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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Kodi Panam

From Anbu Engey · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Anbu Engey1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Eththanai kodi panam irunthaalumNo matter how many crores of money one possesses,
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Female
Eththanai kodi panam irunthaalumNo matter how many crores of money one possesses,
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Female
Uththamamaana manidhargalaiththaanOnly righteous human beings,
Ulagam pugazhuthu yaettilaeAre praised by the world in history books.
Intha ulagam pugazhuthu yaettilaeAre praised by this world in history books.
Female
Eththanai kodi panam irunthaalumNo matter how many crores of money one possesses,
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Female
Arththa raththiri pannirendu manikkuComing home at midnight, twelve o'clock,
Aadikondae nuzhaivathaiSwaying and stumbling as you enter,
Agapattathellaam thokki erinthuThrowing around whatever you lay hands on,
Aarpaattangal seivathaiAnd creating an uproar and commotion;
Female
Aduththa naalil ninaiththu paarththaalWhen you think back on it the next day,
Vetkkam varuvathu illaiyaaDon't you feel ashamed?
Aduththa naalil ninaiththu paarththaalWhen you think back on it the next day,
Vetkam varuvathu illaiyaaDon't you feel ashamed?
Chinnaiyaa nee sollaiyaaTell me, young master, tell me,
Chinnaiyaa nee sollaiyaaTell me, young master, tell me.
Female
Eththanai kodi panam irunthaalumNo matter how many crores of money one possesses,
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Female
Annamittu thaalaattiFeeding you food and rocking you with lullabies,
Aasaiyodu valarththaalShe raised you with deep affection;
Antha annaiyarinNurturing that mother's,
Ennam thannai kanavinilae valarththaeCherished desires in your dreams,
Female
Munnavar pol peyareduththuEarning a good name like your forefathers,
Muraiyodu vaazhumAnd living life with virtue and discipline—
Mudivu kolveer vaazhvinilMake such a firm resolve in your life!
Naalum thunai purivaen naanumI will stand by and support you every single day,
Dhinam thunai purivaen naanumI will support you every single day,
Dhinam thunai purivaen naanumI will support you every single day.
Female
Eththanai kodi panam irunthaalumNo matter how many crores of money one possesses,
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.
Nimmathi vendum veettilaeOne needs peace at home.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Eththanai Kodi Panam Irunthaalum' is a moralistic Tamil song that highlights the idea that true wealth lies in domestic harmony and peace of mind rather than material affluence. Addressing a young master who has succumbed to reckless, drunken behavior late at night, the speaker questions whether such actions bring anything but regret and shame upon reflection the following day.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyming)

Nimmathi vendum veettilae ... Ulagam pugazhuthu yaettilae

Lines end with the rhyming suffix '-ilae' (veettilae / yaettilae), creating a pleasant sonic flow.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Munnavar pol peyareduththu / Muraiyodu vaazhum / Mudivu kolveer vaazhvinil

The initial sound 'Mu-' repeats across consecutive lines ('Munnavar', 'Muraiyodu', 'Mudivu').

Refrain / Repetition

Nimmathi vendum veettilae

The line 'One needs peace at home' is repeated multiple times throughout the song to reinforce the main philosophical theme.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1958 Tamil movie *Anbu Engey*, directed by D. Yoganand. The music for the film was composed by Vedha, with lyrics penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track serve as an earnest socio-moral advice on family values and ethical living.

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