Ethanaiyo Kanni Ponnu
From Jallikattu · 1987
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Jallikattu1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Eththanaiyo kanni ponnu | There are so many young virgin girls |
| Naattil irukku | in this country. |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan | For every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukuraan | a man has been born. |
| Male | |
| Hae eththanaiyo kanni ponnu | Hey, there are so many young virgin girls |
| Naattil irukku | in this country. |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan | For every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukuraan | a man has been born. |
| Female | |
| Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro | Ah, who is destined for whom? |
| Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro | Who can say that? |
| Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro | Ah, who is destined for whom? |
| Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro | Who can say that? |
| Male | |
| Therinjukittaa kalyaanamthaan | Once you figure it out, it is marriage, |
| Female :Adhukappuramaa kummaalamthaan | Female: And after that, it is pure celebration! |
| Male | |
| Eththanaiyo kanni ponnu | There are so many young virgin girls |
| Naattil irukku | in this country. |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan | For every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukuraan | a man has been born. |
| Male | |
| Panakkaara ponnuyinnu onna nenachchu | Thinking she was a wealthy girl, |
| Paaththalum paththaanae palla ilichchu | he looked at her and grinned continuously. |
| Male Chorus :Hihihi | Male Chorus: Hihihi |
| Female :Panamillaa ponnuyinnu therinjathumae | Female: The moment he found out she had no money, |
| Paakkaama ponaanae mogam sulichchu | he walked away without looking back, scowling. |
| Female Chorus :Hhoom | Female Chorus: Hhoom |
| Male | |
| Kadhal vanthaa aanum pennum | When love comes, between man and woman, |
| Female :Pedham illa onnuthaan | Female: there is no difference, they are one. |
| Male Chorus :Aamaa | Male Chorus: Yes! |
| Male :Theriyalannaa neeyumkooda | Male: If you don't understand this, |
| Female :Theramai illaa mannuthaan | Female: you are just useless mud without talent. |
| Female Chorus :Aamaa | Female Chorus: Yes! |
| Male | |
| Vantha varai laabaminnu | There are people who live saying, |
| Vaazhugira perum undu | whatever comes is profit. |
| Vanthathellam theenthathunnaa vera vazhithaan | And when everything is gone, they seek another way. |
| Female | |
| Panamirunthaa kannadichchu kai pudichchu | If there is money, winking and holding hands, |
| Female Chorus :Kadhai mudichchu | Female Chorus: finishing the story! |
| Male :Kadhai mudinjaa thunda vittu thuniya vittu | Male: When the story ends, dropping the towel and clothes, |
| Male Chorus :Oduravan | Male Chorus: he runs away! |
| Female | |
| Velaikaarikeththa nalla velakkaaran | A good male servant suited for the female servant, |
| Male Chorus :Katchithamaa maattikkittaandaa | Male Chorus: got caught perfectly! |
| Female Chorus :Ippa malaiyaththaan maaththikittaandaa | Female Chorus: Now he has moved mountains! |
| Male | |
| Ha eththanaiyo kanni ponnu | Ha, there are so many young virgin girls |
| Naattil irukku | in this country. |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan | For every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukuraan hae | a man has been born, hae! |
| Female | |
| Eththanaiyo vaalibargal ingirukallaam | There may be so many young men here, |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththi | and for every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukkalaam | a woman might have been born. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………… | ……………… |
| Male | |
| Jaadikeththa moodiyinnu solluvaanga | They say every pot has a matching lid. |
| Intha moodikkoru jaadiya naan kandu pudichchen | I found a match for this lid! |
| Male Chorus :Aamaa | Male Chorus: Yes! |
| Female :Kodi kodi kalyana jodiyila | Female: Among millions of married couples, |
| Intha sevalukku kozhi onna saeththu mudichchen | I paired a hen for this rooster. |
| Female Chorus :Kokkarakko | Female Chorus: Cock-a-doodle-doo! |
| Male | |
| Jeevan donu vaangi thaaraen | I will buy and give you Jeevan tonic, |
| Female :Odamba nallaa thaeththunga | Female: build up your health well! |
| Male Chorus :Mm… | Male Chorus: Mm… |
| Male :Onnu rendu peththu pottu | Male: Give birth to one or two, |
| Female :Kanna pola paarunga | Female: and protect them like your own eyes! |
| Female Chorus :Mm… | Female Chorus: Mm… |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyinnu vaazhuvathu bhoomiyila paavamilla | Living as a poor person on earth is not a sin, |
| Kozhaiyinnu vaazhnthirunthaa paavam varundaa | but living as a coward brings sin! |
| Female | |
| Therunjukanum nallathellaam arinjukanum | You must know and learn all good things, |
| Female Chorus :Purunjukanum | Female Chorus: you must understand! |
| Male :Theramai ellaam thavanaiyila ponnu kitta | Male: You must show all your skills |
| Male Chorus :Kaattikkanum | Male Chorus: to the girl in installments! |
| Female | |
| Kadhlukku jadhiyilla baedhmmilla | For love, there is no caste or discrimination, |
| Male Chorus :Jodi rendu saenthukiruchchu | Male Chorus: the two paired up together, |
| Female Chorus :Ippo sonthathula poonthukiruchchu | Female Chorus: now they have entered into relationship! |
| Male | |
| Ha eththanaiyo kanni ponnu | Ha, there are so many young virgin girls |
| Naattil irukku | in this country. |
| Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan | For every single one of them, |
| Poranthirukuraan | a man has been born. |
| Female | |
| Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro | Ah, who is destined for whom? |
| Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro | Who can say that? |
| Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro | Ah, who is destined for whom? |
| Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro | Who can say that? |
| Male | |
| Therinjukittaa kalyaanamthaan | Once you figure it out, it is marriage, |
| Female :Adhukappuramaa kummaalamthaan | Female: And after that, it is pure celebration! |
எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான்
There are so many young virgin girls
in this country.
For every single one of them,
a man has been born.
ஹே எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான்
Hey, there are so many young virgin girls
in this country.
For every single one of them,
a man has been born.
அட யாருக்குத்தான் யாரோ
அதை யாரு சொல்லுவாரோ
அட யாருக்குத்தான் யாரோ
அதை யாரு சொல்லுவாரோ
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Who can say that?
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Who can say that?
தெரிஞ்சுகிட்டா கல்யாணம்தான்
அதுக்கப்புறமா கும்மாளம்தான்....
Once you figure it out, it is marriage,
Female: And after that, it is pure celebration!
ஆண் குழு :
ஹே தெரிஞ்சுகிட்டா கல்யாணம்தான்
பெண் குழு :
அதுக்கப்புறமா கும்மாளம்தான்....
There are so many young virgin girls
in this country.
For every single one of them,
a man has been born.
எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான்
Thinking she was a wealthy girl,
he looked at her and grinned continuously.
Male Chorus: Hihihi
Female: The moment he found out she had no money,
he walked away without looking back, scowling.
Female Chorus: Hhoom
பணக்கார பொண்ணுயின்னு ஒன்ன நெனச்சு
பாத்தாலும் பாத்தானே பல்ல இளிச்சு
ஆண் குழு :
ஹிஹிஹி
பணமில்லா பொண்ணுயின்னு தெரிஞ்சதுமே
பாக்காம போனானே மொகம் சுளிச்சு
பெண் குழு :
ஹ்ஹும்
When love comes, between man and woman,
Female: there is no difference, they are one.
Male Chorus: Yes!
Male: If you don't understand this,
Female: you are just useless mud without talent.
Female Chorus: Yes!
காதல் வந்தா ஆணும் பெண்ணும்
பேதம் இல்ல ஒண்ணுதான்......
ஆண் குழு :
ஆமா..
தெரியலென்னா நீயும் கூட
தெறமை இல்லா மண்ணுதான்.....
பெண் குழு :
ஆமா
There are people who live saying,
whatever comes is profit.
And when everything is gone, they seek another way.
வந்த வரை லாபமின்னு
வாழுகிற பேரும் உண்டு
வந்ததெல்லாம் தீந்ததுன்னா வேற வழிதான்
If there is money, winking and holding hands,
Female Chorus: finishing the story!
Male: When the story ends, dropping the towel and clothes,
Male Chorus: he runs away!
பணமிருந்தா கண்ணடிச்சு கை புடிச்சு
பெண் குழு :
கதை முடிச்சு
கதை முடிஞ்சா துண்ட விட்டு துணிய விட்டு
ஆண் குழு :
ஓடுறவன்
A good male servant suited for the female servant,
Male Chorus: got caught perfectly!
Female Chorus: Now he has moved mountains!
வேலக்காரிக்கேத்த நல்ல வேலக்காரன்
ஆண் குழு :
கச்சிதமா மாட்டிக்கிடான்டா
பெண் குழு :
இப்ப மாலையதான் மாத்திக்கிட்டான்டா
Ha, there are so many young virgin girls
in this country.
For every single one of them,
a man has been born, hae!
ஹ எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான் ஹே
There may be so many young men here,
and for every single one of them,
a woman might have been born.
எத்தனையோ வாலிபர்கள் இங்கிருக்கலாம்
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தி
பொறந்திருக்கலாம்.....
………………
...........................
They say every pot has a matching lid.
I found a match for this lid!
Male Chorus: Yes!
Female: Among millions of married couples,
I paired a hen for this rooster.
Female Chorus: Cock-a-doodle-doo!
ஜாடிக்கேத்த மூடியின்னு சொல்லுவாங்க
இந்த மூடிக்கொரு ஜாடிய நான் கண்டு புடிச்சேன்
ஆண் குழு :
ஆமா...
கோடி கோடி கல்யாண ஜோடியில
இந்த சேவலுக்கு கோழி ஒன்ன சேத்து முடிச்சேன்
பெண் குழு :
கொக்கரக்கோ...
I will buy and give you Jeevan tonic,
Female: build up your health well!
Male Chorus: Mm…
Male: Give birth to one or two,
Female: and protect them like your own eyes!
Female Chorus: Mm…
ஜீவன் டோணு வாங்கித் தாரேன்
ஒடம்ப நல்லா தேத்துங்க.....
ஆண் குழு :
ம்...
ஒண்ணு ரெண்டு பெத்துப் போட்டு
கண்ணப் போல பாருங்க......
பெண் குழு :
ம்......
Living as a poor person on earth is not a sin,
but living as a coward brings sin!
ஏழையின்னு வாழுவது பூமியில பாவமில்ல
கோழையின்னு வாழ்ந்திருந்தா பாவம் வருண்டா
You must know and learn all good things,
Female Chorus: you must understand!
Male: You must show all your skills
Male Chorus: to the girl in installments!
தெரிஞ்சுக்கணும் நல்லதெல்லாம் அறிஞ்சுக்கணும்
பெண் குழு :
புரிஞ்சுக்கணும்
தெறமை எல்லாம் தவணையில பொண்ணு கிட்ட
ஆண் குழு :
காட்டிக்கணும்
For love, there is no caste or discrimination,
Male Chorus: the two paired up together,
Female Chorus: now they have entered into relationship!
காதலுக்கு ஜாதியில்ல பேதமில்ல
ஆண் குழு :
ஜோடி ரெண்டு சேந்துகிருச்சு
பெண் குழு :
இப்போ சொந்ததுல பூந்துகிருச்சு
Ha, there are so many young virgin girls
in this country.
For every single one of them,
a man has been born.
ஹ எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான்
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Who can say that?
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Who can say that?
ஹே எத்தனையோ கன்னிப் பொண்ணு
நாட்டில் இருக்கு
அத்தனைக்கும் ஒவ்வொருத்தன்
பொறந்திருக்குறான்
Once you figure it out, it is marriage,
Female: And after that, it is pure celebration!
அட யாருக்குத்தான் யாரோ
அதை யாரு சொல்லுவாரோ
அட யாருக்குத்தான் யாரோ
அதை யாரு சொல்லுவாரோ
தெரிஞ்சுகிட்டா கல்யாணம்தான்
அதுக்கப்புறமா கும்மாளம்தான்....
ஆண் குழு :
ஹே தெரிஞ்சுகிட்டா கல்யாணம்தான்
பெண் குழு :
அதுக்கப்புறமா கும்மாளம்தான்....
Eththanaiyo kanni ponnu
There are so many young virgin girls
Naattil irukku
in this country.
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan
For every single one of them,
Poranthirukuraan
a man has been born.
Hae eththanaiyo kanni ponnu
Hey, there are so many young virgin girls
Naattil irukku
in this country.
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan
For every single one of them,
Poranthirukuraan
a man has been born.
Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro
Who can say that?
Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro
Who can say that?
Therinjukittaa kalyaanamthaan
Once you figure it out, it is marriage,
Female :Adhukappuramaa kummaalamthaan
Female: And after that, it is pure celebration!
Eththanaiyo kanni ponnu
There are so many young virgin girls
Naattil irukku
in this country.
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan
For every single one of them,
Poranthirukuraan
a man has been born.
Panakkaara ponnuyinnu onna nenachchu
Thinking she was a wealthy girl,
Paaththalum paththaanae palla ilichchu
he looked at her and grinned continuously.
Male Chorus :Hihihi
Male Chorus: Hihihi
Female :Panamillaa ponnuyinnu therinjathumae
Female: The moment he found out she had no money,
Paakkaama ponaanae mogam sulichchu
he walked away without looking back, scowling.
Female Chorus :Hhoom
Female Chorus: Hhoom
Kadhal vanthaa aanum pennum
When love comes, between man and woman,
Female :Pedham illa onnuthaan
Female: there is no difference, they are one.
Male Chorus :Aamaa
Male Chorus: Yes!
Male :Theriyalannaa neeyumkooda
Male: If you don't understand this,
Female :Theramai illaa mannuthaan
Female: you are just useless mud without talent.
Female Chorus :Aamaa
Female Chorus: Yes!
Vantha varai laabaminnu
There are people who live saying,
Vaazhugira perum undu
whatever comes is profit.
Vanthathellam theenthathunnaa vera vazhithaan
And when everything is gone, they seek another way.
Panamirunthaa kannadichchu kai pudichchu
If there is money, winking and holding hands,
Female Chorus :Kadhai mudichchu
Female Chorus: finishing the story!
Male :Kadhai mudinjaa thunda vittu thuniya vittu
Male: When the story ends, dropping the towel and clothes,
Male Chorus :Oduravan
Male Chorus: he runs away!
Velaikaarikeththa nalla velakkaaran
A good male servant suited for the female servant,
Male Chorus :Katchithamaa maattikkittaandaa
Male Chorus: got caught perfectly!
Female Chorus :Ippa malaiyaththaan maaththikittaandaa
Female Chorus: Now he has moved mountains!
Ha eththanaiyo kanni ponnu
Ha, there are so many young virgin girls
Naattil irukku
in this country.
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan
For every single one of them,
Poranthirukuraan hae
a man has been born, hae!
Eththanaiyo vaalibargal ingirukallaam
There may be so many young men here,
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththi
and for every single one of them,
Poranthirukkalaam
a woman might have been born.
………………
………………
Jaadikeththa moodiyinnu solluvaanga
They say every pot has a matching lid.
Intha moodikkoru jaadiya naan kandu pudichchen
I found a match for this lid!
Male Chorus :Aamaa
Male Chorus: Yes!
Female :Kodi kodi kalyana jodiyila
Female: Among millions of married couples,
Intha sevalukku kozhi onna saeththu mudichchen
I paired a hen for this rooster.
Female Chorus :Kokkarakko
Female Chorus: Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Jeevan donu vaangi thaaraen
I will buy and give you Jeevan tonic,
Female :Odamba nallaa thaeththunga
Female: build up your health well!
Male Chorus :Mm…
Male Chorus: Mm…
Male :Onnu rendu peththu pottu
Male: Give birth to one or two,
Female :Kanna pola paarunga
Female: and protect them like your own eyes!
Female Chorus :Mm…
Female Chorus: Mm…
Yaezhaiyinnu vaazhuvathu bhoomiyila paavamilla
Living as a poor person on earth is not a sin,
Kozhaiyinnu vaazhnthirunthaa paavam varundaa
but living as a coward brings sin!
Therunjukanum nallathellaam arinjukanum
You must know and learn all good things,
Female Chorus :Purunjukanum
Female Chorus: you must understand!
Male :Theramai ellaam thavanaiyila ponnu kitta
Male: You must show all your skills
Male Chorus :Kaattikkanum
Male Chorus: to the girl in installments!
Kadhlukku jadhiyilla baedhmmilla
For love, there is no caste or discrimination,
Male Chorus :Jodi rendu saenthukiruchchu
Male Chorus: the two paired up together,
Female Chorus :Ippo sonthathula poonthukiruchchu
Female Chorus: now they have entered into relationship!
Ha eththanaiyo kanni ponnu
Ha, there are so many young virgin girls
Naattil irukku
in this country.
Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan
For every single one of them,
Poranthirukuraan
a man has been born.
Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro
Who can say that?
Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro
Ah, who is destined for whom?
Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro
Who can say that?
Therinjukittaa kalyaanamthaan
Once you figure it out, it is marriage,
Female :Adhukappuramaa kummaalamthaan
Female: And after that, it is pure celebration!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This upbeat folk duet from the film Jallikattu (1987), written by Gangai Amaran, celebrates destiny, matchmaking, and love across social divides. The song humorously addresses the realities of human relationships—how people often chase wealth or status, but true love looks past material wealth to unite compatible souls. It uses colloquial idioms and cheerful banter between male, female, and chorus voices to convey that every person has a matching partner made for them by fate. The lyricist emphasizes that poverty is not a sin, but cowardice is, encouraging young couples to face life courageously, support each other's health and well-being, and build a loving family together.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Eththanaiyo kanni ponnu / Aththanaikkum ovvoruththan”
The second consonant 'thth' matches across consecutive lines, creating traditional Tamil rhythmic cadence.
Proverbial Metaphor
“Jaadikeththa moodiyinnu solluvaanga”
Uses the popular Tamil proverb 'Jaadikeththa moodi' (a lid made for the jar) as a metaphor for perfectly matched romantic partners.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Ada yaarukkuththaan yaaro / Adhai yaaru Solluvaaro”
Repetition of interrogative forms ('yaaro', 'yaaru') adds a catchy, rhythmic structure to the chorus refrain.
Did you know?
Trivia
Jallikattu (1987) stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sathyaraj, and Radha, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics were penned by Gangai Amaran, known for his ability to weave playful folk banter and practical life wisdom smoothly into Tamil cinema songs.
Keep listening
More from Jallikattu
Jallikattu
Jallikattu
Jallikattu
Jallikattu