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Panathottam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ennathan Nadakkum

From Panathottam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Panathottam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
26 Sept 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Pinnaalae therivadhu adichuvadu
Munnaalae iruppadhu avan veedu
Pinnaalae therivadhu adichuvadu
Munnaalae iruppadhu avan veedu
Naduvinilae nee vilaiyaadu
Nalladhai ninaithae poraadu
Nalladhai ninaithae poraadu
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Ulagathil thirudargal sari paadhi
Oomaigal kurudargal adhil paadhi
Ulagathil thirudargal sari paadhi
Oomaigal kurudargal adhil paadhi
Kalagathil pirappadhu dhaan needhi
Kalangaadhe madhi mayangaadhe
Kalangaadhe madhi mayangaadhe
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Manadhukku mattum bayandhuvidu
Maanathai udalil kalanthuvidu
Manadhukku mattum bayandhuvidu
Maanathai udalil kalanthuvidu
Irukkindra varaiyinil vaazhndhuvidu
Irandinil ondru paarthuvidu
Irandinil ondru paarthuvidu
Haa ennadhaan nadakkum nadakkattumae
Iruttinil needhi maraiyattumae
Thannaalae veli varum thayangaadhae
Thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Oru thalaivan irukkiraan mayangaadhae
Whatever happens, let it happen!
Even if justice is hidden in the dark,
It will come to light on its own, do not hesitate.
The Leader is there, do not lose heart.
Ha, whatever happens, let it happen!
Even if justice is hidden in the dark,
It will come to light on its own, do not hesitate.
The Leader is there, do not lose heart.
There is a Leader watching over us, do not lose heart.
What lies behind is just footsteps,
What lies ahead is His home.
What lies behind is just footsteps,
What lies ahead is His home.
Play your part in the time in between,
Fight on, with only good in your heart!
Fight on, with only good in your heart!
Ha, whatever happens, let it happen!
Even if justice is hidden in the dark,
It will come to light on its own, do not hesitate.
The Leader is there, do not lose heart.
There is a Leader watching over us, do not lose heart.
In this world, thieves make up half,
The mute and the blind make up the other half.
In this world, thieves make up half,
The mute and the blind make up the other half.
Justice is born only out of struggle.
Do not despair, do not lose your way.
Do not despair, do not lose your way.
Ha, whatever happens, let it happen!
Even if justice is hidden in the dark,
It will come to light on its own, do not hesitate.
The Leader is there, do not lose heart.
There is a Leader watching over us, do not lose heart.
Fear only your own conscience,
Let self-respect flow through your veins.
Fear only your own conscience,
Let self-respect flow through your veins.
Live fully as long as you are alive,
Stand firm and see it through to the end!
Stand firm and see it through to the end!
Ha, whatever happens, let it happen!
Even if justice is hidden in the dark,
It will come to light on its own, do not hesitate.
The Leader is there, do not lose heart.
There is a Leader watching over us, do not lose heart.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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').

Did you know?

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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