Jana Gana Mana
From Vaaname Ellai · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Maragadha Mani
- Details
- Vaaname Ellai1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hmm mm mm mm mmm | Hmm mm mm mm mmm |
| Hmm mm mm mmmm mmm | Hmm mm mm mmmm mmm |
| Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa | Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa |
| Female :Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa | Female: Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa |
| Male :Thaanaaa dharnaaa thana | Male: Thaanaaa dharnaaa thana |
| Female :Thaanaa dharanaaa naa naaaa | Female: Thaanaa dharanaaa naa naaaa |
| Male :Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa | Male: Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa |
| Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa | Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram | When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds |
| Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam | The moment when birth and death meet |
| Mudiyum nigazhchi ahaa | An event coming to an end, aha |
| Manadhil magizhchi | Joy in the heart |
| Thulli ezha vendum | Should leap up with enthusiasm |
| Yen azha vendum | Why weep? |
| Indha bhoomikku nandri solli | Expressing gratitude to this earth |
| Purappada vendum aa aa aaa aaa | One must depart, ah ah ah ah |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram | When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds |
| Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam | The moment when birth and death meet |
| Male | |
| Janikkum uyirgal saagaamal ponaal | If living beings born into the world never die |
| Thaangaadhu thaangaadhu | It cannot bear it, cannot bear it |
| Boologam ennaavadhu | What would happen to the world? |
| Suzhalum bhoomi sutraadhu saami | The spinning earth wouldn't rotate, oh Lord |
| Swaasikka mudiyaadhu appodhu en seivadhu | It wouldn't be possible to breathe, what to do then? |
| Female | |
| Kaalam vandhaal | When time arrives |
| Edhuvum ingu nadakkum | Anything can happen here |
| Neram vandhaal paravai rekkai thudikkum | When the moment comes, the bird's wings flutter |
| Male | |
| Kizhakku vaanam azhaikkum neram | When the eastern sky calls out |
| Kiligal koottam parakkattum | Let the flock of parrots fly free |
| Geedhangal isaikattum | Let melodies play |
| Dhisai engae adho angae…..angae | Which direction? There, over there... over there |
| Male | |
| Indha tharai vaazhkkai verum sirai vaazhkkai | This life on land is merely a life in prison |
| Indha sirai patta silandhikku vidudhalai vaetkai | For this imprisoned spider, freedom is the ultimate desire |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram | When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds |
| Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam | The moment when birth and death meet |
| Male | |
| Mazhaiyin thuligal | The drops of rain |
| Mannodu veezhndhaal | If they fall upon the earth |
| Mazhai konda saavendru | As a death for the rain |
| Vaan megamdhaan sollumaa | Will the sky's cloud ever claim? |
| Female | |
| Nagarum nadhigal | The flowing rivers |
| Kadalodu saerndhaal | If they merge into the sea |
| Nadhi konda saavendru | As a death for the river |
| Kadalenna thadai sollumaa | Will the ocean offer any objection? |
| Male | |
| Sangamikka iyarkai katru thandhadhu | Nature taught us how to merge |
| Sangamathaal ulagam innum ulladhu | The world still exists because of merging |
| Pallathil serum vellathai polae | Like the flood waters gathering in the lowlands |
| Iyarkkayodu kalakkalaam | Let us blend in harmony with nature |
| Female | |
| Jegathaiyae jeyikkalaam | We can conquer the entire universe |
| Dhisai engae adho angae…..angae | Which direction? There, over there... over there |
| Chorus | |
| Aaaah aaah aaah aaah aaah aaah | Aaaah aaah aaah aaah aaah aaah |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram | When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds |
| Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam | The moment when birth and death meet |
| Mudiyum nigazhchi ahaa | An event coming to an end, aha |
| Manadhil magizhchi | Joy in the heart |
| Thulli ezha vendum | Should leap up with enthusiasm |
| Yen azha vendum | Why weep? |
| Indha bhoomikku nandri solli | Expressing gratitude to this earth |
| Purappada vendum aa aa aaa aaa | One must depart, ah ah ah ah |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram | When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds |
| Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam | The moment when birth and death meet |
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
தன்ன நனன்ன்ன தானா னா
தன்ன நன்ன நனன்ன்னா தானா னா
தானா தர்ணா தன
தானா தர்ணா னா னா
தன்ன நன்னா நனன்னா னா னா
தன்ன நானா நன்னன்னா னா னா
Hmm mm mm mm mmm
Hmm mm mm mmmm mmm
Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Female: Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Male: Thaanaaa dharnaaa thana
Female: Thaanaa dharanaaa naa naaaa
Male: Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
ஜன கன மன என ஜதி சொல்லும் நேரம்
ஜனனமும் மரணமும் சந்திக்கும் காலம்
முடியும் நிகழ்ச்சி ஆஹா
மனதில் மகிழ்ச்சி துள்ளி எழ வேண்டும்
ஏன் அழ வேண்டும்
இந்த பூமிக்கு நன்றி சொல்லி
புறப்பட வேண்டும் ஆ ஆ ஆஆ ஆஆஆ......
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
The moment when birth and death meet
An event coming to an end, aha
Joy in the heart
Should leap up with enthusiasm
Why weep?
Expressing gratitude to this earth
One must depart, ah ah ah ah
ஜன கன மன என ஜதி சொல்லும் நேரம்
ஜனனமும் மரணமும் சந்திக்கும் காலம்
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
The moment when birth and death meet
ஜனிக்கும் உயிர்கள் சாகாமல் போனால்
தாங்காது தாங்காது
பூலோகம் என்னாவது
சுழலும் பூமி சுற்றாது சாமி
சுவாசிக்க முடியாது அப்போது என் செய்வது
If living beings born into the world never die
It cannot bear it, cannot bear it
What would happen to the world?
The spinning earth wouldn't rotate, oh Lord
It wouldn't be possible to breathe, what to do then?
காலம் வந்தால்
எதுவும் இங்கு நடக்கும்
நேரம் வந்தால் பறவை ரெக்கை துடிக்கும்
When time arrives
Anything can happen here
When the moment comes, the bird's wings flutter
கிழக்கு வானம் அழைக்கும் நேரம்
கிளிகள் கூட்டம் பறக்கட்டும்
கீதங்கள் இசைக்கட்டும்
திசை எங்கே அதோ அங்கே.....அங்கே
When the eastern sky calls out
Let the flock of parrots fly free
Let melodies play
Which direction? There, over there... over there
இந்த தரை வாழ்க்கை வெறும்
சிறை வாழ்க்கை
இந்த சிறை பட்ட சிலந்திக்கு
விடுதலை வேட்க்கை
This life on land is merely a life in prison
For this imprisoned spider, freedom is the ultimate desire
ஜன கன மன என ஜதி சொல்லும் நேரம்
ஜனனமும் மரணமும் சந்திக்கும் காலம்
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
The moment when birth and death meet
மழையின் துளிகள்
மண்ணோடு வீழ்ந்தால்
மழை கொண்ட சாவென்று
வான் மேகம்தான் சொல்லுமா
The drops of rain
If they fall upon the earth
As a death for the rain
Will the sky's cloud ever claim?
நகரும் நதிகள் கடலோடு சேர்ந்தால்
நதிகொண்ட சாவென்று
கடல் என்ன தடை சொல்லுமா
சங்கமிக்க இயற்கை கற்று தந்தது
சங்கமத்தால் உலகம் இன்னும் உள்ளது
பள்ளத்தில் சேரும் வெள்ளத்தை போலே
இயற்க்கையோடு கலக்கலாம்
The flowing rivers
If they merge into the sea
As a death for the river
Will the ocean offer any objection?
ஜகத்தையே ஜெயிக்கலாம்
திசை எங்கே அதோ அங்கே.....அங்கே
Nature taught us how to merge
The world still exists because of merging
Like the flood waters gathering in the lowlands
Let us blend in harmony with nature
இதில் தலை எங்கே
அட வால் எங்கே
இந்த கேள்விக்கு விடை சொல்லும்
ஞானிகள் எங்கே
We can conquer the entire universe
Which direction? There, over there... over there
ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஅஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
Aaaah aaah aaah aaah aaah aaah
ஜன கன மன என ஜதி சொல்லும் நேரம்
ஜனனமும் மரணமும் சந்திக்கும் காலம்
முடியும் நிகழ்ச்சி ஆஹா
மனதில் மகிழ்ச்சி துள்ளி எழ வேண்டும்
ஏன் அழ வேண்டும்
இந்த பூமிக்கு நன்றி சொல்லி
புறப்பட வேண்டும் ஆ ஆ ஆஆ ஆஆஆ......
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
The moment when birth and death meet
An event coming to an end, aha
Joy in the heart
Should leap up with enthusiasm
Why weep?
Expressing gratitude to this earth
One must depart, ah ah ah ah
ஜன கன மன என ஜதி சொல்லும் நேரம்
ஜனனமும் மரணமும் சந்திக்கும் காலம்
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
The moment when birth and death meet
Hmm mm mm mm mmm
Hmm mm mm mm mmm
Hmm mm mm mmmm mmm
Hmm mm mm mmmm mmm
Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Female :Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Female: Thanna nanna nanannaa thaa naa naa
Male :Thaanaaa dharnaaa thana
Male: Thaanaaa dharnaaa thana
Female :Thaanaa dharanaaa naa naaaa
Female: Thaanaa dharanaaa naa naaaa
Male :Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
Male: Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
Thanna nanna nanannaa naa naa
Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam
The moment when birth and death meet
Mudiyum nigazhchi ahaa
An event coming to an end, aha
Manadhil magizhchi
Joy in the heart
Thulli ezha vendum
Should leap up with enthusiasm
Yen azha vendum
Why weep?
Indha bhoomikku nandri solli
Expressing gratitude to this earth
Purappada vendum aa aa aaa aaa
One must depart, ah ah ah ah
Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam
The moment when birth and death meet
Janikkum uyirgal saagaamal ponaal
If living beings born into the world never die
Thaangaadhu thaangaadhu
It cannot bear it, cannot bear it
Boologam ennaavadhu
What would happen to the world?
Suzhalum bhoomi sutraadhu saami
The spinning earth wouldn't rotate, oh Lord
Swaasikka mudiyaadhu appodhu en seivadhu
It wouldn't be possible to breathe, what to do then?
Kaalam vandhaal
When time arrives
Edhuvum ingu nadakkum
Anything can happen here
Neram vandhaal paravai rekkai thudikkum
When the moment comes, the bird's wings flutter
Kizhakku vaanam azhaikkum neram
When the eastern sky calls out
Kiligal koottam parakkattum
Let the flock of parrots fly free
Geedhangal isaikattum
Let melodies play
Dhisai engae adho angae…..angae
Which direction? There, over there... over there
Indha tharai vaazhkkai verum sirai vaazhkkai
This life on land is merely a life in prison
Indha sirai patta silandhikku vidudhalai vaetkai
For this imprisoned spider, freedom is the ultimate desire
Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam
The moment when birth and death meet
Mazhaiyin thuligal
The drops of rain
Mannodu veezhndhaal
If they fall upon the earth
Mazhai konda saavendru
As a death for the rain
Vaan megamdhaan sollumaa
Will the sky's cloud ever claim?
Nagarum nadhigal
The flowing rivers
Kadalodu saerndhaal
If they merge into the sea
Nadhi konda saavendru
As a death for the river
Kadalenna thadai sollumaa
Will the ocean offer any objection?
Sangamikka iyarkai katru thandhadhu
Nature taught us how to merge
Sangamathaal ulagam innum ulladhu
The world still exists because of merging
Pallathil serum vellathai polae
Like the flood waters gathering in the lowlands
Iyarkkayodu kalakkalaam
Let us blend in harmony with nature
Jegathaiyae jeyikkalaam
We can conquer the entire universe
Dhisai engae adho angae…..angae
Which direction? There, over there... over there
Aaaah aaah aaah aaah aaah aaah
Aaaah aaah aaah aaah aaah aaah
Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam
The moment when birth and death meet
Mudiyum nigazhchi ahaa
An event coming to an end, aha
Manadhil magizhchi
Joy in the heart
Thulli ezha vendum
Should leap up with enthusiasm
Yen azha vendum
Why weep?
Indha bhoomikku nandri solli
Expressing gratitude to this earth
Purappada vendum aa aa aaa aaa
One must depart, ah ah ah ah
Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram
When the rhythm speaks like the anthem of all minds
Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam
The moment when birth and death meet
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film 'Vaaname Ellai' explores philosophical themes about life, death, and accepting impermanence with joy rather than grief. The lyrics frame death not as a tragic end, but as a natural culmination of life's journey—a necessary transition that keeps the balance of the world intact, much like rain joining the earth or rivers merging into the ocean. Instead of mourning, one should feel gratitude towards the earth and embrace liberation with a joyful spirit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Jana gana mana ena jadhi sollum neram / Jananamum maranamum sandhikkum kaalam”
Matching initial sounds in consecutive words across lines, such as 'Jananamum' and 'maranamum' or 'Jana' and 'Jananamum'.
Metaphor
“Indha tharai vaazhkkai verum sirai vaazhkkai / Indha sirai patta silandhikku vidudhalai vaetkai”
Comparing human life on earth to life in prison ('sirai vaazhkkai') and the soul to a spider longing for freedom.
Analogy
“Mazhaiyin thuligal Mannodu veezhndhaal... Nagarum nadhigal Kadalodu saerndhaal”
Drawing parallels between human death and natural occurrences like rain falling to earth or rivers merging into the ocean.
Did you know?
Trivia
Vaaname Ellai (1992) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander. The music was composed by Maragadhamani (M. M. Keeravani), and the lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu. The film revolves around five young people who decide to end their lives together in 30 days, making this song a poignant philosophical reflection on mortality and existential freedom within the movie's narrative.
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