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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennamma Annamma Achama

From Ganga Gowri · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ganga Gowri1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennamaa annamaa achama vetkamaWhat is it, swan? Is it fear or shyness?
Ennamaa annamaa achama vetkamaWhat is it, swan? Is it fear or shyness?
Ponnu illamae kollamae naan patta paaduWithout a girl, the torment I suffered agonizingly
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!
Adi ammadiOh my, dear girl!
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!
Female
Vaeli illadha pazhamooIs it a fruit hanging without a fence?
Neenga podura mandhirathil vizhumooWill it fall for the spells you cast?
Kaaval illadha manamooIs it a mind without any guard?
Neenga kaatura vithaiyilae varumooWill it succumb to the tricks you display?
Male
Naan podatha mandhirathaiIf I cast a spell
Pottaalae podhum madiThat I haven't cast yet, that alone is enough, girl!
Aaddha bambaramum aadumadiyooEven a top that refuses to spin will start spinning, oh girl!
Female
Ennaiyaa sollaiyaaaWhat is this, sir? Say it, sir!
Vetkamae illaiyaaDo you have no shame at all?
Indha aathoram kathaada pen paarkka vandhaComing to look for a bride by this riverbank as the breeze blows
Aambalaikku meesai yen aiyaaWhy does a man like this even have a mustache, sir?
Adi ammadiOh my, dear girl!
Aambalaikku meesai yen aiyaaWhy does a man like this even have a mustache, sir?
Male
Utchiyilae thooki vechaThe woman I elevated to the top,
Pombalaiya oda vittenI let her run away.
Pakkathilae vechirunthaThe maiden I kept right by my side,
Paavaiyum poga vittenI let her go too.
Male
…………………
Male
Utchiyilae thooki vechaThe woman I elevated to the top,
Pombalaiya oda vittenI let her run away.
Pakkathilae vechirunthaThe maiden I kept right by my side,
Paavaiyum poga vittenI let her go too.
Aasai veikka yaarum illaiyaeThere is no one left to place my desires on,
En meesaikkoru jodi illaiyaeThere is no match for my mustache!
Female
Nee aadotti vandhavanoDid you come driving goats,
Maadotti vandhavanoOr did you come driving cattle?
Aattamidum aandikkoruFor a dancing mendicant like you,
Ponnu venumoooDo you really need a girl?
Male
Ennamaa annamaa achama vetkamaWhat is it, swan? Is it fear or shyness?
Ponnu illamae kollamae naan patta paaduWithout a girl, the torment I suffered agonizingly
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!
Adi ammadiOh my, dear girl!
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!
Female
Kasiyilae ponnirukkuThere is gold in Kasi,
Kaanjiyilae ponirukkuThere is gold in Kanchipuram,
Kaadhalukku unnai enniYearning for you for love,
Kaalam ellam ninirukkuI have been waiting all this time!
Female
……………………
Female
Kasiyilae ponnirukkuThere is gold in Kasi,
Kaanjiyilae ponirukkuThere is gold in Kanchipuram,
Kaadhalukku unnai enniYearning for you for love,
Kaalam ellam ninirukkuI have been waiting all this time!
Kalyaana sanyasiyaeOh ascetic bound for marriage,
Nee kaasirundhaa pogalaamaiyaaIf you have money, why don't you go there, sir?
Male
Naan akkavai ketka villaiI didn't ask for the elder sister,
Thangachiyai paarka vandhenI came to see the younger sister!
Ammadi nee nenacha aagumadiyooOh girl, if you wish, it will happen!
Female
Ennaiyaa sollaiyaaaWhat is this, sir? Say it, sir!
Vetkamae illaiyaaDo you have no shame at all?
Indha aathoram kathaada pen paarkka vandhaComing to look for a bride by this riverbank as the breeze blows
Aambalaikku meesai yen aiyaaWhy does a man like this even have a mustache, sir?
Adi ammadiOh my, dear girl!
Aambalaikku meesai yen aiyaaWhy does a man like this even have a mustache, sir?
Male
Ennamaa annamaa achama vetkamaWhat is it, swan? Is it fear or shyness?
Ponnu illamae kollamae naan patta paaduWithout a girl, the torment I suffered agonizingly
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!
Adi ammadiOh my, dear girl!
Innaiku thaan theerndhadhu ammaHas finally ended today, oh girl!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ennamaa Annamaa is a vibrant, playful duet from the 1973 movie Ganga Gowri. Set against a picturesque riverbank, the song captures a comedic yet romantic banter between the lead hero and heroine. The male protagonist playfully boasts about his quest for love and how his bachelorhood struggles are finally coming to an end, while the heroine mockingly questions his antics, his mustache, and his romantic intentions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ennamaa annamaa achama vetkama

The hero addresses the heroine as 'annamaa' (swan), comparing her graceful, elegant presence to that of a swan.

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyming)

Vaeli illadha pazhamoo / Kaaval illadha manamoo

The second letters of 'Vaeli' (l) and 'Kaaval' (v/l consonant family harmony) create a rhythmic flow in the heroine's questioning lines.

Monai (First-letter alliteration)

Kasiyilae ponnirukku / Kaanjiyilae ponirukku

Alliteration of the initial 'Ka' sound across 'Kasiyilae', 'Kaanjiyilae', 'Kaadhalukku', and 'Kaalam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ganga Gowri (1973) is a Tamil film directed by B. R. Panthulu, starring Jaishankar and Jayalalithaa. The music, composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, features high-energy folk banters, with this duet highlighting the dynamic playback singing chemistry of T. M. Soundarajan and L. R. Eswari.

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