T.M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela perform ‘Naan Ennum’ from the album ‘Unakkum Enakkum.’ Lyricist Aalangudi Somu constructs a gender equality debate through alternating voices. V. Kumar’s music transitions between revolutionary intensity and softer melodies to match the dialogue.
Naan Ennum
P. Susheela | T. M. Soundararajan • From “Unakkum Enakkum”
Naan Ennum Lyrics Translation (from “Unakkum Enakkum”)
P. Susheela rejects historical limits on women’s education with direct Tamil lyrics. T.M. Soundararajan counters by framing family as a temple where gender distinctions hold no meaning. The exchange centers on mutual recognition rather than hierarchy.
Naan Ennum Aganthai KondaPossessed by the arrogance of the ‘I’,
Aan Kulaththin Munnae Pengal ThaazhnthavarallaWomen aren’t inferior before the race of men.
Endrum ThaazhnthavarallaThey’ll never be inferior.
Kaalaththai VellugindraBefore the race of women who conquer time,
Pen Kulaththin Munnae Aangal UyarnthavarallaMen aren’t superior.
Endrum UyaranthavarallaaThey’ll never be superior.
Naan Ennum Aganthai KondaPossessed by the arrogance of the ‘I’,
Aan Kulaththin Munnae Pengal ThaazhnthavarallaWomen aren’t inferior before the race of men.
Endrum ThaazhnthavarallaThey’ll never be inferior.
Kaalaththai VellugindraBefore the race of women who conquer time,
Pen Kulaththin Munnae Aangal UyarnthavarallaMen aren’t superior.
Endrum UyaranthavarallaaThey’ll never be superior.
Pengalellaam AdimaiyallaAll women aren’t slaves.
Bedhai Endraal UnmaiyallaIt’s not the truth if you call them ‘fools’.
Aangal Ellaam MethaigalallaAll men aren’t geniuses.
Yaen Idhu TheriyavillaiWhy don’t you realize this?
Naan Ennum Aganthai KondaPossessed by the arrogance of the ‘I’,
Aan Kulaththin Munnae Pengal ThaazhnthavarallaWomen aren’t inferior before the race of men.
Thaazhnthavaralla Endrum ThaazhnthavarallaThey’re not inferior; they’ll never be inferior.
Aduppoothum PengalukkuFor the women who tend the hearth,
Padippetharkku EndruAsking ‘why do they need an education?’
Nammai Adhigaaram Seithathellaam Antha NaalThe era that ruled us like that is in the past.
Arivaana Pengal Azhagaaga IndruWise women today, in a beautiful way,
Arasatchi Seivathu Intha NaalAre the ones ruling during this day.
Thaaliyendra Oru Veli Kondu NamaiUsing the ‘Thali’ sacred thread as a fence to confine us,
Aala Ninaippathu VeriththanamThinking you can rule over us is madness.
Pillai Perigindra KaruviyaagavaeTreating women as mere tools for bearing children,
Pengalai Madhippathu MadaththanamAnd respecting them only for that is foolishness.
Thaaliyendra Oru Veli Kondu NamaiBy using the ‘Thali’ sacred thread to hem us in,
Aala Ninaippathu VeriththanamBelieving you can dominate us is insanity.
VeriththanamPure insanity.
Pillai Perigindra KaruviyaagavaeViewing women as nothing but child-bearing machines,
Pengalai Madhippathu MadaththanamAnd valuing them only for that is stupidity.
MadaththanamAbsolute stupidity.
Maattruvom Intha UlagaiWe’ll change this world.
Maarattum Aangal MamathaiLet the arrogance of men change.
Maarattum Aangal MamathaiMay the pride of men be transformed.
Pendugalaa Roja SendugalaaAre women just bouquets of roses?
Vandukalaa Vaazhai ThandugalaaAre they buzzing beetles or soft ‘plantain stems’?
Pendugalaa Roja SendugalaaAre ladies merely bundles of roses?
Vandukalaa Vaazhai ThandugalaaAre they fragile beetles or tender ‘plantain stems’?
Kudumbam Endra KoyililaeIn the temple called family,
Kudiyirukkum DeivangalilAmong the deities residing within,
Aangal EndrumIs there a distinction between ‘Men’,
Pengal Endrum BedhamaaAnd ‘Women’?
Aduththavarai MadhippathuthaanRespecting others is the true path,
Adakkam Endra UlaginilaeIn this world of humility.
Adimai Endrum Urimai Endrum VaadhamaaIs there a need for debates on slavery and rights?
Pendugalaa Roja SendugalaaAre women just bouquets of roses?
Vandukalaa Vaazhai ThandugalaaAre they buzzing beetles or soft ‘plantain stems’?
Kanniyendra Paruva NadhiThe river of youth known as ‘maidenhood’,
Karai PurandodumWill overflow its banks.
Adhu Kalyaana Medaiyilthaan SangamaagumIt’ll find its union only on the wedding stage.
Kanniyendra Paruva NadhiThat river of youth called ‘maidenhood’,
Karai PurandodumWill rush past the shores.
Adhu Kalyaana Medaiyilthaan SangamaagumIt’ll find its destination on the wedding stage.
Annai Sinthum Karunai MazhaiThe rain of mercy shed by a mother,
KuzhanthaikalaagumBecomes her children.
Annai Sinthum Karunai MazhaiThe compassionate rain falling from a mother,
KuzhanthaikalaagumGrows into her offspring.
Ingu Penmai EllaamHere, all womanhood,
Thaaimaiyilthaan Muzhumai KaanumFinds its fulfillment only in ‘motherhood’.
Ingu Penmai EllaamIn this place, all womanly grace,
Thaaimaiyilthaan Muzhumai KaanumAttains completeness only through ‘motherhood’.
Naan Ennum Music Video
Aalangudi Somu’s ‘Naan Ennum’ lyrics translation resolves the conflict through shared divinity in domestic spaces. The Unakkum Enakkum album presents this Tamil dialogue as foundational to understanding equality.