Manushanai Manushan Saapiduraandaa
From Thaaikkuppin Thaaram · 1956
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Thaaikkuppin Thaaram1956
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paalum thaenum perugi odudhu | Milk and honey flow in abundance |
| Parandha seemaiyilae | In this vast land |
| Naama porandha seemaiyilae | In the land where we were born |
| Paadu paduravan vayiru kaayidhu | The hardworking man's stomach starves |
| Paadhi naalaiyilae varushathil | For half the days in a year |
| Paadhi naalaiyilae | For half the days |
| Male | |
| {Hei manushana manushan | { Hey, man devours man, |
| Saappiduraandaa | He is eating up man |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo | When will this change? When will it end? |
| Namma kavalai } (2) | Our worry } (2) |
| Male | |
| Ha ha kik kik kik hahaei | Ha ha kik kik kik hahaei |
| Male | |
| Maanam pozhiyudhu boomi vilaiyudhu | The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Naama vaadi vadhangi valappadhurom | We wither and fade while cultivating |
| Vayala | The fields |
| Maanam pozhiyudhu boomi vilaiyudhu | The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Naama vaadi vadhangi valappadhurom | We wither and fade while cultivating |
| Vayala | The fields |
| Male | |
| Aanaa dhaaniyam ellaam | But all the grain |
| Valuthavanudaiya kaiyilae | Belongs to the powerful ones |
| Dhaaniyam ellaam | All the grain |
| Valuthavanudaiya kaiyilae | Belongs to the powerful ones |
| Idhu thagaadhu yinnu edhuthu cholliyum | Even when explained that this is unjust |
| Puriyalae adhaalae | They do not understand, and therefore |
| Male | |
| Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa | Man devours man |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo | When will this change? When will it end? |
| Namma kavalai | Our worry |
| Male | |
| Haei… hahhaa… kik kik | Hey... hahhaa... kik kik |
| Ennadaa nelinjikkittu pora | Why are you squirming and walking like that? |
| Naeraa podaa pap pap daei | Walk straight, hey! |
| Male | |
| Tharaiyai paathu nikkudhu | Facing the ground stands |
| Nalla kadhiru | The good ear of grain |
| Than kuraiyai marandhu melae paakkudhu | Forgetting its flaws, looking up is |
| Padharu | The empty chaff |
| Tharaiyai paathu nikkudhu | Facing the ground stands |
| Nalla kadhiru | The good ear of grain |
| Than kuraiyai marandhu melae paakkudhu | Forgetting its flaws, looking up is |
| Padharu | The empty chaff |
| Male | |
| Adhu pol arivu ulladhu | Similarly, those with real wisdom |
| Adangi kidakkudhu veettilae | Remain humble and quiet inside the house |
| Arivu ulladhu adangi kidakkudhu veettilae | Those with wisdom remain quiet inside the house |
| Edhukkum aagaadha siladhu | While useless people |
| Aarppaattam seiyudhu veliyilae adhaalae | Make a big racket outside, and so |
| Male | |
| Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa | Man devours man |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo | When will this change? When will it end? |
| Nammak kavalai | Our worry |
| Hahaai haa kik kik dhaa | Hahaai haa kik kik dhaa |
| Male | |
| Aanavathukku adi paniyaadhae | Do not bow down to arrogance |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Edhukkum aamaanjaami pottu vidaadhae | Do not blindly nod yes to everything |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Aanavathukku adi paniyaadhae | Do not bow down to arrogance |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Edhukkum aamaanjaami pottu vidaadhae | Do not blindly nod yes to everything |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Male | |
| Poonaiyai puliyaai enni vidaadhae | Do not mistake a cat for a tiger |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Poonaiyai puliyaai enni vidaadhae | Do not mistake a cat for a tiger |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Unnai purinjikkaamalae nadungaadhaedaa | Do not tremble without understanding your own strength |
| Thambi payalae daei | O younger brother! |
| Male | |
| Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa | Man devours man |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo | When will this change? When will it end? |
| Nammak kavalai | Our worry |
| Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa | Man devours man |
| Thambi payalae | O younger brother |
| Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo | When will this change? When will it end? |
| Nammak kavalai | Our worry |
| Aa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aa…aaa…aa… | Ah...aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa...aaa...aa...aaa...aa... |
பாலும் தேனும் பெருகி ஓடுது
பரந்த சீமையிலே
நாம பொறந்த சீமையிலே
பாடு படுறவன் வயிறு காயிது
பாதி நாளையிலே வருஷத்தில்
பாதி நாளையிலே
Milk and honey flow in abundance
In this vast land
In the land where we were born
The hardworking man's stomach starves
For half the days in a year
For half the days
{ஹேய் மனுசன மனுஷன்
சாப்பிடுறான்டா தம்பி பயலே
இது மாறுவதெப்போ தீருவதெப்போ
நம்ம கவலை} (2)
{ Hey, man devours man,
He is eating up man
O younger brother
When will this change? When will it end?
Our worry } (2)
ஹ ஹ கிக் கிக் கிக் ஹகேய்
Ha ha kik kik kik hahaei
மானம் பொழியுது பூமி விளையுது
தம்பி பயலே
நாம வாடி வதங்கி வளப்படுத்துறோம்
வயலே
மானம் பொழியுது பூமி விளையுது
தம்பி பயலே
நாம வாடி வதங்கி வளப்படுத்துறோம்
வயலே
The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops
O younger brother
We wither and fade while cultivating
The fields
The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops
O younger brother
We wither and fade while cultivating
The fields
ஆனா தானிய மெல்லாம்
வலுத்தவருடைய கையிலே
தானிய மெல்லாம்
வலுத்தவருடைய கையிலே
இது தகாதுன்னு எடுத்து சொல்லியும்
புரியலே அதாலே
But all the grain
Belongs to the powerful ones
All the grain
Belongs to the powerful ones
Even when explained that this is unjust
They do not understand, and therefore
மனுசன மனுஷன்
சாப்பிடுறான்டா தம்பி பயலே
இது மாறுவதெப்போ தீருவதெப்போ
நம்ம கவலை
Man devours man
O younger brother
When will this change? When will it end?
Our worry
ஹேய்.....ஹஹஹா.....கிக் கிக்
என்னடா நெளிஞ்சிக்கிட்டு போற
நேராப் போடா பப் பப் டேய்....
Hey... hahhaa... kik kik
Why are you squirming and walking like that?
Walk straight, hey!
தரைய பார்த்து நிக்குது
நல்ல கதிரு
தன் குறைய மறந்து மேலே பார்க்குது
பதரு
தரைய பார்த்து நிக்குது
நல்ல கதிரு
தன் குறைய மறந்து மேலே பார்க்குது
பதரு
Facing the ground stands
The good ear of grain
Forgetting its flaws, looking up is
The empty chaff
Facing the ground stands
The good ear of grain
Forgetting its flaws, looking up is
The empty chaff
அது போல் அறிவு உள்ளது
அடங்கி கிடக்குது வீட்டிலே
அறிவு உள்ளது அடங்கி கிடக்குது வீட்டிலே
எதுக்கும் ஆகாத சிலது
ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் செய்யுது வெளியிலே அதாலே
Similarly, those with real wisdom
Remain humble and quiet inside the house
Those with wisdom remain quiet inside the house
While useless people
Make a big racket outside, and so
மனுசன மனுஷன்
சாப்பிடுறான்டா தம்பி பயலே
இது மாறுவதெப்போ தீருவதெப்போ
நம்ம கவலை
ஹஹாய் ஹா கிக் கிக் தா
Man devours man
O younger brother
When will this change? When will it end?
Our worry
Hahaai haa kik kik dhaa
ஆணவத்துக்கு அடி பணியாதே
தம்பி பயலே
எதுக்கும் ஆமாம் சாமி போட்டு விடாதே
தம்பி பயலே
ஆணவத்துக்கு அடி பணியாதே
தம்பி பயலே
எதுக்கும் ஆமாம் சாமி போட்டு விடாதே
தம்பி பயலே
Do not bow down to arrogance
O younger brother
Do not blindly nod yes to everything
O younger brother
Do not bow down to arrogance
O younger brother
Do not blindly nod yes to everything
O younger brother
பூனையைப் புலியாய் எண்ணி விடாதே
தம்பி பயலே
பூனையைப் புலியாய் எண்ணி விடாதே
தம்பி பயலே
உண்மை புரிஞ்சிக்காமலே நடுங்காதேடா
தம்பி பயலே டேய்
Do not mistake a cat for a tiger
O younger brother
Do not mistake a cat for a tiger
O younger brother
Do not tremble without understanding your own strength
O younger brother!
மனுசன மனுஷன் சாப்பிடுறான்டா
தம்பி பயலே
இது மாறுவதெப்போ தீருவதெப்போ
நம்ம கவலை
மனுசன மனுஷன் சாப்பிடுறான்டா
தம்பி பயலே
இது மாறுவதெப்போ தீருவதெப்போ
நம்ம கவலை
ஆ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
Man devours man
O younger brother
When will this change? When will it end?
Our worry
Man devours man
O younger brother
When will this change? When will it end?
Our worry
Ah...aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa...aaa...aa...aaa...aa...
Paalum thaenum perugi odudhu
Milk and honey flow in abundance
Parandha seemaiyilae
In this vast land
Naama porandha seemaiyilae
In the land where we were born
Paadu paduravan vayiru kaayidhu
The hardworking man's stomach starves
Paadhi naalaiyilae varushathil
For half the days in a year
Paadhi naalaiyilae
For half the days
{Hei manushana manushan
{ Hey, man devours man,
Saappiduraandaa
He is eating up man
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo
When will this change? When will it end?
Namma kavalai } (2)
Our worry } (2)
Ha ha kik kik kik hahaei
Ha ha kik kik kik hahaei
Maanam pozhiyudhu boomi vilaiyudhu
The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Naama vaadi vadhangi valappadhurom
We wither and fade while cultivating
Vayala
The fields
Maanam pozhiyudhu boomi vilaiyudhu
The sky pours rain, the earth yields crops
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Naama vaadi vadhangi valappadhurom
We wither and fade while cultivating
Vayala
The fields
Aanaa dhaaniyam ellaam
But all the grain
Valuthavanudaiya kaiyilae
Belongs to the powerful ones
Dhaaniyam ellaam
All the grain
Valuthavanudaiya kaiyilae
Belongs to the powerful ones
Idhu thagaadhu yinnu edhuthu cholliyum
Even when explained that this is unjust
Puriyalae adhaalae
They do not understand, and therefore
Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa
Man devours man
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo
When will this change? When will it end?
Namma kavalai
Our worry
Haei… hahhaa… kik kik
Hey... hahhaa... kik kik
Ennadaa nelinjikkittu pora
Why are you squirming and walking like that?
Naeraa podaa pap pap daei
Walk straight, hey!
Tharaiyai paathu nikkudhu
Facing the ground stands
Nalla kadhiru
The good ear of grain
Than kuraiyai marandhu melae paakkudhu
Forgetting its flaws, looking up is
Padharu
The empty chaff
Tharaiyai paathu nikkudhu
Facing the ground stands
Nalla kadhiru
The good ear of grain
Than kuraiyai marandhu melae paakkudhu
Forgetting its flaws, looking up is
Padharu
The empty chaff
Adhu pol arivu ulladhu
Similarly, those with real wisdom
Adangi kidakkudhu veettilae
Remain humble and quiet inside the house
Arivu ulladhu adangi kidakkudhu veettilae
Those with wisdom remain quiet inside the house
Edhukkum aagaadha siladhu
While useless people
Aarppaattam seiyudhu veliyilae adhaalae
Make a big racket outside, and so
Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa
Man devours man
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo
When will this change? When will it end?
Nammak kavalai
Our worry
Hahaai haa kik kik dhaa
Hahaai haa kik kik dhaa
Aanavathukku adi paniyaadhae
Do not bow down to arrogance
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Edhukkum aamaanjaami pottu vidaadhae
Do not blindly nod yes to everything
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Aanavathukku adi paniyaadhae
Do not bow down to arrogance
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Edhukkum aamaanjaami pottu vidaadhae
Do not blindly nod yes to everything
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Poonaiyai puliyaai enni vidaadhae
Do not mistake a cat for a tiger
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Poonaiyai puliyaai enni vidaadhae
Do not mistake a cat for a tiger
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Unnai purinjikkaamalae nadungaadhaedaa
Do not tremble without understanding your own strength
Thambi payalae daei
O younger brother!
Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa
Man devours man
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo
When will this change? When will it end?
Nammak kavalai
Our worry
Manushana manushan saappiduraandaa
Man devours man
Thambi payalae
O younger brother
Idhu maaruvadheppo theeruvadheppo
When will this change? When will it end?
Nammak kavalai
Our worry
Aa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aa…aaa…aa…
Ah...aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa....aaa...aaa...aa...aaa...aa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Written by poet A. Maruthakasi, 'Paalum Thaenum' is a sharp socio-political commentary highlighting human exploitation, economic disparity, and moral fortitude. Despite living in a fertile land where the sky brings rain and crops flourish, the actual laborers wither away in hunger while the fruits of their labor are seized by the powerful. The song laments this systemic injustice where 'man devours man' and urges the working class to rise above subservience. Through vivid agricultural imagery, the song contrasts true wisdom with empty posture—comparing modest, wise individuals to heavy, ripe ears of grain that bow down, while empty chaff stands arrogantly tall. It serves as a call to action for the common man to stop submitting blindly to authority, gain self-awareness, and stop fearing weak oppressors who merely pretend to be powerful.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Agricultural Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Tharaiyai paathu nikkudhu Nalla kadhiru / Than kuraiyai marandhu melae paakkudhu Padharu”
The lyrics contrast a heavy ear of crop bowing down with empty chaff pointing upwards to illustrate how wise people stay humble while empty, incompetent individuals make noise.
Metaphor / Proverbial Idiom
“Poonaiyai puliyaai enni vidaadhae”
Compares an illusory oppressor to a cat dressed as a tiger, warning the listener not to over-magnify the enemy's strength.
Refrain / Epiphora
“Thambi payalae”
The phrase 'Thambi payalae' is repeated rhythmically throughout the song as a direct conversational refrain to address the listener.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thaaikkuppin Thaaram (1956) was the debut film produced by Sandow M. M. A. Subbiah Devar under Devar Films, starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Bhanumathi Ramakrishna. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this iconic social reform song was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.
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