Eppa Eppa Eppa
From Sambavam · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sambavam1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Eppa eppa eppa ena | When, oh when, oh when, I asked, |
| Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam | For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived! |
| Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum | Now, right now, as it arises, |
| Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam | In this situation, a joyful melody plays. |
| Female | |
| Minnal vanthaadum kangal maipoosum | Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl, |
| Manal maangalyam soodum vaibogam | A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage. |
| Vaikaasi maasaththilo | Is it in the month of Vaikasi? |
| Male | |
| Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida | For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection, |
| Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo | A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger, |
| Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil | For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips, |
| Amarum thaen vandum | Like a honeybee perching on them. |
| Male | |
| Vaanil villaadum kangal vaidooriyam | Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems, |
| Kaanum singaaram kaattum senthooram | The beauty seen adorned with vermilion, |
| Oiyaari nee allavo | Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady? |
| Female | |
| Aah eppa eppa eppa ena | Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked, |
| Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam | For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived! |
| Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum | Now, right now, as it arises, |
| Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam | In this situation, a joyful melody plays. |
| Female | |
| Nesangal neengaathu nee thodum | Love will never depart; when you touch, |
| Nerangal subatharunam | Those moments become auspicious times. |
| Male :Thodathoda madi thavazhum idaithaan | Male: As I touch, the waist that leans on my lap, |
| Pudhupudhu kadhai ezhuthum | Writes brand new romantic stories. |
| Female :Penn udhattilae purinthaai pala swaram | Female: Upon the woman's lips, you composed many musical notes. |
| Male | |
| Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida | For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection, |
| Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo | A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger, |
| Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil | For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips, |
| Amarum thaen vandum | Like a honeybee perching on them. |
| Female | |
| Minnal vanthaadum kangal maipoosum | Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl, |
| Manal maangalyam soodum vaibogam | A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage. |
| Vaikaasi maasaththilo | Is it in the month of Vaikasi? |
| Male | |
| : Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida | For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection, |
| Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo | A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger, |
| Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil | For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips, |
| Amarum thaen vandum | Like a honeybee perching on them. |
| Male | |
| Konjattumaa koodidum nalam | May I pamper you? Goodness will gather, |
| Etti nindraal niyaayamaa | Is it fair if you stand at a distance? |
| Female :Kaiyai thottaal aasaigal ezhum | Female: If you touch my hand, desires awaken, |
| Sontham enna neengumaa | Will our relationship ever fade away? |
| Male | |
| Madivizha kodi varalaam enakkor | A million festival celebrations may come, |
| Madhu suvai koduththidalaa, | Shall I give you the sweet taste of nectar? |
| Female :Vasanthangal nerungidalaam | Female: Springtime seasons may approach, |
| Adharkkula pala suggam nee peralaam | Before that, you can gain many pleasures. |
| Male :Naan viral thodum idamthaan iniththidum | Male: The place where my finger touches turns sweet! |
| Female | |
| Aah eppa eppa eppa ena | Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked, |
| Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam | For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived! |
| Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum | Now, right now, as it arises, |
| Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam | In this situation, a joyful melody plays. |
| Male | |
| Vaanil villaadum kangal vaidooriyam | Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems, |
| Kaanum singaaram kaattum senthooram | The beauty seen adorned with vermilion, |
| Oiyaari nee allavo | Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady? |
| Female | |
| {Aah eppa eppa eppa ena | {Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked, |
| Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam | For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived! |
| Male :Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil | Male: For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips, |
| Amarum thaen vandum} (2) | Like a honeybee perching on them.} (2) |
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ.....
ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ.....
ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ.....
When, oh when, oh when, I asked,
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Now, right now, as it arises,
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
எப்ப எப்ப எப்ப என ஏங்கிய
வயசுக்கு கல்யாண யோகம்
இப்ப இப்ப இப்ப என எழுதிடும்
நிலைமையில் சந்தோஷ ராகம்
Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl,
A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage.
Is it in the month of Vaikasi?
மின்னல் வந்தாடும் கண்கள் மைப்பூசும்
மஞ்சள் மாங்கல்யம் சூடும் வைபோகம்
வைகாசி மாசத்திலோ....
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Like a honeybee perching on them.
முதல் முதல் மணமகள் மயங்கிட
விரல் தொட பூக்கும் பன்னீர் பூ
அழகிய தலைமகன் மது உண்ண இதழ்களில்
அமரும் தேன் வண்டும்
Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems,
The beauty seen adorned with vermilion,
Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady?
வானில் வில்லாடும் கண்கள் வைடூரியம்
காணும் சிங்காரம் காட்டும் செந்தூரம்
ஒய்யாரி நீ அல்லவோ
Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Now, right now, as it arises,
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
ஆஹ் எப்ப எப்ப எப்ப என
ஏங்கிய வயசுக்கு கல்யாண யோகம்
இப்ப இப்ப இப்ப என எழுதிடும்
நிலைமையில் சந்தோஷ ராகம்
Love will never depart; when you touch,
Those moments become auspicious times.
Male: As I touch, the waist that leans on my lap,
Writes brand new romantic stories.
Female: Upon the woman's lips, you composed many musical notes.
நேசங்கள் நீங்காது நீ தொடும்
நேரங்கள் தேனாகுமா
பாலும் தேனும் ஊறிடும் மனம்
மேலும் கீழும் தாவிடும்
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Like a honeybee perching on them.
நவமத மனம் பருகும் மனம்தான்
மயங்கிடும் சுபதருணம்
தொடதொட மடி தவழும் இடைதான்
புதுப்புது கதை எழுதும்
பெண் உதட்டிலே புரிந்தாய் பல ஸ்வரம்
Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl,
A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage.
Is it in the month of Vaikasi?
முதல் முதல் மணமகள் மயங்கிட
விரல் தொட பூக்கும் பன்னீர் பூ
அழகிய தலைமகன் மது உண்ண இதழ்களில்
அமரும் தேன் வண்டும்
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Like a honeybee perching on them.
மின்னல் வந்ததாடும் கண்கள் மைப்பூசும்
மஞ்சள் மாங்கல்யம் சூடும் வைபோகம்
வைகாசி மாசத்திலோ
May I pamper you? Goodness will gather,
Is it fair if you stand at a distance?
Female: If you touch my hand, desires awaken,
Will our relationship ever fade away?
முதல் முதல் மணமகள் மயங்கிட
விரல் தொட பூக்கும் பன்னீர் பூ
அழகிய தலைமகன் மது உண்ண இதழ்களில்
அமரும் தேன் வண்டும்
A million festival celebrations may come,
Shall I give you the sweet taste of nectar?
Female: Springtime seasons may approach,
Before that, you can gain many pleasures.
Male: The place where my finger touches turns sweet!
கொஞ்சட்டுமா கூடிடும் நலம்
எட்டி நின்றால் நியாயமா
கையத் தொட்டால் ஆசைகள் எழும்
சொந்தம் என்ன நீங்குமா
Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Now, right now, as it arises,
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
மடிவிழ கொடி வரலாம் எனக்கோர்
மதுச்சுவை கொடுத்திடலாம்
வசந்தங்கள் நெருங்கிடலாம்
அதற்குள் பல சுகம் நீ பெறலாம்
நான் விரல் தொடும் இடம்தான் இனித்திடும்
Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems,
The beauty seen adorned with vermilion,
Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady?
அஹ எப்ப எப்ப எப்ப என
ஏங்கிய வயசுக்கு கல்யாண யோகம்
இப்ப இப்ப இப்ப என எழுதிடும் என்
நிலைமையில் சந்தோஷ ராகம்
{Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Male: For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Like a honeybee perching on them.} (2)
வானில் வில்லாடும் கண்கள் வைடூரியம்
காணும் சிங்காரம் காட்டும் செந்தூரம்
ஒய்யாரி நீ அல்லவோ
{அஹ எப்ப எப்ப எப்ப என
ஏங்கிய வயசுக்கு கல்யாண யோகம்
அழகிய தலைமகன் மதுவுண்ண இதழ்களில்
அமரும் தேன் வண்டும்} (2)
Eppa eppa eppa ena
When, oh when, oh when, I asked,
Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum
Now, right now, as it arises,
Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
Minnal vanthaadum kangal maipoosum
Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl,
Manal maangalyam soodum vaibogam
A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage.
Vaikaasi maasaththilo
Is it in the month of Vaikasi?
Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Amarum thaen vandum
Like a honeybee perching on them.
Vaanil villaadum kangal vaidooriyam
Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems,
Kaanum singaaram kaattum senthooram
The beauty seen adorned with vermilion,
Oiyaari nee allavo
Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady?
Aah eppa eppa eppa ena
Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum
Now, right now, as it arises,
Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
Nesangal neengaathu nee thodum
Love will never depart; when you touch,
Nerangal subatharunam
Those moments become auspicious times.
Male :Thodathoda madi thavazhum idaithaan
Male: As I touch, the waist that leans on my lap,
Pudhupudhu kadhai ezhuthum
Writes brand new romantic stories.
Female :Penn udhattilae purinthaai pala swaram
Female: Upon the woman's lips, you composed many musical notes.
Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Amarum thaen vandum
Like a honeybee perching on them.
Minnal vanthaadum kangal maipoosum
Eyes where lightning dances will be lined with kohl,
Manal maangalyam soodum vaibogam
A grand celebration where the sacred thread is tied in marriage.
Vaikaasi maasaththilo
Is it in the month of Vaikasi?
: Mudhal mudhal manamagal mayangida
For the very first time, as the bride faints with affection,
Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo
A rose that blooms at the touch of a finger,
Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil
For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Amarum thaen vandum
Like a honeybee perching on them.
Konjattumaa koodidum nalam
May I pamper you? Goodness will gather,
Etti nindraal niyaayamaa
Is it fair if you stand at a distance?
Female :Kaiyai thottaal aasaigal ezhum
Female: If you touch my hand, desires awaken,
Sontham enna neengumaa
Will our relationship ever fade away?
Madivizha kodi varalaam enakkor
A million festival celebrations may come,
Madhu suvai koduththidalaa,
Shall I give you the sweet taste of nectar?
Female :Vasanthangal nerungidalaam
Female: Springtime seasons may approach,
Adharkkula pala suggam nee peralaam
Before that, you can gain many pleasures.
Male :Naan viral thodum idamthaan iniththidum
Male: The place where my finger touches turns sweet!
Aah eppa eppa eppa ena
Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Ippa ippa ippa ena ezhunthidum
Now, right now, as it arises,
Nilamaiyil santhosa raagam
In this situation, a joyful melody plays.
Vaanil villaadum kangal vaidooriyam
Eyes like a rainbow dancing in the sky, precious like cat's eye gems,
Kaanum singaaram kaattum senthooram
The beauty seen adorned with vermilion,
Oiyaari nee allavo
Aren't you the stylish, graceful lady?
{Aah eppa eppa eppa ena
{Ah, when, oh when, oh when, I asked,
Yaengiya vayasukku kalyaana yogam
For the age that longed, the luck of marriage has arrived!
Male :Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil
Male: For the handsome hero to drink honey from her lips,
Amarum thaen vandum} (2)
Like a honeybee perching on them.} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Eppa Eppa Eppa Ena is a romantic duet from the 1991 Tamil film Sambavam, featuring lyrics written by the acclaimed lyricist Vairamuthu. The song captures the eager anticipation and joyful celebration of a couple entering wedlock. It expresses how youth's patient waiting has finally yielded the blissful fortune of marriage, filling their world with happy melodies. Throughout the track, the dialogue between the lovers weaves rich sensory imagery—comparing intimacy to a bee sipping honey, eyes shining like rainbows and lightning, and romance blooming like a rose. The song celebrates the sacred bond of matrimony, turning every touch and shared moment into an auspicious occasion full of warmth and deep affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Eppa eppa eppa ena / Ippa ippa ippa ena”
The second consonant 'pp' is repeated across successive lines ('Eppa' / 'Ippa'), creating rhythmic balance in Tamil verse structure.
Monai (Alliteration / First Letter Rhyme)
“Vaanil villaadum kangal vaidooriyam”
Repetition of the initial 'Va' sound ('Vaanil', 'villaadum', 'vaidooriyam') provides melodic harmony.
Metaphor & Uvamai (Imagery)
“Azhagiya thalaimagan madhu unna idhazhgalil / Amarum thaen vandum”
Intimacy and kiss are poetically metaphorized as a honeybee perching to drink sweet nectar from a flower.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Viral thoda pookkum panneer poo”
Describing a flower/rose blooming instantaneously upon a gentle touch of a finger exaggerates romantic delicacy.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1991 Tamil film 'Sambavam', with lyrics penned by National Award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu. The song reflects classic early 90s Tamil cinema's poetic style where marriage and romance are framed using rich natural imagery such as honeybees, spring ('Vasanthangal'), and auspicious Tamil months like 'Vaikaasi'.
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