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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasai Povathu Vinnile

From Naam Pirandha Mann · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Naam Pirandha Mann1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aasai povathu vinnilaeDesires soar high into the sky,
Kaalgal povathu mannilaeWhile feet remain grounded on the earth.
Aasai povathu vinnilaeDesires soar high into the sky,
Kaalgal povathu mannilaeWhile feet remain grounded on the earth.
Male
Paalam podungal yaaravathuLet someone build a bridge between them,
Paadi aadungal indraavathuSing and dance at least today!
Paalam podungal yaaravathuLet someone build a bridge between them,
Paadi aadungal indraavathuSing and dance at least today!
Male
Ingu kaangindra sorkangalThe heavens seen here,
Irandil ondraana varkkangalAre classes merged into two.
Ingu kaangindra sorkangalThe heavens seen here,
Irandil ondraana varkkangalAre classes merged into two.
Sattam illaatha sangangalAssociations without laws,
Dharmam paaraatha thangangalPure gold that disregards righteousness.
Male
Kattidam jolikkirathuThe building glitters brilliantly,
Asthivaaram azhugirathuWhile the foundation cries out.
Male
Aasai povathu vinnilaeDesires soar high into the sky,
Kaalgal povathu mannilaeWhile feet remain grounded on the earth.
Male
Yaarum sinthattum kanneeraiLet anyone shed tears,
Neengal theliyungal panneeraiYou go ahead and sprinkle rosewater!
Yaarum sinthattum kanneeraiLet anyone shed tears,
Neengal theliyungal panneeraiYou go ahead and sprinkle rosewater!
Irutil eppothum inbangalIn darkness, there is always pleasure,
Velichcham vanthaalthaan thunbangalSorrows arise only when light comes.
Male
Inbangal thoonguvathillaiPleasures never sleep,
Thunbangaloom appadithaaanAnd sorrows are just the same.
Male
Paththu pathinondru pannirenduTen, eleven, twelve,
Sothu pala kodi namakkunduWe own wealth worth millions.
Pattra vaiyungal ippothuLight it up right now,
Paavam santhippathu eppothuWhen will sin ever confront us?
Male
Uzhuuthavargal vaadugiraargalThose who tilled the soil are wilting,
Aruthavargal aadugiraargalThose who harvested are dancing.
Male
Aasai povathu vinnilaeDesires soar high into the sky,
Kaalgal povathu mannilaeWhile feet remain grounded on the earth.
Paalam podungal yaaravathuLet someone build a bridge between them,
Paadi aadungal indraavathuSing and dance at least today!
Male
Deivam sila neram sinthikkumGod ponders at times,
Mannil palaperai mannikkumAnd forgives many on this earth.
Deivam sila neram sinthikkumGod ponders at times,
Mannil palaperai mannikkumAnd forgives many on this earth.
Male
Intha mandrathil aadungalDance in this gathering,
Antha mannippai koorungalSeek that forgiveness.
Iraivaa….aa….aa…Oh God...
Ennai manniththuvidu…Please forgive me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from 'Naam Pirandha Mann' explores the stark socio-economic divides in society and the hypocrisy of the wealthy elite. Lyricist Kannadasan contrasts lofty human desires with grounded reality, illustrating how the privileged revel in luxury while ignoring the suffering of the working class who build the very foundation of their wealth. In the final lines, the protagonist reflects on moral accountability, pleading with God for forgiveness while recognizing the divine capacity for mercy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Antithesis (Ethirai)

Aasai povathu vinnilae / Kaalgal povathu mannilae

Contrasts the unreachable sky ('Vinnilae') representing lofty desires with the ground ('Mannilae') representing reality.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kattidam jolikkirathu / Asthivaaram azhugirathu

Compares high society to a shining building and the exploited labor force to a crying foundation beneath it.

Rhyme (Ethukai)

Uzhuuthavargal vaadugiraargal / Aruthavargal aadugiraargal

Second-letter rhyming pattern in Tamil poetry seen in 'Uzhuuthavargal' (those who plow) and 'Aruthavargal' (those who reap).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naam Pirandha Mann' (1977) featured iconic actors Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan together. The film's soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this energetic yet deeply philosophical track was rendered with expressive nuance by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

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