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Lyrics & meaning

Ethanaala Ethanaala (Male)

From Rathnam · 2024

Lyricist
Viveka
Singer
S. P. Charan
Music director
Devi Sri Prasad
Details
Rathnam2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ethanaala ethanaala idhu pola pesunaWhy, oh why, did you speak like this?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga anal alli veesunaWhat for, what for, did you throw sparks of fire at me?
Male
Edhirpaaraa oru vaarththaiAn unexpected word,
Adha keattu thudiththaenaeHearing it, I squirmed in pain.
Edhirkkaaththil padagaagaLike a boat caught in headwinds,
Thisai maari thaviththaenaeI lost my direction and suffered in agony.
Karaiyoram alaiyaagaLike a wave on the shore,
Thadumaari thiriyiraenI am wandering, stumbling around.
Male
Ethanaala ethanaalaWhy, oh why?
Ethanaala ethanaala idhu pola pesunaWhy, oh why, did you speak like this?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga anal alli veesunaWhat for, what for, did you throw sparks of fire at me?
Male
Paadha engu pogum theriyalaI don't know where the path leads,
Paadham rendum nadakkiradhaeYet both my feet keep walking.
Paarva unna thaedi thaedi engo alaigiradhaeMy gaze wanders around, searching for you endlessly.
Male
Kodai veiyyil koluththura naeramEven in the scorching summer heat,
Naanum adha unaralaiyaeI don't even feel its burn.
Ulla manam neruppaa kodhikkudhuThe heart inside is boiling like fire,
Adhavida vali illaiyaeThere is no pain greater than that.
Male
Dhooramaa neeyum poguraYou are walking far away from me,
Enni enni ulla veguraThinking about it, I simmer inside.
Ennavida edhukku noguraWhy suffer more than I do?
Ennavittu thaniyaa aaguraWhy distance yourself and become alone?
Puriyaadha pudhiraagaLike an unsolved riddle,
En nenjam padharudhaeMy heart trembles in anxiety.
Male
Ethanaala ethanaalaWhy, oh why?
Ethanaala ethanaala idhu pola pesunaWhy, oh why, did you speak like this?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga anal alli veesunaWhat for, what for, did you throw sparks of fire at me?
Male
Paasam vekka uravae illaI had no kin to shower my love upon,
Paarthaen unna oru varamaaI saw you as a blessed divine boon.
Paadhi vazhi pogum bodhuMidway through the journey,
Pallakku murinjadhammaaThe palanquin broke down, oh dear.
Male
Yaarum inga thunaiyaa illaThere is no companion for me here,
Poraen naan thani maramaaI walk alone like a solitary tree.
Naesam ulla nenjam ippoThe heart that holds love is now
Nenachchu urugudhammaaMelting away as it remembers you.
Male
Unna naan usurula yaendhuraenI carry you in my very soul,
Unnaiyae ulagamaa paakkuraenI look upon you as my whole world.
Ennaiyae naanum kekkuraenI ask myself,
Eppadi idha naan thaanguraenHow am I bearing all this?
Theriyaama ariyaama enakkullae karaiyiraUnknowingly and silently, you are dissolving inside me.
Male
Ethanaala ethanaalaWhy, oh why?
Ethanaala ethanaala idhu pola pesunaWhy, oh why, did you speak like this?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga anal alli veesunaWhat for, what for, did you throw sparks of fire at me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ethanaala Ethanaala' from the film 'Rathnam' (2024) is a deeply emotional song depicting distress, confusion, and grief after receiving sharp, hurtful words from a loved one. The protagonist feels completely disoriented, comparing his vulnerable state to a boat adrift against harsh winds or a solitary wave endlessly breaking on the shore. Having considered this person a divine boon in a life devoid of close relations, the sudden emotional distance leaves him feeling utterly abandoned, like a lone tree in a barren landscape. The song captures the paradox of love and pain: while the harsh words burn hotter than the summer heat, the protagonist's devotion remains unshaken. He carries his beloved in his soul and views her as his entire universe, wondering how he can survive the overwhelming grief as she continues to silently reside within his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagadam)

Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga anal alli veesuna

Hurtful and harsh words are metaphorically referred to as throwing burning embers/sparks of fire ('anal').

Simile (Uvamai)

Edhirkkaaththil padagaaga / Karaiyoram alaiyaaga

The protagonist compares his lost and struggling emotional state to a boat fighting headwinds ('padagaaga') and a wave stumbling on the shore ('alaiyaaga').

Adukku Thodar / Repetition

Ethanaala ethanaala / Edhukkaaga edhukkaaga / thaedi thaedi

The repetition of words back-to-back intensifies the emotional distress, questioning, and desperation.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Paadha engu pogum theriyala / Paadham rendum nadakkiradhae

The initial sound 'Paa' repeats at the beginning of consecutive lines, giving a rhythmic flow to the lyrics.

Cultural Idiom / Metaphor

Poraen naan thani maramaa

'Thani maram' (solitary tree) is a traditional Tamil idiom representing complete loneliness and lack of support system.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) for the 2024 Tamil action film 'Rathnam', directed by Hari and starring Vishal. Sung by S. P. Charan, the song carries a soulful performance reminiscent of his legendary father S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's emotive vocal style. The lyrics are penned by prominent Tamil lyricist Viveka, known for blending relatable colloquial expressions with deep emotional metaphors.

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