Mannurunda
From Soorarai Pottru · 2020
- Lyricist
- Ekadasi
- Singer
- Senthil Ganesh
- Music director
- Prakash Kumar
- Details
- Soorarai Pottru2020
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mannu urunda mela… | On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)... |
| Mannu urunda mela… | On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)... |
| Manusapaya aatam paaru | Look at the human being dance! |
| Aah aaah aatam paaru | Aah aaah, look at the dance! |
| Yeh yeh aatam paaru aatam paaru | Yeh yeh, look at the dance, look at the dance! |
| Aatam aatam aatam aatam | Dance, dance, dance, dance! |
| Aatam aatam aatam | Dance, dance, dance! |
| Male | |
| Mannu urunda mela | On top of this sphere of mud, |
| Inga manusapaya aatam paaru | Look at the human being dance here! |
| Kannu renda moodi putta | Once you close both your eyes (pass away), |
| Veedhiyila pogum thaeru | The chariot (hearse) moves down the street. |
| Male | |
| Andaavula kondu vandhu | Bring in big vessels, |
| Saarayatha oothu | And pour the liquor! |
| Ayyaavoda oorvalathula | In the master's funeral procession, |
| Aadungada koothu | Hey, perform the folk dance! |
| Male | |
| Ezhai panakkaaran inga | The poor person and the rich person here, |
| Ellam onnu pangu | Everything becomes an equal share. |
| Kadaisiyila manushanukku | In the end, for every human being, |
| Oodhuvainga sangu | They blow the conch shell (signal of death). |
| Male | |
| Ezhai panakkaaran inga | The poor person and the rich person here, |
| Ellam onnu pangu | Everything becomes an equal share. |
| Kadaisiyila manushanukku | In the end, for every human being, |
| Oodhuvainga sangu | They blow the conch shell. |
| Male | |
| {Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4) |
| Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4) | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation} |
| Male | |
| Dinn dinn dakk dakk | Dinn dinn dakk dakk |
| Dinn dinn dakk dakk | Dinn dinn dakk dakk |
| Dinn dinn dakk dakk | Dinn dinn dakk dakk |
| Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk | Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk |
| Male | |
| Nethi kaasu ottha roova | The single coin placed on the forehead, |
| Kooda varum sothu | Is the only wealth that comes along with you. |
| Ey ottha roova aah aah aah | Hey, a single coin, aah aah aah, |
| Ottha roova ey ey | A single coin, ey ey, |
| Ottha roova ottha roova | A single coin, a single coin, |
| Ottha ottha ottha ottha | Single, single, single, single, |
| Ottha ottha ottha | Single, single, single, |
| Male | |
| Nethi kaasu ottha roova | The single coin placed on the forehead, |
| Kooda varum sothu thaanae | Is indeed the only wealth that accompanies you. |
| Sethavarum serndhu aada | For the deceased, to dance together, |
| Vaangi pottu kuthuvomae | Shall we buy liquor and dance vigorously? |
| Saarayam kudichavanga | Those who drank liquor, |
| Vesti avulnthu vizhlumae | Their dhotis will loosen and fall off. |
| Kudam udaikkum idam varaikkum | Until reaching the spot where the clay pot is broken, |
| Pombalainga azhumae | The women will wail and cry. |
| Male | |
| Aayiram peru irundhaalum | Even if there are a thousand people, |
| Kooda yaarum varala da | Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man. |
| Adukki maadi veedu irundhum | Even if you own a multi-story mansion, |
| Aaradi thaan meiyaada | Only six feet of land is where you finally rest. |
| Male | |
| Aayiram peru irundhaalum | Even if there are a thousand people, |
| Kooda yaarum varala da | Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man. |
| Adukki maadi veedu irundhum | Even if you own a multi-story mansion, |
| Aaradi thaan meiyaada | Only six feet of land is where you finally rest. |
| Male | |
| {Damukku dappaan dappan dappan | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Damukku dappaan dappan dappan / Damukku dappaan dappan da} (2) |
| Damukku dappaan dappan da} (2) | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation} |
| Male | |
| Keezh saadhi udambukula…eeh | Inside the body of a lower caste person... eeh |
| Keezh saadhi udambukulla… | Inside the body of a lower caste person... |
| Oduradhu sakkadaiya? | Is sewage flowing? |
| Ayya oduradhu sakkadaiya? | Sir, is sewage flowing inside them? |
| Male | |
| Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku….uu.. | For that upper caste man... uu... |
| Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku… | For that upper caste man... |
| Rendu kombu irundhaa aah aah | Does he have two horns? Aah aah |
| Kombu irundhaa ey ey | If he has horns, ey ey |
| Kombu irundhaa kombu irundhaa | If he has horns, if he has horns, |
| Kombu kombu kombu kombu | Horns, horns, horns, horns, |
| Kombu kombu kombae | Horns, horns, horns! |
| Male | |
| Keezh saadhi udambukulla… | Inside the body of a lower caste person... |
| Oduradhu sakkadaiya? | Is sewage flowing? |
| Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku…. | For that upper caste man... |
| Kombu irundhaa kaattungaiyaa | Show us if he has horns, sir! |
| Uzhaikura koottam ellaam | All the working class people, |
| Keezh saadhi manushangalaam | Are called lower-caste human beings. |
| Ukkandhu thinguravenellaam | All those who sit idle and eat, |
| Mel saadhi vamsangalaam | Are claimed to belong to upper-caste lineages. |
| Male | |
| Ennangada naadu | What kind of country is this, man? |
| Ada saadhiya thooki podu | Hey, throw away caste discrimination! |
| Ada ennangada naadu | What kind of country is this, man? |
| Ada saadhiya podhachi moodu | Hey, bury caste deep underground! |
| Male | |
| Ennangada naadu | What kind of country is this, man? |
| Ada saadhiya thooki podu | Hey, throw away caste discrimination! |
| Ada ennangada naadu | What kind of country is this, man? |
| Ada saadhiya podhachi moodu | Hey, bury caste deep underground! |
| Male | |
| {Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4) |
| Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4) | {Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation} |
| Male | |
| Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk | Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk |
| Dinndakk dinndakk darrr nakkkaa | Dinndakk dinndakk darrr nakkkaa |
மண்ணு உருண்ட மேல....
மண்ணு உருண்ட மேல....
மனுச பய ஆட்டம் பாரு
அஹ் அஹ் ஆட்டம் பாரு
யெஹ் யெஹ் ஆட்டம் பாரு ஆட்டம் பாரு
ஆட்டம் பாரு ஆட்டம் பாரு
ஆட்டம் ஆட்டம் ஆட்டம்
On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)...
On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)...
Look at the human being dance!
Aah aaah, look at the dance!
Yeh yeh, look at the dance, look at the dance!
Dance, dance, dance, dance!
Dance, dance, dance!
மண்ணு உருண்ட மேல....
இங்க மனுச பய ஆட்டம் பாரு
கண்ணு ரெண்ட மூடி புட்டா
வீதியில போகும் தேரு
On top of this sphere of mud,
Look at the human being dance here!
Once you close both your eyes (pass away),
The chariot (hearse) moves down the street.
அண்டாவுல கொண்டு வந்து
சாரயத்த ஊத்து
அய்யாவோட ஊர்வலத்துல
ஆடுங்கட கூத்து
Bring in big vessels,
And pour the liquor!
In the master's funeral procession,
Hey, perform the folk dance!
ஏழை பணக்காரன் இங்க
எல்லாம் ஒன்னு பங்கு
கடைசில மனுஷனுக்கு
ஊதுவாய்ங்க சங்கு
The poor person and the rich person here,
Everything becomes an equal share.
In the end, for every human being,
They blow the conch shell (signal of death).
ஏழை பணக்காரன் இங்க
எல்லாம் ஒன்னு பங்கு
கடைசில மனுஷனுக்கு
ஊதுவாய்ங்க சங்கு
The poor person and the rich person here,
Everything becomes an equal share.
In the end, for every human being,
They blow the conch shell.
{டனக்கு டக்கான் டக்கான் டக்கான்
டனக்கு டக்கான் டக்கான் டா} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
....................................
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
நெத்தி காசு ஒத்த ரூவா
கூட வரும் சொத்து
ஏய் ஒத்த ரூவா அஹ் அஹ் அஹ்
ஒத்த ரூவா ஏய் ஏய்
ஒத்த ரூவா ஒத்த ரூவா
ஒத்த ரூவா ஒத்த ரூவா
ஒத்த ஒத்த ஒத்த
The single coin placed on the forehead,
Is the only wealth that comes along with you.
Hey, a single coin, aah aah aah,
A single coin, ey ey,
A single coin, a single coin,
Single, single, single, single,
Single, single, single,
நெத்தி காசு ஒத்த ரூவா
கூட வரும் சொத்து தானே
செத்தவரும் சேர்ந்து ஆட
வாங்கி போட்டு குத்துவோமே
சாராயம் குடிச்சவங்க
வேட்டி அவுழுந்து விழுமே
குடம் உடைக்கும் இடம் வரைக்கும்
பொம்பளைங்க அழுமே
The single coin placed on the forehead,
Is indeed the only wealth that accompanies you.
For the deceased, to dance together,
Shall we buy liquor and dance vigorously?
Those who drank liquor,
Their dhotis will loosen and fall off.
Until reaching the spot where the clay pot is broken,
The women will wail and cry.
ஆயிரம் பேரு இருந்தாலும்
கூட யாரும் வரலடா
அடுக்கு மாடி வீடு இருந்தும்
ஆறடிதான் மெய்யடா
Even if there are a thousand people,
Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man.
Even if you own a multi-story mansion,
Only six feet of land is where you finally rest.
ஆயிரம் பேரு இருந்தாலும்
கூட யாரும் வரலடா
அடுக்கு மாடி வீடு இருந்தும்
ஆறடிதான் மெய்யடா
Even if there are a thousand people,
Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man.
Even if you own a multi-story mansion,
Only six feet of land is where you finally rest.
{டமுக்கு டப்பான் டப்பான் டப்பான்
டமுக்கு டப்பான் டப்பான் டா} (2)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Damukku dappaan dappan dappan / Damukku dappaan dappan da} (2)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
கீழ் சாதி உடம்புக்குள்ள ....எஹ்
கீழ் சாதி உடம்புக்குள்ள ....
ஓடுறது சாக்கடையா
அய்யா ஓடுறது சாக்கடையா
Inside the body of a lower caste person... eeh
Inside the body of a lower caste person...
Is sewage flowing?
Sir, is sewage flowing inside them?
அந்த மேல் சாதி காரனுக்கு....ஊ...
அந்த மேல் சாதி காரனுக்கு...
ரெண்டு கொம்பு இருந்தா ஆஹ் அஹ்
கொம்பு இருந்தா ஏய் ஏய்
கொம்பு இருந்தா கொம்பு இருந்தா
கொம்பு கொம்பு கொம்பு கொம்பு
கொம்பு கொம்பு கொம்பே
For that upper caste man... uu...
For that upper caste man...
Does he have two horns? Aah aah
If he has horns, ey ey
If he has horns, if he has horns,
Horns, horns, horns, horns,
Horns, horns, horns!
கீழ் சாதி உடம்புக்குள்ள ....
ஓடுறது சாக்கடையா
அந்த மேல் சாதி காரனுக்கு...
கொம்பு இருந்தா காட்டுங்கையா
உழைக்குற கூட்டம் எல்லாம்
கீழ் சாதி மனுஷன்கலாம்
உக்காந்து திங்கறவன்ல்லாம்
மேல் சாதி வம்சங்கலாம்
Inside the body of a lower caste person...
Is sewage flowing?
For that upper caste man...
Show us if he has horns, sir!
All the working class people,
Are called lower-caste human beings.
All those who sit idle and eat,
Are claimed to belong to upper-caste lineages.
என்னங்கடா நாடு
அட சாதிய தூக்கி போடு
அட என்னங்கடா நாடு
அட சாதிய பொதைச்சு மூடு
What kind of country is this, man?
Hey, throw away caste discrimination!
What kind of country is this, man?
Hey, bury caste deep underground!
என்னங்கடா நாடு
அட சாதிய தூக்கி போடு
அட என்னங்கடா நாடு
அட சாதிய பொதைச்சு மூடு
What kind of country is this, man?
Hey, throw away caste discrimination!
What kind of country is this, man?
Hey, bury caste deep underground!
{டனக்கு டக்கான் டக்கான் டக்கான்
டனக்கு டக்கான் டக்கான் டா} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
...............................
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
Dinndakk dinndakk darrr nakkkaa
Mannu urunda mela…
On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)...
Mannu urunda mela…
On top of this sphere of mud (Earth)...
Manusapaya aatam paaru
Look at the human being dance!
Aah aaah aatam paaru
Aah aaah, look at the dance!
Yeh yeh aatam paaru aatam paaru
Yeh yeh, look at the dance, look at the dance!
Aatam aatam aatam aatam
Dance, dance, dance, dance!
Aatam aatam aatam
Dance, dance, dance!
Mannu urunda mela
On top of this sphere of mud,
Inga manusapaya aatam paaru
Look at the human being dance here!
Kannu renda moodi putta
Once you close both your eyes (pass away),
Veedhiyila pogum thaeru
The chariot (hearse) moves down the street.
Andaavula kondu vandhu
Bring in big vessels,
Saarayatha oothu
And pour the liquor!
Ayyaavoda oorvalathula
In the master's funeral procession,
Aadungada koothu
Hey, perform the folk dance!
Ezhai panakkaaran inga
The poor person and the rich person here,
Ellam onnu pangu
Everything becomes an equal share.
Kadaisiyila manushanukku
In the end, for every human being,
Oodhuvainga sangu
They blow the conch shell (signal of death).
Ezhai panakkaaran inga
The poor person and the rich person here,
Ellam onnu pangu
Everything becomes an equal share.
Kadaisiyila manushanukku
In the end, for every human being,
Oodhuvainga sangu
They blow the conch shell.
{Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinn dinn dakk dakk
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
Nethi kaasu ottha roova
The single coin placed on the forehead,
Kooda varum sothu
Is the only wealth that comes along with you.
Ey ottha roova aah aah aah
Hey, a single coin, aah aah aah,
Ottha roova ey ey
A single coin, ey ey,
Ottha roova ottha roova
A single coin, a single coin,
Ottha ottha ottha ottha
Single, single, single, single,
Ottha ottha ottha
Single, single, single,
Nethi kaasu ottha roova
The single coin placed on the forehead,
Kooda varum sothu thaanae
Is indeed the only wealth that accompanies you.
Sethavarum serndhu aada
For the deceased, to dance together,
Vaangi pottu kuthuvomae
Shall we buy liquor and dance vigorously?
Saarayam kudichavanga
Those who drank liquor,
Vesti avulnthu vizhlumae
Their dhotis will loosen and fall off.
Kudam udaikkum idam varaikkum
Until reaching the spot where the clay pot is broken,
Pombalainga azhumae
The women will wail and cry.
Aayiram peru irundhaalum
Even if there are a thousand people,
Kooda yaarum varala da
Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man.
Adukki maadi veedu irundhum
Even if you own a multi-story mansion,
Aaradi thaan meiyaada
Only six feet of land is where you finally rest.
Aayiram peru irundhaalum
Even if there are a thousand people,
Kooda yaarum varala da
Nobody truly comes along into death with you, man.
Adukki maadi veedu irundhum
Even if you own a multi-story mansion,
Aaradi thaan meiyaada
Only six feet of land is where you finally rest.
{Damukku dappaan dappan dappan
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Damukku dappaan dappan dappan / Damukku dappaan dappan da} (2)
Damukku dappaan dappan da} (2)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
Keezh saadhi udambukula…eeh
Inside the body of a lower caste person... eeh
Keezh saadhi udambukulla…
Inside the body of a lower caste person...
Oduradhu sakkadaiya?
Is sewage flowing?
Ayya oduradhu sakkadaiya?
Sir, is sewage flowing inside them?
Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku….uu..
For that upper caste man... uu...
Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku…
For that upper caste man...
Rendu kombu irundhaa aah aah
Does he have two horns? Aah aah
Kombu irundhaa ey ey
If he has horns, ey ey
Kombu irundhaa kombu irundhaa
If he has horns, if he has horns,
Kombu kombu kombu kombu
Horns, horns, horns, horns,
Kombu kombu kombae
Horns, horns, horns!
Keezh saadhi udambukulla…
Inside the body of a lower caste person...
Oduradhu sakkadaiya?
Is sewage flowing?
Andha mel saadhi kaaranukku….
For that upper caste man...
Kombu irundhaa kaattungaiyaa
Show us if he has horns, sir!
Uzhaikura koottam ellaam
All the working class people,
Keezh saadhi manushangalaam
Are called lower-caste human beings.
Ukkandhu thinguravenellaam
All those who sit idle and eat,
Mel saadhi vamsangalaam
Are claimed to belong to upper-caste lineages.
Ennangada naadu
What kind of country is this, man?
Ada saadhiya thooki podu
Hey, throw away caste discrimination!
Ada ennangada naadu
What kind of country is this, man?
Ada saadhiya podhachi moodu
Hey, bury caste deep underground!
Ennangada naadu
What kind of country is this, man?
Ada saadhiya thooki podu
Hey, throw away caste discrimination!
Ada ennangada naadu
What kind of country is this, man?
Ada saadhiya podhachi moodu
Hey, bury caste deep underground!
{Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals: Danakku dakkaaan dakka dakka / Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
Danakku dakkaan dakkaan taa} (4)
{Rhythmic folk beat vocals continuation}
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
Dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk dinndakk
Dinndakk dinndakk darrr nakkkaa
Dinndakk dinndakk darrr nakkkaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mannurunda from Soorarai Pottru is a raw, energetic Oppari-infused folk song that uses the ultimate leveller—death—to deliver a hard-hitting critique of social inequality, caste discrimination, and human arrogance. The song reminds the listener that regardless of one's wealth, social status, or mansions built on Earth, everyone leaves this world with nothing more than a single coin placed on their forehead and a six-foot plot of land.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Mannu urunda mela…”
'Mannu urunda' (sphere of mud) serves as a metaphor for the planet Earth, highlighting the impermanence and humble composition of life.
Rhetorical Question
“Oduradhu sakkadaiya?”
The lyrist poses sarcastic questions to mock the absurdity of caste superiority and discrimination.
Contrast / Juxtaposition
“Uzhaikura koottam ellaam Keezh saadhi manushangalaam / Ukkandhu thinguravenellaam Mel saadhi vamsangalaam”
Juxtaposes working-class laborers with privileged consumers to expose structural social oppression.
Idiom / Imagery
“Adukki maadi veedu irundhum Aaradi thaan meiyaada”
'Aaradi' (six feet) visually represents grave/burial space, emphasizing mortality over material luxury.
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Trivia
Composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and sung by popular Tamil folk artist Senthil Ganesh, 'Mannurunda' blends traditional Tamil Oppari (lament music performed during funerals) with energetic Parai beats. Written by Ekadasi, the song plays a pivotal role in the film 'Soorarai Pottru' (2020) to capture the protagonist's rebellious ethos against systemic social and economic oppression.
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