Athanda Ithanda
From Arunachalam · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Arunachalam1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda – hey | That man, this man, I am Arunachalam - hey |
| Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Male | |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone |
| Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone |
| Male | |
| Aandavan nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi | God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi |
| Arunachalam nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi | Arunachalam will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi |
| Naan uppu potta aala marapathillada | I will never forget the person who fed me salt |
| Aana thapu senja aala viduvathillada … aaaaaaaa | But I will never spare someone who does wrong... aaaaaaaa |
| Male | |
| Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone |
| Male | |
| En kanirandaiyum kaapaathum kanimaiyum neethaan | You are the eyelash that protects both my eyes |
| En thozhgalilae muzhubalamaai ullavanum neethaan | You are the complete strength residing in my shoulders |
| En nenjil vaazhnthuvarum thairiyamum neethaan | You are the courage that lives within my heart |
| En sollil kudi irukum sathiyamum neethaan | You are the truth that resides in my words |
| Male | |
| Aah inuyiraai vanthavanae en uyirum neethaan | Oh one who came as my sweet life, you are my life itself |
| En iruthayathil thudi thudipaai irupavanum neethaan | You are the beat that throbs in my heart |
| Ennampol vetri pera uzhaipavanum neethaan | You are the hard worker striving for success as envisioned |
| En iruthivarai kooda varum kootaniyum neethaan | You are the companion who stays with me till the very end |
| Male | |
| Ilamaiyil uzhaipavan muthumaiyil sirikiraan | He who works hard in youth smiles in old age |
| Ilamaiyil paduthavan muthumaiyil thavikiraan | He who sloths in youth suffers in old age |
| Unathu rathamum enathu rathamum | Your blood and my blood |
| Uravu rathamada | Is the blood of brotherhood |
| Neeum naanum naanum neeum | You and I, I and you |
| Nirathaal gunathaal onnada – haha | Are one in skin color and character - haha |
| Male | |
| Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone |
| Male | |
| Thaai endra oru theivam veetoda iruku | A deity named Mother resides right inside the home |
| Nee thani thaniya kovil kolam alaivathu ethuku | Why wander around alone searching in temples and holy ponds? |
| Ammavin paathathil karpooram koluthu | Light camphor at your mother's feet |
| Aanantha kanneeril abisegam nadathu | Perform sacred anointment with tears of joy |
| Male | |
| Kaatu vilangellam kozhuthaathan mathipu | Wild animals gain respect only when they are fat |
| Kaavi thuravi ellam melinjaathaan mathipu | Saffron ascetics gain respect only when they are thin |
| Panam konjam irunthaalum koduthathaan mathipu | Even if you have little money, giving it brings respect |
| Nee maganendraal un thaaiyai mathichathaan mathipu | If you call yourself a son, respecting your mother brings respect |
| Male | |
| Thanakenna vaazhbavan irukaiyil irakiraan | He who lives only for himself dies while still alive |
| Pirarkenna vaazhnthavan iranthumae irukiraan | He who lives for others lives on even after death |
| Unnai vidavum enaku veru uravu illaiyada | I have no other relationship greater than you |
| Ennai endrum vaazha vaikum | The deity that makes me live forever |
| Theivam theivam neeyada – haan | That deity, that deity is you - haan |
| Male | |
| { Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | { That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda } (2) | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2) |
| Male | |
| Aandavan nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi | God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi |
| Arunachalam nadathiduvaanda | Arunachalam will lead and guide us |
| Naan uppu potta aala marapathillada | I will never forget the person who fed me salt |
| Aana thapu senja aala viduvathillada | But I will never spare someone who does wrong |
| Male | |
| { Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda | { That man, this man, I am Arunachalam |
| Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda } (2) | In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2) |
{ ஓம் அருணாச்சலேஸ்வராய
நமஹ } (2)
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam - hey
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
ஹே அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
அன்னை தமிழ்
நாட்டுல நான் அனைவருக்கும்
சொந்தம்டா அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
அன்னை தமிழ் நாட்டுல நான்
அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தம்டா
God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
Arunachalam will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
I will never forget the person who fed me salt
But I will never spare someone who does wrong... aaaaaaaa
ஆண்டவன் நடத்திடுவாண்டா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
அருணாச்சலம் நடத்திடுவாண்டா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் நான் உப்பு
போட்ட ஆள மறப்பதில்லடா
ஆனா தப்பு செஞ்ச ஆள விடுவதில்லடா
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
அன்னை தமிழ் நாட்டுல நான்
அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தம்டா
You are the eyelash that protects both my eyes
You are the complete strength residing in my shoulders
You are the courage that lives within my heart
You are the truth that resides in my words
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
Oh one who came as my sweet life, you are my life itself
You are the beat that throbs in my heart
You are the hard worker striving for success as envisioned
You are the companion who stays with me till the very end
என் கண் இரடண்டையும்
காப்பாத்தும் கண்ணிமையும் நீதான்
என் தோள்களிலே முழு பலமாய்
உள்ளவனும் நீதான் என் நெஞ்சில்
வாழ்ந்து வரும் தைரியமும் நீதான்
என் சொல்லில் குடியிருக்கும்
சத்தியமும் நீதான்
He who works hard in youth smiles in old age
He who sloths in youth suffers in old age
Your blood and my blood
Is the blood of brotherhood
You and I, I and you
Are one in skin color and character - haha
ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
ஆ இன்னுயிராய்
வந்தவனே என்னுயிரும்
நீதான் என் இருதயத்தில்
துடித்துடிப்பாய் இருப்பவனும்
நீதான் எண்ணம் போல் வெற்றி
பெற உழைப்பவனும் நீதான்
என் இறுதிவரை கூட வரும்
கூட்டணியும் நீதான்
A deity named Mother resides right inside the home
Why wander around alone searching in temples and holy ponds?
Light camphor at your mother's feet
Perform sacred anointment with tears of joy
{ ஓம் அருணாச்சலேஸ்வராய
நமஹ } (2)
Wild animals gain respect only when they are fat
Saffron ascetics gain respect only when they are thin
Even if you have little money, giving it brings respect
If you call yourself a son, respecting your mother brings respect
இளமையில் உழைப்பவன்
முதுமையில் சிரிக்கிறான் இளமையில்
படுத்தவன் முதுமையில் தவிக்கிறான்
உனது ரத்தமும் எனது ரத்தமும் உறவு
ரத்தமடா நீயும் நானும் நானும் நீயும்
நிறத்தால் குணத்தால் ஒன்னடா ஹாஹா
He who lives only for himself dies while still alive
He who lives for others lives on even after death
I have no other relationship greater than you
The deity that makes me live forever
That deity, that deity is you - haan
அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
அன்னை தமிழ் நாட்டுல நான்
அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தம்டா
{ That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2)
{ ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஹே ஹே ஹே } (2)
{ ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ } (4)
God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
Arunachalam will lead and guide us
I will never forget the person who fed me salt
But I will never spare someone who does wrong
தாயென்ற ஒரு
தெய்வம் வீட்டோட இருக்கு
நீ தனித்தனியா கோவில் குளம்
அலைவது எதுக்கு அம்மாவின்
பாதத்தில் கற்பூரம் கொளுத்து
ஆனந்த கண்ணீரில் அபிஷேகம்
நடத்து
{ That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2)
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
காட்டு விலங்கெல்லாம்
கொழுத்தாதான் மதிப்பு காவி
துறவியெல்லாம் மெலிஞ்சாத்தான்
மதிப்பு பணம் கொஞ்சம் இருந்தாலும்
கொடுத்தா தான் மதிப்பு நீ மகனென்றால்
உன் தாயை மதிச்சாதான் மதிப்பு
{ ஓம் அருணாச்சலேஸ்வராய
நமஹ } (2)
தனக்கென வாழ்பவன்
இருக்கையில் இறக்கிறான்
பிறர்கென வாழ்ந்தவன்
இறந்துமே இருக்கிறான்
உன்னை விடவும் எனக்கு
வேறு உறவு இல்லையடா
என்னை என்றும் வாழ வைக்கும்
தெய்வம் தெய்வம் நீயடா ஹான்
{ அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
அன்னை தமிழ் நாட்டுல நான்
அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தம்டா } (2)
ஆண்டவன் நடத்திடுவாண்டா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
அருணாச்சலம் நடத்திடுவாண்டா
நான் உப்பு போட்ட ஆள மறப்பதில்லடா
ஆனா தப்பு செஞ்ச ஆள விடுவதில்லடா
{ அதாண்டா இதாண்டா
அருணாச்சலம் நான் தான்டா
அன்னை தமிழ் நாட்டுல நான்
அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தம்டா } (2)
Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda – hey
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam - hey
Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
Aandavan nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi
God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
Arunachalam nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi
Arunachalam will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
Naan uppu potta aala marapathillada
I will never forget the person who fed me salt
Aana thapu senja aala viduvathillada … aaaaaaaa
But I will never spare someone who does wrong... aaaaaaaa
Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
En kanirandaiyum kaapaathum kanimaiyum neethaan
You are the eyelash that protects both my eyes
En thozhgalilae muzhubalamaai ullavanum neethaan
You are the complete strength residing in my shoulders
En nenjil vaazhnthuvarum thairiyamum neethaan
You are the courage that lives within my heart
En sollil kudi irukum sathiyamum neethaan
You are the truth that resides in my words
Aah inuyiraai vanthavanae en uyirum neethaan
Oh one who came as my sweet life, you are my life itself
En iruthayathil thudi thudipaai irupavanum neethaan
You are the beat that throbs in my heart
Ennampol vetri pera uzhaipavanum neethaan
You are the hard worker striving for success as envisioned
En iruthivarai kooda varum kootaniyum neethaan
You are the companion who stays with me till the very end
Ilamaiyil uzhaipavan muthumaiyil sirikiraan
He who works hard in youth smiles in old age
Ilamaiyil paduthavan muthumaiyil thavikiraan
He who sloths in youth suffers in old age
Unathu rathamum enathu rathamum
Your blood and my blood
Uravu rathamada
Is the blood of brotherhood
Neeum naanum naanum neeum
You and I, I and you
Nirathaal gunathaal onnada – haha
Are one in skin color and character - haha
Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone
Thaai endra oru theivam veetoda iruku
A deity named Mother resides right inside the home
Nee thani thaniya kovil kolam alaivathu ethuku
Why wander around alone searching in temples and holy ponds?
Ammavin paathathil karpooram koluthu
Light camphor at your mother's feet
Aanantha kanneeril abisegam nadathu
Perform sacred anointment with tears of joy
Kaatu vilangellam kozhuthaathan mathipu
Wild animals gain respect only when they are fat
Kaavi thuravi ellam melinjaathaan mathipu
Saffron ascetics gain respect only when they are thin
Panam konjam irunthaalum koduthathaan mathipu
Even if you have little money, giving it brings respect
Nee maganendraal un thaaiyai mathichathaan mathipu
If you call yourself a son, respecting your mother brings respect
Thanakenna vaazhbavan irukaiyil irakiraan
He who lives only for himself dies while still alive
Pirarkenna vaazhnthavan iranthumae irukiraan
He who lives for others lives on even after death
Unnai vidavum enaku veru uravu illaiyada
I have no other relationship greater than you
Ennai endrum vaazha vaikum
The deity that makes me live forever
Theivam theivam neeyada – haan
That deity, that deity is you - haan
{ Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
{ That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda } (2)
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2)
Aandavan nadathiduvaanda hoi hoi hoi
God will lead and guide us, hoi hoi hoi
Arunachalam nadathiduvaanda
Arunachalam will lead and guide us
Naan uppu potta aala marapathillada
I will never forget the person who fed me salt
Aana thapu senja aala viduvathillada
But I will never spare someone who does wrong
{ Athaanda ithaanda arunachalam naanthaanda
{ That man, this man, I am Arunachalam
Annai thamizh naatula naan anaivarukum sonthamda } (2)
In the motherland of Tamil, I belong to everyone } (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Athaanda Ithaanda is the iconic intro song for Superstar Rajinikanth from the 1997 film Arunachalam, composed by Deva and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The hero presents himself as a common man who belongs to all people of the Tamil land, guided by righteousness and divine destiny. The song highlights his core values: unwavering loyalty to those who have helped him and unyielding justice against wrongdoers. Beyond personal intro themes, the song delivers timeless ethical teachings. It contrasts the rewards of youthful hard work against laziness, highlights selfless living over selfishness, and elevates mother worship above empty religious rituals, establishing the hero as both a savior and a moral beacon.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)
“Ilamaiyil uzhaipavan muthumaiyil sirikiraan”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Ilamaiyil uzhaipavan' and 'Ilamaiyil paduthavan'.
Antithesis (Moral Contrast)
“Ilamaiyil uzhaipavan muthumaiyil sirikiraan / Ilamaiyil paduthavan muthumaiyil thavikiraan”
Contrasting the positive result of working in youth vs the negative result of being lazy in youth.
Metaphor
“Thaai endra oru theivam veetoda iruku”
Comparing a mother living at home to a divine deity, emphasizing that devotion to parents surpasses visiting shrines.
Paradox
“Thanakenna vaazhbavan irukaiyil irakiraan / Pirarkenna vaazhnthavan iranthumae irukiraan”
Expressing that a selfish person is metaphorically dead while living, whereas a generous person remains alive in memory even after death.
Did you know?
Trivia
This opening track from Arunachalam (1997) was composed by Deva and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It follows the legendary tradition of Rajinikanth hero-introduction songs that combine high-energy mass rhythms with philosophical teachings, penned by Vairamuthu.
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