Pen Maanam Kakkum
From Soolam · 1980
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Soolam1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Soolam soolam soolam soolam | Trident, trident, trident, trident |
| Soolam soolam soolam soolam | Trident, trident, trident, trident |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Female | |
| Raaniyallavo ennai vellavo | Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me? |
| Vittil ondru theeyai sudavo | Can a moth burn down the fire? |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Female | |
| Kaalikkum thotram undu | Goddess Kali too has a form |
| Thottraththilum seettram undu | And within that form, there is fierce wrath |
| Chorus :Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female :Thogaikkum maattram undu | Female: Even a peahen undergoes transformation |
| Vaagai soodum aatral undu | She has the power to wear the victory wreath |
| Chorus :Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female | |
| Soolam ondru moondrallavaa | Is not a trident one weapon with three prongs? |
| Pennukku athu saandrallavaa | Is that not a symbol and proof for a woman? |
| Female | |
| Veeram onnu | Valor is number one |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Maanam rendu | Female: Self-respect is number two |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Nyaanam moonu | Female: Wisdom is number three |
| Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana | Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana |
| Thanthananaanaa | Thanthananaanaa |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ................ |
| Female | |
| Aadavar pengalukku | In the flower that men adorn women with |
| Soodum poovil mul irukum | There will be a hidden thorn |
| Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female :Kanneeril moozhgum munnaae | Female: Before drowning in tears |
| Maadhar kulam vil edukkum | Womankind will wield the bow |
| Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female | |
| Kanni pennin penmai thottaal | If anyone touches a maiden's modesty |
| Thotta pinnae vittu vittaal | And abandons her after touching |
| Female | |
| Vel eduppom | We will raise spears |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Kaal eduppom | Female: We will take bold steps |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Haei kai eduppom | Female: Hey, we will raise our hands! |
| Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana | Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana |
| Thanthananaanaa | Thanthananaanaa |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Female | |
| Vambulla kaattu vaengai | The aggressive wild tiger of the forest |
| Koondukulla poottaporean | I am going to lock it inside a cage |
| Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female :Vaengaiyin thooluriththu | Female: Flaying the skin of that tiger |
| Veettukullae maattaporaen | I am going to frame and hang it inside the house |
| Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa | Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa |
| Female | |
| Penn enbaval aalae alla | A woman is not a weak or ordinary person |
| Tharmaththirkku vaeli alla | She is not merely a passive fence for righteousness |
| Female | |
| Soolam edu… | Pick up the trident... |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Aanaiyidu…. | Female: Give the command... |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Aanaiyidu…haei | Female: Give the command... hey! |
| Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana | Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana |
| Thanthananaanaa | Thanthananaanaa |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
| Female | |
| Raaniyallavo ennai vellavo | Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me? |
| Vittil ondru theeyai sudavo | Can a moth burn down the fire? |
| Female | |
| Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam | Our trident protects womanhood's honor |
| Chorus :Soolam | Chorus: Trident |
| Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham | Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda |
| Chorus :Vaedham | Chorus: Sacred Veda |
சூலம் சூலம் சூலம் சூலம்
சூலம் சூலம் சூலம் சூலம்
Trident, trident, trident, trident
Trident, trident, trident, trident
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
ராணியல்லவோ என்னை வெல்லவோ
விட்டில் ஒன்று தீயை சுடவோ
Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me?
Can a moth burn down the fire?
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
காளிக்கும் தோற்றம் உண்டு
தோற்றத்திலும் சீற்றம் உண்டு
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
தோகைக்கும் மாற்றம் உண்டு
வாகை சூடும் ஆற்றல் உண்டு
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
Goddess Kali too has a form
And within that form, there is fierce wrath
Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female: Even a peahen undergoes transformation
She has the power to wear the victory wreath
Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
சூலம் ஒன்று மூன்றல்லவா
பெண்ணுக்கு அது சான்றல்லவா
Is not a trident one weapon with three prongs?
Is that not a symbol and proof for a woman?
வீரம் ஒண்ணு
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹே
மானம் ரெண்டு
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஞானம் மூணு
குழு :
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தனனானா
Valor is number one
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: Self-respect is number two
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: Wisdom is number three
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
..............................
................
ஆடவர் பெண்களுக்கு
சூடும் பூவில் முள் இருக்கும்
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
கண்ணீரில் மூழ்கும் முன்னே
மாதர் குலம் வில் எடுக்கும்
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
In the flower that men adorn women with
There will be a hidden thorn
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female: Before drowning in tears
Womankind will wield the bow
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
கன்னி பெண்ணின் பெண்மை தொட்டால்
தொட்டப் பின்னே விட்டு விட்டால்
If anyone touches a maiden's modesty
And abandons her after touching
வேல் எடுப்போம்
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹே
கால் எடுப்போம்
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹே
கை எடுப்போம்
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹேய்
குழு :
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தனனானா
We will raise spears
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: We will take bold steps
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: Hey, we will raise our hands!
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
வம்புள்ள காட்டு வேங்கை
கூண்டுக்குள்ளே பூட்டப்போறேன்
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
வேங்கையின் தோலுரித்து
வீட்டுக்குள்ளே மாட்டப்போறேன்
குழு :
தானானா தானானா தானானானா
The aggressive wild tiger of the forest
I am going to lock it inside a cage
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female: Flaying the skin of that tiger
I am going to frame and hang it inside the house
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
பெண் என்பவள் ஆளே அல்ல
தர்மத்திற்கு வேலி அல்ல
A woman is not a weak or ordinary person
She is not merely a passive fence for righteousness
சூலம் எடு.......
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹேய்
ஆணையிடு.....
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹேய்
ஆணையிடு....ஹேய்
குழு :
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தனனானா
Pick up the trident...
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: Give the command...
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female: Give the command... hey!
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
ராணியல்லவோ என்னை வெல்லவோ
விட்டில் ஒன்று தீயை சுடவோ
Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me?
Can a moth burn down the fire?
பெண் மானம் காக்கும் எங்கள் சூலம்
குழு :
சூலம்
தன்மானம்தானே எங்கள் வேதம்
குழு :
வேதம்
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus: Trident
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Soolam soolam soolam soolam
Trident, trident, trident, trident
Soolam soolam soolam soolam
Trident, trident, trident, trident
Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Raaniyallavo ennai vellavo
Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me?
Vittil ondru theeyai sudavo
Can a moth burn down the fire?
Penn maanam kaakkum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Kaalikkum thotram undu
Goddess Kali too has a form
Thottraththilum seettram undu
And within that form, there is fierce wrath
Chorus :Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female :Thogaikkum maattram undu
Female: Even a peahen undergoes transformation
Vaagai soodum aatral undu
She has the power to wear the victory wreath
Chorus :Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Soolam ondru moondrallavaa
Is not a trident one weapon with three prongs?
Pennukku athu saandrallavaa
Is that not a symbol and proof for a woman?
Veeram onnu
Valor is number one
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Maanam rendu
Female: Self-respect is number two
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Nyaanam moonu
Female: Wisdom is number three
Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
Thanthananaanaa
Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
……………..
................
Aadavar pengalukku
In the flower that men adorn women with
Soodum poovil mul irukum
There will be a hidden thorn
Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female :Kanneeril moozhgum munnaae
Female: Before drowning in tears
Maadhar kulam vil edukkum
Womankind will wield the bow
Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Kanni pennin penmai thottaal
If anyone touches a maiden's modesty
Thotta pinnae vittu vittaal
And abandons her after touching
Vel eduppom
We will raise spears
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Kaal eduppom
Female: We will take bold steps
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Haei kai eduppom
Female: Hey, we will raise our hands!
Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
Thanthananaanaa
Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Vambulla kaattu vaengai
The aggressive wild tiger of the forest
Koondukulla poottaporean
I am going to lock it inside a cage
Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Female :Vaengaiyin thooluriththu
Female: Flaying the skin of that tiger
Veettukullae maattaporaen
I am going to frame and hang it inside the house
Chorus :Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Chorus: Thaanaanaa thaanaanaa thaanaanaanaa
Penn enbaval aalae alla
A woman is not a weak or ordinary person
Tharmaththirkku vaeli alla
She is not merely a passive fence for righteousness
Soolam edu…
Pick up the trident...
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Aanaiyidu….
Female: Give the command...
Chorus :Hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae
Female :Aanaiyidu…haei
Female: Give the command... hey!
Chorus :Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Chorus: Thanthana thanthana thanthana thanthana
Thanthananaanaa
Thanthananaanaa
Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Raaniyallavo ennai vellavo
Am I not a queen? Can anyone conquer me?
Vittil ondru theeyai sudavo
Can a moth burn down the fire?
Penn maanam kaakum engal soolam
Our trident protects womanhood's honor
Chorus :Soolam
Chorus: Trident
Female :Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham
Female: Self-respect itself is our sacred Veda
Chorus :Vaedham
Chorus: Sacred Veda
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a fierce feminist anthem centered on women's dignity, self-respect, and righteous anger. The trident (Soolam) serves as the primary metaphor representing the three pillar attributes of an empowered woman: valor (veeram), self-respect (maanam), and wisdom (nyaanam). The lyrics challenge patriarchal dominance and warn that women will no longer suffer in silence or weep; instead, they will channel Goddess Kali's fury to rise against deception and injustice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Thanmaanamthaanae engal vaedham”
Equating self-respect (Thanmaanam) directly to the sacred Vedas (Vaedham), establishing self-dignity as divine law.
Rhetorical Question & Analogy
“Vittil ondru theeyai sudavo”
Asks if a moth can burn a fire, highlighting the absurdity and impossibility of an oppressor trying to conquer a fiery, self-aware woman.
Symbolism
“Soolam ondru moondrallavaa”
The three prongs of the trident are used symbolically to represent three virtues of women: Veeram (Valor), Maanam (Honor/Self-respect), and Nyaanam (Wisdom).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Veeram onnu / Maanam rendu / Nyaanam moonu”
Repetition of initial consonants/vowel sounds in words like 'Veeram', 'Maanam', and 'Nyaanam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the renowned Tamil lyricist Pulamaipithan for the 1980 film 'Soolam', the song uses the weapon associated with Goddess Shakti/Kali as an emblem of rural female empowerment and resistance against exploitation.
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