Ethanai Kelvi
From Vanji Kottai Valipan · 1958
- Lyricist
- Kothamangalam Subbu
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- C. Ramachandra
- Details
- Vanji Kottai Valipan1958
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vayasa oruthan kaetkuraan | One guy asks for my age, |
| Vaalibatha paakkuraan | He gazes at my youth, |
| Adi endha ooru endha dhaesam | Asking, 'Hey girl, which town, which country are you from? |
| Engirundhu ingae vandhae | Where did you come here from? |
| Indha ooril ethanai naal irukka porae | How many days are you going to stay in this town?' |
| Ena kaetkuraan | Thus he keeps asking me, |
| Adi ammammammammammamaa… | Oh my, oh my, oh my... |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaelvi eppadi solvaen | So many questions, how shall I answer? |
| Badhil eppadi solvaen | How shall I give an answer? |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaelvi eppadi solvaen | So many questions, how shall I answer? |
| Badhil eppadi solvaen | How shall I give an answer? |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Female | |
| Pennai pirandhaalae polladha thollai | Being born a woman is a terrible hassle, |
| Pinnalae sutraadha periyorum illai | There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind! |
| Female | |
| Pennai pirandhaalae polladha thollai | Being born a woman is a terrible hassle, |
| Pinnalae sutraadha periyorum illai | There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind! |
| Iru kannalae pothi | Adoring with both eyes, |
| Ennaalumae vandhu ennaalumae vandhu | Coming around every single day, coming every day, |
| Kannae enbaar adi pennae enbaar | They call me 'my darling', oh girl, they call me 'hey woman'! |
| Female | |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Female | |
| Theruvil nadandhaalum | Even if I just walk down the street, |
| Thappendru solluraar | They say it is wrong! |
| Thappendru solluraar | They say it is wrong! |
| Female | |
| Thirumbiyae paarthaalum | Even if I turn around and look, |
| Thappendru solluraar | They say it is wrong! |
| Thappendru solluraar | They say it is wrong! |
| Female | |
| Paruvathai en paruvathai paarthu vittu | Looking at my youth, looking at my youth, |
| Pallai ilikkiraar | They grin foolishly! |
| Paruvathai paarthu vittu pallai ilikkiraar | Looking at my youth, they grin foolishly, |
| Pallai ilikkiraar | They grin foolishly! |
| Paarthuttaalo naan paartthuttaalo | If I happen to catch them looking, |
| Bayandhu nadunguraar bayandhu nadunguraar | They tremble in fear, they tremble in fear! |
| Female | |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Female | |
| Muthu modhiram thaaraen | 'I will give you a pearl ring, |
| Pathu veedugal thaaraen | I will give you ten houses, |
| Nalla putham pudhiya pattu | Good, brand-new silk, |
| Saelaigal thaaraen | I will give you sarees!' |
| Female | |
| Muthu modhiram thaaraen | 'I will give you a pearl ring, |
| Pathu veedugal thaaraen | I will give you ten houses, |
| Nalla putham pudhiya pattu | Good, brand-new silk, |
| Saelaigal thaaraen | I will give you sarees!' |
| Un sitham irangi ennai satrae paaraen | 'Have mercy in your heart and look at me a little, |
| Ennai satrae paaraen dee athaanadi | Look at me a little, my dear, I am your beloved!' |
| Un athaanadi ena nitham solvaar | Saying daily, 'I am your beloved', |
| Manam pitham kolvaar | His mind goes crazy with obsession! |
| Female | |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Female | |
| Ethani kaelvi eppadi solvaen | So many questions, how shall I answer? |
| Badhil eppadi solvaen | How shall I give an answer? |
| Enai ithanai paer suthinaal | If so many people swarm around me, |
| Engae selvaen | Where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
| Adi naan engae selvaen | Oh, where can I go? |
வயச ஒருத்தன் கேட்குறான்
வாலிபத்த பாக்குறான்
அடி எந்த ஊரு எந்த தேசம்
எங்கிருந்து இங்கே வந்தே
இந்த ஊரில் எத்தனை நாள் இருக்கப் போறே
என கேட்குறான்
அடி அம்மம்மம்மம்மம்மம்மா...
One guy asks for my age,
He gazes at my youth,
Asking, 'Hey girl, which town, which country are you from?
Where did you come here from?
How many days are you going to stay in this town?'
Thus he keeps asking me,
Oh my, oh my, oh my...
எத்தனைக் கேள்வி எப்படி சொல்வேன்
பதில் எப்படி சொல்வேன்
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுத்தினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
So many questions, how shall I answer?
How shall I give an answer?
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
எத்தனைக் கேள்வி
எப்படி சொல்வேன்
பதில் எப்படி சொல்வேன்
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுத்தினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
So many questions, how shall I answer?
How shall I give an answer?
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
பெண்ணாய் பிறந்தாலே பொல்லாத தொல்லை
பின்னாலே சுற்றாத பெரியோரும் இல்லை
Being born a woman is a terrible hassle,
There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind!
பெண்ணாய் பிறந்தாலே பொல்லாத தொல்லை
பின்னாலே சுற்றாத பெரியோரும் இல்லை
இரு கண்ணாலே பொத்தி
எந்நாளுமே வந்து எந்நாளுமே வந்து
கண்ணே என்பார் அடி பெண்ணே என்பார்
Being born a woman is a terrible hassle,
There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind!
Adoring with both eyes,
Coming around every single day, coming every day,
They call me 'my darling', oh girl, they call me 'hey woman'!
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுத்தினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
தெருவில் நடந்தாலும்
தப்பென்று சொல்லுறார்
தப்பென்று சொல்லுறார்
Even if I just walk down the street,
They say it is wrong!
They say it is wrong!
திரும்பியே பார்த்தாலும்
தப்பென்று சொல்லுறார்
தப்பென்று சொல்லுறார்
Even if I turn around and look,
They say it is wrong!
They say it is wrong!
பருவத்தை என் பருவத்தை பார்த்து விட்டு
பல்லை இளிக்கிறார்
பருவத்தை பார்த்து விட்டு பல்லை இளிக்கிறார்
பல்லை இளிக்கிறார்
பார்த்துட்டாலோ நான் பார்த்துட்டாலோ
பயந்து நடுங்குறார் பயந்து நடுங்குறார்
Looking at my youth, looking at my youth,
They grin foolishly!
Looking at my youth, they grin foolishly,
They grin foolishly!
If I happen to catch them looking,
They tremble in fear, they tremble in fear!
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுத்தினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
முத்து மோதிரம் தாரேன்
பத்து வீடுகள் தாரேன்
நல்ல புத்தம் புதிய பட்டு
சேலைகள் தாரேன்
'I will give you a pearl ring,
I will give you ten houses,
Good, brand-new silk,
I will give you sarees!'
முத்து மோதிரம் தாரேன்
பத்து வீடுகள் தாரேன்
நல்ல புத்தம் புதிய பட்டு
சேலைகள் தாரேன்
உன் சித்தம் இறங்கி என்னை சற்றே பாரேன்
என்னை சற்றே பாரேன் டீ அத்தானடி
உன் அத்தானடி என நித்தம் சொல்வார்
மனம் பித்தம் கொள்வார்
'I will give you a pearl ring,
I will give you ten houses,
Good, brand-new silk,
I will give you sarees!'
'Have mercy in your heart and look at me a little,
Look at me a little, my dear, I am your beloved!'
Saying daily, 'I am your beloved',
His mind goes crazy with obsession!
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுற்றினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
எத்தனைக் கேள்வி எப்படி சொல்வேன்
பதில் எப்படி சொல்வேன்
எனை இத்தனை பேர் சுற்றினால்
எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
அடி நான் எங்கே செல்வேன்
So many questions, how shall I answer?
How shall I give an answer?
If so many people swarm around me,
Where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Oh, where can I go?
Vayasa oruthan kaetkuraan
One guy asks for my age,
Vaalibatha paakkuraan
He gazes at my youth,
Adi endha ooru endha dhaesam
Asking, 'Hey girl, which town, which country are you from?
Engirundhu ingae vandhae
Where did you come here from?
Indha ooril ethanai naal irukka porae
How many days are you going to stay in this town?'
Ena kaetkuraan
Thus he keeps asking me,
Adi ammammammammammamaa…
Oh my, oh my, oh my...
Ethanai kaelvi eppadi solvaen
So many questions, how shall I answer?
Badhil eppadi solvaen
How shall I give an answer?
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Ethanai kaelvi eppadi solvaen
So many questions, how shall I answer?
Badhil eppadi solvaen
How shall I give an answer?
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Pennai pirandhaalae polladha thollai
Being born a woman is a terrible hassle,
Pinnalae sutraadha periyorum illai
There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind!
Pennai pirandhaalae polladha thollai
Being born a woman is a terrible hassle,
Pinnalae sutraadha periyorum illai
There isn't even a 'respectable man' who doesn't follow behind!
Iru kannalae pothi
Adoring with both eyes,
Ennaalumae vandhu ennaalumae vandhu
Coming around every single day, coming every day,
Kannae enbaar adi pennae enbaar
They call me 'my darling', oh girl, they call me 'hey woman'!
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Theruvil nadandhaalum
Even if I just walk down the street,
Thappendru solluraar
They say it is wrong!
Thappendru solluraar
They say it is wrong!
Thirumbiyae paarthaalum
Even if I turn around and look,
Thappendru solluraar
They say it is wrong!
Thappendru solluraar
They say it is wrong!
Paruvathai en paruvathai paarthu vittu
Looking at my youth, looking at my youth,
Pallai ilikkiraar
They grin foolishly!
Paruvathai paarthu vittu pallai ilikkiraar
Looking at my youth, they grin foolishly,
Pallai ilikkiraar
They grin foolishly!
Paarthuttaalo naan paartthuttaalo
If I happen to catch them looking,
Bayandhu nadunguraar bayandhu nadunguraar
They tremble in fear, they tremble in fear!
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Muthu modhiram thaaraen
'I will give you a pearl ring,
Pathu veedugal thaaraen
I will give you ten houses,
Nalla putham pudhiya pattu
Good, brand-new silk,
Saelaigal thaaraen
I will give you sarees!'
Muthu modhiram thaaraen
'I will give you a pearl ring,
Pathu veedugal thaaraen
I will give you ten houses,
Nalla putham pudhiya pattu
Good, brand-new silk,
Saelaigal thaaraen
I will give you sarees!'
Un sitham irangi ennai satrae paaraen
'Have mercy in your heart and look at me a little,
Ennai satrae paaraen dee athaanadi
Look at me a little, my dear, I am your beloved!'
Un athaanadi ena nitham solvaar
Saying daily, 'I am your beloved',
Manam pitham kolvaar
His mind goes crazy with obsession!
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Ethani kaelvi eppadi solvaen
So many questions, how shall I answer?
Badhil eppadi solvaen
How shall I give an answer?
Enai ithanai paer suthinaal
If so many people swarm around me,
Engae selvaen
Where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Adi naan engae selvaen
Oh, where can I go?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song expresses a young woman's frustration and sharp-witted commentary on male attention and societal double standards. She laments how men relentlessly pester her with personal questions about her age, origin, and stay, while pretending to be respectable citizens. She points out the absurdity of societal judgment—where a woman walking down the street or looking around is immediately accused of doing something wrong, yet men freely leer at young women and then cower when confronted.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Ethanai kaelvi eppadi solvaen”
The repetition of the initial vowel sound 'E' (Ethanai / eppadi) creates a rhythmic, melodic flow.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Muthu modhiram thaaraen / Pathu veedugal thaaraen”
The second consonant sound 'th' matches between 'Muthu' and 'Pathu', adding poetic balance.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thappendru solluraar / Thappendru solluraar”
Repetition of ending refrain words creates lyrical emphasis on societal criticism.
Rhetorical Question
“Enai ithanai paer suthinaal engai selvaen”
The singer repeatedly asks where she can possibly go when surrounded by unwanted attention, highlighting her helplessness and frustration.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the versatile writer and lyricist Kothamangalam Subbu for Gemini Studios' epic 1958 film 'Vanji Kottai Valipan', the song highlights his signature folk-influenced, social-commentary lyricism. Subbu was famous for capturing authentic Tamil speech idioms and female perspectives with sharp humor and realism.
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