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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neeya Ennai

From Oru Malarin Payanam · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Oru Malarin Payanam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?
Neeyaa…..neeyaa….Was it you... was it you...
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?
Female
Aandaan aanaal aanmai illaiThough he is a master, he lacks masculinity,
Meesai konda pen pillaiHe is merely a female child with a mustache.
Aandaan aanaal aanmai illaiThough he is a master, he lacks masculinity,
Meesai konda pen pillaiHe is merely a female child with a mustache.
Female
Neeyaa…..neeyaa….Was it you... was it you...
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?
Female
Mugavariyo theriyavillaiI did not know the address,
Mugaththai mattum thaedinaenI searched only for the face.
Mugavariyo theriyavillaiI did not know the address,
Mugaththai mattum thaedinaenI searched only for the face.
Female
Naadi seitha paavam illaiIt was not a sin committed knowingly,
Paadham thaangum eera mullaiLike a wet thorn bearing my feet,
Endraalum en karpil nashtam illaiEven so, there is no loss to my chastity.
Female
Neeyaa…..neeyaa….Was it you... was it you...
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?
Female
Aangalukku avashththai illaiMen face no distress or trouble,
Pengalukkae sumaikaloAre all the heavy burdens meant only for women?
Aangalukku avashththai illaiMen face no distress or trouble,
Pengalukkae sumaikaloAre all the heavy burdens meant only for women?
Female
Intha vaazhkkai enna needhiWhat kind of justice is this life?
Seedhai kooda intha jaathiEven Sita belongs to this gender/race of women.
Yaarendru naan kandaal maarum saedhiThe news will change once I find out who it is.
Female
Neeyaa…..neeyaa….Was it you... was it you...
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?
Female
Aandaan aanaal aanmai illaiThough he is a master, he lacks masculinity,
Meesai konda pen pillaiHe is merely a female child with a mustache.
Aandaan aanaal aanmai illaiThough he is a master, he lacks masculinity,
Meesai konda pen pillaiHe is merely a female child with a mustache.
Female
Neeyaa…..neeyaa….Was it you... was it you...
Neeyaa ennai paarththavanWas it you who looked at me?
Tholil saerththavanWas it you who held me on your shoulder?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Oru Malarin Payanam' is a poignant, anger-filled lament of a woman confronting betrayal and societal double standards. She questions the identity and integrity of the man who took advantage of her, calling out his lack of true manhood despite his outward appearance. She reflects on how society holds women alone responsible for transgressions while men escape scrutiny, drawing a parallel to goddess Sita who also suffered unjust trials. Despite her plight, she fiercely asserts her moral innocence and vows that the truth will prevail once the perpetrator is unmasked.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron / Irony

Meesai konda pen pillai

Combining opposing ideas 'Meesai konda pen pillai' (a female child with a mustache) to insult a man's cowardice and lack of chivalry.

Mythological Allusion

Seedhai kooda intha jaathi

Reference to 'Seedhai' (Sita) from the Ramayana to highlight the historical and ongoing suffering and trial by fire endured by virtuous women.

Moanai (Tamil Alliteration)

Mugavariyo theriyavillai / Mugaththai mattum thaedinaen

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds ('Mugavariyo' / 'Mugaththai') across consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Paadham thaangum eera mullai

Comparing unexpected pain to 'eera mullai' (a wet thorn underfoot).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oru Malarin Payanam' (1985) is a Tamil drama film directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Suhasini, Urvashi, and Misro. The film's soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu, highlighting strong social themes regarding women's rights and moral struggles.

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