Maanu Tholu
From Kasi · 2001
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- Hariharan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kasi2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam | The beat drum created and given by man. |
| Chorus :Hae hae hae hae | Chorus: Hae hae hae hae |
| Male | |
| Kaattila naattila paattula | In the forest, in the land, and in songs, |
| Mangala seithi solla varum kottu melam | The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Intha melaththu saththathai | Hearing the sound of this drum, |
| Ketta manasuga thullaatho | Won't hearts leap with joy? |
| Ilam thukkaththil vaadura | For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow, |
| Yaezhaikku inbaththai tharaa thaenaa ooththaatho | Won't it pour honey to bring happiness? |
| Male | |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam | The beat drum created and given by man. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Chinnajirusuga | For young couples, |
| Kannaalam kattikka venumammaa | Oh mother, to tie the knot in marriage, |
| Nalla kottu melam | A good beat drum is needed. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam nalla kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum, a good beat drum |
| Male | |
| Vanna molappaari thanna somathittu | Carrying the colorful sprouted-grain pots, |
| Pogaiyilum venum kottu melam | Even while processioning, a beat drum is needed. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Enthentha koottani vote-kku ponaalum | Whichever political alliance goes asking for votes, |
| Thaalam podum intha kottu melam | This beat drum plays the rhythm. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Naalu paer tholgalil poira aalukku | For the person departing on the shoulders of four people, |
| Kottanum kottanum kottu melam | The drum must be beaten and beaten. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Hae jaadhi vedham melam paarkkaathu | Hey, the drum does not discriminate by caste or religion, |
| Ooru peru thaalam paarkkaathu | The rhythm does not look at one's town or name. |
| Thatta thatta thaalamum nikkum | As you strike it, the rhythm stays steady, |
| Vaazhkkaiyoda muttiyae nikkum | It stands right alongside life's struggles. |
| Male | |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam | The beat drum created and given by man. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum, beat drum |
| Chorus | |
| Lulululu…..lululululu….. | Lulululu... lululululu... |
| Male | |
| Kottu saththam kettu | Hearing the drum sound, |
| Koottam koodi vanthaal | If a crowd gathers together, |
| Melaththukku antha velai undu | The drum has its purpose at that moment. |
| Chorus :Oho hoi oho ho hoi | Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi |
| Male | |
| Koottam kalanjathum aattam mudinjathum | Once the crowd disperses and the dance ends, |
| Veettukkullae oru moolai undu | There is a quiet corner inside the house for it. |
| Chorus :Oho hoi oho ho hoi | Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi |
| Male | |
| Kootti kazhichchu naan paarkkira velaiyil | When I sit back and calculate life, |
| Naanum ingae oru kottu melam | I too am just like a beat drum here. |
| Chorus :Aahaa haa…. | Chorus: Aahaa haa... |
| Male | |
| Paattu padikkiraen koottam rasikkuthu | I sing a song and the crowd enjoys it, |
| Antha santhoshamum konja neram | That happiness too lasts only for a short while. |
| Chorus :Aahaa haa…. | Chorus: Aahaa haa... |
| Male | |
| Kaal nagaththil kanal irukku | There is a spark of fire in my toenails, |
| Naan nadakka paadhai irukku | There is a path for me to walk upon, |
| Nyaana kannu ulla irukku | The eye of divine wisdom resides within, |
| Nambikkaiththaan sontham enakku | Faith alone is my true relative. |
| Male | |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam | The beat drum created and given by man. |
| Chorus :Kottu melam | Chorus: Beat drum |
| Male | |
| Intha melaththu saththathai | Hearing the sound of this drum, |
| Ketta manasuga thullaatho | Won't hearts leap with joy? |
| Ilam thukkaththil vaadura | For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow, |
| Yaezhaikku inbaththai tharaa thaenaa ooththaatho | Won't it pour honey to bring happiness? |
| Chorus | |
| Maanu tholu undu | There is deer skin, |
| Manja kadambu undu | There is yellow kadamba wood, |
| Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam | The beat drum created and given by man. |
| Kottu melam | Beat drum |
| Chorus | |
| Kaattila naattila paattula | In the forest, in the land, and in songs, |
| Mangala seithi solla varum kottu melam | The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news. |
| Kottu melam | Beat drum |
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மனுஷன் கண்டு தந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus: Hae hae hae hae
காட்டில நாட்டில பாட்டுல
மங்கள செய்தி சொல்ல வரும் கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
In the forest, in the land, and in songs,
The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news.
Chorus: Beat drum
இந்த மேளத்து சத்தத்தை
கேட்ட மனசுக துள்ளாதோ
இளம் துக்கத்தில் வாடுற
ஏழைக்கு இன்பத்தை தாரா தேனா ஊத்தாதோ
Hearing the sound of this drum,
Won't hearts leap with joy?
For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow,
Won't it pour honey to bring happiness?
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மனுஷன் கண்டு தந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus: Beat drum
காட்டில நாட்டில பாட்டுல
மங்கள செய்தி சொல்ல வரும்
கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
For young couples,
Oh mother, to tie the knot in marriage,
A good beat drum is needed.
Chorus: Beat drum, a good beat drum
சின்னஞ்சிறுசுக
கண்ணாலம் கட்டிக்க வேணுமம்மா
நல்ல கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம் நல்ல கொட்டு மேளம்
Carrying the colorful sprouted-grain pots,
Even while processioning, a beat drum is needed.
Chorus: Beat drum
வண்ண மொளப்பாரி தன்ன சொமதிட்டு
போகையிலும் வேணும் கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம் வேணும் கொட்டு மேளம்
Whichever political alliance goes asking for votes,
This beat drum plays the rhythm.
Chorus: Beat drum
எந்தெந்த கூட்டணி ஓட்டுக்கு போனாலும்
தாளம் போடும் இந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
For the person departing on the shoulders of four people,
The drum must be beaten and beaten.
Chorus: Beat drum
நாலு பேர் தோள்களில் போகிற ஆளுக்கு
கொட்டனும் கொட்டனும் கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
Hey, the drum does not discriminate by caste or religion,
The rhythm does not look at one's town or name.
As you strike it, the rhythm stays steady,
It stands right alongside life's struggles.
ஹே சாதி வேதம் மேளம் பார்க்காது
ஊரு பேரு தாளம் பார்க்காது
தட்ட தட்ட தாளமும் நிக்கும்
வாழ்க்கையோட முட்டியே நிக்கும்
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus: Beat drum, beat drum
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மனுஷன் கண்டு தந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம் கொட்டு மேளம்
Lulululu... lululululu...
லுலுலூ.....லுலுலுலுலுலு.......
Hearing the drum sound,
If a crowd gathers together,
The drum has its purpose at that moment.
Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi
கொட்டு சத்தம் கேட்டு
கூட்டம் கூடி வந்தால்
மேளத்துக்கு அந்த வேலை உண்டு
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோய் ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோய்
Once the crowd disperses and the dance ends,
There is a quiet corner inside the house for it.
Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi
கூட்டம் கலஞ்சதும் ஆட்டம் முடிஞ்சதும்
வீட்டுக்குள்ளே ஒரு மூலை உண்டு
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோய் ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோய்
When I sit back and calculate life,
I too am just like a beat drum here.
Chorus: Aahaa haa...
கூட்டி கழிச்சு நான் பார்க்கிற வேலையில்
நானும் இங்கே ஒரு கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
ஆஹா ஹா....
I sing a song and the crowd enjoys it,
That happiness too lasts only for a short while.
Chorus: Aahaa haa...
பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன் கூட்டம் ரசிக்குது
அந்த சந்தோஷமும் கொஞ்ச நேரம்
குழு :
ஆஹா ஹா....
There is a spark of fire in my toenails,
There is a path for me to walk upon,
The eye of divine wisdom resides within,
Faith alone is my true relative.
கால் நகத்தில் கண்கள் இருக்கு
நான் நடக்க பாதை இருக்கு
ஞானக் கண்ணு உள்ள இருக்கு
நம்பிக்கைத்தான் சொந்தம் எனக்கு
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus: Beat drum
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மனுஷன் கண்டு தந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
குழு :
கொட்டு மேளம்
Hearing the sound of this drum,
Won't hearts leap with joy?
For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow,
Won't it pour honey to bring happiness?
இந்த மேளத்து சத்தத்தை
கேட்ட மனசுக துள்ளாதோ
இளம் துக்கத்தில் வாடுற
ஏழைக்கு இன்பத்தை தாரா தேனா ஊத்தாதோ
There is deer skin,
There is yellow kadamba wood,
The beat drum created and given by man.
Beat drum
மானு தோலு உண்டு
மஞ்ச கடம்பு உண்டு
மனுஷன் கண்டு தந்த கொட்டு மேளம்
கொட்டு மேளம்
In the forest, in the land, and in songs,
The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news.
Beat drum
காட்டில நாட்டில பாட்டுல
மங்கள செய்தி சொல்ல வரும் கொட்டு மேளம்
கொட்டு மேளம்
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus :Hae hae hae hae
Chorus: Hae hae hae hae
Kaattila naattila paattula
In the forest, in the land, and in songs,
Mangala seithi solla varum kottu melam
The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Intha melaththu saththathai
Hearing the sound of this drum,
Ketta manasuga thullaatho
Won't hearts leap with joy?
Ilam thukkaththil vaadura
For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow,
Yaezhaikku inbaththai tharaa thaenaa ooththaatho
Won't it pour honey to bring happiness?
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Chinnajirusuga
For young couples,
Kannaalam kattikka venumammaa
Oh mother, to tie the knot in marriage,
Nalla kottu melam
A good beat drum is needed.
Chorus :Kottu melam nalla kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum, a good beat drum
Vanna molappaari thanna somathittu
Carrying the colorful sprouted-grain pots,
Pogaiyilum venum kottu melam
Even while processioning, a beat drum is needed.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Enthentha koottani vote-kku ponaalum
Whichever political alliance goes asking for votes,
Thaalam podum intha kottu melam
This beat drum plays the rhythm.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Naalu paer tholgalil poira aalukku
For the person departing on the shoulders of four people,
Kottanum kottanum kottu melam
The drum must be beaten and beaten.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Hae jaadhi vedham melam paarkkaathu
Hey, the drum does not discriminate by caste or religion,
Ooru peru thaalam paarkkaathu
The rhythm does not look at one's town or name.
Thatta thatta thaalamum nikkum
As you strike it, the rhythm stays steady,
Vaazhkkaiyoda muttiyae nikkum
It stands right alongside life's struggles.
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus :Kottu melam kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum, beat drum
Lulululu…..lululululu…..
Lulululu... lululululu...
Kottu saththam kettu
Hearing the drum sound,
Koottam koodi vanthaal
If a crowd gathers together,
Melaththukku antha velai undu
The drum has its purpose at that moment.
Chorus :Oho hoi oho ho hoi
Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi
Koottam kalanjathum aattam mudinjathum
Once the crowd disperses and the dance ends,
Veettukkullae oru moolai undu
There is a quiet corner inside the house for it.
Chorus :Oho hoi oho ho hoi
Chorus: Oho hoi oho ho hoi
Kootti kazhichchu naan paarkkira velaiyil
When I sit back and calculate life,
Naanum ingae oru kottu melam
I too am just like a beat drum here.
Chorus :Aahaa haa….
Chorus: Aahaa haa...
Paattu padikkiraen koottam rasikkuthu
I sing a song and the crowd enjoys it,
Antha santhoshamum konja neram
That happiness too lasts only for a short while.
Chorus :Aahaa haa….
Chorus: Aahaa haa...
Kaal nagaththil kanal irukku
There is a spark of fire in my toenails,
Naan nadakka paadhai irukku
There is a path for me to walk upon,
Nyaana kannu ulla irukku
The eye of divine wisdom resides within,
Nambikkaiththaan sontham enakku
Faith alone is my true relative.
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam
The beat drum created and given by man.
Chorus :Kottu melam
Chorus: Beat drum
Intha melaththu saththathai
Hearing the sound of this drum,
Ketta manasuga thullaatho
Won't hearts leap with joy?
Ilam thukkaththil vaadura
For the poor who suffer in deep sorrow,
Yaezhaikku inbaththai tharaa thaenaa ooththaatho
Won't it pour honey to bring happiness?
Maanu tholu undu
There is deer skin,
Manja kadambu undu
There is yellow kadamba wood,
Manushan kandu thantha kottu melam
The beat drum created and given by man.
Kottu melam
Beat drum
Kaattila naattila paattula
In the forest, in the land, and in songs,
Mangala seithi solla varum kottu melam
The beat drum comes to spread auspicious news.
Kottu melam
Beat drum
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Maanu Tholu Undu from the film Kasi (2001) is a philosophically rich folk song sung by a blind street singer. The song centers around the 'kottu melam' (a traditional percussion drum crafted from deer skin and yellow kadamba wood). The singer highlights how essential this drum is to human life—it accompanies joyous weddings, traditional festivals, political rallies, and even the final journey of death, without discriminating based on caste, religion, or background.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Naanum ingae oru kottu melam”
The drum serves as an extended metaphor for the life of the blind musician himself, who brings temporary joy to crowds but is set aside in a dark corner when the performance ends.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Maanu tholu undu / Manja kadambu undu”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' across consecutive words and lines.
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thatta thatta thaalamum nikkum / Vaazhkkaiyoda muttiyae nikkum”
Assonance of the second letter 'tti' in adjacent lines.
Personification
“Hae jaadhi vedham melam paarkkaathu / Ooru peru thaalam paarkkaathu”
Attributing human non-discriminatory consciousness to the drum, showing it does not care about caste or social status.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kasi (2001) is the Tamil remake of the acclaimed 1999 Malayalam movie Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. Vikram delivered a landmark performance as the visually impaired protagonist, earning widespread acclaim. The song features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with vocals by Hariharan and lyrics written by veteran poet Pulamaipithan.
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