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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Penn Pirantha Pavathai

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

Lyricist
T. K. Krishnasami
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Arunagirinathar
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
2 Sept 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
Naan pirandha paavathai
Naanae arindhu konden
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
Naan pirandha paavathai
Naanae arindhu konden
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
Kannukkum pennukkum
Uravundu endru sonnar
Kannukkum pennukkum
Uravundu endru sonnar
Kanneer vadipadhai
Enniyae sollivittaar
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
Pennoru thaaiyaagi
Kanavarai pettreduthaar
Ennai oru thaayakka
Yen avar maruthu vittaar
Pennoru thaaiyaagi
Kanavarai pettreduthaar
Ennai oru thaayakka
Yen avar maruthu vittaar
Kadavulil pengalai
Kaal thottu kumbitaar
Kadavulil pengalai
Kaal thottu kumbitaar
Manaiviyai pen endru
Madhikavae marandhu vitaar
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
Naan pirandha paavathai
Naanae arindhu konden
Penn pirandha paavathai
Pirar pesa kettadhundu
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
The sorrow of my own birth,
I have come to realize myself.
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
The sorrow of my own birth,
I have come to realize myself.
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
Between an eye and a woman,
they said there is a bond.
Between an eye and a woman,
they said there is a bond.
It is for shedding tears,
that they must have said so.
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
A woman became a mother
and gave birth to my husband.
Yet to make me a mother,
why did he refuse?
A woman became a mother
and gave birth to my husband.
Yet to make me a mother,
why did he refuse?
The goddesses among the divine,
he worshipped by touching their feet.
The goddesses among the divine,
he worshipped by touching their feet.
Yet to respect his wife as a woman,
he completely forgot.
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
The sorrow of my own birth,
I have come to realize myself.
The misfortune of being born a woman,
I have heard others speak of.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses the deep sorrow and anguish of a woman neglected by her husband, set against societal irony. She reflects on the general saying that being born a woman is a misfortune, a harsh reality she now experiences firsthand. She points out the tragic connection between eyes and women, implying that weeping is an inevitable part of a woman's life. Furthermore, she highlights the hypocrisy of a husband who reveres female deities with extreme devotion while utterly failing to show basic respect, affection, and the dignity of motherhood to his wedded wife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kannukkum pennukkum / Kanneer vadipadhai

The second letter consonant 'nn' matches across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Moonaai (Initial letter/sound alliteration)

Penn pirandha paavathai / Pirar pesa kettadhundu

Alliteration of the initial letter 'P' across words in the line.

Irony / Paradox

Kadavulil pengalai kaal thottu kumbitaar / Manaiviyai pen endru madhikavae marandhu vitaar

Contrasts the husband's devout worship of female goddesses with his total neglect and disrespect toward his living wife.

Did you know?

Trivia

This melancholic song from the 1964 biographical film 'Arunagirinathar' features music composed by the legendary G. Ramanathan, with playback singing by P. Susheela. The film stars singer-actor T. M. Soundararajan as Saint Arunagirinathar.

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