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Lyrics & meaning

Ennathan Nadakkum

From Panathottam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Panathottam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumaeWhatever happens, let it happen.
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumaeLet justice hide in darkness for a while.
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhaeIt will reveal itself on its own, do not hesitate.
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThe Leader is there, do not be lost in despair.
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumaeHaa, whatever happens, let it happen.
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumaeLet justice hide in darkness for a while.
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhaeIt will reveal itself on its own, do not hesitate.
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThe Leader is there, do not be lost in despair.
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThere is a Supreme Leader, do not be lost in despair.
Male
Pinnaalae therivadhu adichuvaduWhat lies behind you are footsteps.
Munnaalae iruppadhu avan veeduWhat lies ahead is His house.
Pinnaalae therivadhu adichuvaduWhat lies behind you are footsteps.
Munnaalae iruppadhu avan veeduWhat lies ahead is His house.
Naduvinilae nee vilaiyaaduIn between the two, play your part.
Nalladhai ninaithae poraaduFight while keeping good thoughts in mind.
Nalladhai ninaithae poraaduFight while keeping good thoughts in mind.
Male
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumaeHaa, whatever happens, let it happen.
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumaeLet justice hide in darkness for a while.
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhaeIt will reveal itself on its own, do not hesitate.
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThe Leader is there, do not be lost in despair.
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThere is a Supreme Leader, do not be lost in despair.
Male
Ulagathil thirudargal sari paadhiThieves make up half of the world.
Oomaigal kurudargal adhil paadhiThe mute and the blind make up half of what remains.
Ulagathil thirudargal sari paadhiThieves make up half of the world.
Oomaigal kurudargal adhil paadhiThe mute and the blind make up half of what remains.
Kalagathil pirappadhu dhaan needhiTrue justice is born only out of chaos.
Kalangaadhe madhi mayangaadheDo not panic, do not lose your mind.
Kalangaadhe madhi mayangaadheDo not panic, do not lose your mind.
Male
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumaeHaa, whatever happens, let it happen.
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumaeLet justice hide in darkness for a while.
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhaeIt will reveal itself on its own, do not hesitate.
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThe Leader is there, do not be lost in despair.
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThere is a Supreme Leader, do not be lost in despair.
Male
Manadhukku mattum bayandhuviduBe afraid only of your own conscience.
Maanathai udalil kalanthuviduIncorporate honor into your very flesh.
Manadhukku mattum bayandhuviduBe afraid only of your own conscience.
Maanathai udalil kalanthuviduIncorporate honor into your very flesh.
Irukkindra varaiyinil vaazhndhuviduLive fully as long as you are alive.
Irandinil ondru paarthuviduFace the outcome—do or die.
Irandinil ondru paarthuviduFace the outcome—do or die.
Male
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumaeHaa, whatever happens, let it happen.
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumaeLet justice hide in darkness for a while.
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhaeIt will reveal itself on its own, do not hesitate.
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThe Leader is there, do not be lost in despair.
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhaeThere is a Supreme Leader, do not be lost in despair.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ennadhaan Nadakkum is an iconic philosophical song from the 1963 film Panathottam. Written by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, it serves as an anthem of hope, perseverance, and moral integrity. The song assures the listener that even if truth and justice are temporarily overshadowed by evil and deception, divine justice will ultimately prevail.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification / Metaphor

Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae / Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae

Justice ('Needhi') is personified as something hiding in the dark that will emerge by itself.

Ethukai (Assonance / Second Letter Rhyme)

Pinnaalae therivadhu adichuvadu / Munnaalae iruppadhu avan veedu

Matching second consonants in Tamil poetic structure ('nna' sound).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kalagathil pirappadhu dhaan needhi / Kalangaadhe madhi mayangaadhe

Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across words ('Ka').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae / Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae

Lines ending with matching rhythmic suffixes ('attumae' and 'adhae').

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Trivia

This song played a significant role in projecting M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) as a savior figure ('Thalaivan') in Tamil popular culture, laying the groundwork for his legendary political career. The line 'Thalaivan irukkiraan' became a reassuring catchphrase among his followers.

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