Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manithan Pogum

From Kali Kaalam · 1992

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kali Kaalam1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ommm nallavaigalai nenaipomOm, let us think good thoughts
Nallavaigalai ketppomLet us hear good things
Nallavaigalai pesuvomLet us speak good things
Nallavaigalai cheivomLet us do good things
Ommm omm omm ommOm, om, om, om
Chorus
Aa…aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… haa…Aa… aa… aa… haa…
Male
Manidhan pogum pokkuThe way mankind is heading
Indha ulagam thaangumaaCan this world bear it?
Ulagam pogum pokkuThe way the world is heading
Andha dheivam yerkkumaaWill that God accept it?
Chorus
O manidhargalaeOh human beings
O manidhargalaeOh human beings
Neengal povadhengaeWhere are you going?
Povadhengae povadhengaeWhere are you going, where are you going?
Chorus
Hoo ooo oo oooHoo ooo oo ooo
Hoo ooo ooo oooHoo ooo ooo ooo
Chorus
Manidhan pogum pokkuThe way mankind is heading
Indha ulagam thaangumaaCan this world bear it?
Ulagam pogum pokkuThe way the world is heading
Andha dheivam yerkkumaaWill that God accept it?
Manidhan pogum pokkuThe way mankind is heading
Indha ulagam thaangumaaCan this world bear it?
Ulagam pogum pokkuThe way the world is heading
Andha dheivam yerkkumaaWill that God accept it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song reflects deeply on moral decay and the self-destructive path of humanity in modern times ('Kali Kaalam'). It opens with a call to practice fundamental virtues—thinking, hearing, speaking, and performing good deeds. The song then poses grave rhetorical questions asking whether the Earth can endure the current actions of humans and whether God will accept such a misguided journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Emonai

Nallavaigalai nenaipom / Nallavaigalai ketppom

Repetition of the phrase 'Nallavaigalai' at the start of consecutive lines creates a strong moral emphasis and rhythmic unity.

Rhetorical Question

Indha ulagam thaangumaa / Andha dheivam yerkkumaa

Asking 'Can this world bear it?' and 'Will that God accept it?' challenges the listener to introspect without expecting a direct spoken answer.

Epizeuxis (Repetition)

Povadhengae povadhengae

Repetition of 'Povadhengae' (Where are you going) emphasizes the confusion and aimlessness of modern human life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by veteran producer-lyricist Panchu Arunachalam, the opening lines draw inspiration from ancient ethical teachings, similar to the proverb of the three wise monkeys, emphasizing right thoughts, speech, and action.

Keep listening

More from Kali Kaalam