Vani Jairam and L. R. Eswari deliver ‘Ovvoru Pennum’ from the album ‘Ungalil Oruthi.’ Lyricist Kannadasan and composer M. S. Viswanathan frame a defiant cry against social hypocrisy through forceful vocal contrasts.
Ovvoru Pennum
L. R. Eswari | Vani Jairam • From “Ungalil Oruthi”
Ovvoru Pennum Lyrics Translation L. R. Eswari | Vani Jairam | Ungalil Oruthi
Kannadasan’s lyrics show a mother negotiating survival: ‘Self-respect battles with the stomach.’ The writing shifts from despair to resolve with ‘If you kneel and cry, the world laughs; rise roaring, and heaven trembles.’
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society mocks her with gestures,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is treated as just a mere woman.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society casts a judgmental look,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society casts a judgmental look,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Panpaadu Paarkkindra TamilnadadiThis is the Tamil land that claims to value culture.
Pen Paaduthaan Ingu PerumpaadadiBut a woman’s struggle here is a massive burden.
Thanmaanam Vayittrodu PoraaduthuSelf-respect battles against the hunger of the stomach.
Sattangal Pennodu VilaiyaaduthuAnd the laws are playing games with women.
Idhu Oru Dharmam Idhu Oru NeedhiThis is their ‘virtue’, this is their ‘justice’.
Intha Idaththil Naam Oru JaathiIn this situation, we are all treated as one lower class.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society mocks her with gestures,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Thaayaagi Kuzhanthaikku Paal ThedinaenBecoming a mother, I searched for milk for my child.
Paal Vaanga Vazhiyindri Panam ThaedinaenWith no way to buy milk, I searched for money.
Thaayaagi Kuzhanthaikku Paal ThedinaenBecoming a mother, I searched for milk for my child.
Paal Vaanga Vazhiyindri Panam ThaedinaenWith no way to buy milk, I searched for money.
Panam Thaedi Adharkaga Vilai PesinaenSearching for money, I negotiated a price for myself.
Panam Thaedi Adharkaga Vilai PesinaenSearching for money, I negotiated a price for myself.
Bhagavaanum En Meethu Pazhi PesinaanEven God cast blame upon me.
Bhagavaanum En Meethu Pazhi PesinaanEven God cast blame upon me.
Vasathi Irunthaal Oruvanin ThaaramIf she has wealth, she’s considered one man’s wife.
Varumaiyil Veezhnthaal Veliyin OramBut if she falls into poverty, she’s left on the fringe.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society mocks her with gestures,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Pala Saatchi Illaamal VazhakkaethadiA legal case arises without any witnesses.
Manasaatchi Needhikku PothaathadiAnd a clear conscience isn’t enough for justice.
Pala Saatchi Illaamal VazhakkaethadiA legal case arises without any witnesses.
Manasaatchi Needhikku PothaathadiAnd a clear conscience isn’t enough for justice.
Oru Saatchi Avanindri PiragaaradiThere is no other witness but him.
Avan Saatchi Court-Kku VaaraathadiAnd his testimony won’t ever come to court.
Mandiyittazhuthaal Mandalam SirikkumIf you kneel and cry, the world will laugh.
Seeri Ezhunthaal Deivam NadungumBut if you rise roaring, even the Divine will tremble.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Nadhiyum KaverithaanEvery river is truly a ‘Kaveri’.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society mocks her with gestures,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Samuthaayam Jaadai SeithaalIf society mocks her with gestures,
Kalaimagal Kooda Verum MagalthaanEven the Goddess of Arts is just a mere woman.
Ovvoru Pennum KannagithaanEvery woman is truly a ‘Kannagi’.
Ovvoru Pennum Music Video
Society’s double standards meet unflinching resistance in this Tamil classic. Understanding the Ovvoru Pennum lyrics translation reveals how poverty forces impossible choices while affirming women’s inherent power.