Ennai Ketkkum
From Kasthuri Maan · 2005
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ennai ketkum kelviyai | The question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Male | |
| Haei ennai ketkum kelviyai | Hey, the question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar | Test yourself against the touchstone of truth |
| Adi maanae ho mayilae | Oh dear deer, oh peacock |
| Unakku thandhaenae paattil oru badhilae | I have given you an answer in this song itself |
| Verum karpanai poigalai virpanai seidhida | To market and sell mere imaginative lies |
| Kalai enna kadai thanil vilaikku kidaikkudhaa | Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop? |
| Male | |
| Ennai ketkum kelviyai | The question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar | Test yourself against the touchstone of truth |
| Adi maanae ho mayilae | Oh dear deer, oh peacock |
| Male | |
| Haa parakkindra kuyil thannai | Did you try to capture |
| Pidithida paarthaayaa | The flying cuckoo? |
| Kaattu kuyil isai thanai koondukkul adaippaayaa | Would you lock the wild cuckoo's music inside a cage? |
| Vaazhkkaiyil nadappadhai nadippena ninaithaayaa | Did you think that what happens in life is mere acting? |
| Medaiyin nadippinai vaazhvena ninaippaayaa | Would you mistake stage acting for real life? |
| Vaedikkai vilaiyaattu un pozhudhu pokku | An entertaining game is just a pastime for you |
| Pudhu ulagin maatrangalilae | But in the transitions of this new world |
| Purindhadhadi unadhu idhayam | Your heart has finally understood |
| Naan unakku pagai alla ennai cheendaadhae | I am not your enemy, so do not provoke me |
| Male | |
| Ennai ketkum kelviyai | The question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar | Test yourself against the touchstone of truth |
| Chorus | |
| Thakida thaka thakida | [Rhythmic syllables] Thakida thaka thakida |
| Thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi | [Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi |
| Thaka thakida thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi | [Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi |
| Male :Manadhil urudhi vendum | Male: There must be resolve in the mind |
| Chorus :Manadhil urudhi vendum | Chorus: There must be resolve in the mind |
| Male :Vaakkinilae inimai vendum | Male: There must be sweetness in the speech |
| Chorus :Vaakkinilae inimai vendum | Chorus: There must be sweetness in the speech |
| Male :Ninaivu nalladhu vendum | Male: Thoughts must be noble and good |
| Chorus :Ninaivu nalladhu vendum | Chorus: Thoughts must be noble and good |
| Male | |
| Nerungina porul kaippada vendum | Whatever is closely desired must be attained |
| Chorus | |
| Nerungina porul kaippada vendum | Whatever is closely desired must be attained |
| Male | |
| Thangam endraalum vairam endraalum | Be it gold or be it diamond |
| Edhilum enadhu manam layithadhillai | My mind has never been enticed by anything |
| Male | |
| Inbam endraalum thunbam endraalum | Be it joy or be it sorrow |
| Edhuvum elidhil ennai jeyithadhillai | Nothing has ever easily conquered me |
| Male | |
| Karkal azhaadhu sirpam ezhaadhu | Without the stone weeping, a sculpture does not rise |
| Kaigal thozhaadhu kannin maniyae | Without hands worshipping, oh apple of my eye |
| Sollai eduthu ennai adithu | Taking words and striking me with them |
| Sirpam vaditha chinna kiliyae | Oh little parrot who carved me into a sculpture! |
| Edhir varum kaatrinil valaiyum naanal alla | I am not a reed that bends to the oncoming wind |
| Valaindha villilum nuzhaiyum isaiyadi | I am the music that can thread through even a bent bow! |
| Female | |
| Nissaa nisa nisaa | [Musical solfege notes] Nissaa nisa nisaa |
| Nisa garisa niri sanidha sanidhapaa | [Musical solfege notes] Nisa garisa niri sanidha sanidhapaa |
| Riggaa riga madi | [Musical solfege notes] Riggaa riga madi |
| Riga papapa magaari magari sanisaa | [Musical solfege notes] Riga papapa magaari magari sanisaa |
| Female | |
| Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana |
| Naadhir dhiranaa aa… | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa… |
| Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana |
| Naadhir dhiranaa aa… | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa… |
| Naadhir dheedhar dhimitha naadhir dheedhar dhimitha | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dhimitha naadhir dheedhar dhimitha |
| Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana |
| Naadhir thana | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir thana |
| Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha |
| Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha |
| Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha naadhir thana dhirana | [Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha naadhir thana dhirana |
| Female | |
| Rirrirri gaggagga mammamma | [Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri gaggagga mammamma |
| Ninninni sassassa | [Musical solfege notes] Ninninni sassassa |
| Rirrirri mammamma pappappa dhadhadha | [Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri mammamma pappappa dhadhadha |
| Mapa dhani sari gama pamagari sani ri | [Musical solfege notes] Mapa dhani sari gama pamagari sani ri |
| Male | |
| Ennai ketkum kelviyai | The question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar | Test yourself against the touchstone of truth |
| Adi maanae ho mayilae | Oh dear deer, oh peacock |
| Unakku thandhenae paattil oru badhilae | I have given you an answer in this song itself |
| Verum karpanai poigalai virpanai seidhida | To market and sell mere imaginative lies |
| Kalai enna kadai thanil vilaikku kidaikkudhaa | Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop? |
| Male | |
| Ennai ketkum kelviyai | The question you ask of me |
| Unnai kettu paar | Ask that of yourself |
| Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar | Test yourself against the touchstone of truth |
என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
The question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
ஹேய் என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
உண்மை என்னும் கல்லிலே உன்னை உரசிப் பார்
அடி மானே ஹோ மயிலே
உனக்குத் தந்தேனே பாட்டில் ஒரு பதிலே
வெறும் கற்பனை பொய்களை
விற்பனை செய்திட
கலை என்ன கடை தனில் விலைக்கு கிடைக்குதா
Hey, the question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
I have given you an answer in this song itself
To market and sell mere imaginative lies
Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop?
என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
உண்மை என்னும் கல்லிலே
உன்னை உரசிப் பார்
The question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
ஹா பறக்கின்ற குயில் தன்னை
பிடித்திடப் பார்த்தாயா
காட்டுக் குயில் இசை தனை கூண்டுக்குள் அடைப்பாயா
வாழ்க்கையில் நடப்பதை நடிப்பென நினைத்தாயா
மேடையின் நடிப்பினை வாழ்வென நினைப்பாயா
வேடிக்கை விளையாட்டு உன் பொழுதுபோக்கு
புது உலகின் மாற்றங்களிலே
புரிந்ததடி உனது இதயம்
நான் உனக்கு பகை அல்ல என்னைச் சீண்டாதே
Did you try to capture
The flying cuckoo?
Would you lock the wild cuckoo's music inside a cage?
Did you think that what happens in life is mere acting?
Would you mistake stage acting for real life?
An entertaining game is just a pastime for you
But in the transitions of this new world
Your heart has finally understood
I am not your enemy, so do not provoke me
என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
உண்மை என்னும் கல்லிலே
உன்னை உரசிப் பார்
The question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
தகிட தக தகிட
தக தகிட தக தகதிமி
தக தகிட தக தகிட தக தகதிமி
மனதில் உறுதி வேண்டும்
குழு :
மனதில் உறுதி வேண்டும்
வாக்கினிலே இனிமை வேண்டும்
குழு :
வாக்கினிலே இனிமை வேண்டும்
நினைவு நல்லது வேண்டும்
குழு :
நினைவு நல்லது வேண்டும்
[Rhythmic syllables] Thakida thaka thakida
[Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
[Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
Male: There must be resolve in the mind
Chorus: There must be resolve in the mind
Male: There must be sweetness in the speech
Chorus: There must be sweetness in the speech
Male: Thoughts must be noble and good
Chorus: Thoughts must be noble and good
நெருங்கின பொருள் கைப்பட வேண்டும்
Whatever is closely desired must be attained
நெருங்கின பொருள் கைப்பட வேண்டும்
Whatever is closely desired must be attained
தங்கம் என்றாலும் வைரம் என்றாலும்
எதிலும் எனது மனம் லயித்ததில்லை
Be it gold or be it diamond
My mind has never been enticed by anything
இன்பம் வந்தாலும் துன்பம் வந்தாலும்
எதுவும் எளிதில் என்னை ஜெயித்ததில்லை
Be it joy or be it sorrow
Nothing has ever easily conquered me
கற்கள் அழாது சிற்பம் எழாது
கைகள் தொழாது கண்ணின் மணியே
சொல்லை எடுத்து என்னை அடித்து
சிற்பம் வடித்த சின்னக் கிளியே
எதிர் வரும் காற்றினில் வளையும் நாணல் அல்ல
வளைந்த வில்லிலும் நுழையும் இசையடி
Without the stone weeping, a sculpture does not rise
Without hands worshipping, oh apple of my eye
Taking words and striking me with them
Oh little parrot who carved me into a sculpture!
I am not a reed that bends to the oncoming wind
I am the music that can thread through even a bent bow!
நிஸ்ஸா நிஸ நிஸா
நிஸ கரிஸ நிரி ஸநித ஸநிதபா
ரிக்கா ரிக மரி
ரிக பபப மகரி மகரி ஸநிஸா
[Musical solfege notes] Nissaa nisa nisaa
[Musical solfege notes] Nisa garisa niri sanidha sanidhapaa
[Musical solfege notes] Riggaa riga madi
[Musical solfege notes] Riga papapa magaari magari sanisaa
நாதிர்த திரன நாதிர்த திரன
நாதிர் திரனா ஆ...
நாதிர்த திரன நாதிர்த திரன
நாதிர் திரனா ஆ...
நாதிர் தீதர் திமித நாதிர் தீதர் திமித
நாதிர்த திரன நாதிர்த திரன
நாதிர் தன
நாதிர் தீதர் தீம்த
நாதிர் தீதர் தீம்த
நாதிர் தீதர் தீம்த நாதிர் தன திரன
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dhimitha naadhir dheedhar dhimitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir thana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha naadhir thana dhirana
ரிர்ரிர்ரி கக்கக்க மம்மம்ம
நிந்நிந்நி ஸஸ்ஸஸ்ஸ
ரிர்ரிர்ரி மம்மம்ம பப்பப்ப தத்தத்த
மப தநி ஸரி கம பமகரி ஸநி ரி
[Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri gaggagga mammamma
[Musical solfege notes] Ninninni sassassa
[Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri mammamma pappappa dhadhadha
[Musical solfege notes] Mapa dhani sari gama pamagari sani ri
என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
உண்மை என்னும் கல்லிலே உன்னை உரசிப் பார்
அடி மானே ஹோ மயிலே
உனக்குத் தந்தேனே பாட்டில் ஒரு பதிலே
வெறும் கற்பனை பொய்களை விற்பனை செய்திட
கலை என்ன கடை தனில் விலைக்கு கிடைக்குதா
The question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
I have given you an answer in this song itself
To market and sell mere imaginative lies
Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop?
என்னைக் கேட்கும் கேள்வியை
உன்னைக் கேட்டுப் பார்
உண்மை என்னும் கல்லிலே
உன்னை உரசிப் பார்
The question you ask of me
Ask that of yourself
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Ennai ketkum kelviyai
The question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Haei ennai ketkum kelviyai
Hey, the question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Adi maanae ho mayilae
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
Unakku thandhaenae paattil oru badhilae
I have given you an answer in this song itself
Verum karpanai poigalai virpanai seidhida
To market and sell mere imaginative lies
Kalai enna kadai thanil vilaikku kidaikkudhaa
Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop?
Ennai ketkum kelviyai
The question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Adi maanae ho mayilae
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
Haa parakkindra kuyil thannai
Did you try to capture
Pidithida paarthaayaa
The flying cuckoo?
Kaattu kuyil isai thanai koondukkul adaippaayaa
Would you lock the wild cuckoo's music inside a cage?
Vaazhkkaiyil nadappadhai nadippena ninaithaayaa
Did you think that what happens in life is mere acting?
Medaiyin nadippinai vaazhvena ninaippaayaa
Would you mistake stage acting for real life?
Vaedikkai vilaiyaattu un pozhudhu pokku
An entertaining game is just a pastime for you
Pudhu ulagin maatrangalilae
But in the transitions of this new world
Purindhadhadi unadhu idhayam
Your heart has finally understood
Naan unakku pagai alla ennai cheendaadhae
I am not your enemy, so do not provoke me
Ennai ketkum kelviyai
The question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Thakida thaka thakida
[Rhythmic syllables] Thakida thaka thakida
Thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
[Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
Thaka thakida thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
[Rhythmic syllables] Thaka thakida thaka thakida thaka thakadhimi
Male :Manadhil urudhi vendum
Male: There must be resolve in the mind
Chorus :Manadhil urudhi vendum
Chorus: There must be resolve in the mind
Male :Vaakkinilae inimai vendum
Male: There must be sweetness in the speech
Chorus :Vaakkinilae inimai vendum
Chorus: There must be sweetness in the speech
Male :Ninaivu nalladhu vendum
Male: Thoughts must be noble and good
Chorus :Ninaivu nalladhu vendum
Chorus: Thoughts must be noble and good
Nerungina porul kaippada vendum
Whatever is closely desired must be attained
Nerungina porul kaippada vendum
Whatever is closely desired must be attained
Thangam endraalum vairam endraalum
Be it gold or be it diamond
Edhilum enadhu manam layithadhillai
My mind has never been enticed by anything
Inbam endraalum thunbam endraalum
Be it joy or be it sorrow
Edhuvum elidhil ennai jeyithadhillai
Nothing has ever easily conquered me
Karkal azhaadhu sirpam ezhaadhu
Without the stone weeping, a sculpture does not rise
Kaigal thozhaadhu kannin maniyae
Without hands worshipping, oh apple of my eye
Sollai eduthu ennai adithu
Taking words and striking me with them
Sirpam vaditha chinna kiliyae
Oh little parrot who carved me into a sculpture!
Edhir varum kaatrinil valaiyum naanal alla
I am not a reed that bends to the oncoming wind
Valaindha villilum nuzhaiyum isaiyadi
I am the music that can thread through even a bent bow!
Nissaa nisa nisaa
[Musical solfege notes] Nissaa nisa nisaa
Nisa garisa niri sanidha sanidhapaa
[Musical solfege notes] Nisa garisa niri sanidha sanidhapaa
Riggaa riga madi
[Musical solfege notes] Riggaa riga madi
Riga papapa magaari magari sanisaa
[Musical solfege notes] Riga papapa magaari magari sanisaa
Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dhiranaa aa…
Naadhir dheedhar dhimitha naadhir dheedhar dhimitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dhimitha naadhir dheedhar dhimitha
Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhirtha dhirana naadhirtha dhirana
Naadhir thana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir thana
Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha
Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha naadhir thana dhirana
[Classical rhythm syllables] Naadhir dheedhar dheemitha naadhir thana dhirana
Rirrirri gaggagga mammamma
[Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri gaggagga mammamma
Ninninni sassassa
[Musical solfege notes] Ninninni sassassa
Rirrirri mammamma pappappa dhadhadha
[Musical solfege notes] Rirrirri mammamma pappappa dhadhadha
Mapa dhani sari gama pamagari sani ri
[Musical solfege notes] Mapa dhani sari gama pamagari sani ri
Ennai ketkum kelviyai
The question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Adi maanae ho mayilae
Oh dear deer, oh peacock
Unakku thandhenae paattil oru badhilae
I have given you an answer in this song itself
Verum karpanai poigalai virpanai seidhida
To market and sell mere imaginative lies
Kalai enna kadai thanil vilaikku kidaikkudhaa
Is art some commodity available for a price in a shop?
Ennai ketkum kelviyai
The question you ask of me
Unnai kettu paar
Ask that of yourself
Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar
Test yourself against the touchstone of truth
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a powerful philosophical confrontation that questions hypocrisy and celebrates artistic and moral integrity. The protagonist challenges an opponent (personified as a deer or peacock) to look inward and test their own conscience on the 'touchstone of truth' before criticizing others. The lyrics critique the commercialization of art, arguing that creativity and genuine expression cannot be bought or caged like a wild cuckoo. It distinguishes between stage-acting and the reality of life, warning against treating life as a trivial game. In the second half, the song seamlessly transitions into the visionary Tamil poet Subramania Bharati's famous poem 'Manadhil Urudhi Vendum' (Resolve in the Mind), emphasizing mental strength, sweetness of speech, and noble thoughts. The protagonist declares that neither material wealth nor emotional swings of joy and sorrow can easily shake their resolve. Using the metaphor of a stone being chipped to make a sculpture, the lyrics define resilience—concluding that the protagonist is not a weak reed that bends with the wind, but a resilient melody that can flow freely even under pressure.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Unmai ennum kallilae unnai urasi paar”
Truth is directly compared to a touchstone ('kallu') used to test the purity of gold, encouraging self-analysis.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Karkal azhaadhu sirpam ezhaadhu / Kaigal thozhaadhu kannin maniyae”
The repetition of the 'Ka' (க) sound at the beginning of adjacent lines creates a rhythmic, cohesive phonetic flow.
Metaphor
“Edhir varum kaatrinil valaiyum naanal alla / Valaindha villilum nuzhaiyum isaiyadi”
The singer uses natural imagery, comparing his resilience not to a weak reed that bows to the wind, but to a powerful musical note that can slip through even a tensed bow.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thangam endraalum vairam endraalum ... layithadhillai / Inbam endraalum thunbam endraalum ... jeyithadhillai”
The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming words ('layithadhillai' and 'jeyithadhillai'), enhancing the musical structure.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song belongs to the film *Kasthuri Maan* (2005), which was written and directed by the acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker A. K. Lohithadas as his first direct Tamil venture. Although the prompt lists the music director as unknown, the score and soundtrack were composed by the legendary maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The lyricist Vaali beautifully integrated the classic verses of the national poet Subramania Bharati ('Manadhil Urudhi Vendum') into the structure of this contemporary film song.
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