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Sumai Thangi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manithan Enbavan

From Sumai Thangi · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Sumai Thangi
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
26 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Manithan
Enbavan deivam
Aagalam } (3)
Vaari vaari
Vazhangum bothu
Vallal aagalam
Vaazhai polae
Thannai thanthu
Thiyagi aagalam
Urudhiyodu mezhugu
Polae oliyai veesalam
Manithan
Enbavan deivam
Aagalam deivam
Aagalam
{ Oorukendru
Vaazhntha nenjam
Silaigal aagalam
Uravukendru virindha
Ullam malargal aagalam } (2)
Yarukendru
Azhudha pothum
Thalaivan aagalam
Manam manam adhu
Kovil aagalam
{ Manithan
Enbavan deivam
Aagalaam } (3)
{ Manam
Irunthaal paravai
Kootil maangal vaazhalam
Vazhi irunthaal kadugukullae
Malaiyai kaanalam } (2)
Thuninthuvittal
Thalaiyil entha
Sumayum thaangalam
Gunam gunam adhu
Kovil aagalam
Manithan
Enbavan deivam
Aagalaam
Vaari vaari
Vazhangum bothu
Vallal aagalam
Vaazhai polae
Thannai thanthu
Thiyagi aagalam
Urudhiyodu mezhugu
Polae oliyai veesalaam
Manithan
Enbavan deivam
Aagalaam deivam
Aagalaam
………………………………………………
{ A human
being can become
divine } (3)
By giving endlessly
and sharing generously,
one can become a noble giver.
Like a plantain tree
giving all of itself,
one can become a selfless soul.
With steadfast resolve, like a candle,
one can spread light.
A human
being can become
divine, can become
divine.
{ A heart that lived
for the good of others
can become a revered statue.
A soul that opened wide
for the sake of loved ones can become sweet flowers } (2)
By shedding tears
for another's pain,
one can become a true leader.
The heart, that very heart,
can become a temple.
{ A human
being can become
divine } (3)
{ If the heart is willing,
inside a little bird's
nest, even deer can dwell.
If one knows the way, inside a tiny mustard seed
one can see a whole mountain } (2)
If one gathers courage,
on one's head, any
burden can be borne.
Good character, that very virtue,
can become a temple.
A human
being can become
divine.
By giving endlessly
and sharing generously,
one can become a noble giver.
Like a plantain tree
giving all of itself,
one can become a selfless soul.
With steadfast resolve, like a candle,
one can spread light.
A human
being can become
divine, can become
divine.
...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Manithan Enbavan Deivam Aagalam from Sumai Thangi (1962) is an iconic philosophical song written by Kannadasan, composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and sung by P. B. Sreenivas. The central thesis of the song is that divinity is not an abstract concept confined to idols, but an attainable human quality realized through selflessness, charity, empathy, and moral integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

“Vaazhai polae Thannai thanthu / Urudhiyodu mezhugu Polae oliyai veesalam”

Compares human sacrifice to a plantain tree that yields every part of itself for others, and to wax that burns itself to spread light.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

“Paravai Kootil maangal vaazhalam / Vazhi irunthaal kadugukullae Malaiyai kaanalam”

Uses poetic exaggeration—a deer living in a bird's nest or seeing a mountain inside a mustard seed—to illustrate how an open mind and determination make the impossible possible.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Gunam gunam adhu Kovil aagalam”

Equates noble character and a pure human mind directly to a temple.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Vaari vaari Vazhangum bothu Vallal aagalam”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'V' across consecutive words for rhythmic appeal.

Keep listening

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