Manithargale O Manithargale
From Neethikku Thandanai · 1987
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Surendran
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Neethikku Thandanai1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai | Why are your hearts not beating? |
| Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai | Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts? |
| Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai | Punishment for justice, what a trial this is! |
| Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai | What a trial this is, punishment for justice! |
| Male | |
| Dhurogangal sabaiyil yerum | Treachery ascends the assembly floor, |
| Thiyaangal siraiyil vaadum | Sacrifices wither away in prison. |
| Male | |
| Manasatchi seththu ponaal | If conscience dies, |
| Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum | What will come forward as witness? |
| Manasatchi seththu ponaal | If conscience dies, |
| Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum | What will come forward as witness? |
| Male | |
| Sathikaarar potta thittam | The plan plotted by conspirators |
| Sabaiyaeri vendrathu | Won the stage of the court. |
| Male | |
| Kann kettu pona sattam | The blind law |
| Thalaiyaatti nindrathu | Stood nodding its head. |
| Kann kettu pona sattam | The blind law |
| Thalaiyaatti nindrathu | Stood nodding its head. |
| Male | |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai | Why are your hearts not beating? |
| Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai | Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts? |
| Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai | Punishment for justice, what a trial this is! |
| Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai | What a trial this is, punishment for justice! |
| Male | |
| Vilaiyaadum kaasai kandaal | When money comes into play, |
| Valaiyaadha sattamundo | Is there any law that does not bend? |
| Male | |
| Yean antha needhi dheivam | Why did the goddess of justice |
| Iru kannai moodi kondaal | Close both her eyes? |
| Yean antha needhi dheivam | Why did the goddess of justice |
| Iru kannai moodi kondaal | Close both her eyes? |
| Male | |
| Aniyaayam thannai kandu | Seeing injustice happening, |
| Sagikkamal ponatho | Could she not tolerate it anymore? |
| Male | |
| Aval kannil sinthum raththam | Did the blood shed from her eyes |
| Karuppaaga aanatho | Turn into darkness? |
| Aval kannil sinthum raththam | Did the blood shed from her eyes |
| Karuppaaga aanatho | Turn into darkness? |
| Male | |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai | Why are your hearts not beating? |
| Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai | Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts? |
| Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai | Punishment for justice, what a trial this is! |
| Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai | What a trial this is, punishment for justice! |
| Male | |
| Padhavikku aasai vanthal | If greed for power takes over, |
| Kolai kooda dharmam thaanae | Even murder becomes righteousness, doesn't it? |
| Male | |
| Varalaattrin pakkam ellaam | All across the pages of history, |
| Vazhigindra raththam saatchi | The flowing blood stands as witness. |
| Varalaattrin pakkam ellaam | All across the pages of history, |
| Vazhigindra raththam saatchi | The flowing blood stands as witness. |
| Male | |
| Paasangal pantham ellaam | Affection and bonds, |
| Manithanukku thaanadaa | Are meant for true humans, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Padhavikku vaazhkkaippattaal | If one is wedded to power, |
| Ivai ellaam yaedhadaa | Where do these values remain? |
| Padhavikku vaazhkkaippattaal | If one is wedded to power, |
| Ivai ellaam yaedhadaa | Where do these values remain? |
| Male | |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Manithargalae oo manithargalae | O human beings, O human beings |
| Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai | Why are your hearts not beating? |
| Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai | Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts? |
| Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai | Punishment for justice, what a trial this is! |
| Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai…. | What a trial this is, punishment for justice! |
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
ஏன் உங்கள் இதயங்கள் துடிக்கவில்லை
இதயத்தில் எரிமலை வெடிக்கவில்லை
நீதிக்கு தண்டனை இது என்ன சோதனை
இது என்ன சோதனை நீதிக்கு தண்டனை
O human beings, O human beings
O human beings, O human beings
Why are your hearts not beating?
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
துரோகங்கள் சபையில் ஏறும்
தியாகங்கள் சிறையில் வாடும்
Treachery ascends the assembly floor,
Sacrifices wither away in prison.
மனசாட்சி செத்துப் போனால்
எது வந்து சாட்சி சொல்லும்
மனசாட்சி செத்துப் போனால்
எது வந்து சாட்சி சொல்லும்
If conscience dies,
What will come forward as witness?
If conscience dies,
What will come forward as witness?
சதிகாரர் போட்ட திட்டம்
சபையேறி வென்றது
The plan plotted by conspirators
Won the stage of the court.
கண் கெட்டு போன சட்டம்
தலையாட்டி நின்றது
கண் கெட்டு போன சட்டம்
தலையாட்டி நின்றது
The blind law
Stood nodding its head.
The blind law
Stood nodding its head.
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
ஏன் உங்கள் இதயங்கள் துடிக்கவில்லை
இதயத்தில் எரிமலை வெடிக்கவில்லை
நீதிக்கு தண்டனை இது என்ன சோதனை
இது என்ன சோதனை நீதிக்கு தண்டனை
O human beings, O human beings
O human beings, O human beings
Why are your hearts not beating?
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
விளையாடும் காசைக் கண்டால்
வளையாத சட்டமுண்டோ
When money comes into play,
Is there any law that does not bend?
ஏன் அந்த நீதி தெய்வம்
இரு கண்ணை மூடிக் கொண்டாள்
ஏன் அந்த நீதி தெய்வம்
இரு கண்ணை மூடிக் கொண்டாள்
Why did the goddess of justice
Close both her eyes?
Why did the goddess of justice
Close both her eyes?
அநியாயம் தன்னைக் கண்டு
சகிக்காமல் போனதோ
Seeing injustice happening,
Could she not tolerate it anymore?
அவள் கண்ணில் சிந்தும் ரத்தம்
கறுப்பாக ஆனதோ
அவள் கண்ணில் சிந்தும் ரத்தம்
கறுப்பாக ஆனதோ...
Did the blood shed from her eyes
Turn into darkness?
Did the blood shed from her eyes
Turn into darkness?
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
ஏன் உங்கள் இதயங்கள் துடிக்கவில்லை
இதயத்தில் எரிமலை வெடிக்கவில்லை
நீதிக்கு தண்டனை இது என்ன சோதனை
இது என்ன சோதனை நீதிக்கு தண்டனை
O human beings, O human beings
O human beings, O human beings
Why are your hearts not beating?
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
பதவிக்கு ஆசை வந்தால்
கொலை கூட தர்மம் தானே
If greed for power takes over,
Even murder becomes righteousness, doesn't it?
வரலாற்றின் பக்கம் எல்லாம்
வழிகின்ற ரத்தம் சாட்சி
வரலாற்றின் பக்கம் எல்லாம்
வழிகின்ற ரத்தம் சாட்சி
All across the pages of history,
The flowing blood stands as witness.
All across the pages of history,
The flowing blood stands as witness.
பாசங்கள் பந்தம் எல்லாம்
மனிதனுக்கு தானடா
Affection and bonds,
Are meant for true humans, my friend.
பதவிக்கு வாழ்க்கைப்பட்டால்
இவை எல்லாம் ஏதடா
பதவிக்கு வாழ்க்கைப்பட்டால்
இவை எல்லாம் ஏதடா
If one is wedded to power,
Where do these values remain?
If one is wedded to power,
Where do these values remain?
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
மனிதர்களே ஓ மனிதர்களே
ஏன் உங்கள் இதயங்கள் துடிக்கவில்லை
இதயத்தில் எரிமலை வெடிக்கவில்லை
நீதிக்கு தண்டனை இது என்ன சோதனை
இது என்ன சோதனை நீதிக்கு தண்டனை.....
O human beings, O human beings
O human beings, O human beings
Why are your hearts not beating?
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai
Why are your hearts not beating?
Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
Dhurogangal sabaiyil yerum
Treachery ascends the assembly floor,
Thiyaangal siraiyil vaadum
Sacrifices wither away in prison.
Manasatchi seththu ponaal
If conscience dies,
Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum
What will come forward as witness?
Manasatchi seththu ponaal
If conscience dies,
Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum
What will come forward as witness?
Sathikaarar potta thittam
The plan plotted by conspirators
Sabaiyaeri vendrathu
Won the stage of the court.
Kann kettu pona sattam
The blind law
Thalaiyaatti nindrathu
Stood nodding its head.
Kann kettu pona sattam
The blind law
Thalaiyaatti nindrathu
Stood nodding its head.
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai
Why are your hearts not beating?
Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
Vilaiyaadum kaasai kandaal
When money comes into play,
Valaiyaadha sattamundo
Is there any law that does not bend?
Yean antha needhi dheivam
Why did the goddess of justice
Iru kannai moodi kondaal
Close both her eyes?
Yean antha needhi dheivam
Why did the goddess of justice
Iru kannai moodi kondaal
Close both her eyes?
Aniyaayam thannai kandu
Seeing injustice happening,
Sagikkamal ponatho
Could she not tolerate it anymore?
Aval kannil sinthum raththam
Did the blood shed from her eyes
Karuppaaga aanatho
Turn into darkness?
Aval kannil sinthum raththam
Did the blood shed from her eyes
Karuppaaga aanatho
Turn into darkness?
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai
Why are your hearts not beating?
Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
Padhavikku aasai vanthal
If greed for power takes over,
Kolai kooda dharmam thaanae
Even murder becomes righteousness, doesn't it?
Varalaattrin pakkam ellaam
All across the pages of history,
Vazhigindra raththam saatchi
The flowing blood stands as witness.
Varalaattrin pakkam ellaam
All across the pages of history,
Vazhigindra raththam saatchi
The flowing blood stands as witness.
Paasangal pantham ellaam
Affection and bonds,
Manithanukku thaanadaa
Are meant for true humans, my friend.
Padhavikku vaazhkkaippattaal
If one is wedded to power,
Ivai ellaam yaedhadaa
Where do these values remain?
Padhavikku vaazhkkaippattaal
If one is wedded to power,
Ivai ellaam yaedhadaa
Where do these values remain?
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Manithargalae oo manithargalae
O human beings, O human beings
Yaen ungal idhayangal thudikkavillai
Why are your hearts not beating?
Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai
Why is a volcano not erupting in your hearts?
Needhikku thandanai idhu enna sodhanai
Punishment for justice, what a trial this is!
Idhu enna sodhanai needhikku thandanai….
What a trial this is, punishment for justice!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful song serves as a passionate lament against corruption, systemic injustice, and the moral apathy of society. The narrator addresses humanity directly, questioning why people remain passive and silent when truth is punished while deceit and betrayal prevail in society and law courts. The lyrics critique how power and wealth bend the legal system, leaving the righteous to suffer in silence while conspirators win. It asks deep philosophical questions about human conscience, justice, and the dark historical patterns of power-hungry leaders who sacrifice human bonds and morality for power.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Idhayaththil erimalai vedikkavillai”
'Erimalai' (volcano) is used metaphorically to express intense righteous anger and moral outrage that ought to erupt within human hearts.
Personification
“Kann kettu pona sattam Thalaiyaatti nindrathu”
The law ('sattam') is personified as a blind entity standing and submissively nodding its head to power.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sathikaarar potta thittam / Sabaiyaeri vendrathu”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Sa' in consecutive lines.
Rhetorical Question
“Manasatchi seththu ponaal Edhu vanthu saatchi sollum”
Questions asked to provoke deep introspection about moral corruption rather than to elicit a direct response.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Neethikku Thandanai' (1987) was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar with story and dialogues written by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. The film's soundtrack was composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan.
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