Karpanai Vaadhigalin
From Nathaiyil Muthu · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nathaiyil Muthu1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karpanai vaathigalin | Of mere visionary talkers, |
| Pechil mayangi dhesam | Entranced by their speeches, the country |
| Kalangi thavikkirathendre aaduraattae | Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Karpanai vaathigalin | Of mere visionary talkers, |
| Pechil mayangi dhesam | Entranced by their speeches, the country |
| Kalangi thavikkirathendre aaduraattae | Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Urpaththi perukkaamal entha naadum | Without increasing production, no country |
| Ulagil urupattathu illai endru aaduraattae | Has ever prospered in this world, spin spinning wheel! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin, |
| Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae | Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers! |
| Female | |
| Sinthikka theriyaatha manitharellaam | People who do not even know how to think critically |
| Naattai seerthiruththa vanthaarendru aaduraattae | Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel! |
| Sinthikka theriyaatha manitharellaam | People who do not even know how to think critically |
| Naattai seerthiruththa vanthaarendru aaduraattae | Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Santhikku santhi nindru pesuvoraal | Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly, |
| Santhikku santhi nindru pesuvoraal | Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly, |
| Dhesam santhikkae vanthathendru aaduraattae | The nation itself has ended up ruined on the streets, spin spinning wheel! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin, |
| Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae | Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers! |
| Female | |
| Poo panthal pol iruntha | A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy, |
| Vaazhkkai nalaththai | Its true well-being and goodness, |
| Palar vaai panthal saaiththathendrae aaduraattae | Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel! |
| Female | |
| Poo panthal pol iruntha | A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy, |
| Vaazhkkai nalaththai | Its true well-being and goodness, |
| Palar vaai panthal saaiththathendrae aaduraattae | Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Thaai pillai pol pazhagi vaazhntha makkalai | People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child, |
| Thaai pillai pol pazhagi vaazhntha makkalai | People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child, |
| Katchi noi vanthu kalaiththathendru aaduraattae | Have been divided and broken by the disease of party politics, spin spinning wheel! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin, |
| Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae | Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers! |
| Male | |
| Maaruthal vendumendru makkal ninaiththaal | If the public feels that a real change is needed, |
| Adharkku therthal undu endru aaduraattae | Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel! |
| Maaruthal vendumendru makkal ninaiththaal | If the public feels that a real change is needed, |
| Adharkku therthal undu endru aaduraattae | Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Antha therthalil puriyaamal therntheduththaal | If they vote foolishly without understanding in that election, |
| Ini thaerthal illai endru aaduraattae | There will be no hope or recourse left, spin spinning wheel! |
| Mana aaruthal illai endru aaduraattae | There will be no peace of mind, spin spinning wheel! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin, |
| Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae | Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers! |
| Female | |
| Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal | Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals, |
| Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru | We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt, |
| Aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel! |
| Female | |
| Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal | Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals, |
| Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru | We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt, |
| Aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Unmai | Truth, |
| Female :Uzhaippu | Hard work, |
| Male :Anbu | Love, |
| Female :Ahimsai endru | And Non-violence, |
| Female | |
| Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal | Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals, |
| Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru | We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt, |
| Aaduraattae | Spin spinning wheel! |
| Male | |
| Neendhi karai saevatharkku | To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety, |
| Uzhaippai vittaal | Other than hard work, |
| Neendhi karai saevatharkku | To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety, |
| Uzhaippai vittaal | Other than hard work, |
| Unmai uzhaippai vittaal | Other than honest hard work, |
| Veru shanthi illai endru solli aaduraattae | Declare that there is no other path to peace, spin spinning wheel! |
| Female : Aaduraattae aaduraattae | Spinning wheel, spinning wheel, |
| Male | |
| Aaduraattae deiva bakthi tharum | Spinning wheel bestows divine devotion, |
| Sakthi endru aaduraattae | And inner strength, spin spinning wheel! |
மற்றும் ராதா ஜெயலட்சுமி
Of mere visionary talkers,
Entranced by their speeches, the country
Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel!
கற்பனை வாதிகளின்
பேச்சில் மயங்கி தேசம்
கலங்கி தவிகிறதென்றே ஆடுராட்டே
Of mere visionary talkers,
Entranced by their speeches, the country
Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel!
கற்பனை வாதிகளின்
பேச்சில் மயங்கி தேசம்
கலங்கி தவிகிறதென்றே ஆடுராட்டே
Without increasing production, no country
Has ever prospered in this world, spin spinning wheel!
உற்பத்தி பெருக்காமல் எந்த நாடும்
உலகில் உருப்பட்டது இல்லை என்று
ஆடுராட்டே
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
உற்பத்தி பெருக்காமல் எந்த நாடும்
உலகில் உருப்பட்டது இல்லை என்று
ஆடுராட்டே
People who do not even know how to think critically
Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel!
People who do not even know how to think critically
Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel!
ஆடுராட்டே சுழன்று ஆடுராட்டே
இந்த நாடு படும் பாட்டை சொல்லி ஆடுராட்டே
Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly,
Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly,
The nation itself has ended up ruined on the streets, spin spinning wheel!
சிந்திக்க தெரியாத மனிதரெல்லாம்
நாட்டை சீர்திருத்த வந்தாரென்று ஆடுராட்டே
சிந்திக்க தெரியாத மனிதரெல்லாம்
நாட்டை சீர்திருத்த வந்தாரென்று ஆடுராட்டே
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
சந்திக்கு சந்தி நின்று பேசுவோரால்
சந்திக்கு சந்தி நின்று பேசுவோரால்
தேசம் சந்திக்கே வந்ததென்று ஆடுராட்டே
A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy,
Its true well-being and goodness,
Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel!
ஆடுராட்டே சுழன்று ஆடுராட்டே
இந்த நாடு படும் பாட்டை சொல்லி ஆடுராட்டே
A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy,
Its true well-being and goodness,
Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel!
பெண்
: பூ பந்தல் போல் இருந்த
வாழ்க்கை நலத்தை
பலர் வாய் பந்தல் சாய்த்ததென்றே ஆடுராட்டே
People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child,
People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child,
Have been divided and broken by the disease of party politics, spin spinning wheel!
பூ பந்தல் போல் இருந்த
வாழ்க்கை நலத்தை
பலர் வாய் பந்தல் சாய்த்ததென்றே ஆடுராட்டே
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
தாய் பிள்ளை போல் பழகி வாழ்ந்த மக்களை
தாய் பிள்ளை போல் பழகி வாழ்ந்த மக்களை
கட்சி நோய் வந்து கலைத்ததென்று ஆடுராட்டே
If the public feels that a real change is needed,
Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel!
If the public feels that a real change is needed,
Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel!
ஆடுராட்டே சுழன்று ஆடுராட்டே
இந்த நாடு படும் பாட்டை சொல்லி ஆடுராட்டே
If they vote foolishly without understanding in that election,
There will be no hope or recourse left, spin spinning wheel!
There will be no peace of mind, spin spinning wheel!
மாறுதல் வேண்டுமென்று மக்கள் நினைத்தால்
அதற்க்கு தேர்தல் உண்டு என்று ஆடுராட்டே
மாறுதல் வேண்டுமென்று மக்கள் நினைத்தால்
அதற்க்கு தேர்தல் உண்டு என்று ஆடுராட்டே
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
அந்த தேர்தலில் புரியாமல் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தால்
இனி தேர்தல் இல்லை என்று ஆடுராட்டே
மன ஆறுதல் இல்லை என்று ஆடுராட்டே
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Spin spinning wheel!
ஆடுராட்டே சுழன்று ஆடுராட்டே
இந்த நாடு படும் பாட்டை சொல்லி ஆடுராட்டே
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Spin spinning wheel!
காந்தி கடன் தீர்க்காமல்
அயல் நாட்டில் கையை ஏந்தி கடன் பட்டோமென்று
ஆடுராட்டே
Truth,
Hard work,
Love,
And Non-violence,
காந்தி கடன் தீர்க்காமல்
அயல் நாட்டில் கையை ஏந்தி கடன் பட்டோமென்று
ஆடுராட்டே
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Spin spinning wheel!
உண்மை
உழைப்பு
அன்பு
அகிம்சை என்று
To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety,
Other than hard work,
To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety,
Other than hard work,
Other than honest hard work,
Declare that there is no other path to peace, spin spinning wheel!
Spinning wheel, spinning wheel,
காந்தி கடன் தீர்க்காமல்
அயல் நாட்டில் கையை ஏந்தி கடன் பட்டோமென்று
ஆடுராட்டே
Spinning wheel bestows divine devotion,
And inner strength, spin spinning wheel!
நீந்தி கரை சேர்வதற்கு
உழைப்பை விட்டால்
நீந்தி கரை சேர்வதற்கு
உழைப்பை விட்டால்
உண்மை உழைப்பை விட்டால்
வேறு சாந்தி இல்லை என்று சொல்லி ஆடுராட்டே
ஆடுராட்டே ஆடுராட்டே
ஆடுராட்டே தெய்வ பக்தி தரும்
சக்தி என்று ஆடுராட்டே
Karpanai vaathigalin
Of mere visionary talkers,
Pechil mayangi dhesam
Entranced by their speeches, the country
Kalangi thavikkirathendre aaduraattae
Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel!
Karpanai vaathigalin
Of mere visionary talkers,
Pechil mayangi dhesam
Entranced by their speeches, the country
Kalangi thavikkirathendre aaduraattae
Suffers in deep turmoil and distress, spin spinning wheel!
Urpaththi perukkaamal entha naadum
Without increasing production, no country
Ulagil urupattathu illai endru aaduraattae
Has ever prospered in this world, spin spinning wheel!
Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
Sinthikka theriyaatha manitharellaam
People who do not even know how to think critically
Naattai seerthiruththa vanthaarendru aaduraattae
Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel!
Sinthikka theriyaatha manitharellaam
People who do not even know how to think critically
Naattai seerthiruththa vanthaarendru aaduraattae
Have come forward claiming to reform the nation, spin spinning wheel!
Santhikku santhi nindru pesuvoraal
Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly,
Santhikku santhi nindru pesuvoraal
Because of those who stand at every street junction and talk endlessly,
Dhesam santhikkae vanthathendru aaduraattae
The nation itself has ended up ruined on the streets, spin spinning wheel!
Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
Poo panthal pol iruntha
A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy,
Vaazhkkai nalaththai
Its true well-being and goodness,
Palar vaai panthal saaiththathendrae aaduraattae
Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel!
Poo panthal pol iruntha
A life that was once as tender and beautiful as a floral canopy,
Vaazhkkai nalaththai
Its true well-being and goodness,
Palar vaai panthal saaiththathendrae aaduraattae
Has been brought down by the loud verbal promises of many, spin spinning wheel!
Thaai pillai pol pazhagi vaazhntha makkalai
People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child,
Thaai pillai pol pazhagi vaazhntha makkalai
People who used to live harmoniously like a mother and child,
Katchi noi vanthu kalaiththathendru aaduraattae
Have been divided and broken by the disease of party politics, spin spinning wheel!
Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
Maaruthal vendumendru makkal ninaiththaal
If the public feels that a real change is needed,
Adharkku therthal undu endru aaduraattae
Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel!
Maaruthal vendumendru makkal ninaiththaal
If the public feels that a real change is needed,
Adharkku therthal undu endru aaduraattae
Tell them there is an election to decide that, spin spinning wheel!
Antha therthalil puriyaamal therntheduththaal
If they vote foolishly without understanding in that election,
Ini thaerthal illai endru aaduraattae
There will be no hope or recourse left, spin spinning wheel!
Mana aaruthal illai endru aaduraattae
There will be no peace of mind, spin spinning wheel!
Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel, turn and spin,
Intha naadu padum paattai solli aaduraattae
Spin telling the tale of hardship this country suffers!
Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel!
Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel!
Unmai
Truth,
Female :Uzhaippu
Hard work,
Male :Anbu
Love,
Female :Ahimsai endru
And Non-violence,
Gandhi kadan theerkkaamal
Failing to fulfill our debt to Gandhi's ideals,
Ayal naattil kaiyai yaenthu kadan pattomendru
We extended our hands to foreign nations and got trapped in debt,
Aaduraattae
Spin spinning wheel!
Neendhi karai saevatharkku
To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety,
Uzhaippai vittaal
Other than hard work,
Neendhi karai saevatharkku
To swim across this ocean of trouble and reach safety,
Uzhaippai vittaal
Other than hard work,
Unmai uzhaippai vittaal
Other than honest hard work,
Veru shanthi illai endru solli aaduraattae
Declare that there is no other path to peace, spin spinning wheel!
Female : Aaduraattae aaduraattae
Spinning wheel, spinning wheel,
Aaduraattae deiva bakthi tharum
Spinning wheel bestows divine devotion,
Sakthi endru aaduraattae
And inner strength, spin spinning wheel!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic socio-political philosophical song from the 1973 film 'Nathaiyil Muthu' uses the metaphor of the traditional charkha (aaduraattai or spinning wheel) to deliver a scathing critique of contemporary Indian politics and societal decay. Lyricist Vaali uses the spinning wheel—an iconic Gandhian symbol of self-reliance, hard work, and rural empowerment—to narrate the plight of the nation. The song laments how empty political speeches and divisive party politics ('katchi noi') have torn apart the social fabric that once bound people together like family.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Symbolism (உவமை / குறியீடு)
“Aaduraattae suzhandru aaduraattae”
The spinning wheel ('Aaduraattai') is used as an allegorical listener and voice of wisdom representing Gandhian philosophy, hard labor, and economic self-sufficiency.
Wordplay / Pun (சொல்லணி)
“Dhesam santhikkae vanthathendru aaduraattae”
Vaali plays on the word 'Santhi' (street junction / corner) to denote how people talking at street corners ('Santhikku santhi nindru pesuvoraal') end up bringing the entire nation to ruin on the streets ('Dhesam santhikkae vanthathendru').
Edhugai (Monai / Second letter Rhyme - எதுகை)
“Poo panthal pol iruntha”
Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Poo panthal' and 'Vaazhkkai' / 'Katchi' for rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is legendary in Tamil socio-political music for echoing Gandhian economic philosophy. In the film 'Nathaiyil Muthu', this song features a character spinning yarn while singing a public commentary on governance, elections, and national debt.
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