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Ninaithadhai Mudippavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannai Nambathey

From Ninaithadhai Mudippavan · 1974

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
22 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannai nambaadhae
{ Unnai yemaatrum } (2)
Nee kaanum thotram
Unmai illaadhadhu
Arivai nee nambu
Ullam thelivaagum
Adaiyaalam kaatum
Poiyae sollaadhadhu
Kannai nambaadhae
Unnai yemaatrum
Nee kaanum thotram
Unmai illaadhadhu
Arivai nee nambu
Ullam thelivaagum
Adaiyaalam kaatum
Poiyae sollaadhadhu
{ Kavalarae vesamitaal
Kalvargalum vettruruvil
Kanmunnae thonuvadhu
Saathiyamae } (2)
Kaathirundhu kalvaruku
Kai vilangu pootividum
Kannuku thonaadha
Sathiyamae
{ Podum poi thirayai
Kilithuvidum kaalam
Puriyum appodhu
Meiyaana kolam } (2)
Kannai nambaadhae
Unnai yemaatrum
Nee kaanum thotram
{ Unmai illaadhadhu } (2)
Om muruga endru solli
Ucharikum saamigalae
Rudhraacha poonaigalaai
Vaazhurenga
Seemaangal porvaiyilae
Saamanya makkalaiyae
Yemaatri kondaatam
Podureenga
Poimai eppodhum
Onguvadhum illai
Unmai eppodhum
Thoonkuvadhum illai
Kannai nambaadhae
{ Pon porulai kandavudan
Vandhavali marandhuvitu
Kanmoodi pogiravar
Pogatumae } (2)
En manathai naan ariven
En uravai naan maraven
Edhuvana podhilum
Aagatumae
Nandri maravaadha
Nalla manam podhum
Endrum adhuvae en
Moolathanam aagum
Kannai nambaadhae
{ Unnai yemaatrum } (2)
Nee kaanum thotram
Unmai illaadhadhu
Arivai nee nambu
Ullam thelivaagum
Adaiyaalam kaatum
Poiyae sollaadhadhu
Do not trust your eyes,
They will deceive you.
The appearances you see
Are far from the truth.
Trust your intellect,
Your mind will become clear.
It will show you the truth,
For it never tells a lie.
Do not trust your eyes,
They will deceive you.
The appearances you see
Are far from the truth.
Trust your intellect,
Your mind will become clear.
It will show you the truth,
For it never tells a lie.
If the guardians themselves put on disguises,
Even thieves appearing before your eyes
In the guise of winners
Is very much possible.
Waiting for the right moment, on those thieves
Handcuffs will surely be locked by
That which is invisible to the eyes—
Truth and justice itself!
The false screen they put up,
Time will tear it apart.
Only then will be understood
The true reality of things.
Do not trust your eyes,
They will deceive you.
The appearances you see
Are far from the truth.
Chanting the holy name 'Om Muruga',
You so-called holy men,
Like cats wearing rudraksha beads (hypocrites pretending to be pure),
You live deceitful lives!
Under the cloak of wealthy gentlemen,
Deceiving the common people,
You celebrate and make merry
At their expense!
Falsehood will never
Triumph forever,
And truth will never
Fall asleep either.
Do not trust your eyes,
The moment they see gold and wealth,
Forgetting the humble roots they came from,
Those who blindly walk away,
Let them go!
I know my own conscience,
I will never forget my people.
Whatever may happen,
Let it happen!
A heart that never forgets gratitude—
Such a good heart is enough.
Forever, that alone
Will be my greatest wealth.
Do not trust your eyes,
They will deceive you.
The appearances you see
Are far from the truth.
Trust your intellect,
Your mind will become clear.
It will show you the truth,
For it never tells a lie.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kannai Nambaadhae' serves as a philosophical critique of deceptive appearances and hypocrisy in society. Written by Pulamaipithan and sung famously by M. S. Viswanathan / T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), the lyrics advise the listener not to rely solely on sensory perceptions (eyes), as outward appearances can easily mislead. Instead, one must cultivate wisdom, logic, and inner intellect to discern the truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second letter rhyme)

“Kannai nambaadhae / Unnai yemaatrum”

The second consonant 'n' (ன்/ண்) rhymes across consecutive lines (Kannai / Unnai).

Monaai (Alliteration)

“Podum poi thirayai”

The initial letter 'P' sound repeats across adjacent words (Podum / Poi).

Metaphor

“Rudhraacha poonaigalaai”

Comparing hypocritical religious charlatans to 'cats wearing Rudraksha beads' (Rudhraacha poonaigalaai).

Antithesis / Contrast

“Poimai eppodhum / Onguvadhum illai / Unmai eppodhum / Thoonkuvadhum illai”

Contrasting falsehood ('Poimai') with truth ('Unmai') to emphasize moral integrity.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song from 'Ninaithadhai Mudippavan' (1974) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and the song was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan. The song is widely celebrated for its socio-political message, which aligned with MGR's screen image as a champion of moral truth and protector of the common man.

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