- Lyricist
- A. L. Narayanan
- Singer
- Mu. Ka. Muthu
- Music director
- T. S. Naresh
- Movie name
- Ingeyum Manithargal
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Aug 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Ingeyum Manithargal' is a philosophical and humanistic plea for empathy, acceptance, and social equality. It reminds listeners that regardless of social standing or background, everyday people possess emotional capacity, compassion, and humanity. The lyrics urge society to embrace everyone as equals rather than casting judgement. Furthermore, the lyricist uses poignant metaphors to illustrate that human imperfection is universal—just as no pond exists without mud, no human exists without flaws. The song critiques social hypocrisy, pointing out how people mask their shortcomings under disguises while performing in the unscripted drama of life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Double Entendre / Metaphor (Sledai)
“Saerillaathaa kulamum undaa”
The term 'Saer' functions as a pun meaning both mud in a pond and imperfections/stains in a social group or lineage.
Rhetorical Question
“Kuraiyillaatha manithar undaa”
The line asks whether a flawless human exists to rhetorically assert that everyone has inherent shortcomings.
Metaphor
“Medaiyillaamal naadagam nadakkum”
Compares human social interactions and hidden hypocrisies to a theatrical play occurring without a physical stage.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mu. Ka. Muthu, the singer and lead actor associated with the song, is the eldest son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He was launched into Tamil cinema during the 1970s in an effort to establish a screen persona reminiscent of M. G. Ramachandran.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Ingeyum Manithargal
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.