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Isaimozhi
Rojavin Raja album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naalai Nee Mannavan

From Rojavin Raja · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Rojavin Raja
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
12 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sirithathu podhum sindhiyungal
Ennai thiramai irunthaal sandhiyungal
Kalaikkoru ellai kandathillai
Adhai kandavar yaarum sonnadhillai
Naalai nee mannavan
Endha naalil nee maanavan
Naalai nee mannavan
Endha naalil nee maanavan
Gyaana deepam naam yettralaam
Nalla paadhai naam kattalaam
Gyaana deepam naam yettralaam
Nalla paadhai naam kattalaam
Geethai yaar sonnadhu
Kural vedham yaar thandhadhu
Geethai yaar sonnadhu
Kural vedham yaar thandhadhu
Indru paadhai yen maarinaar
Endru yaarai naam ketppadhu
Naalai nee mannavan
Endha naalil nee maanavan
Gyaana deepam naam yettralaam
Nalla paadhai naam kattalaam
Engal ponnattilae
Ini ellaam ellarkkumae
Endru aagum naal vandhadhu
Inba naadham ketkindrathu
Aalai ooraayiram
Kalvisaalai noor aayiram
Ingu naalum naam kaanalaam
Selvam yaavum naam thedalaam
Naalai nee mannavan
Endha naalil nee maanavan
Gyaana deepam naam yettralaam
Nalla paadhai naam kattalaam
Enough of laughing, stop and think!
If you have the skill, come face me!
No one has ever found a boundary to art,
And no one who did has ever spoken of it.
Tomorrow you may be a king,
But on which day were you ever a student?
Tomorrow you may be a king,
But on which day were you ever a student?
Let us light the lamp of wisdom,
Let us build a good path ahead.
Let us light the lamp of wisdom,
Let us build a good path ahead.
Who gave us the Gita?
Who gave us the sacred wisdom of the Kural?
Who gave us the Gita?
Who gave us the sacred wisdom of the Kural?
Why have people strayed from the path today?
Whom can we even ask about this?
Tomorrow you may be a king,
But on which day were you ever a student?
Let us light the lamp of wisdom,
Let us build a good path ahead.
In our golden land,
Everything belongs to everyone from now on—
The day that brings this truth has arrived,
And a melody of joy can now be heard.
Thousands of factories in every town,
Hundreds of thousands of schools,
We can see them here every day,
And we can seek every kind of prosperity.
Tomorrow you may be a king,
But on which day were you ever a student?
Let us light the lamp of wisdom,
Let us build a good path ahead.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Sirithathu podhum sindhiyungal is an uplifting and philosophical song from Rojavin Raja (1976), composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan. Lyricist Kannadasan urges people, especially youth, to move beyond complacency and foolish pride. The central refrain contrasts 'mannavan' (a king or ruler) with 'maanavan' (a humble student or seeker of knowledge), emphasizing that true human worth comes from remaining a lifelong learner rather than mere worldly status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Pun

Naalai nee mannavan

The lyrics playfully contrast 'mannavan' (king/ruler) and 'maanavan' (student/learner), using phonetic similarity to deliver a deep message about status versus humility.

Metaphor

Gyaana deepam naam yettralaam

Knowledge and spiritual awareness are metaphorically represented as a lamp ('gyaana deepam') that dispels darkness.

Did you know?

Trivia

In Rojavin Raja (1976), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri, Kannadasan crafted this song featuring his signature wordplay contrasting 'mannavan' (king) and 'maanavan' (student) to emphasize education and moral discipline.

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