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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Penukku Pennae Ennadi

From Selviyin Selvan · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. Pugazhenthi
Details
Selviyin Selvan1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Penukku pennae ennadiWhat is this, woman to woman?
Nee onnum maraikkama solladiTell me without hiding anything, girl.
Penukku pennae ennadiWhat is this, woman to woman?
Nee onnum maraikkama solladiTell me without hiding anything, girl.
Female
Penukku pennae ennadi…ee…What is this, woman to woman?
Female
Thanniyilae thaalamidum kullakaaraOh short man beating rhythm in the water,
Unai thaali katta poravalum kullam thaanaIs the girl going to marry you short as well?
Kullathilum nettaiyilum enna irukkuWhat is there in being short or tall?
Hmm mmmHmm mmm
Kullathilum nettaiyilum enna irukkuWhat is there in being short or tall?
Anbu ullathilae allavo pinni irukkuIsn't it woven inside a loving heart?
Anbu ullathilae allavo pinni irukku..hmm mmIsn't it woven inside a loving heart?..hmm mm
Female
Penukku pennae ennadiWhat is this, woman to woman?
Nee onnum maraikkama solladiTell me without hiding anything, girl.
Penukku pennae ennadi…ee…What is this, woman to woman?
Female
Thaavani katti vandha alameluAlamelu who came wearing a half-saree,
Adhu saelaiyaaga maariyadhu endha naaluWhich day did it turn into a full saree?
Aan ..thaavani katti vandha alameluYes.. Alamelu who came wearing a half-saree,
Adhu saelaiyaaga maariyadhu endha naaluWhich day did it turn into a full saree?
Naan enna seiyattum keladiListen girl, what should I do?
Naan enna seiyattum keladiListen girl, what should I do?
Paruva nadagathin velai idhu paaradiLook, this is the work of youth's drama,
Paruva nadagathin velai idhu paaradiLook, this is the work of youth's drama.
Female
Ada penukku pennae ennadiOh, what is this, woman to woman?
Nee onnum maraikkama solladiTell me without hiding anything, girl.
Penukku pennae ennadi…ee…What is this, woman to woman?
Female
Chinna ponnu manjaliyae uraichaalaamIt is said the young girl crushed turmeric,
Nethu kannathilae patta kaayam maraichaalaamAnd hid the mark/wound received on her cheek yesterday.
Kanni ponnu kalyaanam nadakkathaWon't the maiden girl get married?
Apo kannathilae unakkum kedaikaathaWon't you also get one on your cheek then?
Apo kannathilae unakkum kedaikaathaWon't you also get one on your cheek then?
Female
Pulli vecha aan azhagan yaaradiWho is that handsome man who made a mark/point?
Avan solli vecha saedhi ellaam kooradiTell all the messages he left behind for you.
Female
PodiGo away!
Penukku pennae ennadiWhat is this, woman to woman?
Nee onnum maraikkama solladiTell me without hiding anything, girl.
Penukku pennae ennadi…ee… ee … eeeWhat is this, woman to woman?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song features playful banter between female friends sharing intimate secrets about growing up, romance, and love. The speaker playfully teases her friend about her lover, physical attributes (shortness vs. height), coming of age (transitioning from a half-saree to a saree), and secret romantic marks on the cheek.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kullathilum nettaiyilum enna irukku

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' across lines: 'Penukku' and 'Nee' (with dental sound resonance) or repeated patterns in 'Kullathilum' and 'Anbu'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Penukku pennae ennadi

Repetition of initial consonants like 'p' sound in 'Penukku pennae' and 'Paruva nadagathin'.

Metaphor

Paruva nadagathin velai idhu paaradi

'Paruva nadagam' (drama of youth) acts as a metaphor for the transformative changes and romantic experiences during adolescence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Selviyin Selvan' is a 1968 Tamil movie with lyrics by Vaali. Songs from this era featuring lighthearted conversational banter between female friends ('Thozhi' songs) were popular folk-pop interludes.

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