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Lyrics & meaning

Enthan Kural Kettu

From Gokulathil Seethai · 1996

Lyricist
Agathiyan
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Gokulathil Seethai1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Endhan kural kettuUpon hearing my voice,
Unai thookam thazhuvaadhawill sleep not embrace you?
Female
Endhan kural kettuUpon hearing my voice,
Unai thookam thazhuvaadhawill sleep not embrace you?
Bandham naan illaiI am not bound to you by relationship,
Paridhabam koodathabut can't you feel even a little compassion?
Nanbanae nanbanae nanbanaeOh friend, my friend, my friend...
Female
Ival sollum vedham arangerumaWill the sacred truth this woman speaks ever take center stage?
Unakendru vaazhvil orr nyaayamaDo you have a unique rule of justice for your life?
Idhai yaaridam solluvenTo whom shall I express this sorrow?
Nanbanae nanbanae nanbanaeOh friend, my friend, my friend...
Female
Endhan kural kettuUpon hearing my voice,
Unai thookam thazhuvaadhawill sleep not embrace you?
Bandham naan illaiI am not bound to you by relationship,
Paridhabam koodathabut can't you feel even a little compassion?
Female
Iravendrum pagal endrumWhether it is night or day,
Unakillaiyaeit makes no difference to you,
Ilangaalai ponmaalai unakillaiyaeNeither early morning nor golden evening matters to you!
Madhuvennum thavarukku aalaginaaiYou surrendered yourself to the mistake called alcohol,
Adharkaaga nyayangal nee thedinaaiand you sought justifications for doing so.
Female
Aayiram pookalilAmong a thousand flowers,
Aanandham kaangiraaiyou look for happiness.
Nirangalae vetrumaiOnly the colors differ, remember that,
Ninaithidu nanbanaekeep that in mind, my friend.
Madhu kinnamthanai eduthuBy holding a glass of wine,
Pennai vilai koduthum vizhi moodumaand buying a woman's company, will your eyes ever find sleep?
Female
Endhan kural kettuUpon hearing my voice,
Unai thookam thazhuvaadhawill sleep not embrace you?
Bandham naan illaiI am not bound to you by relationship,
Paridhabam koodathabut can't you feel even a little compassion?
Female
Varavindri selavaanalIf you spend money without earning, it isn't a fatal flaw;
Thavarillaiyaeit isn't a mistake.
Vaazh naatkal selavaanal varavillaiyaeBut if the days of your life are spent, they will never return!
Netrodum indrodum nee illaiyaeYou were absent in yesterday and today,
Naalai un kaiyodu unakillaiyaeand tomorrow is not in your hands either!
Female
Yaaridam thavarillaiWho is free from mistakes?
Yaaridam kurai illaiWho is free from flaws?
Thookamae nimmadhiSleep alone brings true peace,
Thoongidu nanbanaeso go to sleep, my friend.
Nee kadandha kaalangalaiThe times you have passed through,
Kalaindhau erinthu vidu vizhi moodumaediscard them, let them go, and close your eyes.
Female
Endhan kural kettuUpon hearing my voice,
Unai thookam thazhuvaadhawill sleep not embrace you?
Bandham naan illaiI am not bound to you by relationship,
Paridhabam koodathabut can't you feel even a little compassion?
Nanbanae nanbanae nanbanaeOh friend, my friend, my friend...
Female
Ival sollum vedham arangerumaWill the sacred truth this woman speaks ever take center stage?
Unakendru vaazhvil orr nyaayamaDo you have a unique rule of justice for your life?
Idhai yaaridam solluvenTo whom shall I express this sorrow?
Nanbanae nanbanae nanbanaeOh friend, my friend, my friend...
Female
Hmm mm mm mm mm[Humming]
Hmm mm hmm mm mm mmm[Humming]
Hmm mm mm mm mm[Humming]
Hmm mm hmm mm mm mmm[Humming]
Hmm mm mm hmm mm mm hmm mm mm[Humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Endhan Kural Kettu' from Gokulathil Seethai (1996) is a deeply moving, philosophical lullaby sung by the female protagonist to a troubled, self-destructive friend. The protagonist attempts to soothe his restless soul, urging him to drop his vices—such as heavy drinking and superficial pleasures—and seek peaceful slumber. She compassionately questions his self-serving justifications and challenges his disregard for time and moral living, reminding him that while money can be regained, spent days of life are lost forever. Despite having no familial obligation to him, her concern stems from pure human empathy. She reminds him that everyone makes mistakes and carries flaws, encouraging him to abandon his past baggage and embrace rest. The song acts as a pivotal moment of gentle moral awakening and solace in the character's narrative arc.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Unai thookam thazhuvaadha

'Thookam' (sleep) is personified as an entity capable of physically embracing ('thazhuvaadha') a person.

Metaphor

Ival sollum vedham arangeruma

The character's earnest moral counsel is metaphorically referred to as 'Vedham' (sacred scripture/truth).

Muran (Contrast)

Varavindri selavaanal... Vaazh naatkal selavaanal varavillaiyae

Contrasts financial expenditure ('varavindri selavaanal') with the passage of life's days ('vaazh naatkal selavaanal'), emphasizing that lost time cannot be regained like money.

Iyaipu (Rhyme)

Yaaridam thavarillai / Yaaridam kurai illai

End-rhyming structure using similar sentence frames ('thavarillai' and 'kurai illai') to create rhythmic emphasis on human imperfection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music director for this film is Deva and the song is written and directed by Agathiyan, this song 'Endhan Kural Kettu' is famously sung by K.S. Chithra. The film 'Gokulathil Seethai' (1996) stars Karthik and Suvaluxmi. The year 1996 was a monumental year for director-lyricist Agathiyan, as his film 'Kadhal Kottai' won multiple National Film Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, cementing his reputation for sensitive storytelling and deep character writing.

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