Dheivathaal Aagaadhu
From Nalla Theerppu · 1959
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Nalla Theerppu1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Deivaththaal aagaathu endraalum | Even if a goal cannot be achieved through divine fate, |
| Muyarchi mei varuntha koolu tharum enbathaalum | Since persistent effort with physical labor guarantees its reward, |
| Nee seivathai thiruntha sei menmelum | Do whatever you undertake flawlessly and keep improving further, |
| Unamai jeyikkumadaa thambi | Truth will ultimately triumph, my brother, |
| Entha naalum entha naalum entha naalum | On any given day, forever and always! |
| Male | |
| Malaiyathu kalangidinum | Even if the great mountain crumbles, |
| Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae | Do not lose heart, do not be distressed! |
| Malaiyathu kalangidinum | Even if the mountain crumbles, |
| Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae | Do not lose heart, do not be distressed! |
| Male | |
| Than maanamattra pediyena vaazhaathae | Do not live as a coward devoid of self-respect, |
| Ulagilum kadamai seiyya thavaraathae | Never fail to perform your duty in this world, |
| Adharkku uyirai nee perithanavae mathiyaathae | For that duty, do not consider your life as something greater, |
| Male | |
| Munnariyum deivamadaa | They are the visible gods who came before us, |
| Annai pithaa avar mozhinthathellaam | Mother and Father, and all that they have spoken to us, |
| Namakku vedhamadaa….aa….vedhamadaa… | Is sacred scripture to us... yes, sacred scripture! |
| Male | |
| Manitha…. | O Human... |
தெய்வத்தால் ஆகாது என்றாலும்
முயற்சி மெய் வருந்தக் கூலி தரும் என்பதாலும்
நீ செய்வதை திருந்த செய் மென்மேலும்
உண்மை ஜெயிக்குமடா தம்பி
எந்த நாளும் எந்த நாளும் எந்த நாளும்
Even if a goal cannot be achieved through divine fate,
Since persistent effort with physical labor guarantees its reward,
Do whatever you undertake flawlessly and keep improving further,
Truth will ultimately triumph, my brother,
On any given day, forever and always!
மலையது கலங்கிடினும்
கலங்காதே மனம் கலங்காதே
மலையது கலங்கிடினும்
கலங்காதே மனம் கலங்காதே
Even if the great mountain crumbles,
Do not lose heart, do not be distressed!
Even if the mountain crumbles,
Do not lose heart, do not be distressed!
தன் மானமற்ற பேடியன வாழாதே
உலகிலும் கடமை செய்ய தவறாதே
அதற்க்கு உயிரை நீ பெரிதனவே மதியாதே
Do not live as a coward devoid of self-respect,
Never fail to perform your duty in this world,
For that duty, do not consider your life as something greater,
முன்னறியும் தெய்வமடா
அன்னை பிதா
அவர் மொழிந்ததெல்லாம்
நமக்கு வேதமடா.....ஆ......வேதமடா....
They are the visible gods who came before us,
Mother and Father, and all that they have spoken to us,
Is sacred scripture to us... yes, sacred scripture!
மனிதா..................
O Human...
Deivaththaal aagaathu endraalum
Even if a goal cannot be achieved through divine fate,
Muyarchi mei varuntha koolu tharum enbathaalum
Since persistent effort with physical labor guarantees its reward,
Nee seivathai thiruntha sei menmelum
Do whatever you undertake flawlessly and keep improving further,
Unamai jeyikkumadaa thambi
Truth will ultimately triumph, my brother,
Entha naalum entha naalum entha naalum
On any given day, forever and always!
Malaiyathu kalangidinum
Even if the great mountain crumbles,
Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae
Do not lose heart, do not be distressed!
Malaiyathu kalangidinum
Even if the mountain crumbles,
Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae
Do not lose heart, do not be distressed!
Than maanamattra pediyena vaazhaathae
Do not live as a coward devoid of self-respect,
Ulagilum kadamai seiyya thavaraathae
Never fail to perform your duty in this world,
Adharkku uyirai nee perithanavae mathiyaathae
For that duty, do not consider your life as something greater,
Munnariyum deivamadaa
They are the visible gods who came before us,
Annai pithaa avar mozhinthathellaam
Mother and Father, and all that they have spoken to us,
Namakku vedhamadaa….aa….vedhamadaa…
Is sacred scripture to us... yes, sacred scripture!
Manitha….
O Human...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This uplifting philosophical song emphasizes moral duty, resilience, and hard work, heavily inspired by classical Tamil literature like the Tirukkural. The song urges the listener to persevere regardless of fate or insurmountable obstacles, reminding them that dedicated effort always yields rewards. Furthermore, it advocates for living with self-respect, fulfilling one's duty above personal self-preservation, and honoring parents as living deities whose wisdom serves as holy scripture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (Kural Reference)
“Deivaththaal aagaathu endraalum / Muyarchi mei varuntha koolu tharum enbathaalum”
The opening lines are a direct poetic adaptation of Thirukkural verse 619: 'Deivathaan aagaath eninum muyarchi tan mei-varundha kooli tharum'.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Malaiyathu kalangidinum / Kalangaathae manam kalangaathae”
The second consonant 'la' (ல) matches across adjacent lines ('Malaiyathu' and 'Kalangaathae'), creating a harmonious Tamil rhythmic flow.
Repetition / Epanalepsis
“Entha naalum entha naalum entha naalum”
Repetition of 'entha naalum' and 'kalangaathae' emphasizes resolute perseverance despite overwhelming distress.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi heavily incorporated Thirukkural concepts into film lyrics to spread moral and rationalist philosophy to the general public. The opening line of this song remains one of the most famous musical adaptations of Thiruvalluvar's couplets in Tamil cinema history.
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