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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyaname Oru Penn

From Lalitha · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Lalitha1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Female
Idhil yaar enna sonnaalumNo matter who says what about this
Oor enna sonnaalumNo matter what the town says
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
Idhil yaar enna sonnaalumNo matter who says what about this
Oor enna sonnaalumNo matter what the town says
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
Female
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Female
Thaayin veedu pennai petruA mother's home belongs to the daughter
Thaarai vaarkkumvaraiUntil she is given away in marriage
Pennin veedu kaalakaalamA woman's home lasts for ages
Thalaivan azhaikkum varaiUntil her husband calls for her
Antha thalaivan azhaikkum varaiUntil that husband calls for her
Female
Palli paadam thaayodu mudiyumSchool lessons end with the mother
Palli mudiyaathandroBut bedtime lessons do not end, right?
Palli paadam thaayodu mudiyumSchool lessons end with the mother
Palli mudiyaathandroBut bedtime lessons do not end, right?
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
Female
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Idhil yaar enna sonnaalumNo matter who says what about this
Oor enna sonnaalumNo matter what the town says
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
Female
Oodal konjam naduvil vanthaal koodal sugamaavathuIf a lovers' tiff occurs in between, the reunion becomes sweet
Oodal konjam naduvil vanthaal koodal sugamaavathuIf a lovers' tiff occurs in between, the reunion becomes sweet
Pennin sugaththai enniththaanaeIt is keeping a woman's happiness in mind
Annai mozhi sonnathuThat our mother tongue Tamil declared this
Annai mozhi sonnathuThat our mother tongue declared this
Intha villakkam edharkkaga sonnaen indru yaedhavathuWhy did I give this explanation today, is it something special?
Heem hmm mm indru yaedhaavathuMmm... is it something special today?
Female
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Female
Manjal ponaal thilagam kalainthaalIf turmeric fades and the thilagam is smudged
Vaazhvai izhanthaal enbaarThey say she has lost her life
Palliyaraiyil irandum kalainthaalIf both are disheveled in the bedchamber
Paavai vaazhntaal enbaarThey say the maiden has truly lived
Netru kadhaiyai nettrodu marappomLet us forget yesterday's story along with yesterday
Indru mudhaliravu indru mudhaliravuToday is the nuptial night, today is the nuptial night
Heem hmm mm indru mudhaliravuMmm... today is the nuptial night
Female
Kalyaanamae oru pennoduthaanMarriage is with only one woman
Idhil yaar enna sonnaalumNo matter who says what about this
Oor enna sonnaalumNo matter what the town says
Un vaazhvu ennoduthaanYour life is only with me
En vaazhvu unnoduthaanMy life is only with you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kalyaanamae Oru Pennoduthaan from the 1976 Tamil film Lalitha is a expressive track composed by M. S. Viswanathan, written by Kannadasan, and sung by Vani Jairam. The song serves as a passionate and firm assertion by a wife regarding the sacred, monogamous nature of marriage, affirming that her husband's life is inextricably linked to hers regardless of societal gossip or external interference. Through rich literary references to Tamil love traditions (such as oodal and koodal), Kannadasan illustrates the depth of marital bond and intimate affection, contrasting societal perceptions of grief with the deep joy of marital fulfillment in the bedchamber.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Double Entendre (Punaas)

Palli paadam thaayodu mudiyum Palli mudiyaathandro

Kannadasan cleverly plays on the homonym 'Palli', referring both to school ('palli-koodam') where motherly guidance ends and to the bedchamber ('palli-yarai') where lifelong intimacy begins.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Oodal konjam naduvil vanthaal koodal sugamaavathu

Rhyming of the second consonant in Tamil poetry, seen between 'Oodal' (lovers' tiff) and 'Koodal' (reunion).

Paradox / Contrast (Muran)

Manjal ponaal thilagam kalainthaal... Palliyaraiyil irandum kalainthaal Paavai vaazhntaal enbaar

The lyricist contrasts how losing turmeric and thilagam outside signifies tragedy, whereas their dishevelment inside the nuptial chamber signifies a fulfilled, vibrant life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features classic Kannadasan wordplay on the word 'Palli', distinguishing academic learning from marital intimacy. Rendered by Vani Jairam for music director M. S. Viswanathan, the track remains a celebrated example of philosophical yet romantic Tamil film lyricism from the 1970s.

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