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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Payanam Enge

From Madras To Pondichery · 1966

Lyricist
Namakkal Varadharajan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Madras To Pondichery1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engae ..payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going? Where is the journey, where?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Male
Kovil paarkkavoo paavam theerkkavooIs it to visit temples, or to cleanse sins?
Sothu serkkavoo sumaiyai thookkavooIs it to accumulate wealth, or to carry burdens?
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Male
Serndhu varubhavar ethanai perrHow many people are traveling together?
Nallavar kettavar yaar arivaarWho knows who among them is good or bad?
Serndhu varubhavar ethanai perrHow many people are traveling together?
Nallavar kettavar yaar arivaarWho knows who among them is good or bad?
Asalai polae nagal irukkumA duplicate will look just like the original.
Asandha neram kedirukkumDanger lurks when one is off guard.
Asalai polae nagal irukkumA duplicate will look just like the original.
Asandha neram kedirukkumDanger lurks when one is off guard.
Vaazhvil kavanam vendum adhaiOne needs caution in life, and along with it,
Vellum thunivum vendumThe courage to overcome.
Vaazhvil kavanam vendum adhaiOne needs caution in life, and along with it,
Vellum thunivum vendumThe courage to overcome.
Male
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Male
Pugaiyum idathil thee irukkumWhere there is smoke, there is fire.
Pagaiyum arugil marainthirukkumEnmity too remains hidden nearby.
Pugaiyum idathil thee irukkumWhere there is smoke, there is fire.
Pagaiyum arugil marainthirukkumEnmity too remains hidden nearby.
Vagai theriyaamal maattikkitta adhuIf caught off guard without knowing the way out,
Vanjam theerkka thunindhu vidumIt will dare to seek revenge.
Vagai theriyaamal maattikkitta adhuIf caught off guard without knowing the way out,
Vanjam theerkka thunindhu vidumIt will dare to seek revenge.
Vaazhvil kavanam vendumOne needs caution in life.
Vellum thunivum vendumThe courage to overcome is needed.
Vaazhvil kavanam vendumOne needs caution in life.
Vellum thunivum vendumThe courage to overcome is needed.
Male
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Enna velai enn thevaiyooWhat work is there, what need is there?
Sondham yaavum paarkkum aasaiyooIs it the desire to see all relatives?
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?
Male
Kovil paarkkavoo paavam theerkkavooIs it to visit temples, or to cleanse sins?
Sothu serkkavoo sumaiyai thookkavooIs it to accumulate wealth, or to carry burdens?
Payanam engae payanam engaeWhere is the journey going, where is the journey going?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Engae Payanam Engae is a philosophical yet situation-driven song from the 1966 Tamil road-comedy thriller film Madras To Pondichery. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan, the song ponders the true purpose of a journey, drawing a parallel between a bus ride and the journey of life. It questions whether people travel to perform duties, meet family, seek spiritual cleansing at temples, or pursue material wealth. At the same time, it warns about the unpredictability of human nature among fellow travelers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kovil paarkkavoo paavam theerkkavoo / Sothu serkkavoo sumaiyai thookkavoo

The rhyming suffixes '-oo' in 'paarkkavoo', 'theerkkavoo', 'serkkavoo', and 'thookkavoo' create a rhythmic lyrical pattern.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pugaiyum idathil thee irukkum / Pagaiyum arugil marainthirukkum

The second letters 'ga' in 'Pugaiyum' and 'Pagaiyum' rhyme to highlight contrast and connection.

Proverbial Imagery

Pugaiyum idathil thee irukkum

Uses the famous idiom 'where there's smoke, there's fire' to caution about hidden hostility.

Did you know?

Trivia

Madras To Pondichery (1966) was a major hit comedy road film directed by Thirumalai-Mahalingam. It was later remade in Hindi as the legendary comedy film Bombay to Goa (1972), featuring Amitabh Bachchan.

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