Mazhai Kodukkum
From Karnan · 1964
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Karnan1964
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa aa…aa | Aa aa…aa |
| Male | |
| Mazhai kodukkum kodaiyumoru | The gift of rain given by clouds lasts for a mere |
| Irandu maadham…mm mm mm | Two months... |
| Vayal kodukkum kodaiyumoru | The harvest given by the fields lasts for |
| Moondru maadham…mmm mm | Three months... |
| Pasu vazhangum kodaiyumoru | The milk provided by the cow lasts for |
| Naanghu maadham…mmm | Four months... |
| Paarthibanaam karnanukko | But for King Karna, |
| Naalum maadham… | Every single day is a season of giving... |
| Paarthibanaam karnanukko | But for King Karna, |
| Naalum maadham… | Every single day is a season of giving... |
| Male | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa….aa…..aa…. | Aa….aa…..aa…. |
| Male | |
| Nani chivandhana | Deeply reddened |
| Maadharar kangal | Were the eyes of women (with bashfulness); |
| Naadu thorum nadandhu sivandhana | Reddened by walking through every land |
| Paavalar kaalgal | Were the feet of visiting poets; |
| Narporulai thaedi chivandhana | Reddened in pursuit of supreme truth |
| Nyaaniyar nenjam… mm…mmm | Were the hearts of wise sages... |
| Male | |
| Dhinam koduthu | And from giving continuously every day, |
| Thaeindhu sivandhadhu | Worn out and reddened |
| Karna maamannan thiru karamae… | Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna... |
| Dhinam koduthu | And from giving continuously every day, |
| Thaeindhu sivandhadhu | Worn out and reddened |
| Karna maamannan thiru karamae…ae…ae..ae.. | Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna... |
| Male | |
| Mannavar porulthanai | Other kings extend their hands with wealth, |
| Kai kondu neettuvaar | Reaching out from above, |
| Mattravar panindhu kolvaar… | While others bow down to receive it... |
| Maamannan karnano | But the great king Karna |
| Than karam neettuvaar | Extends his hand from below, |
| Mattravar eduthu kolvaar… | Allowing others to take it freely... |
| Valadhu kai koduppadhai | Giving with the right hand |
| Idadhu kai ariyaamal | Without the left hand ever knowing, |
| Vaithavan karna veeran | Such was the noble hero Karna, |
| Varumaikku varumaiyai | A great king who brought poverty itself |
| Vaithadhor maamannan | To utter poverty! |
| Vaazhgavae vaazhga vaazhga | Long live, long live, long live! |
| Male | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa… | Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Enna koduppaan yevai koduppaan | Before people even think of what he will give |
| Endrivargal ennum munnae… ae… ae… | Or which riches he might grant... |
| Ponnum koduppaan porul koduppaan | He gives gold, he gives riches; |
| Podhaadhu podhaadhu endraal | And if they say it is not enough, not enough, |
| Innum koduppaan | He gives even more! |
| Ivaiyum kuraivendraal engal karnan | If even these fall short, our Karna |
| Thannai koduppaan | Gives himself, |
| Than uyirum thaan koduppaan | He will willingly give his very life! |
| Dhayaanidhiyae… | Oh ocean of boundless mercy... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa… | Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa… |
டி. எம். சௌந்தரராஜன் மற்றும் பி. பி. ஸ்ரீநிவாஸ்
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa aa…aa
ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ....
ஆஆஆ...ஆ....ஆஆஆ....
The gift of rain given by clouds lasts for a mere
Two months...
The harvest given by the fields lasts for
Three months...
The milk provided by the cow lasts for
Four months...
But for King Karna,
Every single day is a season of giving...
But for King Karna,
Every single day is a season of giving...
மழை கொடுக்கும் கொடையுமொரு
இரண்டு மாதம்...ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
வயல் கொடுக்கும் கொடையுமொரு
மூன்று மாதம்...ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
பசு வழங்கும் கொடையுமொரு
நான்கு மாதம்...ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
பார்த்திபனாம் கர்ணனுக்கோ
நாளும் மாதம்.....
பார்த்திபனாம் கர்ணனுக்கோ
நாளும் மாதம்...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
Deeply reddened
Were the eyes of women (with bashfulness);
Reddened by walking through every land
Were the feet of visiting poets;
Reddened in pursuit of supreme truth
Were the hearts of wise sages...
நாணிச் சிவந்தன
மாதரார் கண்கள்
நாடு தோறும் நடந்து சிவந்தன
பாவலர் கால்கள்
நற்பொருளை தேடிச் சிவந்தன
ஞானியர் நெஞ்சம்...ம்ம்.....ம்ம்ம்
And from giving continuously every day,
Worn out and reddened
Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna...
And from giving continuously every day,
Worn out and reddened
Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna...
தினம் கொடுத்து
தேய்ந்து சிவந்தது
கர்ண மாமன்னன் திருக்கரமே....
தேய்ந்து சிவந்தது
கர்ண மாமன்னன் திருக்கரமே
Other kings extend their hands with wealth,
Reaching out from above,
While others bow down to receive it...
But the great king Karna
Extends his hand from below,
Allowing others to take it freely...
Giving with the right hand
Without the left hand ever knowing,
Such was the noble hero Karna,
A great king who brought poverty itself
To utter poverty!
Long live, long live, long live!
மன்னவர் பொருள்களை
கை கொண்டு நீட்டுவார்
மற்றவர் பணிந்து கொள்வார்...
மாமன்னன் கர்ணனோ
தன் கரம் நீட்டுவார்
மற்றவர் எடுத்துக் கொள்வார்...
வலது கை கொடுப்பதை
இடது கை அறியாமல்
வைத்தவன் கர்ண வீரன்
வறுமைக்கு வறுமையை
வைத்ததோர் மாமன்னன்
வாழ்கவே வாழ்க வாழ்க
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
Before people even think of what he will give
Or which riches he might grant...
He gives gold, he gives riches;
And if they say it is not enough, not enough,
He gives even more!
If even these fall short, our Karna
Gives himself,
He will willingly give his very life!
Oh ocean of boundless mercy...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
என்ன கொடுப்பான்
எவை கொடுப்பான்
என்றிவர்கள் எண்ணும் முன்னே...ஏ...ஏ...
பொன்னும் கொடுப்பான்
பொருள் கொடுப்பான்
போதாது போதாது என்றால்
இன்னும் கொடுப்பான்
இவையும் குறைவென்றால்
எங்கள் கர்ணன்
தன்னைக் கொடுப்பான்
தன் உயிரும்தான் கொடுப்பான்
தயாநிதியே...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆண்கள் :
ஆயிரம் கரங்கள் நீட்டி
அணைக்கின்ற தாயே போற்றி
அருள் பொங்கும் முகத்தைக் காட்டி
இருள் நீக்கும் தந்தாய் போற்றி
ஆண்கள் :
தாயினும் பரிந்து
சாலச் சகலரை
அணைப்பாய் போற்றி
தழைக்கும் ஓர் உயிர்கட் கெல்லாம்
துணைக் கரம் கொடுப்பாய் போற்றி
தூயவர் இதயம் போல
துலங்கிடும் ஒளியே போற்றி
தூரத்தே நெருப்பை வைத்து
சாரத்தை தருவாய் போற்றி
ஞாயிறே நலமே வாழ்க
நாயகன் வடிவே போற்றி
நானிலம் உளநாள் மட்டும்
போற்றுவோம் போற்றி போற்றி...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa aa…aa
Aa aa…aa
Mazhai kodukkum kodaiyumoru
The gift of rain given by clouds lasts for a mere
Irandu maadham…mm mm mm
Two months...
Vayal kodukkum kodaiyumoru
The harvest given by the fields lasts for
Moondru maadham…mmm mm
Three months...
Pasu vazhangum kodaiyumoru
The milk provided by the cow lasts for
Naanghu maadham…mmm
Four months...
Paarthibanaam karnanukko
But for King Karna,
Naalum maadham…
Every single day is a season of giving...
Paarthibanaam karnanukko
But for King Karna,
Naalum maadham…
Every single day is a season of giving...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….
Aa….aa…..aa….
Nani chivandhana
Deeply reddened
Maadharar kangal
Were the eyes of women (with bashfulness);
Naadu thorum nadandhu sivandhana
Reddened by walking through every land
Paavalar kaalgal
Were the feet of visiting poets;
Narporulai thaedi chivandhana
Reddened in pursuit of supreme truth
Nyaaniyar nenjam… mm…mmm
Were the hearts of wise sages...
Dhinam koduthu
And from giving continuously every day,
Thaeindhu sivandhadhu
Worn out and reddened
Karna maamannan thiru karamae…
Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna...
Dhinam koduthu
And from giving continuously every day,
Thaeindhu sivandhadhu
Worn out and reddened
Karna maamannan thiru karamae…ae…ae..ae..
Was the sacred hand of the great king Karna...
Mannavar porulthanai
Other kings extend their hands with wealth,
Kai kondu neettuvaar
Reaching out from above,
Mattravar panindhu kolvaar…
While others bow down to receive it...
Maamannan karnano
But the great king Karna
Than karam neettuvaar
Extends his hand from below,
Mattravar eduthu kolvaar…
Allowing others to take it freely...
Valadhu kai koduppadhai
Giving with the right hand
Idadhu kai ariyaamal
Without the left hand ever knowing,
Vaithavan karna veeran
Such was the noble hero Karna,
Varumaikku varumaiyai
A great king who brought poverty itself
Vaithadhor maamannan
To utter poverty!
Vaazhgavae vaazhga vaazhga
Long live, long live, long live!
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
Enna koduppaan yevai koduppaan
Before people even think of what he will give
Endrivargal ennum munnae… ae… ae…
Or which riches he might grant...
Ponnum koduppaan porul koduppaan
He gives gold, he gives riches;
Podhaadhu podhaadhu endraal
And if they say it is not enough, not enough,
Innum koduppaan
He gives even more!
Ivaiyum kuraivendraal engal karnan
If even these fall short, our Karna
Thannai koduppaan
Gives himself,
Than uyirum thaan koduppaan
He will willingly give his very life!
Dhayaanidhiyae…
Oh ocean of boundless mercy...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
Aa….aa…..aa….aa…aa…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This famous verse from the legendary Tamil film Karnan (1964) elevates the hero Karna as the ultimate symbol of philanthropy and righteousness. Lyricist Kannadasan compares nature's seasonal giving—such as rain lasting two months, crops three months, and milk four months—to Karna's charity, which knows no seasonal limits and flows endlessly every day of the year. The verse vividly illustrates Karna's humility and generosity. Unlike typical monarchs who demand deference when granting alms, Karna places his hands underneath the receiver's to maintain their dignity. His continuous giving causes his hands to turn red and worn out. He gives so discreetly that one hand knows not what the other gives, ultimately bringing 'poverty to poverty itself' and demonstrating a willingness to offer his own life for those in need.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor & Imagery (Sivandhadhu / Reddening)
“Dhinam koduthu thaeindhu sivandhadhu karna maamannan thiru karamae”
The poet uses the visual motif of reddening across different subjects—women's eyes, poets' feet, sages' hearts, and finally Karna's worn-out hands from incessant charity.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Varumaikku varumaiyai vaithadhor maamannan”
Describing Karna as a king who brought 'poverty to poverty itself' through his endless giving is a poetic exaggeration highlighting his absolute generosity.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Mannavar porulthanai kai kondu neettuvaar... Maamannan karnano than karam neettuvaar”
Contrasts the arrogant manner in which typical kings distribute wealth (forcing supplicants to bow) with Karna's humble posture of holding his hands underneath the receiver.
Anaphora & Parallelism
“Mazhai kodukkum kodaiyumoru... Vayal kodukkum kodaiyumoru”
Repetition of sentence structure across successive lines ('kodukkum kodaiyumoru') establishes a rhythmic comparison between nature's limited giving and Karna's limitless charity.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the landmark epic film Karnan (1964), these lines draw heavily upon classical Sangam literature style (such as Purananuru praise poetry). The music was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and the rendition in the film stands as one of Tamil cinema's grandest tributes to the virtue of 'Eegai' (charity).
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