Naan Ennum
From Unakkum Enakkum · 1972
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Unakkum Enakkum1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naan ennum aganthai konda | Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior |
| Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla | Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior |
| Chorus :Endrum thaazhnthavaralla | Chorus: Never inferior at all |
| Female | |
| Kaalaththai vellugindra | Conquering time itself |
| Pen kulaththin munnae aangal uyarnthavaralla | Before the female gender, men are not superior |
| Chorus :Endrum uyaranthavarallaa | Chorus: Never superior at all |
| Female | |
| Naan ennum aganthai konda | Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior |
| Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla | Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior |
| Chorus :Endrum thaazhnthavaralla | Chorus: Never inferior at all |
| Female | |
| Kaalaththai vellugindra | Conquering time itself |
| Pen kulaththin munnae aangal uyarnthavaralla | Before the female gender, men are not superior |
| Chorus :Endrum uyaranthavarallaa | Chorus: Never superior at all |
| Female | |
| Pengalellaam Adimaiyalla | Women are not slaves at all |
| Bedhai endraal unmaiyalla | Calling them foolish is not the truth |
| Angal ellaam methaigalalla | Men are not all geniuses either |
| Yaen idhu theriyavillai | Why is this simple truth not understood? |
| Female | |
| Naan ennum aganthai konda | Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior |
| Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla | Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior |
| Thaazhnthavaralla endrum thaazhnthavaralla | Inferior no, never inferior |
| Female | |
| Aduppoothum pengalukku | Asking why women who cook over the stove |
| Padippetharkku endru | Need any education at all |
| Nammai adhigaaram seithathellaam antha naal | Dominating over us was in the past days |
| Arivaana pengal azhagaaga indu | Wise women gracefully today |
| Arasatchi seivathu intha naal | Are ruling and governing in these current days |
| Female | |
| Thaaliyendra oru veli kondu namai | Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us |
| Aala ninaippathu veriththanam | Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness |
| Pillai perigindra karuviyaagavae | Treating women merely as a tool |
| Pengalai madhippathu madaththanam | To bear children is utter foolishness |
| Female | |
| Thaaliyendra oru veli kondu namai | Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us |
| Aala ninaippathu veriththanam | Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness |
| Chorus :Veriththanam | Chorus: Sheer madness |
| Female :Pillai perigindra karuviyaagavae | Female: Treating women merely as a tool |
| Pengalai madhippathu madaththanam | To bear children is utter foolishness |
| Chorus :Madaththanam | Chorus: Utter foolishness |
| Female | |
| Maattruvom intha ulagai | We shall transform this world |
| Maarattum aangal mamathai | Let the arrogance of men change |
| Chorus :Maarattum aangal mamathai | Chorus: Let the arrogance of men change |
| Male | |
| Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa | Are women mere rose bouquets? |
| Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa | Are they bees or delicate banana stems? |
| Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa | Are women mere rose bouquets? |
| Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa | Are they bees or delicate banana stems? |
| Male | |
| Kudumbam endra koyililae | In the temple called family |
| Kudiyirukkum deivangalil | Among the deities residing within |
| Aangal endrum | Is there a distinction as men |
| Pengal endrum bedhamaa | And women? |
| Aduththavarai madhippathuthaan | Respecting others is true modesty |
| Adakkam endra ulaginilae | In a world defined by self-restraint |
| Adimai endrum urimai endrum vaadhamaa | Why debate over concepts of slavery and rights? |
| Male | |
| Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa | Are women mere rose bouquets? |
| Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa | Are they bees or delicate banana stems? |
| Male | |
| Kanniyendra paruva nadhi | The youthful river called maidenhood |
| Karai purandodum | Flows overflowing its banks |
| Adhu kalyaana medaiyilthaan sangamaagum | It merges only on the wedding stage |
| Kanniyendra paruva nadhi | The youthful river called maidenhood |
| Karai purandodum | Flows overflowing its banks |
| Adhu kalyaana medaiyilthaan sangamaagum | It merges only on the wedding stage |
| Male | |
| Annai sinthum karunai mazhai | The rain of mercy showered by a mother |
| Kuzhanthaikalaagum…..mm… | Becomes the children... mm... |
| Annai sinthum karunai mazhai | The rain of mercy showered by a mother |
| Kuzhanthaikalaagum….. | Becomes the children... |
| Ingu penmai ellaam | Here, all womanhood |
| Thaaimaiyilthaan muzhumai kaanum | Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone |
| Ingu penmai ellaam | Here, all womanhood |
| Thaaimaiyilthaan muzhumai kaanum… | Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone... |
நான் என்னும் அகந்தைக் கொண்ட
ஆண் குலத்தின் முன்னே பெண்கள் தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல
குழு :
என்றும் தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Chorus: Never inferior at all
காலத்தை வெல்லுகின்ற
பெண் குலத்தின் முன்னே ஆண்கள் உயர்ந்தவரல்ல
குழு :
என்றும் உயர்ந்தவரல்ல
Conquering time itself
Before the female gender, men are not superior
Chorus: Never superior at all
நான் என்னும் அகந்தைக் கொண்ட
ஆண் குலத்தின் முன்னே பெண்கள் தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல
குழு :
என்றும் தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Chorus: Never inferior at all
காலத்தை வெல்லுகின்ற
பெண் குலத்தின் முன்னே ஆண்கள் உயர்ந்தவரல்ல
குழு :
என்றும் உயர்ந்தவரல்ல
Conquering time itself
Before the female gender, men are not superior
Chorus: Never superior at all
பெண்களெல்லாம் அடிமையல்ல
பேதை என்றால் உண்மையல்ல
ஆண்கள் எல்லாம் மேதைகளல்ல
ஏன் இது தெரியவில்லை.......
Women are not slaves at all
Calling them foolish is not the truth
Men are not all geniuses either
Why is this simple truth not understood?
நான் என்னும் அகந்தைக் கொண்ட
ஆண் குலத்தின் முன்னே பெண்கள்
தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல என்றும் தாழ்ந்தவரல்ல
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Inferior no, never inferior
அடுப்பூதும் பெண்களுக்கு
படிப்பெதற்கு என்று - நம்மை
அதிகாரம் செய்ததெல்லாம் அந்த நாள்
அறிவான பெண்கள் அழகாக இன்று
அரசாட்சி செய்வது இந்த நாள்
Asking why women who cook over the stove
Need any education at all
Dominating over us was in the past days
Wise women gracefully today
Are ruling and governing in these current days
தாலியென்ற ஒரு வேலி கொண்டு நமை
ஆள நினைப்பது வெறித்தனம்
பிள்ளை பெரிகின்ற கருவியாகவே
பெண்களை மதிப்பது மடத்தனம்
Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us
Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness
Treating women merely as a tool
To bear children is utter foolishness
தாலியென்ற ஒரு வேலி கொண்டு நமை
ஆள நினைப்பது வெறித்தனம்
குழு :
வெறித்தனம்
பிள்ளை பெரிகின்ற கருவியாகவே
பெண்களை மதிப்பது மடத்தனம்
குழு :
மடத்தனம்
Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us
Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness
Chorus: Sheer madness
Female: Treating women merely as a tool
To bear children is utter foolishness
Chorus: Utter foolishness
மாற்றுவோம் இந்த உலகை
மாறட்டும் ஆண்கள் மமதை......
குழு :
மாறட்டும் ஆண்கள் மமதை......
We shall transform this world
Let the arrogance of men change
Chorus: Let the arrogance of men change
பெண்டுகளா ரோஜாச் செண்டுகளா
வண்டுகளா வாழைத் தண்டுகளா.....
பெண்டுகளா ரோஜாச் செண்டுகளா
வண்டுகளா வாழைத் தண்டுகளா.....
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
குடும்பம் என்ற கோயிலிலே
குடியிருக்கும் தெய்வங்களில்
ஆண்கள் என்றும்
பெண்கள் என்றும் பேதமா
அடுத்தவரை மதிப்பதுதான்
அடக்கம் என்ற உலகினிலே
அடிமை என்றும் உரிமை என்றும் வாதமா
In the temple called family
Among the deities residing within
Is there a distinction as men
And women?
Respecting others is true modesty
In a world defined by self-restraint
Why debate over concepts of slavery and rights?
பெண்டுகளா ரோஜாச் செண்டுகளா
வண்டுகளா வாழைத் தண்டுகளா.....
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
கன்னியென்ற பருவ நதி
கரை புரண்டோடும்
அது கல்யாண மேடையில்தான் சங்கமமாகும்
கன்னியென்ற பருவ நதி
கரை புரண்டோடும்
அது கல்யாண மேடையில்தான் சங்கமமாகும்
The youthful river called maidenhood
Flows overflowing its banks
It merges only on the wedding stage
The youthful river called maidenhood
Flows overflowing its banks
It merges only on the wedding stage
அன்னை சிந்தும் கருணை மழை
குழந்தைகளாகும்....ம்ம்ம்ம்......
அன்னை சிந்தும் கருணை மழை
குழந்தைகளாகும்...
இங்கு பெண்மை எல்லாம்
தாய்மையில் தான் முழுமை காணும்....
இங்கு பெண்மை எல்லாம்
தாய்மையில் தான் முழுமை காணும்....
The rain of mercy showered by a mother
Becomes the children... mm...
The rain of mercy showered by a mother
Becomes the children...
Here, all womanhood
Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone
Here, all womanhood
Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone...
Naan ennum aganthai konda
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Chorus :Endrum thaazhnthavaralla
Chorus: Never inferior at all
Kaalaththai vellugindra
Conquering time itself
Pen kulaththin munnae aangal uyarnthavaralla
Before the female gender, men are not superior
Chorus :Endrum uyaranthavarallaa
Chorus: Never superior at all
Naan ennum aganthai konda
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Chorus :Endrum thaazhnthavaralla
Chorus: Never inferior at all
Kaalaththai vellugindra
Conquering time itself
Pen kulaththin munnae aangal uyarnthavaralla
Before the female gender, men are not superior
Chorus :Endrum uyaranthavarallaa
Chorus: Never superior at all
Pengalellaam Adimaiyalla
Women are not slaves at all
Bedhai endraal unmaiyalla
Calling them foolish is not the truth
Angal ellaam methaigalalla
Men are not all geniuses either
Yaen idhu theriyavillai
Why is this simple truth not understood?
Naan ennum aganthai konda
Before the male gender filled with the pride of 'I', women are not inferior
Aan kulaththin munnae pengal thaazhnthavaralla
Before the men who are proud, women are not inferior
Thaazhnthavaralla endrum thaazhnthavaralla
Inferior no, never inferior
Aduppoothum pengalukku
Asking why women who cook over the stove
Padippetharkku endru
Need any education at all
Nammai adhigaaram seithathellaam antha naal
Dominating over us was in the past days
Arivaana pengal azhagaaga indu
Wise women gracefully today
Arasatchi seivathu intha naal
Are ruling and governing in these current days
Thaaliyendra oru veli kondu namai
Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us
Aala ninaippathu veriththanam
Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness
Pillai perigindra karuviyaagavae
Treating women merely as a tool
Pengalai madhippathu madaththanam
To bear children is utter foolishness
Thaaliyendra oru veli kondu namai
Using the sacred marriage thread 'Thaali' as a fence around us
Aala ninaippathu veriththanam
Thinking of controlling us is sheer madness
Chorus :Veriththanam
Chorus: Sheer madness
Female :Pillai perigindra karuviyaagavae
Female: Treating women merely as a tool
Pengalai madhippathu madaththanam
To bear children is utter foolishness
Chorus :Madaththanam
Chorus: Utter foolishness
Maattruvom intha ulagai
We shall transform this world
Maarattum aangal mamathai
Let the arrogance of men change
Chorus :Maarattum aangal mamathai
Chorus: Let the arrogance of men change
Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
Kudumbam endra koyililae
In the temple called family
Kudiyirukkum deivangalil
Among the deities residing within
Aangal endrum
Is there a distinction as men
Pengal endrum bedhamaa
And women?
Aduththavarai madhippathuthaan
Respecting others is true modesty
Adakkam endra ulaginilae
In a world defined by self-restraint
Adimai endrum urimai endrum vaadhamaa
Why debate over concepts of slavery and rights?
Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa
Are women mere rose bouquets?
Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa
Are they bees or delicate banana stems?
Kanniyendra paruva nadhi
The youthful river called maidenhood
Karai purandodum
Flows overflowing its banks
Adhu kalyaana medaiyilthaan sangamaagum
It merges only on the wedding stage
Kanniyendra paruva nadhi
The youthful river called maidenhood
Karai purandodum
Flows overflowing its banks
Adhu kalyaana medaiyilthaan sangamaagum
It merges only on the wedding stage
Annai sinthum karunai mazhai
The rain of mercy showered by a mother
Kuzhanthaikalaagum…..mm…
Becomes the children... mm...
Annai sinthum karunai mazhai
The rain of mercy showered by a mother
Kuzhanthaikalaagum…..
Becomes the children...
Ingu penmai ellaam
Here, all womanhood
Thaaimaiyilthaan muzhumai kaanum
Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone
Ingu penmai ellaam
Here, all womanhood
Thaaimaiyilthaan muzhumai kaanum…
Finds ultimate fulfillment in motherhood alone...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This progressive feminist anthem challenges historical gender oppression, male chauvinism, and patriarchal stereotypes in society. The song dismantles old prejudices that confined women to domestic roles and denied them education, pointing out that modern women are capable of leadership and governance. It strongly criticizes viewing women merely as reproductive tools or controlling them using marital traditions like the Thaali as a oppressive boundary.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aduppoothum pengalukku / Padippetharkku endru”
Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines: 'Pengal' (எ) and 'Bedhai' (எ) or 'Aduppoothum' (டு) and 'Padippetharkku' (டு).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kanniyendra paruva nadhi karai purandodum”
Comparing maidenhood to an overflowing river ('Paruva nadhi') and a mother's affection to a rain of mercy ('karunai mazhai').
Rhetorical Question
“Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa / Vandukalaa vaazhai thandugalaa”
Using poetic questions to challenge societal norms and stereotypes ('Pendugalaa roja sendugalaa').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Aalangudi Somu with music by V. Kumar, this track stands out as a powerful social commentary from early 1970s Tamil cinema, advocating women's empowerment, education, and equal rights long before feminist themes became mainstream in Tamil popular music.
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