Ennamma Aathora
From Lalitha · 1976
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Lalitha1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi | Hey little bird by the riverbank, |
| Engae porae nee nazhuvi | Where are you slipping away to? |
| Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi | Hey little bird by the riverbank, |
| Engae porae nee nazhuvi | Where are you slipping away to? |
| Male | |
| Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi | Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall, |
| Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi | Let it flow gently and embrace me. |
| Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi | Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall, |
| Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi | Let it flow gently and embrace me. |
| Female | |
| Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi | What is this, sir? Living in the city, |
| Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi | Do you view every woman you see as your wife? |
| Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi | What is this, sir? Living in the city, |
| Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi | Do you view every woman you see as your wife? |
| Female | |
| Patti kaattora singaara azhagi | You stylish beauty from the countryside, |
| Parisham pottaakkaa sontha kuruvi | If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird. |
| Male | |
| Poonjolai mullaikodi | O jasmine vine of the flower garden, |
| Kadhal poovaaga pooththaal enna | What if you bloom as a flower of love? |
| Poonjolai mullaikodi | O jasmine vine of the flower garden, |
| Kadhal poovaaga pooththaal enna | What if you bloom as a flower of love? |
| Kaaththaaga mazhaiyaaga naan konjam vizhunthu | Falling like wind and rain for a moment, |
| Kannaalae paarththaal enna | What if you look at me through your eyes? |
| Female | |
| Thaerottam vannakkili | A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession, |
| Idhu sendhooram minnum kili | This parrot shines bright like vermilion. |
| Thaerottam vannakkili | A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession, |
| Idhu sendhooram minnum kili | This parrot shines bright like vermilion. |
| Kalyaanam illaamae kai poda paarththaal | If you try to lay a hand without marriage, |
| Kann melae koththum kili | This bird will peck right above your eyes! |
| Female | |
| Intha manjala thanthava kungumam kondava | She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion, |
| Kovilin neruppaa | Is as sacred as temple fire! |
| Unna maathiri aambala bodhaiyil pesinaal | If men like you talk in intoxicated lust, |
| Kaavalil ninnurukkaa | Should she stand guard over her dignity? |
| Female | |
| Intha manjala thanthava kungumam kondava | She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion, |
| Kovilin neruppaa | Is as sacred as temple fire! |
| Unna maathiri aambala bodhaiyil pesinaal | If men like you talk in intoxicated lust, |
| Kaavalil ninnurukkaa | Should she stand guard over her dignity? |
| Male | |
| Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi | Hey little bird by the riverbank, |
| Engae porae nee nazhuvi | Where are you slipping away to? |
| Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi | Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall, |
| Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi | Let it flow gently and embrace me. |
| Male | |
| Annaalil vaazhnthaargalae | People lived in ancient times, |
| Avar kalyaanam seithaargalaa | Did they get legally married? |
| Annaalil vaazhnthaargalae | People lived in ancient times, |
| Avar kalyaanam seithaargalaa | Did they get legally married? |
| Ennaalum eppothum santhosam kondaar | They always found joy in every moment, |
| Samsaaram kandaargalaa | Did they worry about domestic setups? |
| Female | |
| Aasaikku vetkkam illai | Desire knows no shame, |
| Idhil meesaikku panjam illai | And there is no shortage of moustached men like you! |
| Aasaikku vetkkam illai | Desire knows no shame, |
| Idhil meesaikku panjam illai | And there is no shortage of moustached men like you! |
| Pennaasai endraalae kann kettu pogum | When lust for women takes over, a man turns blind; |
| Un meethu kuttram illai | It is not entirely your fault. |
| Female | |
| Inga aadugal maadugal | Living the kind of life |
| Vaazhura vaazhkkai vaazhvathu needhiyalla | That goats and cattle live is not righteous! |
| Idhil appadi ippadi eppadiyaavathu | In this, living haphazardly or anyhow, |
| Vaazhura jaathiyilla | Is not our kind of human morality. |
| Female | |
| Inga aadugal maadugal | Living the kind of life |
| Vaazhura vaazhkkai vaazhvathu needhiyalla | That goats and cattle live is not righteous! |
| Idhil appadi ippadi eppadiyaavathu | In this, living haphazardly or anyhow, |
| Vaazhura jaathiyilla | Is not our kind of human morality. |
| Female | |
| Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi | What is this, sir? Living in the city, |
| Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi | Do you view every woman you see as your wife? |
| Patti kaattora singaara azhagi | You stylish beauty from the countryside, |
| Parisham pottaakkaa sontha kuruvi | If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird. |
| Male | |
| Haei ennammaa aaththora kuruvi | Hey little bird by the riverbank, |
| Engae porae nee nazhuvi | Where are you slipping away to? |
| Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi | Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall, |
| Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi | Let it flow gently and embrace me. |
என்னம்மா ஆத்தோர குருவி
எங்கே போறே நீ நழுவி
என்னம்மா ஆத்தோர குருவி
எங்கே போறே நீ நழுவி
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Where are you slipping away to?
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Where are you slipping away to?
கட்டு கட்டான பூங்கூந்தல் அருவி
மெல்ல கொட்டட்டும் என்னை தழுவி
கட்டு கட்டான பூங்கூந்தல் அருவி
மெல்ல கொட்டட்டும் என்னை தழுவி
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
என்னய்யா நகரத்தில் பழகி
யாரைப் பார்த்தாலும் மனைவி
என்னய்யா நகரத்தில் பழகி
யாரைப் பார்த்தாலும் மனைவி
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
பட்டிக் காட்டோர சிங்கார அழகி
பரிசம் போட்டாக்க சொந்தக் குருவி
You stylish beauty from the countryside,
If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird.
பூஞ்சோலை முல்லைக்கொடி
காதல் பூவாக பூத்தால் என்ன
பூஞ்சோலை முல்லைக்கொடி
காதல் பூவாக பூத்தால் என்ன
காத்தாக மழையாக நான் கொஞ்சம் விழுந்து
கண்ணாலே பார்த்தால் என்ன
O jasmine vine of the flower garden,
What if you bloom as a flower of love?
O jasmine vine of the flower garden,
What if you bloom as a flower of love?
Falling like wind and rain for a moment,
What if you look at me through your eyes?
தேராட்டம் வண்ணக்கிளி
இது செந்தூரம் மின்னும் கிளி
தேராட்டம் வண்ணக்கிளி
இது செந்தூரம் மின்னும் கிளி
கல்யாணம் இல்லாமே கைப் போட பார்த்தால்
கண் மேலே கொத்தும் கிளி
A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession,
This parrot shines bright like vermilion.
A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession,
This parrot shines bright like vermilion.
If you try to lay a hand without marriage,
This bird will peck right above your eyes!
இந்த மஞ்சள தந்தவ குங்குமம் கொண்டவ
கோவிலின் நெருப்பா
உன்ன மாதிரி ஆம்பள போதையில் பேசினால்
காவலில் நின்னுருக்கா
She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion,
Is as sacred as temple fire!
If men like you talk in intoxicated lust,
Should she stand guard over her dignity?
இந்த மஞ்சள தந்தவ குங்குமம் கொண்டவ
கோவிலின் நெருப்பா
உன்ன மாதிரி ஆம்பள போதையில் பேசினால்
காவலில் நின்னுருக்கா
She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion,
Is as sacred as temple fire!
If men like you talk in intoxicated lust,
Should she stand guard over her dignity?
என்னம்மா ஆத்தோர குருவி
எங்கே போறே நீ நழுவி
கட்டு கட்டான பூங்கூந்தல் அருவி
மெல்ல கொட்டட்டும் என்னை தழுவி
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Where are you slipping away to?
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
அந்நாளில் வாழ்ந்தார்களே
அவர் கல்யாணம் செய்தார்களா
அந்நாளில் வாழ்ந்தார்களே
அவர் கல்யாணம் செய்தார்களா
எந்நாளும் எப்போதும் சந்தோசம் கொண்டார்
சம்சாரம் கண்டார்களா
People lived in ancient times,
Did they get legally married?
People lived in ancient times,
Did they get legally married?
They always found joy in every moment,
Did they worry about domestic setups?
ஆசைக்கு வெட்கம் இல்லை
இதில் மீசைக்கு பஞ்சம் இல்லை
ஆசைக்கு வெட்கம் இல்லை
இதில் மீசைக்கு பஞ்சம் இல்லை
பெண்ணாசை என்றாலே கண் கெட்டுப் போகும்
உன் மீது குற்றம் இல்லை
Desire knows no shame,
And there is no shortage of moustached men like you!
Desire knows no shame,
And there is no shortage of moustached men like you!
When lust for women takes over, a man turns blind;
It is not entirely your fault.
இங்க ஆடுகள் மாடுகள்
வாழுற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்வது நீதியல்ல
இதில் அப்படி இப்படி எப்படியாவது
வாழுற ஜாதியில்ல
Living the kind of life
That goats and cattle live is not righteous!
In this, living haphazardly or anyhow,
Is not our kind of human morality.
இங்க ஆடுகள் மாடுகள்
வாழுற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்வது நீதியல்ல
இதில் அப்படி இப்படி எப்படியாவது
வாழுற ஜாதியில்ல
Living the kind of life
That goats and cattle live is not righteous!
In this, living haphazardly or anyhow,
Is not our kind of human morality.
என்னய்யா நகரத்தில் பழகி
யாரைப் பார்த்தாலும் மனைவி
பட்டிக் காட்டோர சிங்கார அழகி
பரிசம் போட்டாக்க சொந்தக் குருவி
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
You stylish beauty from the countryside,
If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird.
ஹேய் என்னம்மா ஆத்தோர குருவி
எங்கே போறே நீ நழுவி
கட்டு கட்டான பூங்கூந்தல் அருவி
மெல்ல கொட்டட்டும் என்னை தழுவி
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Where are you slipping away to?
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Engae porae nee nazhuvi
Where are you slipping away to?
Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Engae porae nee nazhuvi
Where are you slipping away to?
Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
Patti kaattora singaara azhagi
You stylish beauty from the countryside,
Parisham pottaakkaa sontha kuruvi
If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird.
Poonjolai mullaikodi
O jasmine vine of the flower garden,
Kadhal poovaaga pooththaal enna
What if you bloom as a flower of love?
Poonjolai mullaikodi
O jasmine vine of the flower garden,
Kadhal poovaaga pooththaal enna
What if you bloom as a flower of love?
Kaaththaaga mazhaiyaaga naan konjam vizhunthu
Falling like wind and rain for a moment,
Kannaalae paarththaal enna
What if you look at me through your eyes?
Thaerottam vannakkili
A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession,
Idhu sendhooram minnum kili
This parrot shines bright like vermilion.
Thaerottam vannakkili
A colorful parrot like a grand chariot procession,
Idhu sendhooram minnum kili
This parrot shines bright like vermilion.
Kalyaanam illaamae kai poda paarththaal
If you try to lay a hand without marriage,
Kann melae koththum kili
This bird will peck right above your eyes!
Intha manjala thanthava kungumam kondava
She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion,
Kovilin neruppaa
Is as sacred as temple fire!
Unna maathiri aambala bodhaiyil pesinaal
If men like you talk in intoxicated lust,
Kaavalil ninnurukkaa
Should she stand guard over her dignity?
Intha manjala thanthava kungumam kondava
She who wears turmeric and holds the sacred vermilion,
Kovilin neruppaa
Is as sacred as temple fire!
Unna maathiri aambala bodhaiyil pesinaal
If men like you talk in intoxicated lust,
Kaavalil ninnurukkaa
Should she stand guard over her dignity?
Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Engae porae nee nazhuvi
Where are you slipping away to?
Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Annaalil vaazhnthaargalae
People lived in ancient times,
Avar kalyaanam seithaargalaa
Did they get legally married?
Annaalil vaazhnthaargalae
People lived in ancient times,
Avar kalyaanam seithaargalaa
Did they get legally married?
Ennaalum eppothum santhosam kondaar
They always found joy in every moment,
Samsaaram kandaargalaa
Did they worry about domestic setups?
Aasaikku vetkkam illai
Desire knows no shame,
Idhil meesaikku panjam illai
And there is no shortage of moustached men like you!
Aasaikku vetkkam illai
Desire knows no shame,
Idhil meesaikku panjam illai
And there is no shortage of moustached men like you!
Pennaasai endraalae kann kettu pogum
When lust for women takes over, a man turns blind;
Un meethu kuttram illai
It is not entirely your fault.
Inga aadugal maadugal
Living the kind of life
Vaazhura vaazhkkai vaazhvathu needhiyalla
That goats and cattle live is not righteous!
Idhil appadi ippadi eppadiyaavathu
In this, living haphazardly or anyhow,
Vaazhura jaathiyilla
Is not our kind of human morality.
Inga aadugal maadugal
Living the kind of life
Vaazhura vaazhkkai vaazhvathu needhiyalla
That goats and cattle live is not righteous!
Idhil appadi ippadi eppadiyaavathu
In this, living haphazardly or anyhow,
Vaazhura jaathiyilla
Is not our kind of human morality.
Ennaiyyaa nagaraththil pazhagi
What is this, sir? Living in the city,
Yaarai paarththaalum manaivi
Do you view every woman you see as your wife?
Patti kaattora singaara azhagi
You stylish beauty from the countryside,
Parisham pottaakkaa sontha kuruvi
If the custom bride-price is paid, you become my own bird.
Haei ennammaa aaththora kuruvi
Hey little bird by the riverbank,
Engae porae nee nazhuvi
Where are you slipping away to?
Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi
Your thick, tied-up floral hair is like a waterfall,
Mella kottattum ennai thazhuvi
Let it flow gently and embrace me.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a spirited, playful duet that captures a battle of wits between a flirtatious male protagonist and a sharp-witted, morally upright rural woman. The man attempts to charm her using colorful metaphors and argues that formal marriage is unnecessary, pointing to ancient, uninhibited ways of living. He views romance as a natural force that shouldn't be constrained by strict social norms. The woman fiercely rebuts his advances, asserting her self-respect and cultural dignity. She compares a chaste, traditional woman to sacred temple fire and scolds him for treating every woman casually. She emphasizes that living without moral boundaries and marital commitments reduces humans to the level of cattle, standing firm in her refusal to yield to mere lust without proper honor and marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kattu kattaana poonkoonthal aruvi”
Compares the heroine's long, thick floral-adorned hair directly to a cascading waterfall (aruvi).
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Ennammaa aaththora kuruvi / Engae porae nee nazhuvi”
The words 'kuruvi' and 'nazhuvi' rhyme at the end of consecutive lines, creating a bouncy rhythm.
Metaphor
“Intha manjala thanthava kungumam kondava / Kovilin neruppaa”
Compares a righteous woman's purity and marital sanctity to sacred, untouched temple fire.
Analogy / Simile
“Inga aadugal maadugal / Vaazhura vaazhkkai vaazhvathu needhiyalla”
Equates a life devoid of morals and formal commitments to the unrestrained life of goats and cattle.
Did you know?
Trivia
The duet brings together the legendary singing pair T.M. Soundararajan and L.R. Eswari, who were famous in Tamil cinema for their high-energy, folk-pop playful sparring songs. Composed by M.S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, the song masterfully balances lighthearted banter with underlying social commentary on traditional morality versus urban frivolity.
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