Ethanai Periya
From Aasai Mugam · 1965
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Aasai Mugam1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Innoruvar vedhanai | Another person's suffering |
| Ivargalukku vedikkai | Is entertainment to these people |
| Idhayamattra manidharukku | For heartless human beings |
| Idhuvellaam vaadikkai….ee….ee… | All of this is just routine....ee....ee... |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Eththanai siriya paravaikku | For such a tiny bird |
| Eththanai siriya paravaikku | For such a tiny bird |
| Eththanai periya arivirukku | How immense is its wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Male | |
| Uyarndhavar enna | What matters if one is considered high? |
| Thaazhndhavar enna | What matters if one is considered low? |
| Udal mattumae karuppu | It is only the skin/body that is dark |
| Avar udhiram endrum sivappu | Their blood is always red |
| Male | |
| Uyarndhavar enna | What matters if one is considered high? |
| Thaazhndhavar enna | What matters if one is considered low? |
| Udal mattumae karuppu | It is only the skin/body that is dark |
| Avar udhiram endrum sivappu | Their blood is always red |
| Male | |
| Oru vazhi nadandhaar | He who walked a single principled path |
| Uyarndhavar aavaar | Will become elevated |
| Oru vazhi nadandhaar | He who walked a single principled path |
| Uyarndhavar aavaar | Will become elevated |
| Pala vazhi kadandhaar | He who strayed into many unethical paths |
| Thaazhndhavar aavaar | Will become degraded |
| Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm…. | Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm.... |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Male | |
| Kozhiyai paaru | Look at the rooster |
| Kaalaiyil vizhikkum | It wakes up at break of dawn |
| Kuruviyai paaru | Look at the sparrow |
| Sombalai pazhikkum | It despises laziness |
| Male | |
| Kozhiyai paaru | Look at the rooster |
| Kaalaiyil vizhikkum | It wakes up at break of dawn |
| Kuruviyai paaru | Look at the sparrow |
| Sombalai pazhikkum | It despises laziness |
| Male | |
| Kaakkaiyai paaru | Look at the crow |
| Koodi pizhaikkum | It shares and thrives together |
| kaakkaiyai paaru | Look at the crow |
| Koodi pizhaikkum | It shares and thrives together |
| Nammaiyum paaru | Now look at us humans |
| Naadae sirikkum | The entire country laughs at us |
| Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm…. | Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm.... |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Male | |
| Thanakkoru kolgai | One must have one's own principle |
| Adharkkoru thalaivan | And a leader for that principle |
| Thanakkoru paadhai | One must have one's own path |
| Adharkkoru payanam | And a goal for that journey |
| Male | |
| Thanakkoru kolgai | One must have one's own principle |
| Adharkkoru thalaivan | And a leader for that principle |
| Thanakkoru paadhai | One must have one's own path |
| Adharkkoru payanam | And a goal for that journey |
| Male | |
| Unakkena vendum | What do you really need? |
| Unarndhidu thambi | Understand it, my younger brother |
| Unakkena vendum | What do you really need? |
| Unarndhidu thambi | Understand it, my younger brother |
| Uzhaiththida vendum | You must work hard |
| Kaigalai nambi | Believing in your own hands |
| Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm…. | Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm.... |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku | How small a heart he possesses! |
| Eththanai siriya paravaikku | For such a tiny bird |
| Eththanai periya arivirukku | How immense is its wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Eththanai periya manidhanukku | For such a big man |
| Eththanai siriya manam irukku…uu…. | How small a heart he possesses!...uu.... |
இன்னொருவர் வேதனை
இவர்களுக்கு வேடிக்கை
இதயமற்ற மனிதருக்கு
இதுவெல்லாம் வாடிக்கை.....ஈ.....ஈ.....
Another person's suffering
Is entertainment to these people
For heartless human beings
All of this is just routine....ee....ee...
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய பறவைக்கு
எத்தனை பெரிய அறிவிருக்கு
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
For such a tiny bird
For such a tiny bird
How immense is its wisdom!
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
உயர்ந்தவர் என்ன
தாழ்ந்தவர் என்ன
உடல் மட்டுமே கருப்பு
அவர் உதிரம் என்றும் சிவப்பு
What matters if one is considered high?
What matters if one is considered low?
It is only the skin/body that is dark
Their blood is always red
உயர்ந்தவர் என்ன
தாழ்ந்தவர் என்ன
உடல் மட்டுமே கருப்பு
அவர் உதிரம் என்றும் சிவப்பு
What matters if one is considered high?
What matters if one is considered low?
It is only the skin/body that is dark
Their blood is always red
ஒரு வழி நடந்தார்
உயர்ந்தவர் ஆவார்
ஒரு வழி நடந்தார்
உயர்ந்தவர் ஆவார்
பல வழி கடந்தார்.......
தாழ்ந்தவர் ஆவார்
ஹ்ம்ம்ம்.. மஹ்ம்ம்ம்ம்....
He who walked a single principled path
Will become elevated
He who walked a single principled path
Will become elevated
He who strayed into many unethical paths
Will become degraded
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
கோழியை பாரு
காலையில் விழிக்கும்
குருவியை பாரு
சோம்பலை பழிக்கும்
Look at the rooster
It wakes up at break of dawn
Look at the sparrow
It despises laziness
கோழியை பாரு
காலையில் விழிக்கும்
குருவியை பாரு
சோம்பலை பழிக்கும்
Look at the rooster
It wakes up at break of dawn
Look at the sparrow
It despises laziness
காக்கையை பாரு
கூடி பிழைக்கும்
காக்கையை பாரு
கூடி பிழைக்கும்
நம்மையும் பாரு
நாடே சிரிக்கும்
ஹ்ம்ம்ம்.. மஹ்ம்ம்ம்ம்....
Look at the crow
It shares and thrives together
Look at the crow
It shares and thrives together
Now look at us humans
The entire country laughs at us
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
தனக்கொரு கொள்கை
அதற்கொரு தலைவன்
தனக்கொரு பாதை
அதற்கொரு பயணம்
One must have one's own principle
And a leader for that principle
One must have one's own path
And a goal for that journey
உனக்கென வேண்டும்
உணர்ந்திடு தம்பி
உனக்கென வேண்டும்
உணர்ந்திடு தம்பி
உழைத்ததிட வேண்டும்
கைகளை நம்பி
ஹ்ம்ம்ம்.. மஹ்ம்ம்ம்ம்....
One must have one's own principle
And a leader for that principle
One must have one's own path
And a goal for that journey
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய பறவைக்கு
எத்தனை பெரிய அறிவிருக்கு
What do you really need?
Understand it, my younger brother
What do you really need?
Understand it, my younger brother
You must work hard
Believing in your own hands
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
எத்தனை பெரிய மனிதனுக்கு
எத்தனை சிறிய மனம் இருக்கு....ஊ......
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!
For such a tiny bird
How immense is its wisdom!
For such a big man
How small a heart he possesses!...uu....
Innoruvar vedhanai
Another person's suffering
Ivargalukku vedikkai
Is entertainment to these people
Idhayamattra manidharukku
For heartless human beings
Idhuvellaam vaadikkai….ee….ee…
All of this is just routine....ee....ee...
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Eththanai siriya paravaikku
For such a tiny bird
Eththanai siriya paravaikku
For such a tiny bird
Eththanai periya arivirukku
How immense is its wisdom!
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Uyarndhavar enna
What matters if one is considered high?
Thaazhndhavar enna
What matters if one is considered low?
Udal mattumae karuppu
It is only the skin/body that is dark
Avar udhiram endrum sivappu
Their blood is always red
Uyarndhavar enna
What matters if one is considered high?
Thaazhndhavar enna
What matters if one is considered low?
Udal mattumae karuppu
It is only the skin/body that is dark
Avar udhiram endrum sivappu
Their blood is always red
Oru vazhi nadandhaar
He who walked a single principled path
Uyarndhavar aavaar
Will become elevated
Oru vazhi nadandhaar
He who walked a single principled path
Uyarndhavar aavaar
Will become elevated
Pala vazhi kadandhaar
He who strayed into many unethical paths
Thaazhndhavar aavaar
Will become degraded
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm….
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Kozhiyai paaru
Look at the rooster
Kaalaiyil vizhikkum
It wakes up at break of dawn
Kuruviyai paaru
Look at the sparrow
Sombalai pazhikkum
It despises laziness
Kozhiyai paaru
Look at the rooster
Kaalaiyil vizhikkum
It wakes up at break of dawn
Kuruviyai paaru
Look at the sparrow
Sombalai pazhikkum
It despises laziness
Kaakkaiyai paaru
Look at the crow
Koodi pizhaikkum
It shares and thrives together
kaakkaiyai paaru
Look at the crow
Koodi pizhaikkum
It shares and thrives together
Nammaiyum paaru
Now look at us humans
Naadae sirikkum
The entire country laughs at us
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm….
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Thanakkoru kolgai
One must have one's own principle
Adharkkoru thalaivan
And a leader for that principle
Thanakkoru paadhai
One must have one's own path
Adharkkoru payanam
And a goal for that journey
Thanakkoru kolgai
One must have one's own principle
Adharkkoru thalaivan
And a leader for that principle
Thanakkoru paadhai
One must have one's own path
Adharkkoru payanam
And a goal for that journey
Unakkena vendum
What do you really need?
Unarndhidu thambi
Understand it, my younger brother
Unakkena vendum
What do you really need?
Unarndhidu thambi
Understand it, my younger brother
Uzhaiththida vendum
You must work hard
Kaigalai nambi
Believing in your own hands
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm….
Hmhmhm.. hmhmmmm....
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku
How small a heart he possesses!
Eththanai siriya paravaikku
For such a tiny bird
Eththanai periya arivirukku
How immense is its wisdom!
Eththanai periya manidhanukku
For such a big man
Eththanai siriya manam irukku…uu….
How small a heart he possesses!...uu....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Eththanai Periya Manidhanukku is a deeply philosophical and reformative Tamil song from the 1965 film Aasai Mugam. Written by lyricist Vaali, the song critiques the selfishness, superficiality, and moral narrow-mindedness found among modern humans despite their elevated social standing or physical stature. It contrasts human pettiness with the innate wisdom and discipline seen in nature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast (Ethirsol)
“Eththanai periya manidhanukku / Eththanai siriya manam irukku”
Contrasts the physical/social size of a man ('periya manidhan') with the smallness of his heart ('siriya manam').
Moral Allegory / Personification
“Kaakkaiyai paaru Koodi pizhaikkum”
Uses the natural habits of birds (rooster waking early, sparrow avoiding laziness, crows sharing food) to teach moral discipline to humans.
Emoni / Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Kozhiyai paaru / Kaalaiyil vizhikkum / Kuruviyai paaru / Sombalai pazhikkum”
Repetition of initial phonemes and structural symmetry in consecutive lines for rhythmic emphasis.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi starrer 'Aasai Mugam' (1965), this song was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and sung by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS). It served as an iconic 'idealistic propaganda' song characteristic of MGR's cinema, advocating hard work, social equality, and moral integrity.
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