Keladaa Manida
From Bharathi · 2000
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Rajkumar Bharathi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Bharathi2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa… aa… aa… | Ah… ah… ah… |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Male | |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Ezhaigal yaarum illai | There are no poor people here, |
| Selvam yeriyor endrum illai | Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth. |
| Vaazhvugal thaazhvum illai | No life is considered low, |
| Endrum maanbudan vaazhvomadaa | We shall forever live with dignity, O friend! |
| Male | |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Male | |
| Vellai nirathoru poonai | A cat of pure white color |
| Engal veettil valarudhu kandeer | Is growing up in our house, as you can see. |
| Pillaigal petradhu poonai | That cat gave birth to kittens, |
| Avai perukkoru niram aagum | Each possessing a distinct color. |
| Saambal niram oru kutti | One kitten is ash-grey in color, |
| Karun chaandhin niram oru kutti | One kitten is deep black-sandalwood in color, |
| Paambu niram oru kutti | One kitten has the pattern and color of a snake, |
| Vellai paalin niram oru kutti | One kitten has the shade of white milk. |
| Endha niram irundhaalum | Whatever shade of color they may have, |
| Avai yaavum oru tharam andro | Are they not all equal in quality and essence? |
| Indha niram siridhendrum | Can anyone claim that this color is inferior, |
| Idhu yaetram endrum sollalaamo | Or that color is superior? |
| Male | |
| Saadhi pirivugal solli | By proclaiming caste divisions, |
| Adhil thaazhvendrum mel endrum kolvaar | They deem some low and others high. |
| Needhi pirivugal seivaar | They create unjust divisions |
| Angu nithamum sandaigal seivaar | And constantly engage in conflicts there. |
| Saadhi kodumaigal vendaam | We need no atrocities born of caste! |
| Anbu thannil sezhithidum vaiyam | The world flourishes purely through love. |
| Male | |
| Saadhi kodumaigal vendaam | We need no atrocities born of caste! |
| Anbu thannil sezhithidum vaiyam | The world flourishes purely through love. |
| Aadharavutringu vaazhvom | Let us live here offering mutual support, |
| Thozhil aayiram maanbura cheivom | And carry out thousands of noble professions with dignity! |
| Male | |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Male | |
| Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan | God endowed wisdom upon women, |
| Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan | The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world. |
| Female | |
| Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan | God endowed wisdom upon women, |
| Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan | The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world. |
| Male | |
| Mannukkullae sila moodar | Yet some foolish men on this earth |
| Nalla maadhar arivai keduthaar | Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women. |
| Female | |
| Mannukkullae sila moodar | Yet some foolish men on this earth |
| Nalla maadhar arivai keduthaar | Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women. |
| Male | |
| Kangal irandinil ondrai | Would one pierce one of their own two eyes |
| Kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo | And ruin their own vision? |
| Kangal irandinil ondrai | Would one pierce one of their own two eyes |
| Kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo | And ruin their own vision? |
| Pengal arivai valarthaal | If women's knowledge and intellect are nurtured, |
| Vaiyam paedhamai attridum kaaneer | Behold, the world will be freed from ignorance! |
| Male | |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Ezhaigal yaarum illai | There are no poor people here, |
| Selvam yeriyor endrum illai | Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth. |
| Vaazhvugal thaazhvum illai | No life is considered low, |
| Endrum maanbudan vaazhvomadaa | We shall forever live with dignity, O friend! |
| Male | |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
| Keladaa maanidavaa | Listen, O human being! |
| Emmil keezhor melor illai | Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors. |
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ...
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
Ah… ah… ah…
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
கேளடா மானிடாவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
ஏழைகள் யாருமில்லை செல்வம்
ஏறியோர் என்றும் இல்லை
வாழ்வுகள் தாழ்வுமில்லை
என்றும் மாண்புடன் வாழ்வோமடா
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
There are no poor people here,
Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth.
No life is considered low,
We shall forever live with dignity, O friend!
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு பூனை
எங்கள் வீட்டில் வளருது கண்டீர்
பிள்ளைகள் பெற்றதப் பூனை
அவை பேருக் கொருநிற மாகும்
சாம்பல் நிறமொரு குட்டி
கருஞ் சாந்தின் நிறமொரு குட்டி
பாம்பு நிறமொரு குட்டி
வெள்ளைப் பாலின் நிறமொரு குட்டி
எந்த நிறமிருந்தாலும்
அவை யாவும் ஒரே தரமன்றோ
இந்த நிறம் சிறிதென்றும்
இது ஏற்றமென்றும் சொல்லலாமோ
A cat of pure white color
Is growing up in our house, as you can see.
That cat gave birth to kittens,
Each possessing a distinct color.
One kitten is ash-grey in color,
One kitten is deep black-sandalwood in color,
One kitten has the pattern and color of a snake,
One kitten has the shade of white milk.
Whatever shade of color they may have,
Are they not all equal in quality and essence?
Can anyone claim that this color is inferior,
Or that color is superior?
சாதி பிரிவுகள் சொல்லி
அதில் தாழ்வென்றும் மேலென்றும் கொள்வார்
நீதி பிரிவுகள் செய்வார்
அங்கு நித்தமும் சண்டைகள் செய்வார்
சாதி கொடுமைகள் வேண்டாம்
அன்பு தன்னிற் செழித்திடும் வையம்
By proclaiming caste divisions,
They deem some low and others high.
They create unjust divisions
And constantly engage in conflicts there.
We need no atrocities born of caste!
The world flourishes purely through love.
சாதி கொடுமைகள் வேண்டாம்
அன்பு தன்னிற் செழித்திடும் வையம்
ஆதரவுற்றிங்கு வாழ்வோம்
தொழில் ஆயிரம் மாண்புறச் செய்வோம்
We need no atrocities born of caste!
The world flourishes purely through love.
Let us live here offering mutual support,
And carry out thousands of noble professions with dignity!
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
பெண்ணுக்கு ஞானத்தை வைத்தான்
புவி பேணி வளர்த்திடும் ஈசன்
God endowed wisdom upon women,
The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world.
பெண்ணுக்கு ஞானத்தை வைத்தான்
புவி பேணி வளர்த்திடும் ஈசன்
God endowed wisdom upon women,
The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world.
மண்ணுக்குள்ளே சில மூடர்
நல்ல மாதர் அறிவை கெடுத்தார்
Yet some foolish men on this earth
Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women.
மண்ணுக்குள்ளே சில மூடர்
நல்ல மாதர் அறிவை கெடுத்தார்
Yet some foolish men on this earth
Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women.
கண்கள் இரண்டினில் ஒன்றைக்
குத்திக் காட்சி கெடுத்திடலாமோ
கண்கள் இரண்டினில் ஒன்றைக்
குத்திக் காட்சி கெடுத்திடலாமோ
பெண்கள் அறிவை வளர்த்தால்
வையம் பேதைமையாற்றிடும் காணீர்
Would one pierce one of their own two eyes
And ruin their own vision?
Would one pierce one of their own two eyes
And ruin their own vision?
If women's knowledge and intellect are nurtured,
Behold, the world will be freed from ignorance!
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
ஏழைகள் யாருமில்லை செல்வம்
ஏறியோர் என்றும் இல்லை
வாழ்வுகள் தாழ்வுமில்லை
என்றும் மாண்புடன் வாழ்வோமடா
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
There are no poor people here,
Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth.
No life is considered low,
We shall forever live with dignity, O friend!
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
கேளடா மானிடவா
எம்மில் கீழோர் மேலோர் இல்லை
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Listen, O human being!
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Aa… aa… aa…
Ah… ah… ah…
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Ezhaigal yaarum illai
There are no poor people here,
Selvam yeriyor endrum illai
Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth.
Vaazhvugal thaazhvum illai
No life is considered low,
Endrum maanbudan vaazhvomadaa
We shall forever live with dignity, O friend!
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Vellai nirathoru poonai
A cat of pure white color
Engal veettil valarudhu kandeer
Is growing up in our house, as you can see.
Pillaigal petradhu poonai
That cat gave birth to kittens,
Avai perukkoru niram aagum
Each possessing a distinct color.
Saambal niram oru kutti
One kitten is ash-grey in color,
Karun chaandhin niram oru kutti
One kitten is deep black-sandalwood in color,
Paambu niram oru kutti
One kitten has the pattern and color of a snake,
Vellai paalin niram oru kutti
One kitten has the shade of white milk.
Endha niram irundhaalum
Whatever shade of color they may have,
Avai yaavum oru tharam andro
Are they not all equal in quality and essence?
Indha niram siridhendrum
Can anyone claim that this color is inferior,
Idhu yaetram endrum sollalaamo
Or that color is superior?
Saadhi pirivugal solli
By proclaiming caste divisions,
Adhil thaazhvendrum mel endrum kolvaar
They deem some low and others high.
Needhi pirivugal seivaar
They create unjust divisions
Angu nithamum sandaigal seivaar
And constantly engage in conflicts there.
Saadhi kodumaigal vendaam
We need no atrocities born of caste!
Anbu thannil sezhithidum vaiyam
The world flourishes purely through love.
Saadhi kodumaigal vendaam
We need no atrocities born of caste!
Anbu thannil sezhithidum vaiyam
The world flourishes purely through love.
Aadharavutringu vaazhvom
Let us live here offering mutual support,
Thozhil aayiram maanbura cheivom
And carry out thousands of noble professions with dignity!
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan
God endowed wisdom upon women,
Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan
The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world.
Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan
God endowed wisdom upon women,
Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan
The supreme Lord who nurtures and protects the world.
Mannukkullae sila moodar
Yet some foolish men on this earth
Nalla maadhar arivai keduthaar
Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women.
Mannukkullae sila moodar
Yet some foolish men on this earth
Nalla maadhar arivai keduthaar
Destroyed the intellect and potential of good women.
Kangal irandinil ondrai
Would one pierce one of their own two eyes
Kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo
And ruin their own vision?
Kangal irandinil ondrai
Would one pierce one of their own two eyes
Kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo
And ruin their own vision?
Pengal arivai valarthaal
If women's knowledge and intellect are nurtured,
Vaiyam paedhamai attridum kaaneer
Behold, the world will be freed from ignorance!
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Ezhaigal yaarum illai
There are no poor people here,
Selvam yeriyor endrum illai
Nor are there those who hoard excessive wealth.
Vaazhvugal thaazhvum illai
No life is considered low,
Endrum maanbudan vaazhvomadaa
We shall forever live with dignity, O friend!
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Keladaa maanidavaa
Listen, O human being!
Emmil keezhor melor illai
Among us, there are no inferiors or superiors.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful reformist poem composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar calls for universal equality, social justice, and women's empowerment. Using the famous allegory of a mother cat birthing kittens of varied colors to show that physical or superficial differences do not alter fundamental worth, Bharathiyar strongly critiques the artificial divisions of caste, race, and socioeconomic status. He emphasizes that love and mutual respect are the true foundation for a flourishing society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamaani)
“Vellai nirathoru poonai ... Avai perukkoru niram aagum”
Bharathiyar uses the mother cat and her multi-colored kittens as a metaphor for humanity, demonstrating that despite external differences in skin color or lineage, all human beings share equal fundamental dignity.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kangal irandinil ondrai kuthi kaatchi keduthidalaamo”
Comparing women to one of two eyes of humanity emphasizes that suppressing women is akin to intentionally blinding oneself.
Emona / Rhyme (Monai)
“Pennukku gnyaanathai vaithaan / Puvi paeni valarthidum eesan”
Initial rhyme and sound harmony across words in lines, such as 'Pennukku' and 'Puvi' or 'Ezhaigal' and 'Selvam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features verses from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's famous poem 'Vellai Nirathoru Poonai'. In the biographical film 'Bharathi' (2000), directed by Gnana Rajasekaran, the music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and the musical rendition highlights Bharathiyar's visionary ideals on social equality and feminism.
Keep listening
More from Bharathi
Bharathi
Bharathi
Bharathi
Bharathi
Bharathi
Bharathi