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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manithanagave

From Sumangali – 1959 · 1959

Lyricist
Nadarajan
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
M. Ranga Rao
Movie name
Sumangali – 1959
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
16 Nov 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
O o o o o…..o o o o o o o
O o o o o…..o o o o o o o
Manidhanagavae pirandhadhu
Mann melae edhukku theriyuma
Maraimugamaagavae pirarkkena
Uzhaikka pirandhaan theriyuma
Sadhi padhiyagavae
Vaazhnthidum kudumbam
Sidhaivadhen theriyuma
Sila sandaala payalgal
Pendaala nianipadhen
Vilaivae theriyuma
Adhu samayathilavargal
Thanakkae vettum
Pallam theriyuma
Manidhanagavae pirandhadhu
Mann melae edhukku theriyuma
Maraimugamaagavae pirarkkena
Uzhaikka pirandhaan theriyuma
Paadupattu thedi porul
Padhukku vachuputtu
Koodu vittu povaan theriyuma
Adhai kedu kettu pona oruthan
Paathupputtu pannikittu
Neduvaada povaan theriyuma
Idhu naadu ketta unmai anbu
Yaarum illai naatil ingu
Nandraai theriyuma
Manidhanagavae pirandhadhu
Mann melae edhukku theriyuma
Maraimugamaagavae pirarkkena
Uzhaikka pirandhaan theriyuma
Podu podu endru indru
Poiyyavae thaan solliputtu
Puraikkeri pona koottam theriyuma
Erumai maadugalin jaadhi adhu
Ennathaan nee solli paaru
Ingae thaan vaazhum theriyuma
Illai soodu patta naai pola
Vaal vaal endru kathi
Saagum oru naal theriyuma
Manidhanagavae pirandhadhu
Mann melae edhukku theriyuma
Maraimugamaagavae pirarkkena
Uzhaikka pirandhaan theriyuma
Elaelangadi elaelangadi
O o o o o…..o o o o o o o
Ohhh... Ohhh...
Ohhh... Ohhh...
Being born as a human,
do you know what it is for on this earth?
Selflessly, for the sake of others,
man was born to toil, do you know?
As husband and wife,
living together as a family—
do you know why it gets ruined?
Because of a few wicked scoundrels
who lust after another man's wife—
do you know this is the consequence?
In time, that is a pit
they dig for themselves,
do you know?
Being born as a human,
do you know what it is for on this earth?
Selflessly, for the sake of others,
man was born to toil, do you know?
Working hard to earn wealth
and hoarding it away,
one departs this body in death, do you know?
Then a corrupt wretch
eyes it, grabs it,
and ends up wandering ruined, do you know?
This is the bitter truth of our land—true love
is found in no one here,
do you know that well?
Being born as a human,
do you know what it is for on this earth?
Selflessly, for the sake of others,
man was born to toil, do you know?
Shouting 'give, give' today
and speaking nothing but lies,
a greedy crowd is choking on deceit, do you know?
They are like thick-skinned buffaloes—
no matter what you try to tell them,
they will just stay shameless, do you know?
Or like a scalded dog,
howling and barking in pain,
they will die one day, do you know?
Being born as a human,
do you know what it is for on this earth?
Selflessly, for the sake of others,
man was born to toil, do you know?
Elelangadi, elelangadi!
Ohhh... Ohhh...
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Manidhanagavae pirandhadhu' from Sumangali (1959) is a sharp social commentary and philosophical reflection on human life, morality, greed, and societal hypocrisy. Delivered through rhetorical questions ending with 'theriyuma?' (Do you know?), the lyricist emphasizes that true human existence lies in working selflessly for the benefit of others rather than living selfishly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Refrain (Madakku / Vinah)

“Mann melae edhukku theriyuma”

The frequent repetition of 'theriyuma?' (Do you know?) at the end of lines creates an engaging theatrical rhythm designed to provoke moral reflection in the listener.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

“Koodu vittu povaan theriyuma”

Using 'Koodu' (nest) as a metaphor for the physical body which the soul leaves behind at death.

Simile (Uwamai)

“Illai soodu patta naai pola”

Comparing shameless, thick-skinned wicked people to buffaloes and a scalded dog yelping in agony.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monaai & Edhugai)

“Paadupattu thedi porul / Padhukku vachuputtu”

Matching opening consonants across lines such as 'Manidhanagavae' and 'Mann melae' or 'Paadupattu' and 'Padhukku'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from Sumangali (1959) features music by M. Ranga Rao and lyrics by Nadarajan. Rendered as a lively duet between Seerkazhi Govindarajan and S. C. Krishnan, it combines Seerkazhi's classical resonance with S. C. Krishnan's distinct theatrical folk flair, serving as a popular social commentary track of the late 1950s Tamil cinema era.

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