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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Aaru Maname

From Aandavan Kattalai (1964) · 1964

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: T. M. Soundararajan
Music director: M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name: Aandavan Kattalai (1964)
Movie release year: 1964
Lyrics added on: 14 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{ Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru } (2)

Sernthu manithan

Vaazhum vagaiku

{ Deivathin kattalai aaru } (2)

Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru

{ Ondrae solvaar

Ondrae seivaar ullathil

Ullathu amaithi inbathil

Thunbam thunbathil inbam

Iraivan vagutha niyathi } (2)

{ Solluku seigai

Ponnaagum varum

Thunbathil inbam pattagum } (2)

Indha irandu

Kattalai arintha manathil

{ Ella nanmaiyum undaagum } (2)

{ Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru } (2)

{ Unmaiyai solli

Nanmaiyai seithaal

Ulagam unnidam mayangum

Nilai uyarumbothu

Panivu kondaal uyirgal

Unnai vanangum } (2)

{ Unmai

Enbathu anbagum

Perum panivu

Enbathu panbagum } (2)

Indha naanku

Kattalai arintha manathil

{ Ella nanmaiyum undaagum } (2)

{ Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru } (2)

Aasai kobam

Kalavu kolbavan pesa

Therintha mirugam

Anbu nandri

Karunai kondavan

Manitha vadivil deivam

Idhil mirugam

Enbathu kalla manam

Uyar deivam enbathu

Pillai manam

Indha aaru

Kattalai arintha manathu

{ Aandavan vaazhum

Vellai manam } (2)

Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru

Sernthu manithan

Vaazhum vagaiku

{ Deivathin kattalai aaru } (2)

Aaru manamae

Aaru andha aandavan

Kattalai aaru

{ Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six! } (2)

For human beings to live

together in harmony,

{ the commandments of God are six. } (2)

Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six.

{ Those who say only what they mean

and do only what they say have peace

within their hearts. In joy

lies sorrow, and in sorrow lies joy—

this is the law ordained by God. } (2)

{ When deeds match your words,

it turns into pure gold;

the joy born through sorrow feels soft as silk. } (2)

In the mind that understands

these two commandments,

{ all good things will flourish. } (2)

{ Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six! } (2)

{ If you speak the truth

and do what is good,

the world will adore you.

When your position rises,

if you remain humble, all living beings

will bow to you in respect. } (2)

{ Truth

is the essence of love;

true humility

is noble character. } (2)

In the mind that understands

these four commandments,

{ all good things will flourish. } (2)

{ Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six! } (2)

One driven by greed, anger,

and deceit is merely a beast

that knows how to speak.

One filled with love, gratitude,

and compassion

is God in human form.

In this, the beast

is the deceitful mind,

while the highest God

is the innocent, childlike mind.

The mind that understands

these six commandments

{ is a pure, spotless heart

where God resides. } (2)

Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six.

For human beings to live

together in harmony,

{ the commandments of God are six. } (2)

Calm down, O mind,

be comforted—that Almighty's

commandments are six.

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Aaru Manamae' from the 1964 film Aandavan Kattalai is a monumental philosophical song authored by lyricist Kannadasan. The lyrics center on six divine commandments necessary for humanity to coexist peacefully and attain spiritual harmony. Through a progressive narrative structure—expanding from two, to four, and finally to six commandments—the song expounds upon integrity in word and deed, the acceptance of joy and sorrow as intertwined divine laws, speaking truth, practicing humility, and harboring compassion. The song famously contrasts human moral states: a person controlled by lust, wrath, and greed is described as merely a speaking animal, whereas a person adorned with love, gratitude, and mercy represents a deity in human form. Ultimately, Kannadasan teaches that an untainted, innocent, child-like mind ('vellai manam') is the true sanctuary where God resides.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Siledai (Double Entendre)

“Aaru manamae / Aaru andha aandavan / Kattalai aaru”

The word 'Aaru' serves a dual meaning throughout the song: as a noun meaning the numeral 'six' (referring to the six commandments) and as a verb meaning 'to be pacified / comforted' (addressing the agitated human mind).

Antithesis / Muran

“Thunbam thunbathil inbam / Iraivan vagutha niyathi”

Pairing opposing concepts such as pleasure (inbam) and sorrow (thunbam) to illustrate the dualities inherent in human existence and divine law.

Metaphor / Uruvakam

“Aasai kobam kalavu kolbavan pesa therintha mirugam”

Directly equating a morally corrupt person to a 'speaking animal' and a compassionate person to 'a god in human form', as well as comparing a pure mind to a child's mind.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Unmaiyai solli / Nanmaiyai seithaal”

The classic Tamil poetic convention of matching second letters in adjacent lines (e.g., 'Unmaiyai' and 'Nanmaiyai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song is regarded as one of Kannadasan's greatest philosophical masterpieces. It uses the linguistic depth of Tamil homonyms, particularly the word 'Aaru', to impart moral lessons that are central to the theme of the movie 'Aandavan Kattalai'.

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