Irukkum Idatthai Vittu
From Thiruvarutchelvar · 1967
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Thiruvarutchelvar1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Unnaiyae ninaithiruppaan | He will think only of you, |
| Unmaiyai thaan uraippaan | he will speak only the truth, |
| Oorukku pagaiyaavaan | yet he will become an enemy to the town, |
| Nyaana thanghamae… ae…ae… | O golden wisdom... |
| Male | |
| Unnaiyae ninaithiruppaan | He will think only of you, |
| Unmaiyai thaan uraippaan | he will speak only the truth, |
| Oorukku pagaiyaavaan | yet he will become an enemy to the town, |
| Nyaana thanghamae… | O golden wisdom... |
| Avan oozh vinai enna solvaen | How shall I describe his past karmic fate? |
| Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Nanjinai nenjil vaithu | Keeping poison in his heart, |
| Naavinil anbu vaithu | keeping love on his tongue, |
| Nanjinai nenjil vaithu | keeping poison in his heart, |
| Naavinil anbu vaithu | keeping love on his tongue, |
| Nallavan pol nadippaan | he acts like a good man, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Nanjinai nenjil vaithu | Keeping poison in his heart, |
| Naavinil anbu vaithu | keeping love on his tongue, |
| Nallavan pol nadippaan | he acts like a good man, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avan naadagam enna solven | How shall I describe his drama? |
| Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Thondukkendrae alaivaan | He wanders dedicated only to service, |
| Kaelikku aalaavaan | becoming an object of ridicule, |
| Kandu kolvaai avanai | recognize him for who he is, |
| Nyaana thangamae… ae….ae…..ae…ae…. | O golden wisdom... |
| Male | |
| Thondukkendrae alaivaan | He wanders dedicated only to service, |
| Kaelikku aalaavaan | becoming an object of ridicule, |
| Kandu kolvaai avanai | recognize him for who he is, |
| Nyaana thangamae… | O golden wisdom... |
| Avan kadavulil paadhiyadi | He is half of God himself, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Pillaiyai killi vittu | Pinching the child, |
| Thottilai aatti vittu | and rocking the cradle, |
| Pillaiyai killi vittu | pinching the child, |
| Thottilai aatti vittu | and rocking the cradle, |
| Thalli nindrae sirippaan | he stands at a distance and laughs, |
| Nyaanae thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Pillaiyai killi vittu | Pinching the child, |
| Thottilai aatti vittu | and rocking the cradle, |
| Pillaiyai killi vittu | pinching the child, |
| Thottilai aatti vittu | and rocking the cradle, |
| Thalli nindrae sirippaan | he stands at a distance and laughs, |
| Nyaanae thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avan thaan tharaniyai padaithaandi | He is the one who created the world, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum idathai vittu | Leaving the place where it is present, |
| Illaadha idai thaedi | searching for a place where it is not, |
| Engengo alaigindraar | they wander far and wide, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
| Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi | They know nothing at all, my dear, |
| Nyaana thangamae | O golden wisdom! |
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
உன்னையே நினைத்திருப்பான்
உண்மையைத்தான் உரைப்பான்
ஊருக்குப் பகையாவான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே... ஏ......ஏ......
He will think only of you,
he will speak only the truth,
yet he will become an enemy to the town,
O golden wisdom...
உன்னையே நினைத்திருப்பான்
உண்மையைத் தான் உரைப்பான்
ஊருக்குப் பகையாவான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவன் ஊழ் வினை என்ன சொல்வேன்
ஞானத் தங்கமே ஞானத் தங்கமே
He will think only of you,
he will speak only the truth,
yet he will become an enemy to the town,
O golden wisdom...
How shall I describe his past karmic fate?
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
நஞ்சினை நெஞ்சில் வைத்து
நாவினில் அன்பு வைத்து
நஞ்சினை நெஞ்சில் வைத்து
நாவினில் அன்பு வைத்து
நல்லவன் போல் நடிப்பான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Keeping poison in his heart,
keeping love on his tongue,
keeping poison in his heart,
keeping love on his tongue,
he acts like a good man,
O golden wisdom!
நஞ்சினை நெஞ்சில் வைத்து
நாவினில் அன்பு வைத்து
நல்லவன் போல் நடிப்பான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவன் நாடகம் என்ன சொல்வேன்
ஞானத் தங்கமே ஞானத் தங்கமே
Keeping poison in his heart,
keeping love on his tongue,
he acts like a good man,
O golden wisdom!
How shall I describe his drama?
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
தொண்டுக்கென்றே அலைவான்
கேலிக்கு ஆளாவான்
கண்டு கொள்வாய் அவனை
ஞானத் தங்கமே... ஏ......ஏ.....ஏ.....ஏ.....
He wanders dedicated only to service,
becoming an object of ridicule,
recognize him for who he is,
O golden wisdom...
தொண்டுக்கென்றே அலைவான்
கேலிக்கு ஆளாவான்
கண்டு கொள்வாய் அவனை
ஞானத் தங்கமே.....
அவன் கடவுளில் பாதியடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே ஞானத் தங்கமே
He wanders dedicated only to service,
becoming an object of ridicule,
recognize him for who he is,
O golden wisdom...
He is half of God himself, my dear,
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
பிள்ளையைக் கிள்ளி விட்டு
தொட்டிலை ஆட்டி விட்டு
பிள்ளையைக் கிள்ளி விட்டு
தொட்டிலை ஆட்டி விட்டு
தள்ளி நின்றே சிரிப்பான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Pinching the child,
and rocking the cradle,
pinching the child,
and rocking the cradle,
he stands at a distance and laughs,
O golden wisdom!
பிள்ளையைக் கிள்ளி விட்டு
தொட்டிலை ஆட்டி விட்டு
பிள்ளையைக் கிள்ளி விட்டு
தொட்டிலை ஆட்டி விட்டு
தள்ளி நின்றே சிரிப்பான்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவன்தான் தரணியைப் படைத்தான்டி
ஞானத் தங்கமே ஞானத் தங்கமே
Pinching the child,
and rocking the cradle,
pinching the child,
and rocking the cradle,
he stands at a distance and laughs,
O golden wisdom!
He is the one who created the world, my dear,
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு
இல்லாத இடம் தேடி
எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார்
ஞானத் தங்கமே
அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி
ஞானத் தங்கமே
Leaving the place where it is present,
searching for a place where it is not,
they wander far and wide,
O golden wisdom!
They know nothing at all, my dear,
O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Unnaiyae ninaithiruppaan
He will think only of you,
Unmaiyai thaan uraippaan
he will speak only the truth,
Oorukku pagaiyaavaan
yet he will become an enemy to the town,
Nyaana thanghamae… ae…ae…
O golden wisdom...
Unnaiyae ninaithiruppaan
He will think only of you,
Unmaiyai thaan uraippaan
he will speak only the truth,
Oorukku pagaiyaavaan
yet he will become an enemy to the town,
Nyaana thanghamae…
O golden wisdom...
Avan oozh vinai enna solvaen
How shall I describe his past karmic fate?
Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Nanjinai nenjil vaithu
Keeping poison in his heart,
Naavinil anbu vaithu
keeping love on his tongue,
Nanjinai nenjil vaithu
keeping poison in his heart,
Naavinil anbu vaithu
keeping love on his tongue,
Nallavan pol nadippaan
he acts like a good man,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Nanjinai nenjil vaithu
Keeping poison in his heart,
Naavinil anbu vaithu
keeping love on his tongue,
Nallavan pol nadippaan
he acts like a good man,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avan naadagam enna solven
How shall I describe his drama?
Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Thondukkendrae alaivaan
He wanders dedicated only to service,
Kaelikku aalaavaan
becoming an object of ridicule,
Kandu kolvaai avanai
recognize him for who he is,
Nyaana thangamae… ae….ae…..ae…ae….
O golden wisdom...
Thondukkendrae alaivaan
He wanders dedicated only to service,
Kaelikku aalaavaan
becoming an object of ridicule,
Kandu kolvaai avanai
recognize him for who he is,
Nyaana thangamae…
O golden wisdom...
Avan kadavulil paadhiyadi
He is half of God himself, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Pillaiyai killi vittu
Pinching the child,
Thottilai aatti vittu
and rocking the cradle,
Pillaiyai killi vittu
pinching the child,
Thottilai aatti vittu
and rocking the cradle,
Thalli nindrae sirippaan
he stands at a distance and laughs,
Nyaanae thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Pillaiyai killi vittu
Pinching the child,
Thottilai aatti vittu
and rocking the cradle,
Pillaiyai killi vittu
pinching the child,
Thottilai aatti vittu
and rocking the cradle,
Thalli nindrae sirippaan
he stands at a distance and laughs,
Nyaanae thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avan thaan tharaniyai padaithaandi
He is the one who created the world, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom, O golden wisdom!
Irukkum idathai vittu
Leaving the place where it is present,
Illaadha idai thaedi
searching for a place where it is not,
Engengo alaigindraar
they wander far and wide,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Avar yaedhum ariyaaradi
They know nothing at all, my dear,
Nyaana thangamae
O golden wisdom!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic song from 'Thiruvarutchelvar' (1967) uses philosophical folk-style lyrics to reflect on human ignorance and the divine nature of true wisdom. It highlights how humans search frantically everywhere outside for God and truth, completely oblivious to the reality that the divine resides within. The song critiques hypocritical human nature where people speak sweet words while harboring venom inside, contrasting it with true saints who suffer ridicule despite their absolute truthfulness and selfless service. In the final verses, Kannadasan metaphorically describes God's cosmic play (Lila)—the creator who creates both joy and suffering, standing back as a cosmic observer. Written in simple yet profound folk rhythm, the song serves as a timeless spiritual wake-up call.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nanjinai nenjil vaithu / Naavinil anbu vaithu”
Repetition of the 'Na' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines ('Nanjinai' and 'Naavinil').
Paradox / Metaphor
“Pillaiyai killi vittu / Thottilai aatti vittu”
The phrase 'pinching the child and rocking the cradle' is a famous Tamil idiom used here to describe the playful and paradoxical dual nature of divine creation and cosmic illusion (Maya).
Refrain / Anaphora
“Nyaana thangamae”
The direct address 'Nyaana thangamae' (O golden wisdom) acts as a recurring chorus refrain that grounds the philosophical inquiry.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thiruvarutchelvar' (1967) is a celebrated Tamil devotional drama film starring Sivaji Ganesan, directed by A. P. Nagarajan. The iconic soundtrack for the movie was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this song was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.
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