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Lyrics & meaning

Kandathai Kettathai

From Kongu Nattu Thangam · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kongu Nattu Thangam1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhaeDo not believe everything you see and hear,
Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhaeDo not let your heart fall into turmoil.
Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhaeDo not believe everything you see and hear,
Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhaeDo not let your heart fall into turmoil.
Male
Chandiranai seidhu paarkkaamalWithout examining it clearly like testing gold,
Theera visaranai seiyaamalWithout conducting a thorough investigation,
Chandiranai seidhu paarkkaamalWithout examining it clearly like testing gold,
Theera visaranai seiyaamalWithout conducting a thorough investigation,
Edhaiyum mudivu pannadhaeDo not make a decision on anything,
Endhiram polae aagathaeDo not become like a mindless machine.
Edhaiyum mudivu pannadhaeDo not make a decision on anything,
Endhiram polae aagathaeDo not become like a mindless machine.
Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhaeDo not believe everything you see and hear,
Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhaeDo not let your heart fall into turmoil.
Male
Kaanalai neerendruTaking a mirage to be real water,
Maan kottam nambidalaamA herd of deer might mistakenly trust it.
Kaniyendru vilakkai enniMistaking a burning lamp for a sweet fruit,
Vittil poochi veezhndhidalaamA moth might fall straight into the flame.
Kaanalai neerendruTaking a mirage to be real water,
Maan kottam nambidalaamA herd of deer might mistakenly trust it.
Kaniyendru vilakkai enniMistaking a burning lamp for a sweet fruit,
Vittil poochi veezhndhidalaamA moth might fall straight into the flame.
Male
Aandavan padaippilaeIn the grand creation of God,
Aindharivu jenmam ivaiThese are creatures with only five senses.
Aandavan padaippilaeIn the grand creation of God,
Aindharivu jenmam ivaiThese are creatures with only five senses.
Aanaalum manidharkkuYet, why did He endow human beings
Yen thandhaan pagutharivaiWith the gift of critical six-sense reasoning?
Aanaalum manidharkkuYet, why did He endow human beings
Yen thandhaan pagutharivaiWith the gift of critical six-sense reasoning?
Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhaeDo not believe everything you see and hear,
Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhaeDo not let your heart fall into turmoil.
Male
Sandharppa kolaraalDue to unfortunate circumstances,
Sandhegam thondridalaamDoubts and suspicions may arise.
Sadhikaarar serkkai unnaiThe company of deceitful conspirators
Paadhai maara thoondidalaamMight tempt you to stray from the right path.
Sandharppa kolaraalDue to unfortunate circumstances,
Sandhegam thondridalaamDoubts and suspicions may arise.
Sadhikaarar serkkai unnaiThe company of deceitful conspirators
Paadhai maara thoondidalaamMight tempt you to stray from the right path.
Male
Vanjagar kooturavaiCast away the association of treacherous people
Vaazhkaiyilae thallividuCompletely out of your life.
Vanjagar kooturavaiCast away the association of treacherous people
Vaazhkaiyilae thallividuCompletely out of your life.
Maaradha madhi mayakkamThe persistent mental delusion and confusion
Thannalae theerndhu vidumWill then automatically come to an end.
Maaradha madhi mayakkamThe persistent mental delusion and confusion
Thannalae theerndhu vidumWill then automatically come to an end.
Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhaeDo not believe everything you see and hear,
Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhaeDo not let your heart fall into turmoil.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from 'Kongu Nattu Thangam' delivers a strong moral message regarding the importance of rational thought, discernment, and critical thinking. It warns against blindly trusting hearsay or surface-level visual appearances. The lyricist emphasizes that while animals with five senses may fall prey to optical illusions—like deer chasing mirages or moths flying into flames—humans are blessed with the sixth sense of reason (pagutharivu) specifically to evaluate reality through thorough investigation before making judgments. Furthermore, the lyrics counsel against being swayed by bad advice or deceitful companions who exploit situational misunderstandings to derail one's moral path. By eliminating treacherous company and using logical inquiry, mental delusions and anxieties will naturally dissolve, leaving a peaceful and wise mind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monal / Rhyme (Edhukai)

Kandathai kettadhai nambaadhae / Nenjilae sanjalam kolladhae

Second letter harmony across consecutive lines, such as 'Kandathai' and 'Nenjilae' or 'Aandavan' and 'Aanaalum'.

Metaphor / Analogy (Uwamai)

Endhiram polae aagathae / Kaanalai neerendru Maan kottam nambidalaam

Comparing irrational humans to animals deceived by senses (deer chasing a mirage, moth falling into flame) and to mindless machines ('Endhiram polae').

Rhetorical Question

Aanaalum manidharkku Yen thandhaan pagutharivai

The lyricist asks why God gave humans reasoning power if they fail to use it, emphasizing moral awareness.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Sandharppa kolaraal / Sandhegam thondridalaam / Sadhikaarar serkkai

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Sa' sound in 'Sandharppa', 'Sandhegam', and 'Sadhikaarar'.

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Trivia

The song reflects the Rationalist Movement's (Dravidian movement) strong influence on Tamil cinema lyricists during the 1950s and 60s, prominent in A. Maruthakasi's philosophical songs. It champions 'Pagutharivu' (rationalism), urging listeners to question assumptions rather than accepting hearsay.

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