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Isaimozhi
Kanavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Aathi Nee Yaruku Pethi

From Kanavan · 1968

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kanavan
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
15 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Adiyaathi… aathi…
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethi
Un aanavathai maathi
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthu
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…
Paarammaa raajaathi
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethi
Un aanavathai maathi
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthu
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…
Paarammaa raajaathi
Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaan
Naagareegamo
Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilae
Unakku mogamo
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaan
Naagareegamo
Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilae
Unakku moghamo
Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumo
Pana bodhaiyilae eliyavarai verukkalaagumo
Adiyaathi… aathi…
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethi
Un aanavathai maathi
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthu
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…
Paarammaa raajaathi
Arumaiyilum arumaiyaaga
Piravi kidaikkudhu
Adhil karunaiyulla manidharai thaan
Perumai anaikkudhu
Hoi chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Uruttu kannum mirattu chollum
Tharathinai kuraikkum
Ondrai uruppadiyaai seidhu vaithaal
Sarithiram pirakkum… hoi
Adiyaathi… aathi…
Adhigaaram seidhavano
Aattathaii mudithaan
Ingae anbu vazhi nadandhavano
Naattinai pidithaan
Adhigaaram seidhavano
Aattathaii mudithaan
Ingae anbu vazhi nadandhavano
Naattinai pidithaan
Idhu uzhaippavarin porkkaalam ulaga yaettilae
Uzhaippavarin porkkaalam ulaga yaettilae
Ini ethargal varungaalam kuppai maettilae
Adiyaathi… aathi…
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethi
Un aanavathai maathi
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthu
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…
Paarammaa raajaathi
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Oh dear girl... oh my...
Oh dear girl, whose granddaughter are you?
Cast away your arrogance,
Lift your eyes toward these poor folks,
And look at them, my princess...
Look at them, my princess!
Oh dear girl, whose granddaughter are you?
Cast away your arrogance,
Lift your eyes toward these poor folks,
And look at them, my princess...
Look at them, my princess!
Is acting without humility
What you call modern ways?
In trying to dominate and control others,
Are you so obsessed?
Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Is acting without humility
What you call modern ways?
In trying to dominate and control others,
Are you so obsessed?
Though educated, should you forget good character?
Intoxicated by wealth, should you despise the poor?
Oh dear girl... oh my...
Oh dear girl, whose granddaughter are you?
Cast away your arrogance,
Lift your eyes toward these poor folks,
And look at them, my princess...
Look at them, my princess!
As a rare and precious gift,
A human birth is granted to us;
In this life, it is the kind-hearted
Whom true honor embraces!
Hoy! Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Glaring eyes and threatening words
Will only lower your worth;
If you do something truly meaningful,
History will be made... hoy!
Oh dear girl... oh my...
The one who ruled with sheer authority
Has brought his game to an end;
While the one who walked the path of love
Has won over the nation!
The one who ruled with sheer authority
Has brought his game to an end;
While the one who walked the path of love
Has won over the nation!
In the records of this world, this is the golden age of the worker;
The golden age of the worker in the records of this world;
From now on, the future of our foes lies in the garbage heap!
Oh dear girl... oh my...
Oh dear girl, whose granddaughter are you?
Cast away your arrogance,
Lift your eyes toward these poor folks,
And look at them, my princess...
Look at them, my princess!
Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Saiyaa sappaan diyo thimmaa
Dangiri paappaa dingiri bimbi
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from the 1968 film 'Kanavan' is a social commentary aimed at calling out elite arrogance and promoting egalitarian values. The protagonist chides an arrogant woman of privilege, questioning whether modern civilization merely means lacking modesty and suppressing the less fortunate. He emphasizes that true human dignity lies in empathy, virtuous behavior, and meaningful contributions rather than wealth and power. The song celebrates the rise of the working class and foretells the downfall of oppressive elites, framing compassion and love as the true path to lasting history.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaan / Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilae”

The second consonant 'da' rhymes between 'Adakkamindri' and 'Adakki' across adjacent lines, creating rhythmic harmony.

Monaai (Alliteration / First letter rhyming)

“Uruttu kannum mirattu chollum ... Ondrai uruppadiyaai seidhu vaithaal”

The opening sound 'Uruttu' matches 'Uruppadiyaai', creating an initial alliterative rhythm.

Rhetorical Questioning

“Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumo”

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions like 'Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumo' to provoke introspection regarding education without moral integrity.

Metaphor

“Pana bodhaiyilae eliyavarai verukkalaagumo”

The phrase 'Pana bodhai' compares wealth to an intoxicating liquor that blinds people to social empathy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kanavan' (1968) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa in lead roles, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics written by Aalangudi Somu. Sung brilliantly by T. M. Soundararajan, this track features MGR's signature socio-political messaging emphasizing labor rights and egalitarian ideals.

Keep listening

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Thandhai Sollai1960
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Villambu Patta Punn1951
ManamagalResilienceContemplative
Nanaayam Manushanukku1956
Amara DeepamPovertyWork And Duty
Yean Endra Kelvi1965
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From the same album

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View album
Ennaporuthamadi Mama1968
KanavanPlayful
Unmayin Siripai Rasikiren1968
KanavanContemplative
Nan Uyir Pizhaithen1968
KanavanRomantic
Neenga Nenacha Nadakatha1968
KanavanWistful
Mayangum Vayathu1968
KanavanSensual

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