Karpa Maanama
From Engal Thanga Raja · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Engal Thanga Raja1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam… ha | Chastity, honor, they say... ha! |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam… | Kannagi and Sita, they say... |
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam | Chastity, honor, they say |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam | Kannagi and Sita, they say |
| Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa | Are being sold in the street market, oh friend! |
| Aiyo paavam | Oh, what a pity! |
| Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam | If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity! |
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam | Chastity, honor, they say |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam | Kannagi and Sita, they say |
| Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa | Are being sold in the street market, oh friend! |
| Aiyo paavam | Oh, what a pity! |
| Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam | If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity! |
| Male | |
| Kambanukku sollungal | Tell it to Kamban |
| Idhai kavidhai ezhudhuvaan | He will write a poem about this |
| Andha valluvanai kooppidungal | Call that Valluvan |
| Vaazhthu paaduvaan | He will sing a song of praise |
| Male | |
| Kambanukku sollungal | Tell it to Kamban |
| Idhai kavidhai ezhudhuvaan | He will write a poem about this |
| Andha valluvanai kooppidungal | Call that Valluvan |
| Vaazhthu paaduvaan | He will sing a song of praise |
| Male | |
| Aval peyaro arundhadhi | Her name is Arundhati |
| Aimbadhu roobaai | Fifty rupees! |
| Ival peyaro agaligai irubadhu roobaai | This one's name is Ahalya, twenty rupees! |
| Pathinigal perai vaithu | Using the names of chaste women |
| Parathaiyarai valarthuvidum | To promote prostitutes, |
| Paavigal boomi | This world of sinners! |
| Karppai paarungal saami | Look at chastity here, oh Lord! |
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam | Chastity, honor, they say |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam | Kannagi and Sita, they say |
| Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa | Are being sold in the street market, oh friend! |
| Aiyo paavam | Oh, what a pity! |
| Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam | If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity! |
| Male | |
| Manamarindhu thavaru seivor | Do those who commit wrong knowingly |
| Maaligaiyil illaiyo… | Not exist inside palaces? |
| Pudhu malargalukku aal anuppum | Do kings who send men for fresh flowers |
| Mannavargal illaiyo… | Not exist anymore? |
| Male | |
| Vandu vandhu thaen kudithaal | When a bee comes and drinks the honey, |
| Malarukku thaan thandanai | Only the flower gets punished! |
| Vazhukki vizhum pengalukku | For women who slip and fall, |
| Sattathilum vanjanai | Even the law betrays them! |
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam | Chastity, honor, they say |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam | Kannagi and Sita, they say |
| Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa | Are being sold in the street market, oh friend! |
| Aiyo paavam | Oh, what a pity! |
| Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam | If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity! |
| Male | |
| Gunamirundhum thavaru seivaal | Though good-natured, she commits a mistake |
| Kuzhandhaikkaaga oruthi | One woman does it for her child! |
| Male | |
| Indha kodumai seiya udanpaduvaal | She consents to this cruelty |
| Kudmbam kaakka oruthi | One woman does it to save her family! |
| Male | |
| Padithirundhum velaiyindri | Educated yet unemployed, |
| Palli kondaal oruthi | One woman surrenders her virtue! |
| Thirai pada thozhilil aasai vaithu | Desiring a career in cinema, |
| Bali aanaal oruthi | One woman becomes a victim! |
| Male | |
| Thaai mozhiyaam thaai naadaam | Mother tongue, motherland, |
| Thaaimai enum panbaam… | The noble virtue of motherhood... |
| Ingu sathiyamaam thathuvamaam | Truth here, philosophy here, |
| Dharmam enum ondraam… | And that unique concept called righteousness... |
| Male | |
| Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa | Is floating in a sea of tears, |
| Karppu enum odam | The boat named chastity! |
| Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa | Is floating in a sea of tears, |
| Karppu enum odam | The boat named chastity! |
| Idhu kambanukkum valluvanukkum | This is a lesson for Kamban and Valluvan, |
| Yen kadavulukkum paadam | And even a lesson for God! |
| Male | |
| Karppaam maanamaam | Chastity, honor, they say |
| Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam | Kannagi and Sita, they say |
| Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa | Are being sold in the street market, oh friend! |
| Aiyo paavam | Oh, what a pity! |
| Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam | If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity! |
| Aiyo paavam aiyo paavam… | Oh what a pity, oh what a pity... |
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......ஹ
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
Chastity, honor, they say... ha!
Kannagi and Sita, they say...
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
கடைத்தெருவில் விற்குதடா
அய்யோ பாவம்
காசிருந்தால் வாங்கலாம் அய்யோ பாவம்
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Oh, what a pity!
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
கடைத்தெருவில் விற்குதடா
அய்யோ பாவம்
காசிருந்தால் வாங்கலாம் அய்யோ பாவம்
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Oh, what a pity!
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
கம்பனுக்கு சொல்லுங்கள்
இதை கவிதை எழுதுவான்
அந்த வள்ளுவனை கூப்பிடுங்கள்
வாழ்த்து பாடுவான்
Tell it to Kamban
He will write a poem about this
Call that Valluvan
He will sing a song of praise
கம்பனுக்கு சொல்லுங்கள்
இதை கவிதை எழுதுவான்
அந்த வள்ளுவனை கூப்பிடுங்கள்
வாழ்த்து பாடுவான்
Tell it to Kamban
He will write a poem about this
Call that Valluvan
He will sing a song of praise
அவள் பெயரோ அருந்ததி
ஐம்பது ரூபாய்
இவள் பெயரோ அகலிகை இருவது ரூபாய்
பத்தினிகள் பேரை வைத்து
பரத்தையரை வளர்த்துவிடும்
பாவிகள் பூமி
கற்பை பாருங்கள் சாமி
Her name is Arundhati
Fifty rupees!
This one's name is Ahalya, twenty rupees!
Using the names of chaste women
To promote prostitutes,
This world of sinners!
Look at chastity here, oh Lord!
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
கடைத்தெருவில் விற்குதடா
அய்யோ பாவம்
காசிருந்தால் வாங்கலாம் அய்யோ பாவம்
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Oh, what a pity!
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
மனமறிந்து தவறு செய்வோர்
மாளிகையில் இல்லையோ
புது மலர்களுக்கு ஆளனுப்பும்
மன்னவர்கள் இல்லையோ
Do those who commit wrong knowingly
Not exist inside palaces?
Do kings who send men for fresh flowers
Not exist anymore?
வண்டு வந்து தேன் குடித்தால்
மலருக்குதான் தண்டனை
வழுக்கி விழும் பெண்களுக்கு
சட்டத்திலும் வஞ்சனை
When a bee comes and drinks the honey,
Only the flower gets punished!
For women who slip and fall,
Even the law betrays them!
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
கடைத்தெருவில் விற்குதடா
அய்யோ பாவம்
காசிருந்தால் வாங்கலாம் அய்யோ பாவம்
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Oh, what a pity!
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
குணமிருந்தும் தவறு செய்வாள்
குழந்தைக்காக ஒருத்தி
Though good-natured, she commits a mistake
One woman does it for her child!
இந்த கொடுமை செய்ய உடன்படுவாள்
குடும்பம் காக்க ஒருத்தி
She consents to this cruelty
One woman does it to save her family!
படித்திருந்தும் வேலையின்றி
பள்ளிகொண்டாள் ஒருத்தி
திரைப்படத் தொழிலில் ஆசை வைத்து
பலியானாள் ஒருத்தி
Educated yet unemployed,
One woman surrenders her virtue!
Desiring a career in cinema,
One woman becomes a victim!
தாய்மொழியாம் தாய் நாடாம்
தாய்மையெனும் பண்பாம்
இங்கு சத்தியமாம் தத்துவமாம்
தர்மமென்னும் ஒன்றாம்
Mother tongue, motherland,
The noble virtue of motherhood...
Truth here, philosophy here,
And that unique concept called righteousness...
கண்ணீரில் மிதக்குதடா
கற்பு என்னும் ஓடம்
கண்ணீரில் மிதக்குதடா
கற்பு என்னும் ஓடம்
இது கம்பனுக்கும் வள்ளுவனுக்கும்
ஏன் கடவுளுக்கும் பாடம்
Is floating in a sea of tears,
The boat named chastity!
Is floating in a sea of tears,
The boat named chastity!
This is a lesson for Kamban and Valluvan,
And even a lesson for God!
கற்பாம் மானமாம்......
கண்ணகியாம் சீதையாம்.....
கடைத்தெருவில் விற்குதடா
அய்யோ பாவம்
காசிருந்தால் வாங்கலாம் அய்யோ பாவம்
அய்யோ பாவம் அய்யோ பாவம்
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Oh, what a pity!
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Oh what a pity, oh what a pity...
Karppaam maanamaam… ha
Chastity, honor, they say... ha!
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam…
Kannagi and Sita, they say...
Karppaam maanamaam
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Aiyo paavam
Oh, what a pity!
Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Karppaam maanamaam
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Aiyo paavam
Oh, what a pity!
Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Kambanukku sollungal
Tell it to Kamban
Idhai kavidhai ezhudhuvaan
He will write a poem about this
Andha valluvanai kooppidungal
Call that Valluvan
Vaazhthu paaduvaan
He will sing a song of praise
Kambanukku sollungal
Tell it to Kamban
Idhai kavidhai ezhudhuvaan
He will write a poem about this
Andha valluvanai kooppidungal
Call that Valluvan
Vaazhthu paaduvaan
He will sing a song of praise
Aval peyaro arundhadhi
Her name is Arundhati
Aimbadhu roobaai
Fifty rupees!
Ival peyaro agaligai irubadhu roobaai
This one's name is Ahalya, twenty rupees!
Pathinigal perai vaithu
Using the names of chaste women
Parathaiyarai valarthuvidum
To promote prostitutes,
Paavigal boomi
This world of sinners!
Karppai paarungal saami
Look at chastity here, oh Lord!
Karppaam maanamaam
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Aiyo paavam
Oh, what a pity!
Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Manamarindhu thavaru seivor
Do those who commit wrong knowingly
Maaligaiyil illaiyo…
Not exist inside palaces?
Pudhu malargalukku aal anuppum
Do kings who send men for fresh flowers
Mannavargal illaiyo…
Not exist anymore?
Vandu vandhu thaen kudithaal
When a bee comes and drinks the honey,
Malarukku thaan thandanai
Only the flower gets punished!
Vazhukki vizhum pengalukku
For women who slip and fall,
Sattathilum vanjanai
Even the law betrays them!
Karppaam maanamaam
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Aiyo paavam
Oh, what a pity!
Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Gunamirundhum thavaru seivaal
Though good-natured, she commits a mistake
Kuzhandhaikkaaga oruthi
One woman does it for her child!
Indha kodumai seiya udanpaduvaal
She consents to this cruelty
Kudmbam kaakka oruthi
One woman does it to save her family!
Padithirundhum velaiyindri
Educated yet unemployed,
Palli kondaal oruthi
One woman surrenders her virtue!
Thirai pada thozhilil aasai vaithu
Desiring a career in cinema,
Bali aanaal oruthi
One woman becomes a victim!
Thaai mozhiyaam thaai naadaam
Mother tongue, motherland,
Thaaimai enum panbaam…
The noble virtue of motherhood...
Ingu sathiyamaam thathuvamaam
Truth here, philosophy here,
Dharmam enum ondraam…
And that unique concept called righteousness...
Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa
Is floating in a sea of tears,
Karppu enum odam
The boat named chastity!
Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa
Is floating in a sea of tears,
Karppu enum odam
The boat named chastity!
Idhu kambanukkum valluvanukkum
This is a lesson for Kamban and Valluvan,
Yen kadavulukkum paadam
And even a lesson for God!
Karppaam maanamaam
Chastity, honor, they say
Kannagiyaam seethaiyaam
Kannagi and Sita, they say
Kadai theruvil virkkudhadaa
Are being sold in the street market, oh friend!
Aiyo paavam
Oh, what a pity!
Kaasirundhaal vaangalaam aiyo paavam
If you have money, you can buy them, oh what a pity!
Aiyo paavam aiyo paavam…
Oh what a pity, oh what a pity...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant social commentary penned by Kannadasan exposes the hypocrisy and economic hardship surrounding prostitution and women's chastity in society. The narrator laments how revered mythological icons of virtue like Kannagi, Sita, Arundhati, and Ahalya are reduced to cheap price tags on street corners due to poverty and exploitation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satire / Irony (Edhir-porul)
“Aval peyaro arundhadhi Aimbadhu roobaai”
Comparing sacred, legendary figures of female purity (Kannagi, Sita, Arundhati) to commodified sex work in market streets to highlight society's downfall.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa Karppu enum odam”
Comparing chastity (Karppu) to a fragile boat floating on a river of tears (Kanneeril midhakkudhadaa karppu enum odam).
Analogy (Uvamai)
“Vandu vandhu thaen kudithaal Malarukku thaan thandanai”
Using the bee taking honey from a flower to symbolize men exploiting women while the woman suffers all the punishment and societal condemnation.
Did you know?
Trivia
Engal Thanga Raja (1973) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Manjula. The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, lyrics by Kannadasan, and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song serve as a powerful social critique against the systemic exploitation of impoverished women.
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