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Thangamana Purushan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kathiyai Theettathae

From Thangamana Purushan · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Thangamana Purushan
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
17 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan
Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Oorodu saernthu onnaaga vaazhnthu
Perodu ponaar sila peru
Avar ponaalum nenjil irupaaru
Kan moodum velai kaadhattra oosi
Vaaraathu endraan kaingan
Avan elloru pottrum aringan
Pattinaththu pillai
Avan solli thantha sollai
Pattinaththu pillai solli thantha sollai
Sinthiththu paaththu nee unnai maaththu
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Aattukku vaala neettaama saami
Vachchaalum vachchan alanthu antha
Vaaloda thevaiya therinju haah
Aanaalum intha paazhana manasil
Aasaikku illai alavu
Adhil andraadam nooru kanavu
Unnavida oruththan intha oorukkulla iruppaan
Unnavida oruththan oorukkulla iruppaan
Pollaatha moodaa thullaathae podaa
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan
Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru……
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Anna said this, think about it.
Anna said this, think about it.
The man who cheats will end up getting cheated, ah-ha!
The man who cheats will end up getting cheated.
A good person will always thrive here.
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Anna said this, think about it.
Living as one with the people around them,
A few people left this world with lasting honor.
Even though they are gone, they live on in our hearts.
"When your eyes close in death, not even an eyeless needle...
...will come along with you," said the poet.
He is a wise sage praised by everyone,
Sage Pattinathar.
The wisdom that he taught—
The wisdom taught by sage Pattinathar,
Think about it and change your ways!
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Anna said this, think about it.
God did not make the goat's tail too long;
He measured it carefully when He gave it,
Knowing exactly how much was needed, ha!
Yet in this restless human heart,
There is no limit to desire,
And a hundred dreams arise every day!
There is always someone tougher than you in this town,
There is always someone bigger than you in this town!
You stubborn fool, don't jump with pride, back off!
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Anna said this, think about it.
Anna said this, think about it.
The man who cheats will end up getting cheated, ha!
The man who cheats will end up getting cheated.
A good person will always thrive here.
Don't sharpen your knife, little brother, sharpen your mind.
Anna said this, think about it.
Anna said this, think about it.
Anna said this, think about it...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic philosophical song advises against violence and arrogance, advocating for intellect, humility, and moral integrity. It urges individuals to choose wisdom over brute force, reminding them that deceit ultimate backfires while righteousness leads to lasting respect and peace. By invoking philosophical teachings, such as Saint Pattinathar's famous realization that material wealth cannot follow one after death, the song stresses the futility of greed and boundless desires. It highlights how nature creates everything with purpose and balance, cautioning people against foolish pride, as there is always someone greater in the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Ethirsol)

“Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu”

Contrasts physical violence (sharpening a knife) with intellectual maturity (sharpening wisdom).

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

“Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu”

The second consonant sound matches between 'Kaththiyai' (th) and 'Puththiyai' (th).

Allusion / Philosophical Metaphor

“Kan moodum velai kaadhattra oosi / Vaaraathu endraan kaingan”

References Saint Pattinathar's iconic spiritual teaching 'Kaadhaththa oosiyum vaaraadhu kadai vazhiyake' regarding the ultimate uselessness of worldly possessions after death.

Analogy

“Aattukku vaala neettaama saami / Vachchaalum vachchan alanthu antha”

Uses the biological design of a goat's tail as an analogy for divine moderation and natural boundary.

Did you know?

Trivia

While featured in later releases and cultural references, this legendary philosophical track original gained timeless fame in the 1962 Tamil film 'Aalayamani', written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and sung by T.M. Soundararajan. The line 'Annaa sonnaru' originally paid homage to C.N. Annadurai (affectionately called Anna), the prominent leader and orator who deeply influenced Tamil political and cultural discourse.

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