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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanavan Ninaithaal

From Raja Naagam · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Raja Naagam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aanavakkaararkalae…..avasarakaararkalaeO arrogant ones... O hasty ones!
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Male
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Avan nenjam oru neruppuHis heart is a blazing fire,
Avan nermaiyin maru pirappuHe is the rebirth of honesty itself.
Mathithaal mathippaan mathiththaal mathippaanIf you respect him, he will respect you; if you respect him, he will respect you.
Mithiththaal mithippaanIf you trample him, he will trample you back!
Male
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Nadaththiyae kaattuvaanHe will definitely achieve and demonstrate it!
Male
Niyaayam ketka vendumendraalIf justice needs to be demanded,
Puratchi endra saattai unduThere is a whip called revolution.
Niyaayam ketka vendumendraalIf justice needs to be demanded,
Puratchi endra saattai unduThere is a whip called revolution.
Male
Naan vaaimai kaakkum vaaththiyaarinI only listen to the words
Vaarththai mattum ketpathunduOf the teacher who upholds truth.
Male
Naan mattravarkku thenpaduvaen pudhiraattamTo others, I appear like a puzzle,
Idhu maanaththukkum urimaikkum poraattamThis is a battle for honor and rights.
Naan mattravarkku thenpaduvaen pudhiraattamTo others, I appear like a puzzle,
Idhu maanaththukkum urimaikkum poraattamThis is a battle for honor and rights.
Male
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Male
Nanjai kakkum naaga paampuA cobra that spits venom,
Vanjam vaiththaal aaru varushamHolds a grudge for six years.
Nanjai kakkum naaga paampuA cobra that spits venom,
Vanjam vaiththaal aaru varushamHolds a grudge for six years.
Male
Veen kuttram sonnaal krishnamoorthiIf false accusations are made, Krishnamoorthy
Nenjil vaippaan nooru varushamWill hold it in his heart for a hundred years!
Male
Intha raththathodu piranthathu roshamaagumSelf-respect was born alongside this blood,
Antha roshaththilae naanoru rajanaagamIn that fiery self-respect, I am a King Cobra!
Intha raththathodu piranthathu roshamaagumSelf-respect was born alongside this blood,
Antha roshaththilae naanoru rajanaagamIn that fiery self-respect, I am a King Cobra!
Male
Maanavan ninaiththaal nadaththi kaattuvaanIf a student sets his mind to it, he will achieve and prove it!
Avan nenjam oru neruppuHis heart is a blazing fire,
Avan nermaiyin maru pirappuHe is the rebirth of honesty itself.
Mathithaal mathippaan mithiththaal mithippaanIf you respect him, he will respect you; if you respect him, he will respect you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maanavan Ninaithaal from Raja Naagam (1974) is a fiery youth anthem celebrating student power, integrity, and self-respect. Sung by T.M. Soundararajan with music by V. Kumar and lyrics by Vaali, the song serves as the hero Krishnamoorthy's declaration of his unyielding principles. He asserts that a student with determination can accomplish anything and that he only bows to truthful teachers while fiercely confronting arrogant authorities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Avan nenjam oru neruppu

Compares the protagonist's heart directly to fire, representing intense passion and anger against injustice.

Metaphor

Puratchi endra saattai undu

Refers to revolution as a whip used to demand justice.

Wordplay / Antimetabole (Edhukai & Monai)

Mathithaal mathippaan... Mithiththaal mithippaan

Uses contrasting verbal roots 'Mathithaal' (respect) and 'Mithiththaal' (trample) to create rhythmic cadence and highlight reciprocal action.

Hyperbole & Animal Imagery

Veen kuttram sonnaal krishnamoorthi nenjil vaippaan nooru varusham

Compares the protagonist's grudge to a venomous snake holding a grudge, escalating 6 years for a snake to 100 years for Krishnamoorthy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raja Naagam (1974) is the Tamil remake of the iconic Kannada film Nagarahavu (1972) directed by Puttanna Kanagal. The protagonist Krishnamoorthy is known for his short temper and fierce devotion to his teacher, a persona vividly brought out by lyricist Vaali through snake imagery mirroring the film's title.

Keep listening

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