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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanga Enna Naalu Kaani

From Enga Veetu Ramayanam · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Enga Veetu Ramayanam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pudhu vaaikkaa thanni pola pongi varum poovaiyaraeOh ladies flowing with joy like water in a new canal
Ponnazhagaa poovazhagaa minni varum kanniyaraeOh maidens shining with golden beauty and flower-like grace
Onnaaga naamirunthaa oru naalum kuththamillaIf we stay united together, there is never any fault
Ullapadi solla ponaa oruththarumae suththamillaFrankly speaking, no single person is completely pure and flawless
Male
Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomDid we ask for four acres of land?
Chorus :Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoChorus: No, not at all! No, not at all!
Male :Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomMale: Did we ask for four acres of land?
Chorus :Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoChorus: No, not at all! No, not at all!
Male
Ongappan voottu soththaa ennaIs this your father's private property?
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattamWhy such a massive struggle?
Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomDid we ask for four acres of land?
Chorus :Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoChorus: No, not at all! No, not at all!
Male
Ongappan voottu soththaa ennaIs this your father's private property?
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….hoi…Why such a massive struggle... hoi!
Male
Thalumpaathae thannikkodamaeDon't spill over, oh water pot
Yaen vachchukirae thagaraaru engalidamaeWhy are you starting a quarrel with us?
Nee thaththi kudhichchaa viduvomo vettukkiliyaeIf you hop and jump around, will we let you go, oh grasshopper?
En pakkaththula valainjaadum vanjikkodiyaeOh vine-like tender maiden swaying right beside me
Male
Ennadiyammaa kummaalamWhat is all this commotion and excitement, my girl?
Eppadi unga kalayaanamHow is your wedding going to take place?
Maappillai naanthaan mangaaththaaI am the groom, Mangatha
Maamiyaar thaandi ungaaththaaAnd your mother is my mother-in-law
Varusham poranthaa parisaththa vappaendiOnce the new year begins, I will bring the wedding gift
Chorus
Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomDid we ask for four acres of land?
Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoNo, not at all! No, not at all!
Ongappan voottu soththaa ennaIs this your father's private property?
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….hoiWhy such a massive struggle... hoi!
Male
Dhinanthorum manja kulikka neeFor you to take a turmeric bath every single day
Sammathichchaa varuvendi ammi araikkaIf you agree, I will come to crush the grinding stone for you
En vannakkiliae azhagaana kondai irukkaOh my colorful parrot with a lovely hair bun
Nee oththukittaa varuvendi poova mudikkaIf you agree, I will come to adorn your hair with flowers
Male
Kattalai ittaa ammaadiIf you give me an order, my dear
Sonnatha seivaen munnaadiI will do whatever you say right before your eyes
Usura vittaa paththaathaa ullamum onnaa suththaathaaIsn't giving my life enough? Won't our hearts wander as one?
Edamthaan koduththaa idhula enna pollaappu haeiIf you just give me a little room, what harm is there, hey!
Male
Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomDid we ask for four acres of land?
Chorus : Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoChorus: No, not at all! No, not at all!
Male
Ongappan voottu soththaa ennaIs this your father's private property?
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….hoi…Why such a massive struggle... hoi!
Chorus
Naanga enna naalu kaani nelamaa kettomDid we ask for four acres of land?
Illavey illeengo illavae illeengoIllavey illeengo illavae illeengo
Ongappan voottu soththaa ennaIs this your father's private property?
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….Why such a massive struggle...
Male :HoiMale: Hoi!
Chorus
Thammaathoondu edaththukkuFor such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….Why such a massive struggle...
Male :HoiMale: Hoi!
Chorus :Thammaathoondu edaththukkuChorus: For such a tiny little space
Emmaam periya poraattam….Why such a massive struggle...
Male :HoiMale: Hoi!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful, rural folk track features a lighthearted banter between a man and a young woman (and her friends). The protagonist humorously complains about the excessive fuss being made over a small piece of land or space, teasingly asking whether he demanded vast acres of land or her father's estate. He playfully courts her with traditional imagery, offering to help with domestic chores like grinding spices or placing flowers in her hair, and boldly declaring his intentions to marry her once the new year arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Pudhu vaaikkaa thanni pola pongi varum poovaiyarae

Comparing the movement of women to fresh water flowing in a new canal ('Pudhu vaaikkaa thanni pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Nee thaththi kudhichchaa viduvomo vettukkiliyae

Addressing the maiden as a grasshopper ('vettukkiliyae') and a swaying vine ('vanjikkodiyae').

Mogana / Rhyme (Emon / Monai)

Thammaathoondu edaththukku / Emmaam periya poraattam

Rhythmic repetition of 'Thammaathoondu' and 'Emmaam periya' creating folk cadence.

Keep listening

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