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Avandhan Manidhan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aattuviththaal Yaaroruvar

From Avandhan Manidhan · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Avandhan Manidhan
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
22 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aattuvithaal yar oruvar
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aasai ennum thottililae
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aattuvithaal yar oruvar
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aasai ennum thottililae
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Nee nadathum naadagathil
Nanum undu
Nee nadathum naadagathil
Nanum undu
En nizhalil kooda anubavathil
Sogam undu
Pagaivargalai naanum velven
Arivinaalae
Aanaal nanbaridam thotru vitten
Paasathaalae
Nanbaridam thotru vitten paasathaalae
Aattuvithaal yar oruvar
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aasai ennum thottililae
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Paanjaali unnidathil
Saelai kettaal
Andha paarthanavan unnidathil
Geedhai kettaan
Naanirukkum nilaiyil unnai
Enna kaetppen
Innum nanamai seidhu
Thunbam vaangum
Ullam ketppen
Nanamai seidhu thunbam vaangum
Ullam ketppen
Aattuvithaal yar oruvar
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aasai ennum thottililae
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Kadalalavu kidaithaalum
Mayanga maatten
Adhu kaiyalavae aanaalum
Kalanga maatten
Ullathilae ulladhu thaan
Ulagam kannaa
Idhai unarndhu konden
Thunbam ellaam
Vilagum kannaa
Unarndhu konden thunbam ellaam
Vilagum kannaa
Aattuvithaal yar oruvar
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
Aasai ennum thottililae
Aadaadhaarae kannaa
If you make them dance,
who wouldn't dance, oh Krishna?
In this cradle called desire,
who wouldn't sway, oh Krishna?
If you make them dance,
who wouldn't dance, oh Krishna?
In this cradle called desire,
who wouldn't sway, oh Krishna?
In the play you stage,
I too have a part.
In the play you stage,
I too have a part.
Even in my shadow,
there is sorrow from all I have lived.
I can conquer my enemies
with my intellect,
but I was defeated by my friends
because of my love.
I was defeated by my friends because of my love.
If you make them dance,
who wouldn't dance, oh Krishna?
In this cradle called desire,
who wouldn't sway, oh Krishna?
Panchali (Draupadi) asked you
for a sari,
and Partha (Arjuna) asked you
for the Gita.
In the state I am in,
what could I ask of you?
To keep doing good
and endure the pain it brings,
I ask for such a heart.
To keep doing good and endure the pain it brings,
I ask for such a heart.
If you make them dance,
who wouldn't dance, oh Krishna?
In this cradle called desire,
who wouldn't sway, oh Krishna?
Even if I receive as vast as an ocean,
I will not lose my head.
Even if it is only a handful,
I will not be shaken.
What lies within the heart
is the true world, oh Krishna!
I have realized this,
and all my sorrows
will fade away, oh Krishna!
I have realized this, and all my sorrows
will fade away, oh Krishna!
If you make them dance,
who wouldn't dance, oh Krishna?
In this cradle called desire,
who wouldn't sway, oh Krishna?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aattuvithaal Yar Oruvar is a philosophical masterpiece from the movie Avandhan Manidhan (1975), featuring lyrics by Kannadasan. The song explores the concept that human beings are mere puppets in the grand cosmic play directed by Lord Krishna, endlessly swinging in the cradle of desires. The narrator reflects on life's bitter ironies—how intellect enables one to defeat enemies, yet bond and affection make one vulnerable to betrayal by friends. Unlike traditional devotees who pray for material protection like Draupadi or spiritual wisdom like Arjuna, the speaker asks for something far more selfless: a resilient heart that continues to do good even when repaid with pain. Recognizing that true peace comes from equanimity—neither swayed by immense wealth nor troubled by sudden poverty—he realizes that the inner world of the mind defines reality, and understanding this truth dissolves all suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Aasai ennum thottililae”

Desire is metaphorically equated to a cradle ('thottil') in which human beings swing endlessly.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Pagaivargalai naanum velven arivinaalae / Aanaal nanbaridam thotru vitten paasathaalae”

Contrasts conquering enemies through intellect with surrendering/losing to loved ones through affection.

Hyperbole & Equanimity (Scale Imagery)

“Kadalalavu kidaithaalum mayanga maatten / Adhu kaiyalavae aanaalum kalanga maatten”

Uses extreme scales—'ocean size' (abundance) vs 'handful size' (scarcity)—to demonstrate mental balance regardless of material condition.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Aattuvithaal yar oruvar / Aadaadhaarae kannaa”

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'Aa' creating rhythmic poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from Avandhan Manidhan (1975) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS), picturized on Sivaji Ganesan. Kannadasan wrote these deeply philosophical lines drawing from his personal life experiences of trust, betrayal, and financial hardship, interweaving Vedantic philosophies from the Bhagavad Gita into mainstream Tamil film lyrics.

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