Kathiyai Theettathae
From Thangamana Purushan · 1989
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thangamana Purushan1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Male | |
| Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah | The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha! |
| Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan | The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated. |
| Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan | A good person will always thrive here. |
| Male | |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Male | |
| Oorodu saernthu onnaaga vaazhnthu | Living united as one with the village, |
| Perodu ponaar sila peru | Some people departed this world with great fame. |
| Avar ponaalum nenjil irupaaru | Even though they are gone, they will forever reside in our hearts. |
| Kan moodum velai kaadhattra oosi | When your eyes close in final sleep, even a broken needle without an eye |
| Vaaraathu endraan kaingan | Will not accompany you, said the wise saint. |
| Avan elloru pottrum aringan | He is a scholar praised by everyone. |
| Male | |
| Pattinaththu pillai | Pattinathar, |
| Avan solli thantha sollai | The wisdom and words he imparted, |
| Pattinaththu pillai solli thantha sollai | The words imparted by Saint Pattinathar, |
| Sinthiththu paaththu nee unnai maaththu | Ponder upon them deeply and reform yourself. |
| Male | |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Male | |
| Aattukku vaala neettaama saami | Without making a goat's tail unnecessarily long, God |
| Vachchaalum vachchan alanthu antha | Measured it precisely when creating it, |
| Vaaloda thevaiya therinju haah | Understanding the exact necessity of that tail, ha! |
| Aanaalum intha paazhana manasil | Yet in this wretched human mind, |
| Aasaikku illai alavu | There is no limit to human desire. |
| Adhil andraadam nooru kanavu | In it, a hundred dreams sprout every single day. |
| Male | |
| Unnavida oruththan intha oorukkulla iruppaan | There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town. |
| Unnavida oruththan oorukkulla iruppaan | There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town. |
| Pollaatha moodaa thullaathae podaa | Oh wicked fool, do not jump with pride, move along! |
| Male | |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Male | |
| Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah | The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha! |
| Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan | The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated. |
| Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan | A good person will always thrive here. |
| Male | |
| Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu | Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply. |
| Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru…… | Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply... |
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
ஏய்க்கிற மனுஷன் ஏமாந்து போவான் ஆஹாஹ்
ஏய்க்கிற மனுஷன் ஏமாந்து போவான்
எப்போதும் இங்கே நல்லவன் வாழ்வான்
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha!
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated.
A good person will always thrive here.
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
ஊரோடு சேர்ந்து ஒண்ணாக வாழ்ந்து
பேரோடு போனார் சில பேரு
அவர் போனாலும் நெஞ்சில் இருப்பாரு
கண்மூடும் வேளை காதற்ற ஊசி
வாராது என்றான் கவிஞன்
அவன் எல்லோரும் போற்றும் அறிஞன்
Living united as one with the village,
Some people departed this world with great fame.
Even though they are gone, they will forever reside in our hearts.
When your eyes close in final sleep, even a broken needle without an eye
Will not accompany you, said the wise saint.
He is a scholar praised by everyone.
பட்டினத்து பிள்ளை
அவன் சொல்லித் தந்த சொல்லை
பட்டினத்து பிள்ளை சொல்லித் தந்த சொல்லை
சிந்தித்து பாத்து நீ உன்னை மாத்து
Pattinathar,
The wisdom and words he imparted,
The words imparted by Saint Pattinathar,
Ponder upon them deeply and reform yourself.
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
ஆட்டுக்கு வால நீட்டாம சாமி
வச்சாலும் வச்சான் அளந்து அந்த
வாலோட தேவைய தெரிஞ்சு ஹாஹ்
ஆனாலும் இந்த பாழான மனசில்
ஆசைக்கு இல்லை அளவு
அதில் அன்றாடம் நூறு கனவு
Without making a goat's tail unnecessarily long, God
Measured it precisely when creating it,
Understanding the exact necessity of that tail, ha!
Yet in this wretched human mind,
There is no limit to human desire.
In it, a hundred dreams sprout every single day.
உன்னவிட ஒருத்தன் இந்த ஊருக்குள்ள இருப்பான்
உன்னவிட ஒருத்தன் ஊருக்குள்ள இருப்பான்
பொல்லாத மூடா துள்ளாதே போடா
There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town.
There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town.
Oh wicked fool, do not jump with pride, move along!
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
ஏய்க்கிற மனுஷன் ஏமாந்து போவான் ஹாஹ்
ஏய்க்கிற மனுஷன் ஏமாந்து போவான்
எப்போதும் இங்கே நல்லவன் வாழ்வான்
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha!
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated.
A good person will always thrive here.
கத்தியை தீட்டாதே தம்பி புத்தியை தீட்டு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு
அண்ணா சொன்னாரு அதை எண்ணிப் பாரு.....
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply...
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha!
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated.
Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan
A good person will always thrive here.
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Oorodu saernthu onnaaga vaazhnthu
Living united as one with the village,
Perodu ponaar sila peru
Some people departed this world with great fame.
Avar ponaalum nenjil irupaaru
Even though they are gone, they will forever reside in our hearts.
Kan moodum velai kaadhattra oosi
When your eyes close in final sleep, even a broken needle without an eye
Vaaraathu endraan kaingan
Will not accompany you, said the wise saint.
Avan elloru pottrum aringan
He is a scholar praised by everyone.
Pattinaththu pillai
Pattinathar,
Avan solli thantha sollai
The wisdom and words he imparted,
Pattinaththu pillai solli thantha sollai
The words imparted by Saint Pattinathar,
Sinthiththu paaththu nee unnai maaththu
Ponder upon them deeply and reform yourself.
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Aattukku vaala neettaama saami
Without making a goat's tail unnecessarily long, God
Vachchaalum vachchan alanthu antha
Measured it precisely when creating it,
Vaaloda thevaiya therinju haah
Understanding the exact necessity of that tail, ha!
Aanaalum intha paazhana manasil
Yet in this wretched human mind,
Aasaikku illai alavu
There is no limit to human desire.
Adhil andraadam nooru kanavu
In it, a hundred dreams sprout every single day.
Unnavida oruththan intha oorukkulla iruppaan
There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town.
Unnavida oruththan oorukkulla iruppaan
There will always be someone greater or stronger than you in this town.
Pollaatha moodaa thullaathae podaa
Oh wicked fool, do not jump with pride, move along!
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan aahaah
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated, aha!
Yaeikkira manushan yaemaanthu povaan
The person who deceives others will eventually end up cheated.
Eppothum ingae nallavant vaazhvaan
A good person will always thrive here.
Kaththiyai theettaathae thambi puththiyai theettu
Don't sharpen the knife, younger brother, sharpen your intellect.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply.
Annaa sonnaru adhai enni paaru……
Anna said this, ponder upon it deeply...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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