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Lyrics & meaning

Thenamum Kalyanam

From Magudi (1984) · 1984

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Magudi (1984)1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh
Female
Oru parisam podaamae purushan palaraachchuWithout even paying a groom price, I have had many husbands
Paaththu pulipaachchuthu idhu pazhaiya ezhuththaachchuthuI have grown tired of seeing this, it has become an old destiny
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh
Female
Em melae kuththam sollakkoodaathuDo not place the blame on me
En kadhavu entha naalum moodaathuMy door never closes on any day
Raaththiri nera aaththiram theeraWhen night falls, to satisfy urges
Saasthiram kidaiyaathuThere are no rules or scriptures
Saaththiram paakka aasaikkuDesire does not have two eyes
Rendu neththiram kidaiyaathuTo look for propriety or rules
Female
Ingae yaedhu panpaaduWhere is culture or tradition here?
Enna solla penn paaduHow to describe the plight of a woman?
Ada poyaa maanam eenamOh go away, only if one abandons honor and self-respect
Vittaathaanae nadakkuthuCan life go on like this?
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh
Female
Yaaraaro avnthu vanthu poraagaAll kinds of strangers come and go
Naan kettaa alli alli thaaraagaIf I ask, they shower me generously with money
Kaasaiyum koduththu kann muzhikkaamaeThere are men who pay money and without staying awake
Thoongura aal unduJust fall fast asleep
Kai kaal nadunga kannaal paaththaeThere are men who look with their eyes while hands and feet tremble
Yaengura aal unduLonging for love
Female
Innum undu vedikkaiThere are still more funny sights
Ellaam namma vaadikkaiAll these are customary for us
Pala pera arinjen purinjaenI have known and understood many men
Adhanaal thaanae sirikkiraenThat is why I am laughing now
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh
Female
Oru parisam podaamae purushan palaraachchuWithout even paying a groom price, I have had many husbands
Paaththu pulipaachchuthu idhu pazhaiya ezhuththaachchuthuI have grown tired of seeing this, it has become an old destiny
Female
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheriEvery day a wedding, every day a concert
Enakku pozhappaachchuthuThis has become my daily livelihood
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthuThinking about this makes me laugh

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie Magudi (1984) is a poignant yet satirical commentary sung from the perspective of a courtesan or dancing woman who reflects on her daily profession. She describes her routine of entertaining men daily as a perpetual wedding or concert, contrasting the societal expectations of womanhood with her harsh reality. Despite the moralizing nature of society, she critiques the hypocrisy of the men who visit her and the loss of honor required just to survive. Through tragic laughter and sharp observation, she reflects on human nature and her place in the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaibu)

Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri / Enakku pozhappaachchuthu / Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu

The repetitive rhyming ending '-aachchuthu' creates a rhythmic, conversational, and ironic tone.

Alliteration (Moonae)

Ingae yaedhu panpaadu / Enna solla penn paadu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'p' in 'panpaadu' and 'penn paadu'.

Metaphor

Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri

Comparing daily client visits to a grand wedding and musical performance ('kalyaanam' and 'katcheri').

Irony

Pala pera arinjen purinjaen / Adhanaal thaanae sirikkiraen

Expressing grief and societal hardship through laughter ('sirippaachchuthu' and 'sirikkiraen').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha, known for his modern poetry (Pudhu Kadhithai) laden with social critique. Sung by veteran vocalist P. Susheela under the musical composition of Ilaiyaraaja, the song showcases a rare blend of folk-pop rhythm with deeply melancholic social commentary.

Keep listening

More from Magudi (1984)