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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennathukku Enna Pethaa

From Dharmam Vellum · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharmam Vellum1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennathukku enna pethaa aathaaWhy did my mother give birth to me?
Appanoda sanda podavaaTo fight with my father?
Ellaathaiyum ippa enni paathaaWhen I look back and consider everything now,
En vidhiya kutham kooravaaShould I blame my own destiny?
Thaayaa thaan kaakkum pillaThe child who protects his mother,
Thandhaikku aagalaIs not liked by his father.
Onnumae puriyala rendum kettaan em paaduI understand nothing; my plight is trapped right in the middle.
Male
Ennathukku enna pethaa aathaaWhy did my mother give birth to me?
Appanoda sanda podavaaTo fight with my father?
Male
Mothathila naanum ippoOn the whole, I am now,
Mathalatha pola thaanJust like a drum,
Rendu pakkam vaangum adiReceiving blows on both sides,
En udambu mela thaanRight upon my body.
Dharmathukku kaaval ninnaeStanding as a guardian of righteousness,
Thaayin pakkam vaazhurenI live on my mother's side.
Sattathukku kaaval nikkumStanding as a guardian of the law,
Appan kitta modhurenI clash with my father.
Male
Yaaraal vandha saabam idhuWhose curse caused this?
Eppo senja paavamWhen was this sin committed?
Naanae kettu naanae vaadurenI ask myself and suffer alone.
Sonnaa romba vekkamIt is very embarrassing to express,
Idha sollaatti en dhukkamIf I don't express it, it is my sorrow,
Naatta vittu kaattil vaazhurenI am living in the forest, away from the country.
Poraadi paakka porenI am going to fight and see,
Yaarunnu kaatta porenI am going to show who I am,
Veeram ulla nenjam ingae thaan ….aaaanA courageous heart resides right here!
Male
Ennathukku enna pethaa aathaaWhy did my mother give birth to me?
Appanoda sanda podavaaTo fight with my father?
Male
Thaali potta purushan kaiyaeThe hand of the husband who tied the sacred thread,
Thookku poda thudikkudhuIs eager to hang her.
Thaai manasu pilla kittaThe mother's heart from her child,
Kaaranatha maraikkudhuHides the true reason.
Than vizhiya kai viralaeOne's own fingers are trying,
Kuthi vida paakkudhuTo poke out one's own eyes.
Ennennavo nadakkudhingaeStrange things are happening here,
Marmamaai irukkudhuIt remains a complete mystery.
Male
Podaa enna vaazhkkaOh forget it, what a life this is,
Naan pottu paathaen kanakkaI calculated and pondered,
Moonum moonu dhikkil nikkidhuAll three are standing in three different directions.
Pattaal theriyum saamiOne learns only through experience, oh Lord,
Idhu pollaadhavan boomiThis earth belongs to the wicked.
Needhi nyaayam thookkil thongudhuJustice and fairness are hanging on the gallows.
Yaedhaedho satta thittam ellaamae romba mattamVarious rules and legal codes are completely useless,
Solli cholli kanneer vittaachu…..uuu….I have cried again and again talking about it.
Male
Ennathukku enna pethaa aathaaWhy did my mother give birth to me?
Appanoda sanda podavaaTo fight with my father?
Ellaathaiyum ippa enni paathaaWhen I look back and consider everything now,
En vidhiya kutham kooravaaShould I blame my own destiny?
Thaayaa thaan kaakkum pillaThe child who protects his mother,
Thandhaikku aagalaIs not liked by his father.
Onnumae puriyala rendum kettaan em paaduI understand nothing; my plight is trapped right in the middle.
Male
Ennathukku enna pethaa aathaaWhy did my mother give birth to me?
Appanoda sanda podavaaTo fight with my father?
Ellaathaiyum ippa enni paathaaWhen I look back and consider everything now,
En vidhiya kutham kooravaaShould I blame my own destiny?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song portrays the internal turmoil of a son caught in a tragic conflict between his mother and father. He laments his fate, feeling like a drum struck from both sides as he defends his mother against his father, who represents the law. The protagonist struggles with the hidden mysteries of his family's past, questioning why destiny has placed him in a position where he must fight his own father to uphold justice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Mathalatha pola thaan / Rendu pakkam vaangum adi

The speaker compares his plight to a 'mathalam' (two-headed drum) getting hit on both sides, symbolizing being caught between father and mother.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Than vizhiya kai viralae kuthi vida paakkudhu

Using 'Than vizhiya kai viralae kuthi vida paakkudhu' (one's own fingers trying to poke out one's eyes) as a metaphor for self-destructive family conflict.

Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)

Sonnaa romba vekkam / Idha sollaatti en dhukkam

Second letter rhyming across adjacent lines such as 'Sonnaa' and 'Idha sollaatti', or 'Poraadi' and 'Yaarunnu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dharmam Vellum (1989) stars Vijayakanth and Gautami. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with impactful lyrics written by the veteran poet Vaali depicting intense familial conflict.

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