Irundha Nalla Iru
From Mayor Meenakshi · 1976
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Mayor Meenakshi1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Irunthaa nallaa iru | If you live, live well. |
| Nee eppothum onnaa iru | Always stay united as one. |
| Enakkum kannaa iru | Be precious like an eye to me too. |
| Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru… | If you lack wisdom, split into two... |
| Female | |
| Irunthaa nallaa iru | If you live, live well. |
| Nee eppothum onnaa iru | Always stay united as one. |
| Enakkum kannaa iru | Be precious like an eye to me too. |
| Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru… | If you lack wisdom, split into two... |
| Female | |
| Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum | If you behave properly, the town will respect you. |
| Unakkundu edhirkaalam | You will have a bright future. |
| Madhu ullae vizhunthaa | If alcohol goes inside, |
| Uravaey verukkum | Even your relatives will detest you. |
| Unakkae puriyonum | You must understand this yourself. |
| Female | |
| Irunthaa nallaa iru | If you live, live well. |
| Nee eppothum onnaa iru | Always stay united as one. |
| Enakkum kannaa iru | Be precious like an eye to me too. |
| Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru… | If you lack wisdom, split into two... |
| Female | |
| Paruvam vantha neram paarthu | Seeing that youth has arrived, |
| Arivu kettu aadaathae | Do not act foolishly, losing your sense. |
| Paruvam vantha neram paarthu | Seeing that youth has arrived, |
| Arivu kettu aadaathae | Do not act foolishly, losing your sense. |
| Pazhagum koottam vilagi poyi | The crowd you hang out with will abandon you, |
| Thaniyae ninnu vaadaathae | Do not wither standing alone. |
| Male | |
| Niraiya thanni potta pinnum | Even after drinking a lot of liquor, |
| Nidhaanam mattum maaraathu | My composure alone never changes! |
| Neruppu potti engae vachaen | Where did I put the matchbox? |
| Adhuthaan konjam puriyaathu | Only that, I do not quite understand! |
| Female | |
| Adachchi….kammunnu keda…. | Hush! Keep quiet and lie down! |
| Female | |
| Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum | If you behave properly, the town will respect you. |
| Unakkundu edhirkaalam | You will have a bright future. |
| Madhu ullae vizhunthaa | If alcohol goes inside, |
| Uravaey verukkum | Even your relatives will detest you. |
| Unakkae puriyonum | You must understand this yourself. |
| Female | |
| Irunthaa nallaa iru | If you live, live well. |
| Nee eppothum onnaa iru | Always stay united as one. |
| Enakkum kannaa iru | Be precious like an eye to me too. |
| Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru… | If you lack wisdom, split into two... |
| Female | |
| Mullil patta vetti aagum | Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn, |
| Kallai thotta un vaazhvu | Your life turns out when touching a rock. |
| Mullil patta vetti aagum | Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn, |
| Kallai thotta un vaazhvu | Your life turns out when touching a rock. |
| Punnil patta eetti aagum | Like a spear striking an open wound, |
| Unnai thotta en vaazhvu | My life turns out by touching you! |
| Male | |
| Sorkkam paarkka pogumpothu | When going to see heaven, |
| Nee pakkam vanthu nikkaathae | Do not come and stand beside me. |
| Vetkkam maanam paarkka ponaa | If you care too much about shame and honor, |
| Vishayam onnum nikkaathae | Nothing will ever get accomplished! |
| Female | |
| Adachchi….kammunnu keda…. | Hush! Keep quiet and lie down! |
| Female | |
| Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum | If you behave properly, the town will respect you. |
| Unakkundu edhirkaalam | You will have a bright future. |
| Madhu ullae vizhunthaa | If alcohol goes inside, |
| Uravaey verukkum | Even your relatives will detest you. |
| Unakkae puriyonum | You must understand this yourself. |
| Female | |
| Irunthaa nallaa iru | If you live, live well. |
| Nee eppothum onnaa iru | Always stay united as one. |
| Enakkum kannaa iru | Be precious like an eye to me too. |
| Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru… | If you lack wisdom, split into two... |
இருந்தா நல்லா இரு
நீ எப்போதும் ஒண்ணா இரு
எனக்கும் கண்ணா இரு
புத்தி இல்லேன்னா ரெண்டா இரு.....
If you live, live well.
Always stay united as one.
Be precious like an eye to me too.
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
இருந்தா நல்லா இரு
நீ எப்போதும் ஒண்ணா இரு
எனக்கும் கண்ணா இரு
புத்தி இல்லேன்னா ரெண்டா இரு.....
If you live, live well.
Always stay united as one.
Be precious like an eye to me too.
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
ஒழுங்கா இருந்தா ஊரே மதிக்கும்
உனக்குண்டு எதிர்காலம்
மது உள்ளே விழுந்தா
உறவே வெறுக்கும்
உனக்கே புரியோணும்
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
You will have a bright future.
If alcohol goes inside,
Even your relatives will detest you.
You must understand this yourself.
இருந்தா நல்லா இரு நீ
எப்போதும் ஒண்ணா இரு
எனக்கும் கண்ணா இரு
புத்தி இல்லேன்னா ரெண்டா இரு
If you live, live well.
Always stay united as one.
Be precious like an eye to me too.
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
பருவம் வந்த நேரம் பார்த்து
அறிவு கெட்டு ஆடாதே
பருவம் வந்த நேரம் பார்த்து
அறிவு கெட்டு ஆடாதே
பழகும் கூட்டம் விலகிப் போயி
தனியே நின்னு வாடாதே
Seeing that youth has arrived,
Do not act foolishly, losing your sense.
Seeing that youth has arrived,
Do not act foolishly, losing your sense.
The crowd you hang out with will abandon you,
Do not wither standing alone.
நிறைய தண்ணி போட்ட பின்னும்
நிதானம் மட்டும் மாறாது
நெருப்பு பொட்டி எங்கே வச்சேன்
அதுதான் கொஞ்சம் புரியாது
Even after drinking a lot of liquor,
My composure alone never changes!
Where did I put the matchbox?
Only that, I do not quite understand!
அடச்சீ....கம்முன்னு கெட....
Hush! Keep quiet and lie down!
ஒழுங்கா இருந்தா ஊரே மதிக்கும்
உனக்குண்டு எதிர்காலம்
மது உள்ளே விழுந்தா
உறவே வெறுக்கும்
உனக்கே புரியோணும்
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
You will have a bright future.
If alcohol goes inside,
Even your relatives will detest you.
You must understand this yourself.
இருந்தா நல்லா இரு நீ
எப்போதும் ஒண்ணா இரு
எனக்கும் கண்ணா இரு
புத்தி இல்லேன்னா ரெண்டா இரு
If you live, live well.
Always stay united as one.
Be precious like an eye to me too.
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
முள்ளில் பட்ட வேட்டி ஆகும்
கள்ளைத் தொட்ட உன் வாழ்வு
முள்ளில் பட்ட வேட்டி ஆகும்
கள்ளைத் தொட்ட உன் வாழ்வு
புண்ணில் பட்ட ஈட்டி ஆகும்
உன்னைத் தொட்ட என் வாழ்வு
Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn,
Your life turns out when touching a rock.
Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn,
Your life turns out when touching a rock.
Like a spear striking an open wound,
My life turns out by touching you!
சொர்க்கம் பார்க்கப் போகும் போது
நீ பக்கம் வந்து நிக்காதே
வெட்கம் மானம் பார்க்கப் போனா
விஷயம் ஒண்ணும் நிக்காதே
When going to see heaven,
Do not come and stand beside me.
If you care too much about shame and honor,
Nothing will ever get accomplished!
அடச்சீ......கம்முன்னு கெட
Hush! Keep quiet and lie down!
ஒழுங்கா இருந்தா ஊரே மதிக்கும்
உனக்குண்டு எதிர்காலம்
மது உள்ளே விழுந்தா
உறவே வெறுக்கும்
உனக்கே புரியோணும்
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
You will have a bright future.
If alcohol goes inside,
Even your relatives will detest you.
You must understand this yourself.
இருந்தா நல்லா இரு நீ
எப்போதும் ஒண்ணா இரு
எனக்கும் கண்ணா இரு
புத்தி இல்லேன்னா ரெண்டா இரு...
If you live, live well.
Always stay united as one.
Be precious like an eye to me too.
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Irunthaa nallaa iru
If you live, live well.
Nee eppothum onnaa iru
Always stay united as one.
Enakkum kannaa iru
Be precious like an eye to me too.
Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru…
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Irunthaa nallaa iru
If you live, live well.
Nee eppothum onnaa iru
Always stay united as one.
Enakkum kannaa iru
Be precious like an eye to me too.
Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru…
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
Unakkundu edhirkaalam
You will have a bright future.
Madhu ullae vizhunthaa
If alcohol goes inside,
Uravaey verukkum
Even your relatives will detest you.
Unakkae puriyonum
You must understand this yourself.
Irunthaa nallaa iru
If you live, live well.
Nee eppothum onnaa iru
Always stay united as one.
Enakkum kannaa iru
Be precious like an eye to me too.
Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru…
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Paruvam vantha neram paarthu
Seeing that youth has arrived,
Arivu kettu aadaathae
Do not act foolishly, losing your sense.
Paruvam vantha neram paarthu
Seeing that youth has arrived,
Arivu kettu aadaathae
Do not act foolishly, losing your sense.
Pazhagum koottam vilagi poyi
The crowd you hang out with will abandon you,
Thaniyae ninnu vaadaathae
Do not wither standing alone.
Niraiya thanni potta pinnum
Even after drinking a lot of liquor,
Nidhaanam mattum maaraathu
My composure alone never changes!
Neruppu potti engae vachaen
Where did I put the matchbox?
Adhuthaan konjam puriyaathu
Only that, I do not quite understand!
Adachchi….kammunnu keda….
Hush! Keep quiet and lie down!
Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
Unakkundu edhirkaalam
You will have a bright future.
Madhu ullae vizhunthaa
If alcohol goes inside,
Uravaey verukkum
Even your relatives will detest you.
Unakkae puriyonum
You must understand this yourself.
Irunthaa nallaa iru
If you live, live well.
Nee eppothum onnaa iru
Always stay united as one.
Enakkum kannaa iru
Be precious like an eye to me too.
Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru…
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Mullil patta vetti aagum
Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn,
Kallai thotta un vaazhvu
Your life turns out when touching a rock.
Mullil patta vetti aagum
Like a waistcloth caught in a thorn,
Kallai thotta un vaazhvu
Your life turns out when touching a rock.
Punnil patta eetti aagum
Like a spear striking an open wound,
Unnai thotta en vaazhvu
My life turns out by touching you!
Sorkkam paarkka pogumpothu
When going to see heaven,
Nee pakkam vanthu nikkaathae
Do not come and stand beside me.
Vetkkam maanam paarkka ponaa
If you care too much about shame and honor,
Vishayam onnum nikkaathae
Nothing will ever get accomplished!
Adachchi….kammunnu keda….
Hush! Keep quiet and lie down!
Ozhungaa irunthaa oorae mathikkum
If you behave properly, the town will respect you.
Unakkundu edhirkaalam
You will have a bright future.
Madhu ullae vizhunthaa
If alcohol goes inside,
Uravaey verukkum
Even your relatives will detest you.
Unakkae puriyonum
You must understand this yourself.
Irunthaa nallaa iru
If you live, live well.
Nee eppothum onnaa iru
Always stay united as one.
Enakkum kannaa iru
Be precious like an eye to me too.
Puthi illaennaa rendaa iru…
If you lack wisdom, split into two...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Irunthaa Nallaa Iru from Mayor Meenakshi (1976) is a lively, advice-laden conversational song between a sensible woman and an intoxicated man. The female protagonist offers earnest counsel, warning that good conduct earns society's respect and a bright future, whereas alcohol consumption destroys reputation and drives away family and friends. The male protagonist responds with humorous, slurred defenses, illustrating his drunken state by forgetting trivial things like where he placed a matchbox. Penned by Kannadasan and set to tune by M. S. Viswanathan, the song employs sharp metaphors and folk wisdom to deliver a moral message against alcoholism wrapped in lighthearted, theatrical musical dialogue.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Mullil patta vetti aagum / Kallai thotta un vaazhvu”
The second consonant 'll' is repeated across successive lines for rhythmic harmony.
Metaphor / Simile
“Mullil patta vetti aagum ... Punnil patta eetti aagum”
Comparing a damaged life to a dhoti caught in thorns or a spear striking an existing wound.
Uvamaani (Metaphoric Endearment)
“Enakkum kannaa iru”
Comparing the beloved to one's sight/eyes ('kannaa') as a term of deep value and protection.
Did you know?
Trivia
Music Director M. S. Viswanathan himself provided the drunken, comedic male vocals opposite Vani Jairam, delivering a playful and theatrical performance characteristic of his energetic vocal style.
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