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Lyrics & meaning

Aandavan Namakku

From Jathagam · 1953

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singers
A. G. Rathnamala, G. K. Venkatesh
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Jathagam1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aandavan namakku alakkuraMore than what God measures for us,
Alavukku mele edhuvumNothing beyond that limit,
Vendam vendam vendamWe do not want, do not want, do not want,
Vendave vendamWe do not want at all.
Male
Aandavan namakku alakkuraMore than what God measures for us,
Alavukku mele edhuvumNothing beyond that limit,
Vendam vendam vendamWe do not want, do not want, do not want,
Vendave vendamWe do not want at all.
Female
Avan alakkura alavukkumBetween the measure God allocates,
Aasaikkum veghu dhooramAnd desire, there is a vast distance.
Oru ambatharavathu aayiramJust fifty-six thousand,
Aasthi irundha podhumIf we have wealth, that is enough.
Female
Avan alakkura alavukkumBetween the measure God allocates,
Aasaikkum veghu dhooramAnd desire, there is a vast distance.
Oru ambatharavathu aayiramJust fifty-six thousand,
Aasthi irundha podhumIf we have wealth, that is enough.
Male
Adache…poo ennadi konjama kekkuraOh get lost... why, are you asking for too little?
Female :Aamaamaa rombha thaanFemale: Yes, yes, you talk as if,
Kuduthutaappla paakuraHe has already given so much!
Male
Aasthi adhigam irundha namakkuIf we have too much wealth,
Asandhu varuma thookkamWill peaceful sleep ever come to us?
Aasthi adhigam irundha namakkuIf we have too much wealth,
Asandhu varuma thookkamWill peaceful sleep ever come to us?
Avangkodukanum ivangkodukkanumThat person should give, this person should give,
Aahaa engira yekkamOh, such longing for more!
Avangkodukanum ivangkodukkanumThat person should give, this person should give,
Aahaa engira yekkamOh, such longing for more!
Namakku vendave vendave vendamWe really do not want, do not want it at all!
Male
Aandavan namakku alakkuraMore than what God measures for us,
Alavukku mele edhuvumNothing beyond that limit,
Vendam vendam vendamWe do not want, do not want, do not want,
Vendave vendamWe do not want at all.
Female
Panamullavan deivaminnuSaying a rich man is God,
Paniyadhu indha boomiThis world does not bow down.
Panamullavan deivaminnuSaying a rich man is God,
Paniyadhu indha boomiThis world does not bow down.
Panathodu perumai therinjaIf one knows the true pride of money,
Badhilu solla matte saamiGod Himself will not give an answer.
Venumae venumae venumaeWe need, we need, we need,
Sothu pathu venumae venumae venumaeWe need property and wealth, we need, we need!
Male
Panakarangha padugira thollaThe troubles that rich people suffer,
Paartha theriyadhu veliyae paartha theriyadhuCannot be seen from the outside, cannot be seen outside.
Panakarangha padugira thollaThe troubles that rich people suffer,
Paartha theriyadhu veliyae paartha theriyadhuCannot be seen from the outside, cannot be seen outside.
Pala vidha varigalum seluthanum adhukkuVarious taxes have to be paid,
Badhil solla mudiyathuAnd one cannot even answer or justify it.
Male
Pagaigalum avndhu serumEnemies too will gather around,
Manasilae bayamae oliyaadhuFear will never fade from the heart.
Pagaigalum avndhu serumEnemies too will gather around,
Manasilae bayamae oliyaadhuFear will never fade from the heart.
Panantharavidil ivan lobiyengindraIf money is not given away, the title of 'miser',
Pattam thavaradhu …namakku pattam thavaraadhuWill surely be bestowed... that title will not escape us.
Female
Thuttukaarane kettikaaran avanThe rich man is considered the smart one,
Sollukku edhirillaeNo one speaks against his word.
Thuttukaarane kettikaaran avanThe rich man is considered the smart one,
Sollukku edhirillaeNo one speaks against his word.
Thuraithanam pesida azhaippugal angaeInvitations to speak with authority,
Kuviyum kanakkillaeWill pile up beyond measure.
Thuraithanam pesida azhaippugal angaeInvitations to speak with authority,
Kuviyum kanakkillaeWill pile up beyond measure.
Female
Thuttu ullavan sughavaasiThe one who has money lives comfortably,
Thuttu vullavan sughavasiThe one who has money lives comfortably,
Avanukku thunbam edhum illaeHe has no sorrow or suffering at all.
Kaiyil thuttillame kudumbam nadatharathuRunning a family without money in hand,
Pengalukku thollaeIs a struggle for women,
Veetillae pengalukku thollaeA huge trouble for women in the household.
Adhanaale venumae venumae venumaeTherefore, we need, we need, we need,
Sothu pathu venumae venumae venumaeWe need property and wealth, we need, we need!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1953 film 'Jathagam' is a humorous and philosophical duet structured as a friendly debate on the value of wealth versus contentment. One voice argues that happiness lies in accepting what providence allocates, cautioning that excessive wealth brings sleeplessness, tax burdens, social envy, and persistent anxiety.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vendam vendam vendam

The deliberate repetition of words like 'Vendam vendam' (don't want) and 'Venumae venumae' (we need) creates rhythmic impact and highlights opposing philosophies.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aandavan namakku alakkura

Matching initial consonant sounds across successive words or lines, such as 'Aandavan', 'Alavukku', and 'Aasthi', enhancing the rhythmic cadence.

Antithesis (Moral Contrast)

Aasthi adhigam irundha namakku / Asandhu varuma thookkam

Juxtaposing the peace of mind in modest living against the hidden troubles and fears of affluent living.

Did you know?

Trivia

G. K. Venkatesh, who performed as a playback singer in this song alongside A. G. Rathnamala, went on to become one of the most prominent music directors in South Indian cinema and was a key mentor to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

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