Iraivanai Thedum
From 60 Vayathu Maaniram · 2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Manadhu iruppavan thaanae | Only one who possesses empathy is a true human, |
| Manidhan avanae thedugiraan | And it is a human that he searches for. |
| Male | |
| Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano | Will he be found in this world? |
| Entha ulagathilae irupaano | In which world could he possibly reside? |
| Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano | Will he be found in this world? |
| Entha ulagathilae irupaano | In which world could he possibly reside? |
| Avanai theduthal polae | Just as if searching for someone else, |
| Ivanae thannaiyae thedugiraan | He is searching for his own self. |
| Thannaiyae thedi thedi ivargal | In endlessly searching for themselves, |
| Avanai maranthuvitaar | They ended up forgetting Him. |
| Male | |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Manadhu iruppavan thaanae | Only one who possesses empathy is a true human, |
| Manidhan avanae thedugiraan | And it is a human that he searches for. |
| Male | |
| Ponnum maniyum pooti veithavan | The one who locked away gold and jewels, |
| Innum kodi theda | Is searching to earn millions more. |
| Kodi kodi kuvithu veithavan | The one who accumulated millions upon millions, |
| Kottai kodiyai theda | Is searching for fortresses and flags of power. |
| Male | |
| Aasai theera aadi paarthavan | The one who indulged desires to contentment, |
| Adutha uyaram theda | Is searching for the next high. |
| Utcham thannai thottu nirpavan | The one standing at the absolute peak, |
| Utcha pugalai theda | Is searching for ultimate fame. |
| Male | |
| Thedalae intha vaazhkaiyin | Endless searching has become |
| Thevaiyaai aanathae | The fundamental necessity of this life. |
| Aayulin moththa kaalamum | The entire span of one's lifetime |
| Thediyae ponathae | Has passed away in mere searching. |
| Male | |
| Andha iraivan iraivan | That Almighty God Himself |
| Boomikku vandhaan | Came down to the Earth, |
| Idhayam ondru thedi | Searching for a compassionate heart; |
| Athu kedaikka villai podi | Failing to find one, He departed. |
| Male | |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Manadhu iruppavan thaanae | Only one who possesses empathy is a true human, |
| Manidhan avanae thedugiraan | And it is a human that he searches for. |
| Male | |
| Vaattam indri kaatrai polavae | Where is the humanity that lives free and unburdened, |
| Vaazhum manidham engae | Just like the gentle wind? |
| Aattam pottu kootam kootiyae | Making noise and gathering crowds, |
| Aazhum manidhan ingae | Here is the man who seeks to rule. |
| Male | |
| Konjam manidham nenjil vaithu | Keeping a little humanity in his heart, |
| Thaan minjum manidhan engae | Where is the man who excels in goodness? |
| Nenjam engum vanjam serthu thaan | Storing malice throughout his heart, |
| Enjum manidhan ingae | Here is the man who remains. |
| Male | |
| Yaarumae illai endruthaan | Saying there is no one beside us, |
| Yaarumae illaiyae | Indeed, there is no true human around. |
| Karuvilae thondrum uyirellaam | Yet every living soul conceived in a womb |
| Kadavulin pillaiyae | Is a beloved child of God. |
| Male | |
| Ada manidha manidha | Oh human, oh human! |
| Alaichalai olithu | Cease your endless wandering, |
| Amaidhi ondru thedu | And search for inner peace; |
| Adhu kadavul varaintha kodu | That is the path ordained by God. |
| Male | |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Manadhu iruppavan thaanae | Only one who possesses empathy is a true human, |
| Manidhan avanae thedugiraan | And it is a human that he searches for. |
| Male | |
| Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano | Will he be found in this world? |
| Entha ulagathilae irupaano | In which world could he possibly reside? |
| Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano | Will he be found in this world? |
| Entha ulagathilae irupaano | In which world could he possibly reside? |
| Avanai theduthal polae | Just as if searching for someone else, |
| Ivanae thannaiyae thedugiraan | He is searching for his own self. |
| Thannaiyae thedi thedi ivargal | In endlessly searching for themselves, |
| Avanai maranthuvitaar | They ended up forgetting Him. |
| Male | |
| Iraivanai thedum ulagathil | In a world searching for God, |
| Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar | He, however, searches for a human being. |
| Manithanai thedugiraar | He is searching for a human being. |
| Manithanai thedugiraar | He is searching for a human being. |
இறைவனை
தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
இறைவனை தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனது இருப்பவன் தானே
மனிதன் அவனே தேடுகிறான்
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
And it is a human that he searches for.
இந்த உலகத்தில்
அவன் கிடைப்பனோ
எந்த உலகத்திலே இருப்பானோ
இந்த உலகத்தில்
அவன் கிடைப்பனோ
எந்த உலகத்திலே இருப்பானோ
அவனை தேடுதல் போலே
இவனே தன்னையே தேடுகிறான்
தன்னையே தேடி தேடி இவர்கள்
அவனை மறந்துவிட்டார்
Will he be found in this world?
In which world could he possibly reside?
Will he be found in this world?
In which world could he possibly reside?
Just as if searching for someone else,
He is searching for his own self.
In endlessly searching for themselves,
They ended up forgetting Him.
இறைவனை
தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனது இருப்பவன் தானே
மனிதன் அவனே தேடுகிறான்
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
And it is a human that he searches for.
பொன்னும் மணியும்
பூட்டி வைத்தவன்
இன்னும் கோடி தேட
கோடி கோடி குவித்து வைத்தவன்
கோட்டை கொடியை தேட
The one who locked away gold and jewels,
Is searching to earn millions more.
The one who accumulated millions upon millions,
Is searching for fortresses and flags of power.
ஆசை தீர ஆடி பார்த்தவன்
அடுத்த உயரம் தேட
உச்சம் தன்னை தொட்டு நிற்பவன்
உச்ச புகழை தேட
The one who indulged desires to contentment,
Is searching for the next high.
The one standing at the absolute peak,
Is searching for ultimate fame.
தேடலே இந்த வாழ்க்கையின்
தேவையாய் ஆனதே
ஆயுளின் மொத்த காலமும்
தேடியே போனதே
Endless searching has become
The fundamental necessity of this life.
The entire span of one's lifetime
Has passed away in mere searching.
அந்த இறைவன் இறைவன்
பூமிக்கு வந்தான்
இதயம் ஒன்றை தேடி
அது கிடைக்கவில்லை போடி
That Almighty God Himself
Came down to the Earth,
Searching for a compassionate heart;
Failing to find one, He departed.
இறைவனை
தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனது இருப்பவன் தானே
மனிதன் அவனே தேடுகிறான்
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
And it is a human that he searches for.
வாட்டம் இன்றி
காற்றை போலவே
வாழும் மனிதம் எங்கே
ஆட்டம் போட்டு கூட்டம் கூட்டியே
ஆழும் மனிதன் இங்கே
Where is the humanity that lives free and unburdened,
Just like the gentle wind?
Making noise and gathering crowds,
Here is the man who seeks to rule.
கொஞ்சம் மனிதம்
நெஞ்சில் வைத்து
தான் மிஞ்சும் மனிதன் எங்கே
நெஞ்சம் எங்கும்
வஞ்சம் சேர்த்து தான்
எஞ்சும் மனிதன் இங்கே
Keeping a little humanity in his heart,
Where is the man who excels in goodness?
Storing malice throughout his heart,
Here is the man who remains.
யாருமே இல்லை என்றுதான்
யாருமே இல்லையே
கருவிலே தோன்றும் உயிரெல்லாம்
கடவுளின் பிள்ளையே
Saying there is no one beside us,
Indeed, there is no true human around.
Yet every living soul conceived in a womb
Is a beloved child of God.
அட மனிதா மனிதா
அலைச்சலை ஒளித்து
அமைதி ஒன்றை தேடு
அது கடவுள் வரைந்த கொடு
Oh human, oh human!
Cease your endless wandering,
And search for inner peace;
That is the path ordained by God.
இறைவனை
தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனது இருப்பவன் தானே
மனிதன் அவனே தேடுகிறான்
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
And it is a human that he searches for.
இந்த உலகத்தில்
அவன் கிடைப்பனோ
எந்த உலகத்திலே இருப்பானோ
இந்த உலகத்தில்
அவன் கிடைப்பனோ
எந்த உலகத்திலே இருப்பானோ
அவனை தேடுதல் போலே
இவனே தன்னையே தேடுகிறான்
தன்னையே தேடி தேடி இவர்கள்
அவனை மறந்துவிட்டார்
Will he be found in this world?
In which world could he possibly reside?
Will he be found in this world?
In which world could he possibly reside?
Just as if searching for someone else,
He is searching for his own self.
In endlessly searching for themselves,
They ended up forgetting Him.
இறைவனை
தேடும் உலகத்தில்
இவரோ மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
மனிதனை தேடுகிறார்
In a world searching for God,
He, however, searches for a human being.
He is searching for a human being.
He is searching for a human being.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Manadhu iruppavan thaanae
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
Manidhan avanae thedugiraan
And it is a human that he searches for.
Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano
Will he be found in this world?
Entha ulagathilae irupaano
In which world could he possibly reside?
Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano
Will he be found in this world?
Entha ulagathilae irupaano
In which world could he possibly reside?
Avanai theduthal polae
Just as if searching for someone else,
Ivanae thannaiyae thedugiraan
He is searching for his own self.
Thannaiyae thedi thedi ivargal
In endlessly searching for themselves,
Avanai maranthuvitaar
They ended up forgetting Him.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Manadhu iruppavan thaanae
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
Manidhan avanae thedugiraan
And it is a human that he searches for.
Ponnum maniyum pooti veithavan
The one who locked away gold and jewels,
Innum kodi theda
Is searching to earn millions more.
Kodi kodi kuvithu veithavan
The one who accumulated millions upon millions,
Kottai kodiyai theda
Is searching for fortresses and flags of power.
Aasai theera aadi paarthavan
The one who indulged desires to contentment,
Adutha uyaram theda
Is searching for the next high.
Utcham thannai thottu nirpavan
The one standing at the absolute peak,
Utcha pugalai theda
Is searching for ultimate fame.
Thedalae intha vaazhkaiyin
Endless searching has become
Thevaiyaai aanathae
The fundamental necessity of this life.
Aayulin moththa kaalamum
The entire span of one's lifetime
Thediyae ponathae
Has passed away in mere searching.
Andha iraivan iraivan
That Almighty God Himself
Boomikku vandhaan
Came down to the Earth,
Idhayam ondru thedi
Searching for a compassionate heart;
Athu kedaikka villai podi
Failing to find one, He departed.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Manadhu iruppavan thaanae
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
Manidhan avanae thedugiraan
And it is a human that he searches for.
Vaattam indri kaatrai polavae
Where is the humanity that lives free and unburdened,
Vaazhum manidham engae
Just like the gentle wind?
Aattam pottu kootam kootiyae
Making noise and gathering crowds,
Aazhum manidhan ingae
Here is the man who seeks to rule.
Konjam manidham nenjil vaithu
Keeping a little humanity in his heart,
Thaan minjum manidhan engae
Where is the man who excels in goodness?
Nenjam engum vanjam serthu thaan
Storing malice throughout his heart,
Enjum manidhan ingae
Here is the man who remains.
Yaarumae illai endruthaan
Saying there is no one beside us,
Yaarumae illaiyae
Indeed, there is no true human around.
Karuvilae thondrum uyirellaam
Yet every living soul conceived in a womb
Kadavulin pillaiyae
Is a beloved child of God.
Ada manidha manidha
Oh human, oh human!
Alaichalai olithu
Cease your endless wandering,
Amaidhi ondru thedu
And search for inner peace;
Adhu kadavul varaintha kodu
That is the path ordained by God.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Manadhu iruppavan thaanae
Only one who possesses empathy is a true human,
Manidhan avanae thedugiraan
And it is a human that he searches for.
Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano
Will he be found in this world?
Entha ulagathilae irupaano
In which world could he possibly reside?
Intha ulagathil avan kedaipaano
Will he be found in this world?
Entha ulagathilae irupaano
In which world could he possibly reside?
Avanai theduthal polae
Just as if searching for someone else,
Ivanae thannaiyae thedugiraan
He is searching for his own self.
Thannaiyae thedi thedi ivargal
In endlessly searching for themselves,
Avanai maranthuvitaar
They ended up forgetting Him.
Iraivanai thedum ulagathil
In a world searching for God,
Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar
He, however, searches for a human being.
Manithanai thedugiraar
He is searching for a human being.
Manithanai thedugiraar
He is searching for a human being.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This soulful track from '60 Vayathu Maaniram' explores philosophical themes of identity, humanity, and spiritual irony. While society spends life seeking God, God Himself searches for true humanity within people. The song highlights how human life gets consumed by material greed—seeking wealth, power, fame, and status—leaving no room for empathy or genuine peace. In the context of the film, which centers around an elderly father suffering from Alzheimer's who goes missing, the lyrics poignantly contrast his son's search for his father with a broader existential quest for what it truly means to be human.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyming)
“Ponnum maniyum pooti veithavan / Innum kodi theda”
Matching second consonants across lines: 'Ponnum' and 'Innum', 'Kodi' and 'Kottai'.
Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter matching)
“Iraivanai thedum ulagathil / Ivaroo manithanai thedugiraar”
Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in words within the line or adjacent lines: 'Iraivanai' and 'Ivaroo'.
Irony and Contrast
“Andha iraivan iraivan / Boomikku vandhaan / Idhayam ondru thedi”
Contrasting the human tendency of seeking God with God descending to earth to search for a humane heart.
Simile (Upamai)
“Vaattam indri kaatrai polavae / Vaazhum manidham engae”
Comparing living unburdened with humanity to the free movement of the wind ('kaatrai polavae').
Did you know?
Trivia
'60 Vayathu Maaniram' (2018) is the official Tamil remake of the acclaimed Kannada film 'Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu'. The soundtrack for the movie was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with poignant lyricism provided by Pa. Vijay, echoing themes of memory loss, filial bond, and human connection.
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