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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Solla Solla Enna Perumai

From Ellam Inbamayyam · 1981

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ellam Inbamayyam1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………..
Male
Solla solla enna perumaiAs I keep speaking, what immense pride!
Enna selvam enna arumaiWhat vast wealth, what true greatness!
Eduthadhum maraithadhumTaking things and concealing them,
MarandhirundhuHaving completely forgotten,
Male
Solla solla enna perumaiAs I keep speaking, what immense pride!
Raa paap paap paaRaa paap paap paa
Enna selvam enna arumaiWhat vast wealth, what true greatness!
Eduthadhum maraithadhumTaking things and concealing them,
MarandhirundhuHaving completely forgotten,
Solla solla enna perumaiAs I keep speaking, what immense pride!
Male
Perum undu seerum unduThere is fame and there is prosperity,
Perukku pin naalum unduAnd days follow after achieving status.
Male
Nee nadandha paadhaiyilaeAlong the path you have walked,
Kallum undu mullum unduThere are sharp stones and sharp thorns.
Kaanaadha kolangal naan kaattavaaShall I reveal sights you have never seen?
Thaedaamal nee kanda per sollavaaShall I tell of the fame you gained effortlessly?
Oru needhi oru nyaayamThere is one justice and one fairness,
Adhu kanavilum ninaivilumThat lingers in dreams and conscious thoughts,
Vaazhvilum thodarudhuAnd continues throughout one's life.
Male
Solla solla enna perumaiAs I keep speaking, what immense pride!
Rippaa rippaaRippaa rippaa
Male
………………………
Male
Yaar arivaar naan arivenWho knows? Only I know!
Nee varanjna vaedham ennaWhat is the scripture or doctrine you have scripted?
Male
Oozhal indri vanjam indriWithout corruption and without deceit,
Peruzhaippaal vaazhbavan naanI am one who lives purely through hard labor.
Pogaadha perunjelva cheemaan maganThe son of a wealthy lord blessed with timeless riches,
Eedillai nee konda perum pugazhIncomparable is the great renown you possess!
Oru kaalam varum podhuWhen the right time arrives,
Unai kanavilum ninaivilumIt follows you in dreams and thoughts,
Vaazhvilum thodarudhuAnd continues throughout life.
Male
Solla solla enna perumaiAs I keep speaking, what immense pride!
Hae ho rippaaHae ho rippaa
Enna selvam enna arumaiWhat vast wealth, what true greatness!
Eduthadhum haa maraithadhum haeTaking things, ha, and concealing them, hae,
MarandhirundhuHaving completely forgotten,
Solla solla enna perumai paa rippaaba rippaaAs I keep speaking, what immense pride! Paa rippaaba rippaa
Chorus
……………………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lively song from 'Ellam Inbamayyam' (1981) blends rhythmic vocal scats with satirical commentary on reputation, integrity, and hard work. The lyrics ponder the nature of fame, wealth, and status, emphasizing that true dignity comes from living without corruption or deceit through honest toil. It reminds the listener that life's journey contains both smooth fame and sharp obstacles ('stones and thorns'), but steadfast justice and moral principles follow a person continuously in dreams, thoughts, and real life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Solla solla enna perumai

The word 'Solla' is repeated sequentially to express continuous reflection and emphasis.

Metaphor / Imagery

Kallum undu mullum undu

'Kallum undu mullum undu' uses stones and thorns as a metaphor for hardships encountered on life's path.

Iyaibu (Rhyming End Words)

Adhu kanavilum ninaivilum / Vaazhvilum thodarudhu

The words ending in '-um' ('kanavilum', 'ninaivilum', 'vaazhvilum') create a rhythmic, rhyming musical flow.

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Perum undu seerum undu / Perukku pin naalum undu

Matching initial sounds in 'Perum' and 'Perukku' enhance the lyrical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Ellam Inbamayyam' (1981) starred Kamal Haasan and was directed by G. N. Rangarajan. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with Panchu Arunachalam providing lyrics that cleverly wove playful vocal improvs with social commentary.

Keep listening

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