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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manamullavan Evano

From Manidharil Manikkam · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Manidharil Manikkam1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manamullavan evanoWhoever possesses a compassionate heart,
Avanthaan manitharil maanikkamHe alone is a gem among human beings.
Nalla gunamullavan evanoWhoever possesses good character,
Avanthaan unmaiyilae manithanHe alone is truly a real human being.
Chorus
Manamullavan evanoWhoever possesses a compassionate heart,
Avanthaan manitharil maanikkamHe alone is a gem among human beings.
Nalla gunamullavan evanoWhoever possesses good character,
Avanthaan unmaiyilae manithanHe alone is truly a real human being.
Male
Moovaasaigal aa…aa…aa….The three desires, ah... ah... ah...
Moovaasaigal peraasaigalThe three worldly desires and excessive greed,
Manithanai vida vendumMankind must give them up.
Muttrum thurantha munivarai polaeLike a sage who has completely renounced everything,
Pakkuvam varavendumSpiritual maturity must be attained.
Male
Ambigai janani agilaandaeshwariO Ambigai, Janani, Goddess of the Universe,
Arulmozhi tharavendumYou must grant us your words of grace.
Adiyaar koottam avalarulaalaeMay the gathering of devotees, through her grace,
Aanantham peravendumExperience eternal joy and bliss.
Male
Manamullavan evanoWhoever possesses a compassionate heart,
Avanthaan manitharil maanikkamHe alone is a gem among human beings.
Nalla gunamullavan evanoWhoever possesses good character,
Avanthaan unmaiyilae manithanHe alone is truly a real human being.
Chorus
Manamullavan evanoWhoever possesses a compassionate heart,
Avanthaan manitharil maanikkamHe alone is a gem among human beings.
Nalla gunamullavan evanoWhoever possesses good character,
Avanthaan unmaiyilae manithanHe alone is truly a real human being.
Male
……………….[Musical Interlude]
Male
Thaayaar thantha paalaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes from mother's milk,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is one kind of intoxication.
Male :……………….[Musical Interlude]
Male
Pugazhaal pinbu porulaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes later from fame and wealth,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is another kind of intoxication.
Male :……………..[Musical Interlude]
Male
Thaayaar thantha paalaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes from mother's milk,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is one kind of intoxication.
Pugazhaal pinbu porulaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes later from fame and wealth,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is another kind of intoxication.
Male
Madhuvaal pengal idhalaal vanthaThe intoxication from wine and women's lips,
Mayakkam oru mayakkam idhilThat is another kind of intoxication; among these,
Mayangaathavan evano avanWhoever remains unswayed and un-intoxicated,
Peyarthaan nilaiththirukkumHis name alone shall endure forever.
Male
Thaayaar thantha paalaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes from mother's milk,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is one kind of intoxication.
Pugazhaal pinbu porulaal vanthaThe intoxication that comes later from fame and wealth,
Mayakkam oru mayakkamThat is another kind of intoxication.
Male
Yaezhai maelae kuthirai yaeriRiding on the back of the poor,
Pazhagi pochu ulagam idhaiThe world has grown accustomed to this.
Eppo yaezhai edhirkkiraanoWhen the poor man finally revolts,
Appo varum kalagamThen comes the social revolution and upheaval.
Male
Yaezhai maelae kuthirai yaeriRiding on the back of the poor,
Pazhagi pochu ulagam idhaiThe world has grown accustomed to this.
Eppo yaezhai edhirkkiraanoWhen the poor man finally revolts,
Appo varum kalagamThen comes the social revolution and upheaval.
Appo varum kalagamThen comes the social revolution and upheaval.
Male
Vaayum vayirum ellaarkkumA mouth and a stomach for everyone,
Onnaaththaanae vachaan idhilGod created equally for all; in this,
Oruththan soththai oruthathan thinnaaIf one person steals and eats another's bread,
Oor uruppudumo machchaanWill the town ever prosper, my friend?
Male
Yaezhai maelae kuthirai yaeriRiding on the back of the poor,
Pazhagi pochu ulagam idhaiThe world has grown accustomed to this.
Eppo yaezhai edhirkkiraanoWhen the poor man finally revolts,
Appo varum kalagamThen comes the social revolution and upheaval.
Appo varum kalagamThen comes the social revolution and upheaval.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Manamullavan Evano is a profound philosophical song from the 1973 film Manidharil Manikkam, written by Kannadasan and sung/composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song reflects on what truly elevates a human being to the status of a gem among humanity: virtue, compassion, selflessness, and freedom from greedy attachments. Kannadasan categorizes the various illusions (mayakkam) that captivate human minds—ranging from innate maternal bond to fame, wealth, wine, and bodily desires—declaring that only the one who masters these temptations achieves immortal glory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Avanthaan manitharil maanikkam

Comparing a virtuous and compassionate person directly to a precious gem ('Maanikkam') among humans.

Anaphora / Repetition

Mayakkam oru mayakkam

The repeated phrase 'Mayakkam oru mayakkam' emphasizes the various forms of earthly illusions that cloud human intellect.

Alliteration (Moni)

Moovaasaigal peraasaigal / Manithanai vida vendum / Muttrum thurantha munivarai polae

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in 'Moovaasaigal', 'Manithanai', and 'Muttrum' creates a strong poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and rendered by M. S. Viswanathan, this song remains one of the iconic philosophical anthems in Tamil cinema. Kannadasan deftly integrates Vedantic philosophy (renouncing the three desire types: land, wealth, and lust) with sharp socialist social commentary on economic inequality and class revolt.

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