Kamban Engu
From Jaathi Malli · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Maragadha Mani
- Details
- Jaathi Malli1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa haa..aa haa..aahaa.. | Aah ha.. aah ha.. aahaa.. |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Female | |
| Laila sethu ponaal | Laila died |
| Majnu sethu ponaan | Majnu died |
| Nammai paaraamal | Without seeing us? |
| Male | |
| Kanneerae illaadha kaadhal soothiram | A formula of love without any tears |
| Female | |
| Kandomae kandomae naangal maathiram | We alone found it, we found it! |
| Male | |
| Idhu oru pudhu murai | This is a new way |
| Idhil enna varai murai | What limits exist in this? |
| Varugira thalaimurai | Let the coming generation |
| Vanangattum iruvarai | Worship the two of us. |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Female | |
| Idhu kaiyil kattiya thaali | This is a sacred thread tied on the wrist |
| Palar kazhuthil ulladhu poli | What many wear around their neck is fake |
| Indha kurugiya vattam ini sari varumaa | Will this narrow circle work anymore? |
| Ungal kottukkul mazhai peiyummaa | Will rain fall inside your drawn line? |
| Male | |
| Anai vittu thaaviya vellam | Like a flood leaping over the dam |
| Idhu kattu kaavalai vellum | This will overcome all restrictions and guards |
| Ungal vidhigalum sadhigalum nirandharammaa | Are your rules and conspiracies permanent? |
| Idhu vilangitta sudhandhiramaa | Is freedom chained up like this? |
| Female | |
| Engal peyarai yaarum kaetaal | If anyone asks for our names |
| Pir..iririririr enbom | We will say 'Pir..iririririr' |
| Male | |
| Engalukkullae enna uravendraal | If asked what relationship is between us |
| Pir..iririririr enbom | We will say 'Pir..iririririr' |
| Female | |
| Vilangugal thadai illai | Handcuffs are no obstacle |
| Vidhigalum thadai illai | Fate and rules are no obstacle |
| Marabugal thadai illai | Traditions are no obstacle |
| Manidharum thadai illai | People are no obstacle |
| Female | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Male | |
| Idhu yudhdham ilamai yudhdham | This is a war, a war of youth |
| Ini duchcham uravugal duchcham | From now on, mere relationships are trivial |
| Ungal kattu dhittam satta dhittam | Your rigid plans and legal rules, |
| Thalli vaiyungal | Set them aside |
| Illai kadalukkul thalli vidungal | Or push them into the ocean |
| Female | |
| Ada puththam pudhiyadhu sondham | Oh, this is a brand new bond |
| Idhu mutham ezhudhiya bandham | This is a relationship written by a kiss |
| Ini ilaiyavar engalukku kural kodungal | Now, young people, lend us your voice |
| Ada pazhaiyavar vazhi vidungal | Oh old generation, make way! |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalai thaduththavar | Those who blocked love, |
| Kadhai enna aanadhu | What happened to their story? |
| Pir..iririririr dhaanae | It got shattered to pieces, didn't it? |
| Female | |
| Kai konda vilangum | Even the handcuffs on our hands, |
| Naangal ninaithaal | If we desire, |
| Pir..iririririr dhaanae | Will shatter to pieces, right? |
| Male | |
| Ninaippadhu nadakkanum | What we imagine must happen |
| Idhu engal ilakkanam | This is our grammar and law |
| Ini varum thalaimurai | The coming generation |
| Idhai mattum padikkanum | Should study only this |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Female | |
| Laila sethu ponaal | Laila died |
| Majnu sethu ponaan | Majnu died |
| Nammai paaraamal | Without seeing us? |
| Male | |
| Kanneerae illaadha kaadhal soothiram | A formula of love without any tears |
| Female | |
| Kandomae kandomae naangal maathiram | We alone found it, we found it! |
| Male | |
| Idhu oru pudhu murai | This is a new way |
| Idhil enna varai murai | What limits exist in this? |
| Varugira thalaimurai | Let the coming generation |
| Vanangattum iruvarai | Worship the two of us. |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
| Male | |
| Kamban engu ponaan | Where did Kamban go |
| Shelley enna aanaan | What became of Shelley |
| Nammai paadaamal | Without singing about us? |
ஆ ஹா.....ஆ ஹா.....ஆஹா.......
Aah ha.. aah ha.. aahaa..
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
லைலா செத்துப் போனாள்
மஜ்னு செத்துப் போனான்
நம்மை பாராமல்
Laila died
Majnu died
Without seeing us?
கண்ணீரே இல்லாத காதல் சூத்திரம்
A formula of love without any tears
கண்டோமே கண்டோமே நாங்கள் மாத்திரம்
We alone found it, we found it!
இது ஒரு புது முறை
இதில் என்ன வரைமுறை
வருகிற தலைமுறை
வணங்கட்டும் இருவரை
This is a new way
What limits exist in this?
Let the coming generation
Worship the two of us.
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
இது கையில் கட்டிய தாலி
பலர் கழுத்தில் உள்ளது போலி
இந்த குறுகிய வட்டம் இனி சரி வருமா
உங்கள் கோட்டுக்குள் மழை பெய்யுமா
This is a sacred thread tied on the wrist
What many wear around their neck is fake
Will this narrow circle work anymore?
Will rain fall inside your drawn line?
அணை விட்டு தாவிய வெள்ளம்
இது கட்டுக் காவலை வெல்லும்
உங்கள் விதிகளும் சதிகளும் நிரந்தரமா
இது விலங்கிட்ட சுதந்திரமா
Like a flood leaping over the dam
This will overcome all restrictions and guards
Are your rules and conspiracies permanent?
Is freedom chained up like this?
எங்கள் பேரை யாரும் கேட்டால்
பிர்.....ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர் என்போம்
If anyone asks for our names
We will say 'Pir..iririririr'
எங்களுக்குள்ளே என்ன உறவென்றால்
பிர்......ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர் என்போம்
If asked what relationship is between us
We will say 'Pir..iririririr'
விலங்குகள் தடை இல்லை
விதிகளும் தடை இல்லை
மரபுகள் தடை இல்லை
மனிதரும் தடை இல்லை
Handcuffs are no obstacle
Fate and rules are no obstacle
Traditions are no obstacle
People are no obstacle
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
இது யுத்தம் இளமை யுத்தம்
இனி துச்சம் உறவுகள் துச்சம்
உங்கள் கட்டு திட்டம் சட்ட திட்டம்
தள்ளி வையுங்கள்
இல்லை கடலுக்குள் தள்ளி விடுங்கள்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
அட புத்தம் புதியது சொந்தம்
இது முத்தம் எழுதிய பந்தம்
இனி இளையவர் எங்களுக்கு குரல் கொடுங்கள்
அட பழையவர் வழி விடுங்கள்
This is a war, a war of youth
From now on, mere relationships are trivial
Your rigid plans and legal rules,
Set them aside
Or push them into the ocean
காதலை தடுத்தவர்
கதை என்ன ஆனாது
பிர்......ர்ர்ர்ர்ர் தானே
Oh, this is a brand new bond
This is a relationship written by a kiss
Now, young people, lend us your voice
Oh old generation, make way!
கை கொண்ட விலங்கும்
நாங்கள் நினைத்தால்
பிர்.....ர்ர்ர்ர்ர் தானே
Those who blocked love,
What happened to their story?
It got shattered to pieces, didn't it?
நினைப்பது நடக்கணும்
இது எங்கள் இலக்கணம்
இனி வரும் தலைமுறை
இதை மட்டும் படிக்கணும்
Even the handcuffs on our hands,
If we desire,
Will shatter to pieces, right?
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
What we imagine must happen
This is our grammar and law
The coming generation
Should study only this
லைலா செத்துப் போனாள்
மஜ்னு செத்துப் போனான்
நம்மை பாராமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
கண்ணீரே இல்லாத காதல் சூத்திரம்
Laila died
Majnu died
Without seeing us?
கண்டோமே கண்டோமே நாங்கள் மாத்திரம்
A formula of love without any tears
இது ஒரு புது முறை
இதில் என்ன வரைமுறை
வருகிற தலைமுறை
வணங்கட்டும் இருவரை
We alone found it, we found it!
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
This is a new way
What limits exist in this?
Let the coming generation
Worship the two of us.
கம்பன் எங்கு போனான்
ஷெல்லி என்ன ஆனான்
நம்மை பாடாமல்
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
Where did Kamban go
What became of Shelley
Without singing about us?
Aa haa..aa haa..aahaa..
Aah ha.. aah ha.. aahaa..
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Laila sethu ponaal
Laila died
Majnu sethu ponaan
Majnu died
Nammai paaraamal
Without seeing us?
Kanneerae illaadha kaadhal soothiram
A formula of love without any tears
Kandomae kandomae naangal maathiram
We alone found it, we found it!
Idhu oru pudhu murai
This is a new way
Idhil enna varai murai
What limits exist in this?
Varugira thalaimurai
Let the coming generation
Vanangattum iruvarai
Worship the two of us.
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Idhu kaiyil kattiya thaali
This is a sacred thread tied on the wrist
Palar kazhuthil ulladhu poli
What many wear around their neck is fake
Indha kurugiya vattam ini sari varumaa
Will this narrow circle work anymore?
Ungal kottukkul mazhai peiyummaa
Will rain fall inside your drawn line?
Anai vittu thaaviya vellam
Like a flood leaping over the dam
Idhu kattu kaavalai vellum
This will overcome all restrictions and guards
Ungal vidhigalum sadhigalum nirandharammaa
Are your rules and conspiracies permanent?
Idhu vilangitta sudhandhiramaa
Is freedom chained up like this?
Engal peyarai yaarum kaetaal
If anyone asks for our names
Pir..iririririr enbom
We will say 'Pir..iririririr'
Engalukkullae enna uravendraal
If asked what relationship is between us
Pir..iririririr enbom
We will say 'Pir..iririririr'
Vilangugal thadai illai
Handcuffs are no obstacle
Vidhigalum thadai illai
Fate and rules are no obstacle
Marabugal thadai illai
Traditions are no obstacle
Manidharum thadai illai
People are no obstacle
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Idhu yudhdham ilamai yudhdham
This is a war, a war of youth
Ini duchcham uravugal duchcham
From now on, mere relationships are trivial
Ungal kattu dhittam satta dhittam
Your rigid plans and legal rules,
Thalli vaiyungal
Set them aside
Illai kadalukkul thalli vidungal
Or push them into the ocean
Ada puththam pudhiyadhu sondham
Oh, this is a brand new bond
Idhu mutham ezhudhiya bandham
This is a relationship written by a kiss
Ini ilaiyavar engalukku kural kodungal
Now, young people, lend us your voice
Ada pazhaiyavar vazhi vidungal
Oh old generation, make way!
Kaadhalai thaduththavar
Those who blocked love,
Kadhai enna aanadhu
What happened to their story?
Pir..iririririr dhaanae
It got shattered to pieces, didn't it?
Kai konda vilangum
Even the handcuffs on our hands,
Naangal ninaithaal
If we desire,
Pir..iririririr dhaanae
Will shatter to pieces, right?
Ninaippadhu nadakkanum
What we imagine must happen
Idhu engal ilakkanam
This is our grammar and law
Ini varum thalaimurai
The coming generation
Idhai mattum padikkanum
Should study only this
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Laila sethu ponaal
Laila died
Majnu sethu ponaan
Majnu died
Nammai paaraamal
Without seeing us?
Kanneerae illaadha kaadhal soothiram
A formula of love without any tears
Kandomae kandomae naangal maathiram
We alone found it, we found it!
Idhu oru pudhu murai
This is a new way
Idhil enna varai murai
What limits exist in this?
Varugira thalaimurai
Let the coming generation
Vanangattum iruvarai
Worship the two of us.
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Kamban engu ponaan
Where did Kamban go
Shelley enna aanaan
What became of Shelley
Nammai paadaamal
Without singing about us?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kamban Engu Ponaan' is a rebellious and celebratory anthem of youthful love, asserting that true love transcends orthodox societal traditions, rigid rules, and age-old constraints. The lovers lightheartedly challenge legendary romantic bards and tragic lovers—asking where poets like Kamban and Shelley were to leave such modern love unsung, and pointing out how classic lovers like Laila and Majnu suffered in tears because they lacked this revolutionary formula of joyous, tearless love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion
“Kamban engu ponaan / Shelley enna aanaan”
References historical and literary icons across cultures (Kamban, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Laila, Majnu) to highlight the uniqueness and legendary status of the protagonists' love.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Idhu oru pudhu murai / Idhil enna varai murai”
Matching tail rhymes ('ponaan' / 'aanaan', 'murai' / 'varai murai') create a rhythmic cadence characteristic of modern Tamil lyricism.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Vilangugal thadai illai / Vidhigalum thadai illai / Marabugal thadai illai / Manidharum thadai illai”
Repeated structural phrase 'thadai illai' emphasizes total liberation from all societal constraints.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1993 K. Balachander film 'Jaathi Malli', this track was composed by Maragathamani (M. M. Keeravani) with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. It was rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, blending classical allusions with energetic modern arrangements.
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