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Lyrics & meaning

Chandhiranthaan

From Mannukkul Vairam · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, B. Sasireka
Music director
Devendran
Details
Mannukkul Vairam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chandhiranthaan poranthirukkuThe moon itself has been born
Saatham oottuvomWe will feed rice
Unga pulla thalaimuraikkumEven for your children's generation
Soru oottuvomWe will feed food
Thaaippaalu kudikkum munnae thantha sorungaIt is food given even before drinking mother's milk
Ooru periyavanga engalukku thantha perungaIt is a great name given to us by the village elders
Male
Oorukku velukkuriyaeYou wash clothes for the whole village
Um pozhuthu velukkalaiyaeYet your own day does not dawn
Oorukku velukkuriyaeYou wash clothes for the whole village
Um pozhuthu velukkalaiyaeYet your own day does not dawn
Oorellam thuni kodukkumThe whole village provides clothes
Unakku oru thuni illaiyaeYet you do not have a single cloth for yourself
Konaiyam paattu idhu kuri sollum paattuThis is a folk song, a song that foretells
Konaiyam paattu idhu kuri sollum paattuThis is a folk song, a song that foretells
Male
Vandikkaaran annannadaaHe is the cart-driver elder brother
Karisa naattu mannanadaaHe is the king of the black soil region
Kalikaala vallaladaa karnanukkum annanannadaaHe is the philanthropist of Kali Yuga, an elder brother even to Karna
Aanaiyae ponaalum annanukku thuchchamadaaEven if an elephant is lost, it is insignificant to elder brother
Aanaiyae ponaalum annanukku thuchchamadaaEven if an elephant is lost, it is insignificant to elder brother
Male
Santha sendru saeraiyilaeUpon reaching the market
Saakku mattum michchamadaaOnly the empty sack remains
Santha sendru saeraiyilaeUpon reaching the market
Saakku mattum michchamadaaOnly the empty sack remains
Thannaannaanae thannaa nannae….Thannaannaanae thannaa nannae...
Yae thannaannaanae thannaa nannae….Yae thannaannaanae thannaa nannae...
Thannaannaanae thannaa nannae….Thannaannaanae thannaa nannae...
Male
Arasan vanthu kettaalumEven if the king comes and asks
Niyaayam niyaayanthaanJustice remains justice
Antha aandavanae kettaalumEven if God Himself comes and asks
Niyaayam niyaayanthaan niyaayam niyaayanthaanJustice remains justice, justice remains justice
Nallvanga iruppathaala velaiyuthu bhoomiThe earth yields crops because good people exist
Oorukkoru magaraasan irukanm saamiThere should be a great king like you in every village, Lord
Unnai pola magaraasan irukanm saamiThere should be a great king like you, Lord
Unnai pola magaraasan irukanm saamiThere should be a great king like you, Lord
Male
Yaedho nadanthiruchchiSomething unexpected has happened
Enna solli naan paadaWhat words can I use to sing about it?
Mazhaiththanni aaththodaRainwater along with the river
Ooththu thanni aaththodaSpring water along with the river
Mazhaiththanni aaththodaRainwater along with the river
Ooththu thanni aaththodaSpring water along with the river
Rendu thanniyum saernthiruchchuBoth waters have merged together
Yaaru vanthu karai podaWho can come and build a dam to separate them?
Yaaru vanthu karai podaWho can come and build a dam to separate them?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-style song from 'Mannukkul Vairam' explores rural life, justice, and selflessness through vivid imagery. It contrasts the noble generosity of hard-working villagers—such as washermen who clothe the village while remaining poor themselves—with the unyielding nature of truth and righteousness, which stands firm even against kings and gods. The lyricist praises a big-hearted local figure whose kindness surpasses legendary philanthropists like Karna, highlighting how good deeds sustain the earth. Towards the end, the lyricist uses the metaphor of rainwater and spring water merging seamlessly in a river, expressing a situation or bond that has grown so deep and intertwined that no external force can divide or dam it. It captures both the socio-economic ironies of village labor and the emotional depth of human connections.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Situational Contrast

Oorukku velukkuriyae / Um pozhuthu velukkalaiyae

Highlighting the irony where a laborer brightens/washes clothes for the entire village, yet their own life remains in dark impoverishment.

Hyperbole / Allusion

Kalikaala vallaladaa karnanukkum annanannadaa

Exaggerating the protagonist's generosity by calling him greater than Karna, the ultimate figure of charity in the Mahabharata.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Arasan vanthu kettaalum / Antha aandavanae kettaalum

Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter matches across adjacent lines ('Arasan' / 'Antha').

Metaphor

Mazhaiththanni aaththoda... Rendu thanniyum saernthiruchchu

Comparing two merged human emotions/fates to rainwater and natural spring water joining together uncontrollably in a river.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mannukkul Vairam' (1986) featured music composed by Devendran with lyrics penned by the distinguished Tamil poet Pulamaipithan. The song utilizes traditional Tamil folk singing rhythms ('Naattupura Paattu') and 'Kuri Sollum Paattu' (fortune-telling song structure) to convey deeper social philosophy.

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