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Isaimozhi
Mr. Bharath album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ennamma Kannu

From Mr. Bharath · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Mr. Bharath
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
1 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Ennamma Kannu is a high-spirited musical duel depicting an intense battle of egos and ideologies between wealth-driven arrogance and unwavering integrity. Male 1 boasts about his immense riches, unquestioned authority, and track record of dominance, comparing his rival to a small cat foolishly challenging a giant elephant. In contrast, Male 2 boldly asserts his honesty, self-respect, and moral courage, likening himself to a fearless lion and pure gold that never loses its shine.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

யானைக்கு சின்ன பூனை போட்டியா

Compares the power dynamic between the two individuals to a contest between a massive elephant and a tiny cat.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

வெள்ளிப்பணம் என்னிடத்தில் / கொட்டிக்கிடக்கு / வெட்டிப்பயல் உன்னிடத்தில் என்ன இருக்கு

Features second-letter rhyming between 'வெள்ளி' and 'வெட்டி' to deliver a sharp, rhythmic taunt.

Metaphor

யாருக்கும் அஞ்சிடாத சிங்கம்தான் / உரசிப்பாருங்க மங்கிடாத தங்கம்தான்

Uses metaphors of a lion that fears no one and gold that never fades to describe unyielding integrity and courage.

Did you know?

Trivia

In Mr. Bharath (1986), this iconic face-off song features Malaysia Vasudevan singing for Sathyaraj and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam singing for Rajinikanth, popularizing the catchphrase 'Ennamma Kannu'.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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View album

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