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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oor Sirikka Pereduthaayaa

From Thiruttu Raman · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Thiruttu Raman1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Nee ulagai yeikkum thirudan endraeAs a thief who deceives the world,
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Male
Kadamai endru nee ninaindhaaiYou thought of it as your duty,
Kalavu seiya manam thunindhaaiYou dared your heart to commit theft.
Kadamai endru nee ninaindhaaiYou thought of it as your duty,
Kalavu seiya manam thunindhaaiYou dared your heart to commit theft.
Kambhi enni kaalam ellamCounting prison bars for all time,
Vembhi vaadi kadharugiraaiYou wither, fade, and wail in anguish.
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Male
Kanniyamae thannuyiraaiHolding modesty and dignity as her very life,
Enni vaazhum sodhariyai..eeThe sister who lives with such values...
Kanniyamae thannuyiraaiHolding modesty and dignity as her very life,
Enni vaazhum sodhariyaiThe sister who lives with such values,
Pengal ellam keliyaagaYou made all the women in town
Pesidave seidhu vittaaiMock and speak ill of her!
Pengal ellam keliyaagaYou made all the women in town
Pesidave seidhu vittaaiMock and speak ill of her!
Andi nirkka nizhal illamalWithout even a shadow of shelter to lean on,
Alaindhu thirindhu alaiya vittaiYou forced her to wander aimlessly in distress.
Male
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Nee ulagai yeikkum thirudan endraeAs a thief who deceives the world,
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Male
Uthamanaai unnai enniBelieving you to be an honorable man,
Uravu kondu parivu konduBonding with love and deep affection,
Nitham manadhil kanavu kanduDreaming in her heart every single day,
Nimirndhu nadanthu pedhai nenjilIn that innocent woman's heart,
Neruppai thoovalamooIs it right to shower burning fire?
Oor sirikka per eduthaayaaDid you earn a name that makes the town mock you?
Male
Kenji velai ketka vandhaalWhen she begs humbly asking for honest work,
Kindaal seivaan oru kirukkanA fool will make fun of her;
Anju roovaai nottai kattiFlashing a five-rupee note,
Azhaithiduvaan oru thudukkanA rogue will entice her;
Pinju manasa noga seiyaJust to break her tender heart,
Pidithu izhupaan oru veriyanA brute will grab and drag her!
Vanjaiyaana pengalukkuFor such helpless, vulnerable women,
Nanjam ondrae gadhaiyaIs poison the only ultimate refuge left?
Nanjam ondrae gadhaiyaIs poison the only ultimate refuge left?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant moral reproach and social lament directed at a man who chose a life of crime and theft. Instead of earning an honorable livelihood, his criminal actions bring public shame upon himself, leaving him to suffer behind prison bars. More tragic, however, is the collateral damage inflicted upon the innocent women in his family—particularly his sister—who are left utterly destitute, humiliated by society, and exposed to exploitation. The lyricist highlights the harsh realities faced by vulnerable women in society. When an innocent woman seeks honest labor to survive, she is met with mockery, financial temptation, and physical harassment from predatory men. The song culminates in a devastating social critique, asking whether society leaves helpless, honorable women with no option for survival except to end their lives with poison.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Oor sirikka per eduthaayaa

The repeated refrain asks 'Did you earn a name just to be mocked by the town?', highlighting the absurdity and shame of earning notoriety instead of respect.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadamai endru nee ninaindhaai / Kalavu seiya manam thunindhaai

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' ('Kadamai' / 'Kalavu') creates a rhythmic phonetic connection between 'duty' and 'theft'.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kambhi enni kaalam ellam / Vembhi vaadi kadharugiraai

The second letter harmony with 'mb' ('Kambhi' / 'Vembhi') connects the act of counting prison bars with the resulting anguish and regret.

Metaphor

pedhai nenjil Neruppai thoovalamoo

Inflicting intense sorrow and tragedy on an innocent woman's heart is metaphorically described as 'scattering fire' on her heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1955 movie 'Thiruttu Raman' featured music composed by the prominent South Indian composer Pendyala Nageswara Rao, with lyrics penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan. Legendary playback singer Ghantasala lent his emotive voice to this track, which reflects the reformist social themes prevalent in 1950s Tamil cinema that addressed morality, female honor, and the tragic consequences of crime.

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