En Kanavinai Kel Nanba
From Desiya Geetham · 1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Male | |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En unarvinai nee arinthaal | If you understand my feelings |
| Uthiram kothikkum | Your blood will boil |
| Male | |
| Oru puram varumaiyum | Poverty on one side |
| Maru puram kodumaiyum | Cruelty on the other side |
| Ezhaiyai virattudhu theriyuma | Do you know it chases the poor away? |
| Indha mann kudil aasaiyai | The desires of this mud hut |
| Maaligai arinthidumaa | Will a palace ever understand? |
| Male | |
| Nanbanae | Oh friend |
| Idhu maara vendum | This must change |
| Pasiyaara vendum | Hunger must be satisfied |
| Indha ilaingjar kaiyil | In the hands of these youth |
| Engal desam maara vendum | Our nation must change |
| Male | |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En unarvinai nee arinthaal | If you understand my feelings |
| Uthiram kothikkum | Your blood will boil |
| Chorus | |
| Maharaasan seemaiyilae | In the king's land |
| Mazhaiyillama irundhadhoru kaalam | There was once a drought-ridden time without rain |
| Ada gandhi pol thalaivar | Ah, because a leader like Gandhi came along |
| Vandhadhanaal naadu ippo | The country now |
| Sezhichu valangkolichu | Flourishes and shines with prosperity |
| Panjam pasi theernthadiyoo | Famine and hunger are vanquished! |
| Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa………… | Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa… |
| Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa………… | Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa… |
| Male | |
| Paatti paal vittra kanakkai | The accounts of milk sold by a grandmother |
| Computer padhiya vendum | Should be logged into a computer |
| Naattru nadukindra pennum | The woman planting paddy saplings |
| Cellphone-il pesa vendum | Should talk on a mobile phone |
| Chorus | |
| Aam cell phone-il | Yes, on a mobile phone |
| Pesa vendum | Should talk |
| Male | |
| Uzhavan yerotta | While doing heavy farming work |
| Benz caarotti poga vendum | The farmer should drive a Benz car |
| Vilaiyum payirukku | For the crops grown with sweat |
| Naangal solgindra | The price that we dictate |
| Vilaigal vendum | Should be given to us |
| Chorus | |
| Naangal solgindra | The price that we dictate |
| Vilaigal vendum | Should be given to us |
| Male | |
| Olympic game-il | In the Olympic games |
| Silambam aadi jeyithida | We must perform Silambam and win |
| Vendum vendum | We must win |
| Vaetru natton namadhu naatil | Foreigners in our nation |
| Velaikku alaiya vendum | Should wander seeking jobs |
| Ezhai nenjil kodi aasaigal | Millions of hopes inside a poor man's heart |
| Seidhadhenna ungal arasiyal | What has your politics done for them? |
| Chorus | |
| Suthanthira velviyai nadathum | To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom |
| Padai irukku | An army is ready |
| Surandalai ethirthida iniyum | To stand up against exploitation, anymore |
| Bayam etharkku | Why should there be fear? |
| Male | |
| Thozhanae | Oh companion |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En unarvinai nee arinthaal | If you understand my feelings |
| Uthiram kothikkum | Your blood will boil |
| Male | |
| Aa haaa…aaa… | Aa haaa…aaa… |
| Patti thottikkum palingu kallalae | Even in remote hamlets, with marble stones |
| Roadu vendum | Roads must be laid |
| Nadai paadhai mel thoongum | For the poor sleeping on footpaths |
| Ezhaikkum sondha veedu vendum | They must own their own house |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhaikkum sondha | For the poor, their own |
| Veedu vendum | House must be given |
| Male | |
| Irukkum pala katchi maari | Instead of many shifting political parties |
| Oru katchiyaaga vendum | It should become one unified force |
| Makkal nam makkal endra | A leader who feels that the people are his own |
| Unarvulla thalaivan vendum | We need a leader with genuine feeling |
| Chorus | |
| Unmai unarvulla | With true devotion and feeling |
| Thalaivan vendum | We need a leader |
| Male | |
| Therthal kanayaai irukkum | Like a cannon ball ready for election |
| Makkal vedithida vendum vendum | The people must burst forth with energy |
| Ulaga arangil namadhu naadu | On the world stage, our nation |
| Mudhal idam vaanga vendum | Must capture the top spot |
| Indhiyaavin ilangjar kootamum | The youth brigade of India |
| Ilaithathalla endha naatukkum | Is second to no other nation |
| Chorus | |
| Suthanthira velviyai nadathum | To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom |
| Padai irukku | An army is ready |
| Surandalai ethirthida iniyum | To stand up against exploitation, anymore |
| Bayam etharkku | Why should there be fear? |
| Male | |
| Thozhanae | Oh companion |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En unarvinai nee arinthaal | If you understand my feelings |
| Uthiram kothikkum | Your blood will boil |
| Male | |
| Oru puram varumaiyum | Poverty on one side |
| Maru puram kodumaiyum | Cruelty on the other side |
| Ezhaiyai virattudhu theriyuma | Do you know it chases the poor away? |
| Indha mann kudil aasaiyai | The desires of this mud hut |
| Maaligai arinthidumaa | Will a palace ever understand? |
| Male | |
| Nanbanae | Oh friend |
| Idhu maara vendum | This must change |
| Pasiyaara vendum | Hunger must be satisfied |
| Indha ilaingjar kaiyil | In the hands of these youth |
| Engal desam maara vendum | Our nation must change |
| Male | |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
| Unakku puriyum | You will understand |
| En unarvinai nee arinthaal | If you understand my feelings |
| Uthiram kothikkum | Your blood will boil |
| En kanavinai kel nanba | Listen to my dream, my friend |
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா....
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
Listen to my dream, my friend
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் உணர்வினை நீ அறிந்தால்
உதிரம் கொதிக்கும்
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
If you understand my feelings
Your blood will boil
ஒரு புறம் வறுமையும்
மறுபுறம் கொடுமையும்
ஏழையை விரட்டுது தெரியுமா
இந்த மண் குடில் ஆசையை
மாளிகை அறிந்திடுமா....
Poverty on one side
Cruelty on the other side
Do you know it chases the poor away?
The desires of this mud hut
Will a palace ever understand?
நண்பனே இது மாறவேண்டும்
பசியாற வேண்டும்
இந்த இளைஞர் கையில்
எங்கள் தேசம் மாறவேண்டும்
Oh friend
This must change
Hunger must be satisfied
In the hands of these youth
Our nation must change
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் உணர்வினை நீ அறிந்தால்
உதிரம் கொதிக்கும்
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
If you understand my feelings
Your blood will boil
மகராசன் சீமையில
மழையில்லாம
இருந்ததொரு காலம்
அட காந்தி போல்
தலைவர் வந்ததனால்
நாடு இப்போ
செழிச்சு வளங்கொழிச்சு
பஞ்சம் பசி தீர்ந்ததடியோ
ஹொய்ய ஹொய்யா ஹொய்யா
ஹொய்ய ஹொய்யா ஹொய்யா
In the king's land
There was once a drought-ridden time without rain
Ah, because a leader like Gandhi came along
The country now
Flourishes and shines with prosperity
Famine and hunger are vanquished!
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…
பாட்டி பால் விற்ற
கணக்கை கம்பியூட்டர்
பதிய வேண்டும்
நாற்று நடுகின்ற பெண்ணும்
செல்போனில் பேச வேண்டும்
The accounts of milk sold by a grandmother
Should be logged into a computer
The woman planting paddy saplings
Should talk on a mobile phone
ஆம் செல்போனில்
பேச வேண்டும்
Yes, on a mobile phone
Should talk
உழவன் ஏரோட்ட
பென்சு காரோட்டி
போக வேண்டும்
While doing heavy farming work
The farmer should drive a Benz car
For the crops grown with sweat
The price that we dictate
Should be given to us
விளையும் பயிருக்கு
நாங்கள் சொல்கின்ற
விலைகள் வேண்டும்
The price that we dictate
Should be given to us
நாங்கள் சொல்கின்ற
விலைகள் வேண்டும்
In the Olympic games
We must perform Silambam and win
We must win
Foreigners in our nation
Should wander seeking jobs
Millions of hopes inside a poor man's heart
What has your politics done for them?
ஒலிம்பிக் கேமில்
சிலம்பம் ஆடி
ஜெயித்திட வேண்டும் வேண்டும்
வேற்று நாட்டோன்
நமது நாட்டில் வேலைக்கு
அலைய வேண்டும்
ஏழை நெஞ்சில்
கோடி ஆசைகள் செய்ததென்ன
உங்கள் அரசியல்
To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom
An army is ready
To stand up against exploitation, anymore
Why should there be fear?
சுதந்திர வேள்வியை
நடத்தும் படை இருக்கு
சுரண்டலை எதிர்த்திட
இனியும் பயம் எதற்கு
Oh companion
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
If you understand my feelings
Your blood will boil
தோழனே...
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் உணர்வினை நீ அறிந்தால்
உதிரம் கொதிக்கும்
Aa haaa…aaa…
Even in remote hamlets, with marble stones
Roads must be laid
For the poor sleeping on footpaths
They must own their own house
ஆ ஆஅ ஹா… பட்டி தொட்டிக்கும்
பளிங்கு கல்லாலே ரோடு வேண்டும்
நடை பாதை மேல்
தூங்கும் ஏழைக்கும்
சொந்த வீடு வேண்டும்
For the poor, their own
House must be given
ஏழைக்கும் சொந்த
வீடு வேண்டும்
Instead of many shifting political parties
It should become one unified force
A leader who feels that the people are his own
We need a leader with genuine feeling
இருக்கும் பல கட்சி மாறி
ஒரு கட்சியாக வேண்டும்
மக்கள் நம் மக்கள் என்ற
உணர்வுள்ள தலைவன் வேண்டும்
With true devotion and feeling
We need a leader
உண்மை உணர்வுள்ள
தலைவன் வேண்டும்
Like a cannon ball ready for election
The people must burst forth with energy
On the world stage, our nation
Must capture the top spot
The youth brigade of India
Is second to no other nation
தேர்தல் கணையாய் இருக்கும்
மக்கள் வெடித்திட வேண்டும் வேண்டும்
உலக அரங்கில் நமது நாடு
முதல் இடம் வாங்க வேண்டும்
இந்தியாவின் இளைஞர் கூட்டமும்
இளைத்ததல்ல எந்த நாட்டுக்கும்
To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom
An army is ready
To stand up against exploitation, anymore
Why should there be fear?
சுதந்திர வேள்வியை
நடத்தும் படை இருக்கு
சுரண்டலை எதிர்த்திட
இனியும் பயம் எதற்கு
Oh companion
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
If you understand my feelings
Your blood will boil
தோழனே
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் உணர்வினை நீ அறிந்தால்
உதிரம் கொதிக்கும்
Poverty on one side
Cruelty on the other side
Do you know it chases the poor away?
The desires of this mud hut
Will a palace ever understand?
ஒரு புறம் வறுமையும்
மறுபுறம் கொடுமையும்
ஏழையை விரட்டுது தெரியுமா
இந்த மண் குடில் ஆசையை
மாளிகை அறிந்திடுமா
Oh friend
This must change
Hunger must be satisfied
In the hands of these youth
Our nation must change
நண்பனே இது மாறவேண்டும்
பசியாற வேண்டும்
இந்த இளைஞர் கையில்
எங்கள் தேசம் மாறவேண்டும்
Listen to my dream, my friend
You will understand
If you understand my feelings
Your blood will boil
Listen to my dream, my friend
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
உனக்கு புரியும்
என் உணர்வினை நீ அறிந்தால்
உதிரம் கொதிக்கும்
என் கனவினை கேள் நண்பா
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En unarvinai nee arinthaal
If you understand my feelings
Uthiram kothikkum
Your blood will boil
Oru puram varumaiyum
Poverty on one side
Maru puram kodumaiyum
Cruelty on the other side
Ezhaiyai virattudhu theriyuma
Do you know it chases the poor away?
Indha mann kudil aasaiyai
The desires of this mud hut
Maaligai arinthidumaa
Will a palace ever understand?
Nanbanae
Oh friend
Idhu maara vendum
This must change
Pasiyaara vendum
Hunger must be satisfied
Indha ilaingjar kaiyil
In the hands of these youth
Engal desam maara vendum
Our nation must change
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En unarvinai nee arinthaal
If you understand my feelings
Uthiram kothikkum
Your blood will boil
Maharaasan seemaiyilae
In the king's land
Mazhaiyillama irundhadhoru kaalam
There was once a drought-ridden time without rain
Ada gandhi pol thalaivar
Ah, because a leader like Gandhi came along
Vandhadhanaal naadu ippo
The country now
Sezhichu valangkolichu
Flourishes and shines with prosperity
Panjam pasi theernthadiyoo
Famine and hunger are vanquished!
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…………
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…………
Hoiyaa hoiyaa hoiyaaa…
Paatti paal vittra kanakkai
The accounts of milk sold by a grandmother
Computer padhiya vendum
Should be logged into a computer
Naattru nadukindra pennum
The woman planting paddy saplings
Cellphone-il pesa vendum
Should talk on a mobile phone
Aam cell phone-il
Yes, on a mobile phone
Pesa vendum
Should talk
Uzhavan yerotta
While doing heavy farming work
Benz caarotti poga vendum
The farmer should drive a Benz car
Vilaiyum payirukku
For the crops grown with sweat
Naangal solgindra
The price that we dictate
Vilaigal vendum
Should be given to us
Naangal solgindra
The price that we dictate
Vilaigal vendum
Should be given to us
Olympic game-il
In the Olympic games
Silambam aadi jeyithida
We must perform Silambam and win
Vendum vendum
We must win
Vaetru natton namadhu naatil
Foreigners in our nation
Velaikku alaiya vendum
Should wander seeking jobs
Ezhai nenjil kodi aasaigal
Millions of hopes inside a poor man's heart
Seidhadhenna ungal arasiyal
What has your politics done for them?
Suthanthira velviyai nadathum
To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom
Padai irukku
An army is ready
Surandalai ethirthida iniyum
To stand up against exploitation, anymore
Bayam etharkku
Why should there be fear?
Thozhanae
Oh companion
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En unarvinai nee arinthaal
If you understand my feelings
Uthiram kothikkum
Your blood will boil
Aa haaa…aaa…
Aa haaa…aaa…
Patti thottikkum palingu kallalae
Even in remote hamlets, with marble stones
Roadu vendum
Roads must be laid
Nadai paadhai mel thoongum
For the poor sleeping on footpaths
Ezhaikkum sondha veedu vendum
They must own their own house
Ezhaikkum sondha
For the poor, their own
Veedu vendum
House must be given
Irukkum pala katchi maari
Instead of many shifting political parties
Oru katchiyaaga vendum
It should become one unified force
Makkal nam makkal endra
A leader who feels that the people are his own
Unarvulla thalaivan vendum
We need a leader with genuine feeling
Unmai unarvulla
With true devotion and feeling
Thalaivan vendum
We need a leader
Therthal kanayaai irukkum
Like a cannon ball ready for election
Makkal vedithida vendum vendum
The people must burst forth with energy
Ulaga arangil namadhu naadu
On the world stage, our nation
Mudhal idam vaanga vendum
Must capture the top spot
Indhiyaavin ilangjar kootamum
The youth brigade of India
Ilaithathalla endha naatukkum
Is second to no other nation
Suthanthira velviyai nadathum
To conduct the sacred fire ritual of freedom
Padai irukku
An army is ready
Surandalai ethirthida iniyum
To stand up against exploitation, anymore
Bayam etharkku
Why should there be fear?
Thozhanae
Oh companion
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En unarvinai nee arinthaal
If you understand my feelings
Uthiram kothikkum
Your blood will boil
Oru puram varumaiyum
Poverty on one side
Maru puram kodumaiyum
Cruelty on the other side
Ezhaiyai virattudhu theriyuma
Do you know it chases the poor away?
Indha mann kudil aasaiyai
The desires of this mud hut
Maaligai arinthidumaa
Will a palace ever understand?
Nanbanae
Oh friend
Idhu maara vendum
This must change
Pasiyaara vendum
Hunger must be satisfied
Indha ilaingjar kaiyil
In the hands of these youth
Engal desam maara vendum
Our nation must change
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Unakku puriyum
You will understand
En unarvinai nee arinthaal
If you understand my feelings
Uthiram kothikkum
Your blood will boil
En kanavinai kel nanba
Listen to my dream, my friend
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This anthem from the movie Desiya Geetham serves as a powerful call to action and a visionary manifesto for a modernized, equitable India. The protagonist speaks directly to his peers, expressing outrage at systemic poverty, social oppression, and political apathy. He urges his fellow youth to take the reins of the nation to eradicate suffering and usher in progress.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Oru puram varumaiyum / Maru puram kodumaiyum”
Matching second consonants in consecutive lines creates a rhythmic cadence in Tamil poetry ('puriyum' and 'arinthaal' / 'varumaiyum' and 'kodumaiyum').
Rhetorical Question
“Indha mann kudil aasaiyai Maaligai arinthidumaa”
The speaker asks whether the rich residing in palaces could ever grasp the simple aspirations and suffering of those living in mud huts.
Metaphor
“Suthanthira velviyai nadathum Padai irukku”
Describing the collective struggle against corruption and exploitation as a 'Suthanthira velvi' (sacred sacrificial fire of freedom).
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Trivia
Desiya Geetham (1998) was directed by Cheran, featuring Murali in the lead role. The film's musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vasan, focusing heavily on socio-political themes and youth empowerment.
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