Maanida Sevai
From Unnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Unnal Mudiyum Thambi1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaaa….aaaa….aaa… | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
| Aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
| {Panjana dhesa paahima | Protect me, oh lord of the land of five rivers |
| Bhava neesa kal vedha……} (2) | Oh Lord of existence, essence of the Vedas... |
| Aaaa….aaaa….aaa… | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
| Male | |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani (Goddess Saraswati), tell me yourself... |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself... |
| Male | |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself... |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself... |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Aaaa….aaaaa…… | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
| Male | |
| Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum | Standing helpless on the street |
| Paraariyai paarppadhum paavamaa | Is it a sin to even look at the destitute? |
| Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum | Standing helpless on the street |
| Paraariyai paarppadhum paavamaa | Is it a sin to even look at the destitute? |
| Male | |
| Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum | Standing helpless on the street |
| Paraariyai paarppadhum paa va maa | Is it a sin to even look at the destitute? |
| Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum | Standing helpless on the street |
| Paraariyai paarppadhum paa va maa | Is it a sin to even look at the destitute? |
| Male | |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself... |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Aaaa….aaa aaaa…… | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
| Male | |
| Veedhi veenaigalin thandhi | The strings of street veenas |
| Sindhum isai manamurugum…. | The music they pour out melts the heart... |
| Veedhi veenaigalin thandhi | The strings of street veenas |
| Sindhum isai manamurugum…. | The music they pour out melts the heart... |
| Naadha veenai idhilum | Even in this divine instrument of sound |
| Kettu kettu naanazhudhaen | Listening again and again, I cried |
| Male | |
| {Megam theeyaagi | As clouds turn to fire |
| Nilaavum eriya | And the moon burns too |
| Manamum eriyum | My heart burns as well |
| Idho endhan uyirum | Here, my very life |
| Sarugaagi vendhu | Scorched into a withered leaf |
| Thanal maevum} (2) | Rests upon hot burning embers |
| Male | |
| Pa ma ga ma | Swara vocalization (Pa Ma Ga Ma) |
| Thaka tharidha jam | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharidha jam) |
| Sa sa paa ma pa ga ri sa | Swara vocalization (Sa Sa Paa Ma Pa Ga Ri Sa) |
| Male | |
| Dheem thaka dhimi | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thaka dhimi) |
| Thathi kidathom tha | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kidathom tha) |
| Thaka dhim tha thaka dhina | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka dhim tha thaka dhina) |
| Male | |
| Reejam thariga | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Reejam thariga) |
| Sa ni pa ri sa ree | Swara vocalization (Sa Ni Pa Ri Sa Ree) |
| Ga ma thana ku pa ma ga ma ri sa | Swara vocalization (Ga Ma Thana Ku Pa Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa) |
| Saa nii paa ma ri sa janu | Swara vocalization (Saa Nii Paa Ma Ri Sa Janu) |
| Male | |
| Dheem thathi kitathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thathi kitathom) |
| Thakadhina thaththeem | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakadhina thaththeem) |
| Thathi kitathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kitathom) |
| Thaththeem kinathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaththeem kinathom) |
| Thaamtha thaamtha thaka dhimi | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaamtha thaamtha thaka dhimi) |
| Male | |
| Paa tha pa sa nii pa sa ga rii | Swara vocalization (Paa Tha Pa Sa Nii Pa Sa Ga Rii) |
| Ga ma ri sa sa ni thagida jamtha | Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Ga Ma Ri Sa Sa Ni Thagida Jamtha) |
| Male | |
| Thaam thaka thakita | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaam thaka thakita) |
| Tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom) |
| Tharigidathom tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom tharigidathom) |
| Tharigidathom thaa.. | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom thaa..) |
| Male | |
| Rii ga ma ga dhimi pa pa ri cha ri cha | Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Rii Ga Ma Ga Dhimi Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Cha) |
| Pa pa ri cha ri dhimitha ga ma dhi cha ri cha | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Dhimitha Ga Ma Dhi Cha Ri Cha) |
| Thaka dhicha thaka thari pa ri cha ri | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka Dhicha Thaka Thari Pa Ri Cha Ri) |
| Thath theengidathom sa saa ni pa ma | Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Thath Theengidathom Sa Saa Ni Pa Ma) |
| Thath theengidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath theengidathom) |
| Male | |
| Thath dhimi thakida | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dhimi thakida) |
| Thakida thakida dhimi | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida dhimi) |
| Thakida thakida | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida) |
| Thakida tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida tharigidathom) |
| Thaka tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharigidathom) |
| Thakajunu tharigidathom thaangu | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakajunu tharigidathom thaangu) |
| Thath dheem tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom) |
| Thath dheem tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom) |
| Thath dheem tharigidathom | Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom) |
| Male | |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Kalaivaani neeyae sol… | Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself... |
| Maanida sevai dhrogamaa… | Is service to humanity a betrayal? |
| Aaaa aaa aaa….. | Vocalizing / Vocal alapana |
ஆ........ஆ......ஆ.....
ஆ.......அ......ஆ. ....ஆ.......அ...
{பஞ்சண தேச பாஹிமா
பவா நேச கல் வேதா} (2)
ஆ.......அ.....ஆ.......
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Protect me, oh lord of the land of five rivers
Oh Lord of existence, essence of the Vedas...
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்…
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்....
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani (Goddess Saraswati), tell me yourself...
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்…
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்...
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
ஆ......ஆ.......
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
வீதியில் நின்று தவிக்கும்
பராரியை பார்ப்பதும் பாவமா
வீதியில் நின்று தவிக்கும்
பராரியை பார்ப்பதும் பாவமா
Standing helpless on the street
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Standing helpless on the street
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
வீதியில் நின்று தவிக்கும்
பராரியை பார்ப்பதும் பாவமா
வீதியில் நின்று தவிக்கும்
பராரியை பார்ப்பதும் பா வ மா
Standing helpless on the street
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Standing helpless on the street
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்...
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
ஆ.......அ.....ஆ.......
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
வீதி வீணைகளின் தந்தி
சிந்தும் இசை மனமுருகும்...
வீதி வீணைகளின் தந்தி
சிந்தும் இசை மனமுருகும்....
நாத வீணை இதிலும்
கேட்டு கேட்டு நான் அழுதேன்
The strings of street veenas
The music they pour out melts the heart...
The strings of street veenas
The music they pour out melts the heart...
Even in this divine instrument of sound
Listening again and again, I cried
{மேகம் தீ யாகி
நிலாவும் எரியும்
மனமும் எரியும்
இதோ எந்தன் உயிரும்
சருகாகி வெந்து
தணல் மேவும்} (2)
As clouds turn to fire
And the moon burns too
My heart burns as well
Here, my very life
Scorched into a withered leaf
Rests upon hot burning embers
ப ம க ம
தக தரித ஜம்
ச ச பா ம ப க ரி ச
Swara vocalization (Pa Ma Ga Ma)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharidha jam)
Swara vocalization (Sa Sa Paa Ma Pa Ga Ri Sa)
தீம் தக்க திமி
தத்தி கிடதோம் தா
தக்க தீம் தா தக்க தின
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thaka dhimi)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kidathom tha)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka dhim tha thaka dhina)
ரீஜம் தரிக
ச நி ப ரி ச ரி
க ம தான கு ப ம க ம ரி ச
சா நி பா ம ரி ச ஜனு
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Reejam thariga)
Swara vocalization (Sa Ni Pa Ri Sa Ree)
Swara vocalization (Ga Ma Thana Ku Pa Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa)
Swara vocalization (Saa Nii Paa Ma Ri Sa Janu)
தீம் தத்தி கிடதோம்
தக்கத் தினை தத்தீம்
தத்தி கிடதோம்
ததீம் கிணத்தோம்
தாம் தாம் தக திமி
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thathi kitathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakadhina thaththeem)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kitathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaththeem kinathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaamtha thaamtha thaka dhimi)
பா தா ப ச நி ப ச க ரி
க ம ரி ச ச நி தகிட ஜம்த
Swara vocalization (Paa Tha Pa Sa Nii Pa Sa Ga Rii)
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Ga Ma Ri Sa Sa Ni Thagida Jamtha)
தாம் தக்க தகிட
தரிகிடதோம்
தரிகிடதோம் தரிகிடதோம்
தரிகிடதோம் தா...
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaam thaka thakita)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom thaa..)
ரி க ம க திமி ப ப ரி சா ரி சா
ப ப ரி சா ரி திமிரா க ம தி சா ரி சா
தக்க திசா தக்க த ப ரி சா ரி
தத் தீங்கிடதோம் ச சா நி ப ம
தத் தீங்கிடதோம்
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Rii Ga Ma Ga Dhimi Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Cha)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Dhimitha Ga Ma Dhi Cha Ri Cha)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka Dhicha Thaka Thari Pa Ri Cha Ri)
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Thath Theengidathom Sa Saa Ni Pa Ma)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath theengidathom)
தத் திமி தகிட
தகிட தகிட திமி
தகிட தகிட
தகிட தரிகிடதோம்
தக்க தரிகிடதோம்
தகஜுன்னு தரிகிடதோம் தாங்கு
தத் தீம் தரிகிடதோம்
தத் தீம் தரிகிடதோம்
தத் தீம் தரிகிடதோம்
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dhimi thakida)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida dhimi)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakajunu tharigidathom thaangu)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
கலைவாணி நீயே சொல்…
மானிட சேவை துரோகமா
ஆ.......அ.....ஆ.......
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Aaaa….aaaa….aaa…
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
{Panjana dhesa paahima
Protect me, oh lord of the land of five rivers
Bhava neesa kal vedha……} (2)
Oh Lord of existence, essence of the Vedas...
Aaaa….aaaa….aaa…
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani (Goddess Saraswati), tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Aaaa….aaaaa……
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum
Standing helpless on the street
Paraariyai paarppadhum paavamaa
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum
Standing helpless on the street
Paraariyai paarppadhum paavamaa
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum
Standing helpless on the street
Paraariyai paarppadhum paa va maa
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Veedhiyil nindru thavikkum
Standing helpless on the street
Paraariyai paarppadhum paa va maa
Is it a sin to even look at the destitute?
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Aaaa….aaa aaaa……
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Veedhi veenaigalin thandhi
The strings of street veenas
Sindhum isai manamurugum….
The music they pour out melts the heart...
Veedhi veenaigalin thandhi
The strings of street veenas
Sindhum isai manamurugum….
The music they pour out melts the heart...
Naadha veenai idhilum
Even in this divine instrument of sound
Kettu kettu naanazhudhaen
Listening again and again, I cried
{Megam theeyaagi
As clouds turn to fire
Nilaavum eriya
And the moon burns too
Manamum eriyum
My heart burns as well
Idho endhan uyirum
Here, my very life
Sarugaagi vendhu
Scorched into a withered leaf
Thanal maevum} (2)
Rests upon hot burning embers
Pa ma ga ma
Swara vocalization (Pa Ma Ga Ma)
Thaka tharidha jam
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharidha jam)
Sa sa paa ma pa ga ri sa
Swara vocalization (Sa Sa Paa Ma Pa Ga Ri Sa)
Dheem thaka dhimi
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thaka dhimi)
Thathi kidathom tha
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kidathom tha)
Thaka dhim tha thaka dhina
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka dhim tha thaka dhina)
Reejam thariga
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Reejam thariga)
Sa ni pa ri sa ree
Swara vocalization (Sa Ni Pa Ri Sa Ree)
Ga ma thana ku pa ma ga ma ri sa
Swara vocalization (Ga Ma Thana Ku Pa Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa)
Saa nii paa ma ri sa janu
Swara vocalization (Saa Nii Paa Ma Ri Sa Janu)
Dheem thathi kitathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Dheem thathi kitathom)
Thakadhina thaththeem
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakadhina thaththeem)
Thathi kitathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thathi kitathom)
Thaththeem kinathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaththeem kinathom)
Thaamtha thaamtha thaka dhimi
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaamtha thaamtha thaka dhimi)
Paa tha pa sa nii pa sa ga rii
Swara vocalization (Paa Tha Pa Sa Nii Pa Sa Ga Rii)
Ga ma ri sa sa ni thagida jamtha
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Ga Ma Ri Sa Sa Ni Thagida Jamtha)
Thaam thaka thakita
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaam thaka thakita)
Tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom)
Tharigidathom tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom tharigidathom)
Tharigidathom thaa..
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Tharigidathom thaa..)
Rii ga ma ga dhimi pa pa ri cha ri cha
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Rii Ga Ma Ga Dhimi Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Cha)
Pa pa ri cha ri dhimitha ga ma dhi cha ri cha
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Pa Pa Ri Cha Ri Dhimitha Ga Ma Dhi Cha Ri Cha)
Thaka dhicha thaka thari pa ri cha ri
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka Dhicha Thaka Thari Pa Ri Cha Ri)
Thath theengidathom sa saa ni pa ma
Swara and rhythmic vocalization (Thath Theengidathom Sa Saa Ni Pa Ma)
Thath theengidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath theengidathom)
Thath dhimi thakida
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dhimi thakida)
Thakida thakida dhimi
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida dhimi)
Thakida thakida
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida thakida)
Thakida tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakida tharigidathom)
Thaka tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thaka tharigidathom)
Thakajunu tharigidathom thaangu
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thakajunu tharigidathom thaangu)
Thath dheem tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
Thath dheem tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
Thath dheem tharigidathom
Rhythmic konnakol syllables (Thath dheem tharigidathom)
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Kalaivaani neeyae sol…
Oh Kalaivani, tell me yourself...
Maanida sevai dhrogamaa…
Is service to humanity a betrayal?
Aaaa aaa aaa…..
Vocalizing / Vocal alapana
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic Carnatic-based song from Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) serves as a dramatic climax in the film, expressing the central character's agony over rigid orthodoxy vs. human compassion. The singer addresses Kalaivani (Goddess Saraswati, deity of arts and knowledge), passionately questioning whether showing love and empathy toward the poor and destitute can ever be considered a sin or a betrayal of tradition. The musical piece seamlessly blends classical Carnatic swaras, konnakol rhythm patterns, and deeply evocative Tamil poetry to challenge social hypocrisy and caste purity rituals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question
“Maanida sevai dhrogamaa”
The refrain 'Maanida sevai dhrogamaa' repeatedly questions whether human service is a sin, driving the ideological premise of the song.
Hyperbole / Imagery
“Megam theeyaagi Nilaavum eriya”
The lyricist uses dramatic natural imagery of burning clouds and moon to convey intense inner angst and burning grief.
Metaphor
“Sarugaagi vendhu Thanal maevum”
Comparing human soul/life to a withered leaf scorching on embers conveys helplessness and pain.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas with lyrics by Pulamaipithan. The movie was directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan and Gemini Ganesan, adapted from the Telugu movie 'Rudraveena'.
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