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Panam Padaithavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannpona Pokkile

From Panam Padaithavan · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Panam Padaithavan
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
4 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Kanpona pokkile
Kaal pogalama kaal pona
Pokkile manam pogalama } (2)
{ Manam pona
Pokkile manidhan pogalama } (2)
{ Manidhan pona paadhaiyai
Maranthu pogalama } (2)
Kanpona pokkile
Kaal pogalama kaal pona
Pokkile manam pogalama
………………………….
{ Nee paartha
Paarvaigal kanavodu
Pogum nee sonna
Vaarthaigal kaatrodu pogum } (2)
Oor paartha
Unmaigal unakaga vaazhum
Male : { Unaraamal povorku
udhavaamal pogum } (2)
Kanpona pokkile
Kaal pogalama kaal pona
Pokkile manam pogalama
Poiyana silaperku
Pudhu nagareegam puriyadha
Pala perku idhu nagareegam
Muraiyaaga
Vaazhvorku edhu nagareegam
{ Munnorgal sonnargal
Adhu nagareegam } (2)
Kanpona pokkile
Kaal pogalama kaal pona
Pokkile manam pogalama
………………………
Thirundhadha ullangal
Irundhenna laabam
Varundhadha uruvangal
Pirandhenna laabam
Irunthalum marainthalum
Per solla vendum
{ Ivar polae yaar
Endru oor solla vendum } (2)
Kanpona pokkile
Kaal pogalama kaal pona
Pokkile manam pogalama
{ Where the eyes go wandering,
Should the feet follow? Where the feet go wandering,
Should the mind follow? } (2)
{ Where the mind goes wandering,
Should a human follow? } (2)
{ The noble path that humanity has paved,
Should one forget and wander away? } (2)
Where the eyes go wandering,
Should the feet follow? Where the feet go wandering,
Should the mind follow?
.......................
{ The glances you cast
Will fade away with dreams,
The words you spoke
Will vanish into the wind } (2)
The truths witnessed by the world
Will live on for your sake
Male: { For those who fail to realize this,
It will pass without offering help } (2)
Where the eyes go wandering,
Should the feet follow? Where the feet go wandering,
Should the mind follow?
For a few deceitful people,
It is modern culture; for many who lack understanding,
This itself is culture
For those who live
Righteously, what is true culture?
{ What our ancestors declared,
That alone is true culture } (2)
Where the eyes go wandering,
Should the feet follow? Where the feet go wandering,
Should the mind follow?
...................
Unreformed hearts,
What is the use of them existing?
Beings that feel no remorse,
What is the gain in them being born?
Whether living or departed,
One's name should be worth remembering
{ "Who can compare to him?"
So should the world praise } (2)
Where the eyes go wandering,
Should the feet follow? Where the feet go wandering,
Should the mind follow?
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kanpona Pokkile' is a famous Tamil philosophical song that serves as a ethical guide against sensory indulgence and moral decay. Written by poet Vaali for the movie 'Panam Padaithavan' (1965), the lyrics construct a logical hierarchy of moral discipline: physical actions (feet) should not blindly obey desires (eyes), thoughts (mind) should not blindly follow physical urges, and human beings should never abandon the noble path laid out by ancestors. The song redefines true civilization and culture, critiquing superficial modern trends while praising traditional values, compassion, and self-reform. It urges individuals to live meaningful lives characterized by virtue and empathy, ensuring that their good legacy outlives their physical existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Chain Metaphor / Anadiplosis (Thodarnilai)

“Kanpona pokkile kaal pogalama kaal pona pokkile manam pogalama”

A logical cascading sequence connecting eyes to feet, feet to mind, mind to human, and human to ethical path.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

“Thirundhadha ullangal / Varundhadha uruvangal”

Rhyming of the second letter across lines (e.g., 'Kanpona' / 'Manam' / 'Manidhan' using the 'n/na' sound; 'Irundhenna' / 'Pirandhenna' using 'ru/ra').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Irundhenna laabam / Pirandhenna laabam”

Matching end words/sounds across lines to create rhythmic symmetry.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Pudhu nagareegam puriyadha pala perku idhu nagareegam... Munnorgal sonnargal adhu nagareegam”

Contrasting superficial modern notions of culture with timeless ancestral wisdom.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanpona Pokkile' from 'Panam Padaithavan' (1965) features music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, lyrics by Vaali, and playback singing by T. M. Soundararajan. The song was written specifically to fit M. G. Ramachandran's (MGR) screen persona as an idealistic moral leader, making it one of his most iconic philosophical screen anthems.

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