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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennamma Rani

From Kumari Kottam · 1971

Lyricist
Alangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kumari Kottam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Yaeri vandha yaeni thaevaiyillai endruThinking that the ladder used to climb to the top is no longer needed,
Ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoIs she leaning away and shunning the side of the poor?
Aahaa ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoAha, is she shunning the side of the poor?
Male
Ullaasa thottam uruvaakkum koottamare the ones who create gardens of pleasure?
Paattaali makkalallavoIs it not the hardworking working-class people?
Ullaasa thottam uruvaakkum koottamThe group that creates gardens of pleasure,
Paattaali makkalallavoIs it not the hardworking working-class people?
Uruvathai paarthu ullathai madhippadhuJudging a person's inner heart by looking at their external appearance,
Maaperum thavarallavoIsn't that a massive mistake?
Aahaa maaperum thavarallavoAha, isn't that a massive mistake?
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Yaeri vandha yaeni thaevaiyillai endruThinking that the ladder used to climb to the top is no longer needed,
Ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoIs she shunning the side of the poor?
Male
Pattodu paruthaiyai pinieduthuGleaning cotton along with silk,
Unga pagattukku puthaadai yaar koduthaaWho gave new clothes for your pompous display?
Pattodu paruthaiyai pinieduthuGleaning cotton along with silk,
Unga pagattukku puthaadai yaar koduthaaWho gave new clothes for your pompous display?
Kattaantharaiyilae kallai udaithuBreaking rocks on the hard barren ground,
Unga kannaadi maaligaiyai yaar padaithaaWho created your majestic glass palace?
Kattaantharaiyilae kallai udaithuBreaking rocks on the hard barren ground,
Unga kannaadi maaligaiyai yaar padaithaaWho created your majestic glass palace?
Male
Ahaa sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAha my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Aa… sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAh... my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Yaeri vandha yaeni thaevaiyillai endruThinking that the ladder used to climb to the top is no longer needed,
Ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoIs she shunning the side of the poor?
Male
Pathum parandhodum pasi pinikkuWhen severe hunger strikes and drives away all virtues,
Unga pavalamum vayiramum payan padumaaWill your corals and diamonds be of any use?
Paalodu pacharisi padiyalakkumProviding raw rice along with milk to feed all,
Indha panbaana makkalidam alatchiyamaaIs it right to show indifference to these noble-hearted people?
Male
Ahaa sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAha my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Aa… sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAh... my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Male
Atharilae nitham nitham kulitthaalumEven if you bathe in scented perfume every single day,
Pattu methaiyilae poo virithu paduthaalumEven if you sleep on a silk mattress adorned with flowers,
Athanaiyum oru naal mudindhu vidumAll of those luxuries will come to an end one day,
Ezhai avasiyam appodhu purindhu vidumAnd then the true value of the poor will be understood!
Male
Ahaa sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAha my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Aa… sellammaa sollammaa kannammaaAh... my dear, tell me, my precious one,
Konjam sindhithaal mannithaal ennammaaIf you reflect a bit and forgive, what would you lose?
Male
Ennammaa raani ponnaana maeni…What is it, queen with a golden physique...
Aalavattam poda vandhadho…Has she come to display her grand presence?
Yaeri vandha yaeni thaevaiyillai endruThinking that the ladder used to climb to the top is no longer needed,
Ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoIs she shunning the side of the poor?
Aahaa ezhai pakkam saadugindradhoAha, is she shunning the side of the poor?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Kumari Kottam' is a powerful social commentary delivered with typical M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) egalitarian fervor. The lyrics address an affluent woman who displays arrogance towards working-class individuals, reminding her that luxury, fine clothes, and glass palaces are built solely through the labor of the poor. The hero asks her not to judge people by their appearance or wealth, pointing out that rich jewels cannot satisfy fundamental human needs like hunger.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

Yaeri vandha yaeni thaevaiyillai endru

The 'ladder' (yaeni) is used as a metaphor for the working class whose hard work helps wealthy individuals rise in society, only to be discarded once success is achieved.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pattodu paruthaiyai pinieduthu

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Pattodu', 'paruthaiyai', 'pinieduthu') creates a rhythmic, musical flow.

Proverb / Idiom

Pathum parandhodum pasi pinikku

Refers to the famous Tamil proverb 'Pasi vandhaaldh pajjum parandhodum' (When hunger strikes, ten noble virtues fly away).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kumari Kottam' (1971) stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa in the lead roles. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this track was sung by the legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan. The lyrics were written by Alangudi Somu, known for embedding strong social reformist messaging in his songs.

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