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Lyrics & meaning

Ennirandhu 16 Vayathu

From Annai Illam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Annai Illam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Aval kannirandil aadudhammaaIn her two eyes dances, oh my,
Kaadhal konda manadhuA heart filled with love!
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Aval kannirandil aadudhammaaIn her two eyes dances, oh my,
Kaadhal konda manadhuA heart filled with love!
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age.
Male
Munnirandu malar eduthaalShe picked two blossoms from the front,
En meedhu thoduthaalAnd aimed them directly at me,
Mukkaniyum chakkaraiyumThe three sacred sweet fruits and sugar,
Sertheduthu koduthaalShe gathered together and gave to me.
Male
Munnirandu malar eduthaalShe picked two blossoms from the front,
En meedhu thoduthaalAnd aimed them directly at me,
Mukkaniyum chakkaraiyumThe three sacred sweet fruits and sugar,
Sertheduthu koduthaalShe gathered together and gave to me,
Mukkaniyum chakkaraiyumThe three sacred sweet fruits and sugar,
Sertheduthu koduthaalShe gathered together and gave to me.
Male
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Aval kannirandil aadudhammaaIn her two eyes dances, oh my,
Kaadhal konda manadhuA heart filled with love!
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age.
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa….aaa…aaa..aaa…aa..Haa…aaa….aaa…aaa..aaa…aa..
Male
Kaal alandha nadaiyinilIn her graceful, measured footsteps,
En kaadhalaiyum alandhaalShe also measured the depth of my love.
Kaala magal pettra mayilThe peacock born to Lady Time,
Iravinilae malarndhaalBloomed like a flower in the dark of night.
Male
Kaal alandha nadaiyinilIn her graceful, measured footsteps,
En kaadhalaiyum alandhaalShe also measured the depth of my love.
Kaala magal pettra mayilThe peacock born to Lady Time,
Iravinilae malarndhaalBloomed like a flower in the dark of night.
Kaala magal pettra mayilThe peacock born to Lady Time,
Iravinilae malarndhaalBloomed like a flower in the dark of night.
Male
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Aval kannirandil aadudhammaaIn her two eyes dances, oh my,
Kaadhal konda manadhuA heart filled with love!
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age.
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Haa…aaa….aaa…aaa..aaa…aa..Haa…aaa….aaa…aaa..aaa…aa..
Male
Sutri naangu suvargalukkulEnclosed within four surrounding walls,
Thookkamindri kidandhomWe lay awake without any sleep.
Siru thunbam pondra inbathilaeIn a sweet pleasure that felt like mild agony,
Iruvarumae nadandhomBoth of us walked together.
Male
Sutri naangu suvargalukkulEnclosed within four surrounding walls,
Thookkamindri kidandhomWe lay awake without any sleep.
Siru thunbam pondra inbathilaeIn a sweet pleasure that felt like mild agony,
Iruvarumae nadandhomBoth of us walked together.
Thunbam pondra inbathilaeIn a sweet pleasure that felt like agony,
Iruvarumae nadandhomBoth of us walked together.
Male
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age,
Aval kannirandil aadudhammaaIn her two eyes dances, oh my,
Kaadhal konda manadhuA heart filled with love!
Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhuEight times two is sixteen years of age.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ennirandu Padhinaaru Vayadhu' is a classic, evocative romantic song from the 1963 Tamil film 'Annai Illam'. Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, the song celebrates the innocence, beauty, and emotional intoxication of young love. The protagonist lovingly describes his sixteen-year-old beloved, capturing how her eyes dance with affection and how her tender presence brings immense sweetness into his life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Mathematical Allusion

Ennirandu padhinaaru vayadhu

Kannadasan creatively uses the multiplication phrase 'Enn-irandu' (8 x 2) to signify her age of sixteen ('padhinaaru'), giving the opening line a unique mathematical rhythm.

Muran (Oxymoron / Paradox)

Siru thunbam pondra inbathilae

Pairs contrasting concepts—'thunbam' (pain/sorrow) and 'inbam' (pleasure/joy)—to depict the sweet, overwhelming torment experienced in intense romantic passion.

Uvamai / Metaphor

Mukkaniyum chakkaraiyum sertheduthu koduthaal

Compares her affectionate kisses and sweet words to 'Mukkani' (the three legendary Tamil sweet fruits: mango, banana, and jackfruit) combined with sugar.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Munnirandu malar eduthaal / En meedhu thoduthaal

The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming verbal suffixes ('eduthaal' and 'thoduthaal'), producing a smooth melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Though listed with unknown credits in the prompt, 'Ennirandu Padhinaaru Vayadhu' was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan and sung by the iconic T. M. Soundararajan. The movie 'Annai Illam' (1963) stars Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and Devika in lead roles. Kannadasan's opening line 'Ennirandu Padhinaaru' (8x2=16) remains one of the most famous examples of numerical wordplay in Tamil film song history.

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