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Thangathile Vairam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pengalukkendroru Perumai

From Thangathile Vairam · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B. Sasirekha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Thangathile Vairam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
16 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pengalukkendru oru perumai undu
Theriyaadhoo kanna
Iru kangalil ondru pen kulam endru
Puriyaadhoo kanna
Kangalil ondru penn kulam endru
Puriyaadhoo kanna…puriyaadhoo kanna
Engalukkendru oru kaaviyam undu
Theriyaadhoo kannae
Naangal maalaiyittaal thaan madhippu undu
Puriyaadhoo kannae
Engal menagai pinnaal
Vishwamithrar ponadhu
Ethanai kevalamoo
Ungal samyukthai mattum
Kudhirai yeri parandhu
Ponadhu naanayamoo
Unga kovalan engal maadhavi
Kaalil vizhundhadhu enna nadagamoo
Oru pavalan pinnae amaravathi
Paadi thirinthathu kaaviyamoo..hoi
Paadi thirinthathu kaaviyamoo…ahei
Enga mangamma
Annaalil madhurai nagaril
Singam pol aandathai ketkalaiyoo
Andha madhuraiyai aanda alliyai
Adakka arjunan vandhadhai paarkalaiyoo
Aaa…aa
Harichandran enbavan sondha manaiviyai
Sandhaiyil vilai pesalaiyoo
Unga nallathangaalum
Pettra kuzhandhaiyai
Kinattril thooki veesalaiyoo
Kinattril thooki veesalaiyoo
Haei haei
Engalukkendru oru kaaviyam undu
Theriyaadhoo kannae
Aan kuzhandhai endru
Pirandha podhum
Amma enbadhu engalai thaan
Andha kuzhandhai kooda
Initial poda
Nambhi iruppadhu engalai thaan
Indru indhiya naattai
Aala piranthathu
Valaiyal potta kaigal aiyaa
Andha mangaiyin kaigalil valaiyal
Maatti vittadhum aadavan kaigal amma
Haan aadavan kaigal amma
Bruhh bruhh
Pengalukkendru oru perumai undu
Theriyaadhoo kanna
Naangal maalaiyittaal thaan madhippu undu
Puriyaadhoo kannae…puriyaadhoo kannae…
Women have a special pride of their own,
Don't you know that, my dear?
That womankind is one of the world's two eyes,
Don't you understand, my dear?
That womankind is one of the two eyes,
Don't you understand, my dear... don't you understand, my dear?
We men have an epic history of our own,
Don't you know that, my darling?
You get your true worth only when we place a wedding garland on you,
Don't you understand, my darling?
Chasing behind our Menaka,
The way Sage Vishwamitra lost his way—
Wasn't that utterly shameful?
And when your Samyuktha
Rode off on a horse and eloped,
Was that so honorable?
Your Kovalan falling at the feet
Of our Madhavi—what kind of drama was that?
And Amaravathi following a poet,
Wandering and singing—was that an epic romance? Hoy!
Wandering and singing—was that an epic romance? Ahey!
Our Queen Mangammal,
In those days in the city of Madurai,
Haven't you heard how she ruled like a lion?
To tame Queen Alli who ruled that very Madurai,
Didn't you see Arjuna arrive?
Aah... aa
Didn't that man Harishchandra
Put up his own wife for sale in the market?
And didn't your Nallathangal
Throw the children she gave birth to
Down into a well?
Down into a well?
Hey hey!
We men have an epic history of our own,
Don't you know that, my darling?
Even when a child
Is born a boy,
The one he calls "Mother" is only us!
Even that child,
To get a father's initial for his name,
Has to rely only on us men!
Today, born to rule
The nation of India,
Are hands wearing bangles, sir!
And the ones who slipped bangles onto that woman's hands
Were a man's hands, my dear lady!
Yes, a man's hands, my dear lady!
Brrh brrh!
Women have a special pride of their own,
Don't you know that, my dear?
You get your true worth only when we place a wedding garland on you,
Don't you understand, my darling... don't you understand, my darling?
Female
Male
Female
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Female
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Female
Male
Female
Male
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Female
Male
Female
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Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful gender-debate song from 'Thangathile Vairam' showcases a witty lyrical battle highlighting the pride, accomplishments, and historical significance of women. The lead female singer references various mythological and historical legends—including Menaka enticing Vishwamitra, Kovalan falling for Madhavi, Rani Mangamma ruling Madurai like a lion, and Queen Alli—to assert female dominance and independence. The male vocalist responds with counter-arguments about legendary tragedies and male roles in lineage, maintaining a humorous back-and-forth banter. The song concludes with a nod to female political empowerment in contemporary India while celebrating the complementary nature of men and women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Vinaa Aani (Rhetorical Questions)

“Theriyaadhoo kanna / Puriyaadhoo kanna”

The lyrics rely heavily on rhetorical interrogative endings like 'Theriyaadhoo' (Don't you know?) and 'Puriyaadhoo' (Don't you understand?) to challenge the opposing side in this lyrical debate.

Puraana Kurippugal (Mythological and Historical Allusions)

“Engal menagai pinnaal / Vishwamithrar ponadhu”

Vaali weaves classical literature, epics, and regional legends into the text, citing Vishwamitra, Kovalan, Madhavi, Rani Mangamma, Alli, Arjuna, Harishchandra, and Nallathangal.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Engalukkendru / Theriyaadhoo”

Consonance of the second letter across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed lyricist Vaali for the 1977 film 'Thangathile Vairam' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, the song reflects popular Tamil debate traditions (Patti Mandram) in musical form. The reference to 'valaiyal potta kaigal' ruling India is a direct nod to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was in power during that era.

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