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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanaala Ethanaala

From Rathnam · 2024

Lyricist
Viveka
Singer
Sinduri Vishal
Music director
Devi Sri Prasad
Details
Rathnam2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ethanaala ethanaala en mela akkaraiWhy, oh why do you care so much about me?
Edhukkaga edhukkaga enakkaga nikkiraFor what reason are you standing up for me?
Edhirpaarppe illaama yaarunni sollaamaWithout any expectations, without even revealing who you are,
Iravellaam thoongaama nodi kooda neengaamaStaying awake all night, without leaving even for a second,
Thunaiyaaga iniyaaga uyiraaga thaanguraYou support me as a companion, sweetly, like life itself.
Female
Ethanaala…..Why, oh why...
Ethanaala ethanaala en mela akkaraiWhy, oh why do you care so much about me?
Edhukkaga edhukkaga enakkaga nikkiraFor what reason are you standing up for me?
Female
Kanna imai kaappathu polaJust like the eyelid protects the eye,
Ennai nee kaakuraiyaeYou are protecting me.
Mannai mazhai ninaipathu polaJust like rain drenches the dry soil,
Manasa nenaikkiraiyaeYou drench my heart with affection.
Female
Ennai nee oru murai koodaYet, not even once,
Ninnu mugam paakkaliyaeHave you stood and looked at my face directly.
Unna pol udhavura aalaeA person who helps like you,
Ulagaththil porakkalaiyaeHas not yet been born in this world.
Female
Solla oru vaarththaiyum thonalaI cannot find a single word to say.
Ennaiyae theduraen kaanalaI am searching for myself, but cannot find who I was.
Munna pol ippavum naanillaI am no longer the person I used to be.
Moththamaa maaruthu vaanilaiThe entire weather around my life is changing completely.
Puriyaatha puthiraagaLike an unsolved puzzle,
Urumaari urugurenI am transforming and melting away.
Female
Ethanaala ethanaala…..Why, oh why...
Ethanaala ethanaala en mela akkaraiWhy, oh why do you care so much about me?
Edhukkaga edhukkaga enakkaga nikkiraFor what reason are you standing up for me?
Female
Aaa….oorae unna odhukkura pothumAh... Even when the whole town rejects you,
Unna naan verukkalaiyaeI haven't hated you.
Kooda nee nadanthaakkoodaEven if you walk alongside me,
Enakkonnum uruththalaiyaeI don't feel uncomfortable at all.
Female
Nizhalum konjam iruttula piriyumEven a shadow leaves you in the dark,
Neethaan enna piriyalaBut you never parted from me.
Kooda nee irunthaa pothumAs long as you are with me,
Enakkoru bayamillaiyae…yae…I have no fear at all!
Female
Ippadi edhukkenna kaakuraWhy do you protect me like this?
Enakkena yaaraiyum thaakkuraWhy do you attack anyone for my sake?
Usurena enna nee paakkuraYou look at me as if I were your very life,
Enakkonnu aanaa verkkuraYou break into a sweat if anything happens to me.
Mariyaatha koraiyaathaWithout letting respect lessen,
Alavodu irukkuraYou maintain a dignified boundary.
Female
Ethanaala ethanaala…..Why, oh why...
Ethanaala ethanaala en mela akkaraiWhy, oh why do you care so much about me?
Edhukkaga edhukkaga enakkaga nikkiraFor what reason are you standing up for me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ethanaala Ethanaala' from the movie Rathnam (2024) captures a heartfelt inner monologue filled with wonder, confusion, and deep gratitude. The female protagonist reflects on the hero's selfless, unwavering dedication to protecting her. She marvels at how he stands as her guardian angel day and night, risking his life for her without expecting anything in return or even making direct eye contact with her. His actions transform her worldview and bring immense comfort to her life. Despite society's judgment of him, she holds him in high regard, recognizing that his loyalty surpasses even one's shadow. The lyrics trace her emotional shift from feeling perplexed by his extreme protective nature to feeling entirely safe and deeply moved by his respectful, dignified care.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Kanna imai kaappathu pola / Ennai nee kaakuraiyae

Compares the way the hero protects the heroine to how an eyelid naturally and constantly protects the eye.

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Mannai mazhai ninaipathu pola / Manasa nenaikkiraiyae

Compares his overwhelming affection touching her heart to rain soaking dry earth.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Solla oru vaarththaiyum thonala / Ennaiyae theduraen kaanala

Both lines end with the rhyming sound '-ala' ('thonala' / 'kaanala').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ippadi edhukkenna kaakura / Enakkena yaaraiyum thaakkura / Usurena enna nee paakkura

Consecutive lines end with the rhyming suffix '-ura' ('kaakura' / 'thaakkura' / 'paakkura').

Contrast / Personification

Nizhalum konjam iruttula piriyum / Neethaan enna piriyala

Highlights his loyalty by contrasting him with a personified shadow that leaves a person in darkness, whereas he stays.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ethanaala Ethanaala' is composed by Devi Sri Prasad for the 2024 Tamil action film *Rathnam*, directed by Hari and starring Vishal. This film marks another collaboration between director Hari and composer Devi Sri Prasad following hit soundtracks like *Aaru*, *Singam*, and *Singam 2*. The vocals are rendered by Sinduri Vishal, with lyrics by veteran lyricist Viveka.

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