L. R. Eswari, P. Leela, and K. Jamunarani perform ‘Enna Peru’ from the album Engal Selvi. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer K. V. Mahadevan shape a gentle debate about naming traditions with careful vocal delivery.
Enna Peru
L. R. Eswari | P. Leela • From “Engal Selvi”
Enna Peru Lyrics Translation (from “Engal Selvi”)
The singers dismiss Seedhai and Paanjaali because those figures endured pain. They select Velu Nachiyar instead, referencing her spear and battlefield victory as ideal traits for their child.
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Chinna Chinna Kannai KaattiShowing off those tiny little eyes
Sirikkum Enga PappaavukkuTo our baby who smiles so sweet
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Annam Endru Peru VachchaaIf we name her Annam
Appadiyae NadakkanumShe’s got to walk like a graceful swan
Sornam Endru Peru VachchaaIf we name her Sornam
Thangam Pola JolikkanumShe must shine like pure gold
Annam Endru Peru VachchaaIf we name her Annam
Appadiyae NadakkanumShe’s got to walk like a graceful swan
Sornam Endru Peru VachchaaIf we name her Sornam
Thangam Pola JolikkanumShe must shine like pure gold
Adhanaala Enna Peru VaikkalaamSo, what name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Chinna Chinna Kannai KaattiShowing off those tiny little eyes
Sirikkum Enga PappaavukkuTo our baby who smiles so sweet
Azhakaaga Seedhaiyinnu IdattummaaShall we name her Sita, for her beauty?
Seedhai Andru Patta Kashtamellaam PadattumaaBut should she suffer all the pain Sita once did?
Seedhai Andru Patta Kashtamellaam PadattumaaBut should she suffer all the pain Sita once did?
AiyyayiyoOh no, never!
Thamayanthinnu Peru Vachu Paattu PadikkavaaShould I sing a song naming her Damayanti?
Thamayanthinnu Peru Vachu Paattu PadikkavaaShould I sing a song naming her Damayanti?
En Thangaththukkum Avalai PolaFor my golden girl, just like her
Saniyan PidikkavaaShould misery take hold?
En Thangaththukkum Avalai PolaFor my golden girl, just like her
Saniyan PidikkavaaShould misery take hold?
Saaviththiri Peru VaikkavaaShall I name her Savitri?
Saaviththiri Peru VaikkavaaShall I name her Savitri?
Emadharmanodu Sandai PodavaaMust she fight a battle with the God of Death?
Emadharmanodu Sandai PodavaaMust she fight a battle with the God of Death?
Chanthiramathi PoruththamaaIs Chandramathi a good fit?
Iva Thaali Melae VaruththamaaOr will it bring sorrow to her sacred bond?
Anthari Sundhari Kamalam BangajamAnthari, Sundhari, Kamalam, Bangajam
Azhagi Pathmini Enbathu PolaOr a beauty like Padmini?
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Chinna Chinna Kannai KaattiShowing off those tiny little eyes
Sirikkum Enga PappaavukkuTo our baby who smiles so sweet
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Thevarukullae Sirantha MoovaraiThe one who enchanted the three great Gods
Mayanga Vaiththa Deviyaval AnusayaaThat Goddess was Anasuya
Thevarukullae Sirantha MoovaraiThe one who enchanted the three great Gods
Mayanga Vaiththa Deviyaval AnusayaaThat Goddess was Anasuya
Antha Paavi Aval VaazhnaalilBut in that poor soul’s lifetime
Patta Thuyar Meththa UnduShe suffered so much grief
Pazhangathai AriyaayaaDon’t you know the old stories?
Paandavar AivarukkuFor the five Pandava brothers
Paththiniyaai Vantha Antha Paanjaaliyin Peyar SolluMention the name of Draupadi who was their wife
Bharathththil Sandai Vara Kaaranamaai IrunthaShe who was the reason for the great Bharat war
Antha Paththiniyai Vittu ThalliLet’s put that chaste woman’s name aside
Veru Pazhanthamizh Peyar SolluTell me another ancient Tamil name
Bharathththil Sandai Vara Kaaranamaai IrunthaShe who was the reason for the great Bharat war
Antha Paththiniyai Vittu ThalliLet’s put that chaste woman’s name aside
Veru Pazhanthamizh Peyar SolluTell me another ancient Tamil name
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Chinna Chinna Kannai KaattiShowing off those tiny little eyes
Sirikkum Enga PappaavukkuTo our baby who smiles so sweet
Enna Peru VaikkalaamWhat name shall we choose for her?
Eppadi AzhaikkalaamHow should we call her?
Kaipidiththa Kanavan AvanThe husband whose hand she held
Kann Niraintha Seivam EndruShe saw him as her everything
Kaalamellaam Vaazhntha VanthaShe lived her whole life that way
Kannagi DeviThe Goddess Kannagi
Needhi Kalangaama KandavudanThe moment she saw justice prevail
Kanavanudan Saernthu SendraShe left to join her husband
Karpukkarasi KopperundeviThe queen of virtue, Kopperundevi
Kaipidiththa Kanavan AvanThe husband whose hand she held
Kann Niraintha Seivam EndruShe saw him as her everything
Kaalamellaam Vaazhntha VanthaShe lived her whole life that way
Kannagi DeviThe Goddess Kannagi
Vel Pidiththu PormunaiyilHolding a spear on the front lines
Vettri Thedi Thantha Velnaatchi Veera RaniThe brave Queen Velu Nachiyar who fought for victory
Vel Pidiththu PormunaiyilHolding a spear on the front lines
Vettri Thedi Thantha Velnaatchi Veera RaniThe brave Queen Velu Nachiyar who fought for victory
Intha Veeramigum Maathar MagalThis daughter of a courageous mother
Maenmaiyudan VaazhnthiduvaalShe’ll live with great dignity
Vetri Magal Tamizhselvi AamaaShe’s the daughter of success, Tamil Selvi!
Intha Veeramigum Maathar MagalThis daughter of a courageous mother
Maenmaiyudan VaazhnthiduvaalShe’ll live with great dignity
Vetri Magal Tamizhselvi AamaaShe’s the daughter of success, Tamil Selvi!
Tamil Selvi Engal Tamil SelviTamil Selvi, our Tamil Selvi
Sokka Thangaththukku Nalla Peyar Tamil SelviA perfect name for our pure gold, Tamil Selvi
Tamil Selvi Engal Tamil SelviTamil Selvi, our Tamil Selvi
Sokka Thangaththukku Nalla Peyar Tamil SelviA perfect name for our pure gold, Tamil Selvi
Tamil Selvi Tamil Selvi Tamil SelviTamil Selvi, Tamil Selvi, Tamil Selvi
Enna Peru Music Video
Engal Selvi lyrics meaning centers on rejecting mythic burdens while seeking modern triumph. Kannadasan’s verses prioritize future joy over past legends in this Tamil lyrics translation.