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Lyrics & meaning

Thenamum Kalyanam

From Magudi (1984) · 1984

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Magudi (1984)
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
16 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Oru parisam podaamae purushan palaraachchu
Paaththu pulipaachchuthu idhu pazhaiya ezhuththaachchuthu
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Em melae kuththam sollakkoodaathu
En kadhavu entha naalum moodaathu
Raaththiri nera aaththiram theera
Saasthiram kidaiyaathu
Saaththiram paakka aasaikku
Rendu neththiram kidaiyaathu
Ingae yaedhu panpaadu
Enna solla penn paadu
Ada poyaa maanam eenam
Vittaathaanae nadakkuthu
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Yaaraaro avnthu vanthu poraaga
Naan kettaa alli alli thaaraaga
Kaasaiyum koduththu kann muzhikkaamae
Thoongura aal undu
Kai kaal nadunga kannaal paaththae
Yaengura aal undu
Innum undu vedikkai
Ellaam namma vaadikkai
Pala pera arinjen purinjaen
Adhanaal thaanae sirikkiraen
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Oru parisam podaamae purushan palaraachchu
Paaththu pulipaachchuthu idhu pazhaiya ezhuththaachchuthu
Thenamum kalyaanam thenamum katcheri
Enakku pozhappaachchuthu
Idha nenaikka sirippaachchuthu
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
Without giving any bridal token, many have been my husbands;
I am sick of seeing it all, it is an old fate written long ago.
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
You shouldn't put the blame on me,
my door never closes on any day.
To satisfy nighttime lust,
there are no sacred rules.
To look for rules and customs,
desire has no eyes.
Where is decency or culture here?
What is there to say of a woman's suffering?
Oh forget it! Only when honor and shame are lost,
does this life go on!
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
All kinds of strangers keep coming and going;
if I ask, they give with both hands.
There are some who pay money and just
sleep without even opening their eyes.
There are some who just look with their eyes,
trembling and yearning.
There are many more curious sights,
but they are all routine to me.
I have seen and understood so many people,
and that is why I laugh.
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
Without giving any bridal token, many have been my husbands;
I am sick of seeing it all, it is an old fate written long ago.
Every day is a wedding, every day a performance,
this has become my livelihood.
Thinking about this just makes me laugh.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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