Onnaa Rendaa Edhu
From Sugam Enge · 1954
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- K. R. Ramasamy
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Sugam Enge1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu | It is ruining this world, |
| Usirai vaanguthu | It takes away life! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| {Mannang kattiyai | A clod of dirt, |
| Malai pol aakkum | Making it look like a mountain, |
| Vazhiyai kattudhu | It shows the way, |
| Panaththai kuvikkudhu | Amassing money! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu} (2) | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Penngal kannil pattaal podhum | If it catches women's eyes, that is enough, |
| Piriyam kodukuthu idhu | It bestows affection! |
| Penngal kannil pattaal podhum | If it catches women's eyes, that is enough, |
| Piriyam kodukuthu idhu | It bestows affection! |
| Pattu pudavai onnu | Silk saree is one, |
| Pushpam rendu | Flowers are two! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Petti paambaai purusharai aakkum | Making husbands docile like boxed snakes, |
| Penngalin aayudham idhu | This is the weapon of women! |
| Petti paambaai purusharai aakkum | Making husbands docile like boxed snakes, |
| Penngalin aayudham idhu | This is the weapon of women! |
| Kanneer onnu punnagai rendu | Tears are one, a smile is two! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Aambalai pombalai aththanai peraiyum | Everyone, both men and women, |
| Aatti padaikkuthu idhu | It controls and sways them all! |
| Aambalai pombalai aththanai peraiyum | Everyone, both men and women, |
| Pombalai aambalai aththanai peraiyum | Everyone, women and men, |
| Aatti padaikkuthu idhu | It controls and sways them all! |
| Poi kaadhal onnu kaasu rendu | False love is one, money is two! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Aattam paattum serndhu nadanthidum | With dance and song taking place together, |
| Aanandha kaatchiyae idhu | This is a scene of pure bliss! |
| Aattam paattum serndhu nadanthidum | With dance and song taking place together, |
| Aanandha kaatchiyae idhu | This is a scene of pure bliss! |
| Nalla cinema onnu naadagam rendu | Good cinema is one, drama is two! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu | It is ruining this world, |
| Usirai vaanguthu | It takes away life! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Kurukkezhuthu potti nadathum | By conducting crossword puzzle contests, |
| Koottam peruthu pochu | The crowd has grown humongous! |
| Kurukkezhuthu potti nadathum | By conducting crossword puzzle contests, |
| Koottam peruthu pochu | The crowd has grown humongous! |
| Kurukku valiyil panathai serkkum | To gather money through shortcut ways, |
| Aasai perugalaachu | The desire has surged high! |
| Pala kurukku valiyil panathai serkkum | To gather money through many shortcut ways, |
| Aasai perugalaachu | The desire has surged high! |
| Male | |
| Kulandhai kuttigal kilavar mathiyil | Among young children and elderly folks, |
| Coupan enbathae pechu | 'Coupon' is the talk of the town! |
| Kulandhai kuttigal kilavar mathiyil | Among young children and elderly folks, |
| Coupan enbathae pechu | 'Coupon' is the talk of the town! |
| Hotel server teacher driver | Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver, |
| Kelvi idhuvae aachu | This question has become their only focus! |
| Hotel server teacher driver | Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver, |
| Kelvi idhuvae aachu | This question has become their only focus! |
| Male | |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu | It is ruining this world, |
| Usirai vaanguthu | It takes away life! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Padichavan moolaiyum mangi pochu | Even an educated person's brain has dulled, |
| Idhu pattikaattukkum paravi pochu | This craze has spread to rural villages too, |
| Kadaikku kadai indha notice aachu | Notice posters have appeared shop after shop, |
| Governmentum idhai pathi yosikalaachu | Even the government has begun to ponder over it! |
| Male | |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu | It is ruining this world, |
| Usirai vaanguthu | It takes away life! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
| Male | |
| Mannang kattiyai | A clod of dirt, |
| Malai pol aakkum | Making it look like a mountain, |
| Vazhiyai kattudhu | It shows the way, |
| Panaththai kuvikkudhu | Amassing money! |
| Onna rendaa yedhu | Is it one or two? Which is it? |
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
இந்த உலகத்தை கெடுக்குது
உசிரை வாங்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Is it one or two? Which is it?
It is ruining this world,
It takes away life!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
{மண்ணாங் கட்டியை
மலை போலாக்கும்
வழியை காட்டுது
பணத்தைக் குவிக்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது} (2)
A clod of dirt,
Making it look like a mountain,
It shows the way,
Amassing money!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
பெண்களின் கண்ணில் பட்டால் போதும்
பிரியம் குடுக்குது இது
பெண்களின் கண்ணில் பட்டால் போதும்
பிரியம் குடுக்குது இது
பட்டுப் புடவை ஒண்ணு
புஷ்பம் இரண்டு
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
If it catches women's eyes, that is enough,
It bestows affection!
If it catches women's eyes, that is enough,
It bestows affection!
Silk saree is one,
Flowers are two!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
பெட்டிப் பாம்பாய் புருஷரை ஆக்கும்
பெண்களின் ஆயுதம் இது
பெட்டிப் பாம்பாய் புருஷரை ஆக்கும்
பெண்களின் ஆயுதம் இது
கண்ணீர் ஒண்ணு புன்னகை ரெண்டு
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது....
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது....
Making husbands docile like boxed snakes,
This is the weapon of women!
Making husbands docile like boxed snakes,
This is the weapon of women!
Tears are one, a smile is two!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Is it one or two? Which is it?
ஆம்பளை பொம்பளை அத்தனை பேரையும்
ஆட்டிப் படைக்கும் இது
ஆம்பளை பொம்பளை அத்தனை பேரையும்
ஆட்டிப் படைக்கும் இது
பொய்க் காதல் ஒண்ணு காசு ரெண்டு
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
Everyone, both men and women,
It controls and sways them all!
Everyone, both men and women,
Everyone, women and men,
It controls and sways them all!
False love is one, money is two!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
ஆட்டமும் பாட்டும் சேர்ந்து நடந்திடும்
ஆனந்தக் காட்சியே இது
ஆட்டமும் பாட்டும் சேர்ந்து நடந்திடும்
ஆனந்தக் காட்சியே இது
நல்ல சினிமா ஒண்ணு நாடகம் இரண்டு
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது.....
With dance and song taking place together,
This is a scene of pure bliss!
With dance and song taking place together,
This is a scene of pure bliss!
Good cinema is one, drama is two!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
இந்த உலகத்தை கெடுக்குது
உசிரை வாங்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
Is it one or two? Which is it?
It is ruining this world,
It takes away life!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
குறுக்கெழுத்துப் போட்டி நடத்தும்
கூட்டம் பெருத்துப் போச்சு
குறுக்கெழுத்துப் போட்டி நடத்தும்
கூட்டம் பெருத்துப் போச்சு
குறுக்கு வழியில் பணத்தைச் சேர்க்கும்
ஆசை பெருகலாச்சு
பல குறுக்கு வழியில் பணத்தைச் சேர்க்கும்
ஆசை பெருகலாச்சு
By conducting crossword puzzle contests,
The crowd has grown humongous!
By conducting crossword puzzle contests,
The crowd has grown humongous!
To gather money through shortcut ways,
The desire has surged high!
To gather money through many shortcut ways,
The desire has surged high!
குழந்தை குட்டிகள் கிழவர் மத்தியில்
கூப்பன் என்பதே பேச்சு
குழந்தை குட்டிகள் கிழவர் மத்தியில்
கூப்பன் என்பதே பேச்சு
ஹோட்டல் சர்வர் டீச்சர் டிரைவர்
கேள்வி இதுவே ஆச்சு
ஹோட்டல் சர்வர் டீச்சர் டிரைவர்
கேள்வி இதுவே ஆச்சு
Among young children and elderly folks,
'Coupon' is the talk of the town!
Among young children and elderly folks,
'Coupon' is the talk of the town!
Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver,
This question has become their only focus!
Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver,
This question has become their only focus!
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
இந்த உலகத்தை கெடுக்குது
உசிரை வாங்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
Is it one or two? Which is it?
It is ruining this world,
It takes away life!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
படிச்சவன் மூளையும் மங்கிப் போச்சு
இது பட்டிக்காட்டுக்கும் பரவிப் போச்சு
கடைக்குக் கடை இந்த நோட்டீஸ் ஆச்சு
கவர்ன்மென்ட்டும் இதைப் பத்தி யோசிக்கலாச்சு
Even an educated person's brain has dulled,
This craze has spread to rural villages too,
Notice posters have appeared shop after shop,
Even the government has begun to ponder over it!
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
இந்த உலகத்தை கெடுக்குது
உசிரை வாங்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
Is it one or two? Which is it?
It is ruining this world,
It takes away life!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
மண்ணாங் கட்டியை
மலை போலாக்கும்
வழியை காட்டுது
பணத்தைக் குவிக்குது
ஒண்ணா ரெண்டா எது
A clod of dirt,
Making it look like a mountain,
It shows the way,
Amassing money!
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu
It is ruining this world,
Usirai vaanguthu
It takes away life!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
{Mannang kattiyai
A clod of dirt,
Malai pol aakkum
Making it look like a mountain,
Vazhiyai kattudhu
It shows the way,
Panaththai kuvikkudhu
Amassing money!
Onna rendaa yedhu} (2)
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Penngal kannil pattaal podhum
If it catches women's eyes, that is enough,
Piriyam kodukuthu idhu
It bestows affection!
Penngal kannil pattaal podhum
If it catches women's eyes, that is enough,
Piriyam kodukuthu idhu
It bestows affection!
Pattu pudavai onnu
Silk saree is one,
Pushpam rendu
Flowers are two!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Petti paambaai purusharai aakkum
Making husbands docile like boxed snakes,
Penngalin aayudham idhu
This is the weapon of women!
Petti paambaai purusharai aakkum
Making husbands docile like boxed snakes,
Penngalin aayudham idhu
This is the weapon of women!
Kanneer onnu punnagai rendu
Tears are one, a smile is two!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Aambalai pombalai aththanai peraiyum
Everyone, both men and women,
Aatti padaikkuthu idhu
It controls and sways them all!
Aambalai pombalai aththanai peraiyum
Everyone, both men and women,
Pombalai aambalai aththanai peraiyum
Everyone, women and men,
Aatti padaikkuthu idhu
It controls and sways them all!
Poi kaadhal onnu kaasu rendu
False love is one, money is two!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Aattam paattum serndhu nadanthidum
With dance and song taking place together,
Aanandha kaatchiyae idhu
This is a scene of pure bliss!
Aattam paattum serndhu nadanthidum
With dance and song taking place together,
Aanandha kaatchiyae idhu
This is a scene of pure bliss!
Nalla cinema onnu naadagam rendu
Good cinema is one, drama is two!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu
It is ruining this world,
Usirai vaanguthu
It takes away life!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Kurukkezhuthu potti nadathum
By conducting crossword puzzle contests,
Koottam peruthu pochu
The crowd has grown humongous!
Kurukkezhuthu potti nadathum
By conducting crossword puzzle contests,
Koottam peruthu pochu
The crowd has grown humongous!
Kurukku valiyil panathai serkkum
To gather money through shortcut ways,
Aasai perugalaachu
The desire has surged high!
Pala kurukku valiyil panathai serkkum
To gather money through many shortcut ways,
Aasai perugalaachu
The desire has surged high!
Kulandhai kuttigal kilavar mathiyil
Among young children and elderly folks,
Coupan enbathae pechu
'Coupon' is the talk of the town!
Kulandhai kuttigal kilavar mathiyil
Among young children and elderly folks,
Coupan enbathae pechu
'Coupon' is the talk of the town!
Hotel server teacher driver
Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver,
Kelvi idhuvae aachu
This question has become their only focus!
Hotel server teacher driver
Hotel server, school teacher, vehicle driver,
Kelvi idhuvae aachu
This question has become their only focus!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu
It is ruining this world,
Usirai vaanguthu
It takes away life!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Padichavan moolaiyum mangi pochu
Even an educated person's brain has dulled,
Idhu pattikaattukkum paravi pochu
This craze has spread to rural villages too,
Kadaikku kadai indha notice aachu
Notice posters have appeared shop after shop,
Governmentum idhai pathi yosikalaachu
Even the government has begun to ponder over it!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Indha ulagathai kedukkudhu
It is ruining this world,
Usirai vaanguthu
It takes away life!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Mannang kattiyai
A clod of dirt,
Malai pol aakkum
Making it look like a mountain,
Vazhiyai kattudhu
It shows the way,
Panaththai kuvikkudhu
Amassing money!
Onna rendaa yedhu
Is it one or two? Which is it?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The satirical song 'Onna Rendaa Yedhu' from the 1954 film 'Sugam Enge' serves as a sharp social commentary on society's obsessive pursuit of quick money, gambling schemes, and coupon-based crossword contests that swept Tamil Nadu in the 1950s. Lyricist Kannadasan uses playful dualities ('one or two') to illustrate how people from all walks of life—teachers, drivers, hotel servers, children, and elders—have become obsessed with shortcuts to wealth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Petti paambaai purusharai aakkum”
Compares husbands rendered helpless or obedient by their wives to a snake tamed and kept inside a box ('Petti paambai').
Contrast (Muran)
“Kanneer onnu punnagai rendu”
Pairs opposing human emotional expressions—tears ('Kanneer') and smiles ('Punnagai')—to highlight dualities used to influence others.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kurukkezhuthu potti nadathum / Kurukku valiyil panathai serkkum”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ku' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow and emphasizes the theme of 'shortcuts'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song satirizes the real-life craze of crossword puzzle contests ('kurukkezhuthu potti') and coupon draws that swept Madras State in the early 1950s. This social issue eventually led to government regulations restricting unauthorized prize competitions and lotteries.
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