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Pannaipurathu Pandavargal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pathai Enge Payanam Enge

From Pannaipurathu Pandavargal · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Pannaipurathu Pandavargal
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
19 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paadhai engae payanam engae
Mayangum nenjae manithan nee
Aaru vatri ponaal keni undu engae
Geedhai thanai naan sollavaa
Paadhai engae…
Vannangal yaezhu vaanavil ondru
Vannangal illamal vaanavil yaedhu
Vaanaththil nooru vinmeengal undu
Chandhiran ennaalum ondraethaan kannaa
Paandavargal andru thaniyaaga ponaal
Bhaaratha kadhaiyae veru vidhamaagum
Thaangupavan nee intha kolam kollalaama
Ajunan neeyadaavillai edu kaiyilae
Paadhai engae…
Aarukku pinnae yaezhu varumendru
Yaaridam kettaalum solvaargal kannaa
Aasaigal vanthaal achchamum serum
Aaththiram kollaamal aaraya vendum
Yaezhaiyin kann unnai thedaamal thedum
Inbamo thunbamo nee tharuvathu allavaa
Poo mudiththu paarungal endru solla aasai
Oomai naan pesavo vaarththai illai annaa
Paadhai engae payanam engae
Mayangum nenjae manithan nee
Aaru vatri ponaal keni undu engae
Geedhai thanai naan sollavaa
Paadhai engae…
Where is the path? Where is the journey leading?
O confused heart, you are only human.
If the river dries up, where can you find a well?
Shall I recite the Gita to you?
Where is the path...?
There are seven colours, but only one rainbow.
Without its colours, what is a rainbow?
There are a hundred stars in the sky,
but the moon is always just one, Kanna.
Back then, if the Pandavas had gone their separate ways,
the story of the Mahabharata would have turned out differently.
You are the one who supports us; should you be in such a state?
You are Arjuna; take up the bow in your hand!
Where is the path...?
That seven comes after six,
anyone you ask would tell you, Kanna.
When desires arise, fear follows along.
Without losing your temper, you must think things through.
This poor soul's eyes search for you helplessly.
Whether it is joy or sorrow, isn't it all given by you?
I long to say, "Wear flowers and see,"
but I am mute; how can I speak? I have no words, brother.
Where is the path? Where is the journey leading?
O confused heart, you are only human.
If the river dries up, where can you find a well?
Shall I recite the Gita to you?
Where is the path...?
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical and emotionally resonant song offers counsel and strength to a troubled soul undergoing despair. Drawing heavy inspiration from the epic Mahabharata, the lyricist Kannadasan urges the listener to rise above confusion and weakness, likening them to Arjuna on the battlefield who needs to pick up his bow and fulfill his duty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Epical reference)

“Ajunan neeyadaavillai edu kaiyilae”

Refers directly to Mahabharata, the Pandavas, and Arjuna being counseled with the Gita on the battlefield.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Paadhai engae payanam engae”

Repetition of the initial letter 'Pa' in 'Paadhai' and 'payanam'.

Metaphor

“Vannangal yaezhu vaanavil ondru”

Compares unity to colors forming a single rainbow and stars surrounding a single moon.

Rhetorical Question

“Aaru vatri ponaal keni undu engae”

Uses a questioning tone to provoke self-reflection about duty and life's direction.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Pannaipurathu Pandavargal' (1982) features music composed by Gangai Amaran, brother of Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The title of the film pays homage to their native village, Pannaipuram in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.

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