- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Naan Nanethan
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a satirical philosophical commentary on the hypocrisy, greed, and duplicity inherent in human nature. Legendary lyricist Kannadasan cleverly uses the revered concept of 'Dasavatharam' (the ten divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu) as a extended metaphor to critique the deceitful roles and masks that ordinary humans wear every day for selfish ends.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Extended Metaphor
“Iththanai siriya manithan dhinamum eduppathu dhasaavadhaaram”
The entire song frames human moral flaws and hypocrisies through the lens of Lord Vishnu's ten divine avatars (Krishna, Rama, Kurma, Narasimha, Varaha, Vamana, Matsya).
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Eththanai / Iththanai”
The second consonant 'th' (த்) rhymes across consecutive lines 'Eththanai' and 'Iththanai'.
Iyaipu (End Rhyming)
“Manithanin paadamadaa / Thaayae thaaramadaa / Nenjukku paaramadaa”
The rhyming suffix '-adaa' is used consistently across line endings to create a rhythmic, conversational tone.
Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)
“Kannondru kaanum vaayondru pesum”
Contrasts what the eyes observe versus what the mouth speaks, highlighting human deceit and double standards.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the master lyricist Kannadasan and set to tune by 'Mellisai Mannar' K. V. Mahadevan, this song stands out for using sacred mythological iconography to deliver a sharp socio-philosophical critique. P. Jayachandran's vocal delivery gives the moralizing lyric a reflective yet mocking quality that was characteristic of situational songs in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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