
Adhai thaandinaal ulagathil pazhi allavaaIf one crosses that boundary, doesn't it bring the world's blame?
Adhai thaandinaal ulagathil pazhi allavaa…If one crosses that boundary, doesn't it bring the world's blame...
Aa… aa… aa…Aa... aa... aa...
Female
Hahahhaha hahahaha hahahahahaHahahhaha hahahaha hahahahaha
Female
Haa anbu enbadhum panbu enbadhumHaa, love and virtue are not things
Solli vandhadhallathat come through instruction.
Aasai enbadhum thandhai thaayidamNor is desire something
Vaangi vandhadhallainherited from father and mother.
Vanji avanai vanji varuvaan unnai kenjiTrifle with him, young lady; he will come begging to you.
Female
KattuppadaadhaeDo not be restrained.
Unadhu urimaiyai vittu tharaadhaeDo not give up your rights.
Vetkappadaadhae vilaga achappadaadhaeDon't feel shy, don't fear stepping away.
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
Female
Ennadi mayakkamaa solladiWhat is this confusion, girl? Tell me.
HahahahahahaHahahahahaha

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a philosophical debate between two contrasting perspectives on women's rights, marriage, and traditional values. One perspective advocates for modern female agency, urging a woman not to endure an unhappy or unfulfilled marriage out of fear of social stigma, framing marriage as a contract that can be broken when affection is absent. The opposing perspective emphasizes traditional cultural virtues, family honor, and filial devotion, arguing that straying from established societal norms brings disrepute.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kattuppadaadhae / Unadhu urimaiyai vittu tharaadhae / Vetkappadaadhae

The repetitive rhyming suffix '-adhae' creates a persuasive rhythm urging liberation.

Simile (Upamai)

Vaazhgiraal vidhavai polae

Compares a married woman living without love or marital rights to a widow ('vidhavai polae').

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Ival vaazhaadha pen endru ooraarin sollambu

Metaphorically compares harsh rumors and taunts of local society to sharp arrows ('sollambu').

Yamakam / Wordplay

Manam illaadhadhai manam enbadhu

Plays on the homonym 'manam' (mind/heart/consent) versus 'manam' (marriage/union).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Kannadasan for the 1971 film Savale Samali (starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa), the song features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and vocals by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, highlighting the ideological divide between modern individualism and traditional Tamil womanhood.

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