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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manushanai Paathittu

From Kann Thiranthadhu · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
T. R. Rajagopal
Details
Kann Thiranthadhu1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manushanai paathittuLooking at man
Unnaiyum paathaand looking at you,
Maattramillaedaa raajathere is no difference at all, my friend!
Emmanasilae pattadhai velyilae sollurenI speak out what is in my heart,
Vandhadhu varattum podaacome what may, let it be!
Sila manushanai paathittuLooking at some men
Unnaiyum paathaand looking at you,
Maattramillaedaa raajathere is no difference at all, my friend!
Emmanasilae pattadhai velyilae sollurenI speak out what is in my heart,
Vandhadhu varattum podaacome what may, let it be!
Female
Ulladhai sonnaIf you speak the truth,
Odhaithaan kidaikkumyou will only get kicked;
Ulagam idhuthaandathat is how this world is,
Raajaa ulagam idhuthaandamy friend, that is how this world is!
Ulladhai sonnaIf you speak the truth,
Odhaithaan kidaikkumyou will only get kicked;
Ulagam idhuthaandathat is how this world is,
Raajaa ulagam idhuthaandamy friend, that is how this world is!
Female
UllathunivoduWith bold arrogance,
Poi solluvorkkufor those who tell lies,
Ullaasa puvithaandathis world is a paradise,
Idhu ullaasa puvithaandathis is a delightful paradise for them!
Female
Vasadhi irukkiravan tharamattaanThe wealthy man will not share,
Avanai vayiru pasikkiravan vidamattaanthe hungry man will not let him go.
Vasadhi irukkiravan tharamattaanThe wealthy man will not share,
Avanai vayiru pasikkiravan vidamattaanthe hungry man will not let him go.
Vaanathai villaavalaichu katturennuClaiming he will bend the sky like a bow,
Vaayalae solluvaan seiyamattaanhe makes grand promises but does nothing.
Female
Manushanai paathittuLooking at man
Unnaiyum paathaand looking at you,
Maattramillaedaa raajathere is no difference at all, my friend!
Emmanasilae pattadhai velyilae sollurenI speak out what is in my heart,
Vandhadhu varattum podaacome what may, let it be!
Female
Pallikkodam illadha oorukkuTo a town without a school,
Payanam porendaaI am setting out on a journey,
Naan payanam porendaaI am setting out on a journey.
Female
Angae naanum vaarendaaI am coming there too!
Female
Pallikkodam illadha oorukkuTo a town without a school,
Payanam porendaaI am setting out on a journey.
Veliyae padikka vendiyathu neriya irukkuThere is a lot to learn in the real world,
Padichittu vaarendaaI will learn it and return.
Silar padikka marandhadhu neriya irukkuThere is a lot that some educated folk forgot to learn,
Padichittu vaarendaaI will learn it and return.
Female
HaiyaaHaiyaa!
Manushanai paathittuLooking at man
Unnaiyum paathaand looking at you,
Maattramillaedaa raajathere is no difference at all, my friend!
Emmanasilae pattadhai velyilae sollurenI speak out what is in my heart,
Vandhadhu varattum podaacome what may, let it be!
Female
Ezhudhi padichu ariyadhavanthaanThe illiterate and uneducated worker
Uzhudhu uzhaichu sorum poduraanplows, works hard, and feeds the nation rice.
Ezhudhi padichu ariyadhavanthaanThe illiterate and uneducated worker
Uzhudhu uzhaichu sorum poduraanplows, works hard, and feeds the nation rice.
Ellaam padichavan edhedho pesiWhile the highly educated man talks grandly
Nalla nattai kooru podugiraanand divides a good nation into pieces.
Ivan soru podugiraanThis uneducated worker provides us food,
Avan kooru poduraanthat educated man tears the country apart!
Female
HaiyaaHaiyaa!
Manushanai paathittuLooking at man
Unnaiyum paathaand looking at you,
Maattramillaedaa raajathere is no difference at all, my friend!
Emmanasilae pattadhai velyilae sollurenI speak out what is in my heart,
Vandhadhu varattum podaacome what may, let it be!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Written by the social reformer lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this song serves as a sharp philosophical critique of human nature and society. The speaker addresses a companion (or bull/animal in folk tradition) and observes that human beings often act with hypocrisy, leaving no real moral difference between man and beast. The lyrics expose how honesty is punished while lies bring worldly success, how wealthy hoarders spark class conflict, and how politicians/intellectuals make empty grand promises.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Ulladhai sonna ... Ullaasa puvithaanda

The second consonant 'll' matches across lines: 'Ulladhai' / 'Ullaasa'.

Monaif (Alliteration / First letter matching)

Vasadhi irukkiravan tharamattaan / Avanai vayiru pasikkiravan vidamattaan

The starting 'Va' sound repeats across lines for rhythmic emphasis: 'Vasadhi' / 'Vayiru' / 'Vaanathai' / 'Vaayalae'.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Vaanathai villaavalaichu katturennu

Using extreme exaggeration 'bending the sky like a bow' to mock politicians and talkers who make impossible promises.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ivan soru podugiraan / Avan kooru poduraan

Contrasting the hard-working uneducated farmer who feeds the country with the educated politician who destroys it.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for embedding Communist and egalitarian ideologies into simple, catchy folk-style Tamil cinema lyrics. His songs frequently championed the working class, farmers, and common citizens against corrupt politicians and wealthy capitalists.

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