Naan Yaen Pirandhen
From Naan Yen Pirandhen · 1972
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Naan Yen Pirandhen1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naan yen pirandhaen | Why was I born? |
| Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen | What good have I done for the nation? |
| Endru naalum pozhudhum | Thus, every single day and moment, |
| Vaazhum varaiyil | As long as you live, |
| Ninaithidu en thozhaa | Think about it, my friend. |
| Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa | Think and act, my friend. |
| Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa | Act immediately, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Naan yen pirandhaen | Why was I born? |
| Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen | What good have I done for the nation? |
| Endru naalum pozhudhum | Thus, every single day and moment, |
| Vaazhum varaiyil | As long as you live, |
| Ninaithidu en thozhaa | Think about it, my friend. |
| Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa | Think and act, my friend. |
| Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa | Act immediately, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Kudichi odamba keduthukkittu | By drinking and ruining your health, |
| Veenaa pozhudha pokkareengalae | You are wasting your time in vain. |
| Indha naerathula naattukku | During this time, for the country, |
| Edhaavadhu nalladhu seiya koodaadha (Dialogue) | Shouldn't you do something good? |
| Chorus | |
| Hum naadaamilla naadu | Hmph, what kind of country is this? |
| Indha naadu engalukku enna seidhuchi (Dialogue) | What has this country done for us? |
| Male | |
| Naadenna seidhadhu namakku | "What has the country done for us?" |
| Ena kaelvigal ketpadhu edharku | Why ask such questions? |
| Neeyenna seidhaai adharku | "What have you done for it?" |
| Ena ninaithaal nanmai unakku | If you think like that, it will do you good. |
| Naadenna seidhadhu namakku | "What has the country done for us?" |
| Ena kaelvigal ketpadhu edharku | Why ask such questions? |
| Neeyenna seidhaai adharku | "What have you done for it?" |
| Ena ninaithaal nanmai unakku | If you think like that, it will do you good. |
| Male | |
| Naan yen pirandhaen | Why was I born? |
| Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen | What good have I done for the nation? |
| Endru naalum pozhudhum | Thus, every single day and moment, |
| Vaazhum varaiyil | As long as you live, |
| Ninaithidu en thozhaa | Think about it, my friend. |
| Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa | Think and act, my friend. |
| Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa | Act immediately, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Malaiyil pirandha nadhiyaal | By the river born in the mountain, |
| Makkal dhaagam theerndhadhu | The thirst of the people was quenched. |
| Marathil pirandha kaniyaal | By the fruit born on the tree, |
| Avar pasiyum thanindhadhu | Their hunger was satisfied. |
| Malaiyil pirandha nadhiyaal | By the river born in the mountain, |
| Makkal dhaagam theerndhadhu | The thirst of the people was quenched. |
| Marathil pirandha kaniyaal | By the fruit born on the tree, |
| Avar pasiyum thanindhadhu | Their hunger was satisfied. |
| Female | |
| Kodiyil pirandha malaraal | By the flower born on the creeper, |
| Engum vaasam thavazhdhadhu | Fragrance wafts everywhere. |
| Annai madiyil pirandha unnaal | By you, born in your mother's lap, |
| Enna payan thaan vilaindhadhu | What useful outcome has been yielded? |
| Male | |
| Naan yen pirandhaen | Why was I born? |
| Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen | What good have I done for the nation? |
| Endru naalum pozhudhum | Thus, every single day and moment, |
| Vaazhum varaiyil | As long as you live, |
| Ninaithidu en thozhaa | Think about it, my friend. |
| Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa | Think and act, my friend. |
| Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa | Act immediately, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Pathu thingal sumandhaalae | She who bore you for ten months, |
| Aval perumai pada vendum | Should feel proud of you. |
| Unnai pettradhanaal aval | Because she gave birth to you, |
| Mattravaraalae pottra pada vendum | She should be praised by everyone else. |
| Male | |
| Kattravar sabaiyil unakkaaga | In the assembly of learned scholars, |
| Thani idamum thara vendum | A special place must be reserved for you. |
| Un kannil oru thuli neer vandhaalum | Even if a single drop of tear comes to your eye, |
| Ulagam azha vendum | The world should weep for you. |
| Male | |
| Naan yen pirandhaen | Why was I born? |
| Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen | What good have I done for the nation? |
| Endru naalum pozhudhum | Thus, every single day and moment, |
| Vaazhum varaiyil | As long as you live, |
| Ninaithidu en thozhaa | Think about it, my friend. |
| Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa | Think and act, my friend. |
| Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa | Act immediately, my friend. |
நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் என்ன புரிந்தேன்
என்று நாளும் பொழுதும்
வாழும் வரையில்
நினைத்திடு என் தோழா
நினைத்து செயல்படு என் தோழா
உடனே செயல்படு என் தோழா
Why was I born?
What good have I done for the nation?
Thus, every single day and moment,
As long as you live,
Think about it, my friend.
Think and act, my friend.
Act immediately, my friend.
நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் என்ன புரிந்தேன்
என்று நாளும் பொழுதும்
வாழும் வரையில்
நினைத்திடு என் தோழா
நினைத்து செயல்படு என் தோழா
உடனே செயல்படு என் தோழா
Why was I born?
What good have I done for the nation?
Thus, every single day and moment,
As long as you live,
Think about it, my friend.
Think and act, my friend.
Act immediately, my friend.
குடிச்சி ஒடம்ப கெடுத்துகிட்டு
வேஆ பொழுத போக்குறீங்களே
இந்த நேரத்துல நாட்டுக்கு
எதாவது நல்லது செய்ய கூடாதா (வசனம் )
By drinking and ruining your health,
You are wasting your time in vain.
During this time, for the country,
Shouldn't you do something good?
ஹ்ம்ம் நாடாமிலா நாடு
இந்த நாடு எங்களுக்கு என்ன செய்துச்சி (வசனம் )
Hmph, what kind of country is this?
What has this country done for us?
நாடென்ன செய்தது நமக்கு
என கேள்விகள் கேட்பது எதற்கு
நீயென்ன செய்தாய் அதற்கு
என நினைத்தால் நன்மை உனக்கு
நாடென்ன செய்தது நமக்கு
என கேள்விகள் கேட்பது எதற்கு
நீயென்ன செய்தாய் அதற்கு
என நினைத்தால் நன்மை உனக்கு
"What has the country done for us?"
Why ask such questions?
"What have you done for it?"
If you think like that, it will do you good.
"What has the country done for us?"
Why ask such questions?
"What have you done for it?"
If you think like that, it will do you good.
நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் என்ன புரிந்தேன்
என்று நாளும் பொழுதும்
வாழும் வரையில்
நினைத்திடு என் தோழா
நினைத்து செயல்படு என் தோழா
உடனே செயல்படு என் தோழா
Why was I born?
What good have I done for the nation?
Thus, every single day and moment,
As long as you live,
Think about it, my friend.
Think and act, my friend.
Act immediately, my friend.
மலையில் பிறந்த நதியால்
மக்கள் தாகம் தீர்ந்தது
மரத்தில் பிறந்த கனியால்
அவர் பசியும் தணிந்தது
மலையில் பிறந்த நதியால்
மக்கள் தாகம் தீர்ந்தது
மரத்தில் பிறந்த கனியால்
அவர் பசியும் தணிந்தது
By the river born in the mountain,
The thirst of the people was quenched.
By the fruit born on the tree,
Their hunger was satisfied.
By the river born in the mountain,
The thirst of the people was quenched.
By the fruit born on the tree,
Their hunger was satisfied.
கொடியில் பிறந்த மலரால்
எங்கும் வாசம் தவழ்ந்தது
அன்னை மடியில் பிறந்த உன்னால்
என்ன பயன்தான் விளைந்தது
By the flower born on the creeper,
Fragrance wafts everywhere.
By you, born in your mother's lap,
What useful outcome has been yielded?
நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் என்ன புரிந்தேன்
என்று நாளும் பொழுதும்
வாழும் வரையில்
நினைத்திடு என் தோழா
நினைத்து செயல்படு என் தோழா
உடனே செயல்படு என் தோழா
Why was I born?
What good have I done for the nation?
Thus, every single day and moment,
As long as you live,
Think about it, my friend.
Think and act, my friend.
Act immediately, my friend.
பத்துத் திங்கள் சுமந்தாளே
அவள் பெருமைப் படவேண்டும்
உன்னைப் பெற்றதனால் அவள்
மற்றவராலே போற்றப்பட வேண்டும்
She who bore you for ten months,
Should feel proud of you.
Because she gave birth to you,
She should be praised by everyone else.
கற்றவர் சபையில் உனக்காக
தனி இடமும் தர வேண்டும்
உன் கண்ணில் ஒரு துளி நீர் வந்தாலும்
உலகம் அழ வேண்டும்
In the assembly of learned scholars,
A special place must be reserved for you.
Even if a single drop of tear comes to your eye,
The world should weep for you.
நான் ஏன் பிறந்தேன்
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் என்ன புரிந்தேன்
என்று நாளும் பொழுதும்
வாழும் வரையில்
நினைத்திடு என் தோழா
நினைத்து செயல்படு என் தோழா
உடனே செயல்படு என் தோழா
Why was I born?
What good have I done for the nation?
Thus, every single day and moment,
As long as you live,
Think about it, my friend.
Think and act, my friend.
Act immediately, my friend.
Naan yen pirandhaen
Why was I born?
Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen
What good have I done for the nation?
Endru naalum pozhudhum
Thus, every single day and moment,
Vaazhum varaiyil
As long as you live,
Ninaithidu en thozhaa
Think about it, my friend.
Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa
Think and act, my friend.
Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa
Act immediately, my friend.
Naan yen pirandhaen
Why was I born?
Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen
What good have I done for the nation?
Endru naalum pozhudhum
Thus, every single day and moment,
Vaazhum varaiyil
As long as you live,
Ninaithidu en thozhaa
Think about it, my friend.
Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa
Think and act, my friend.
Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa
Act immediately, my friend.
Kudichi odamba keduthukkittu
By drinking and ruining your health,
Veenaa pozhudha pokkareengalae
You are wasting your time in vain.
Indha naerathula naattukku
During this time, for the country,
Edhaavadhu nalladhu seiya koodaadha (Dialogue)
Shouldn't you do something good?
Hum naadaamilla naadu
Hmph, what kind of country is this?
Indha naadu engalukku enna seidhuchi (Dialogue)
What has this country done for us?
Naadenna seidhadhu namakku
"What has the country done for us?"
Ena kaelvigal ketpadhu edharku
Why ask such questions?
Neeyenna seidhaai adharku
"What have you done for it?"
Ena ninaithaal nanmai unakku
If you think like that, it will do you good.
Naadenna seidhadhu namakku
"What has the country done for us?"
Ena kaelvigal ketpadhu edharku
Why ask such questions?
Neeyenna seidhaai adharku
"What have you done for it?"
Ena ninaithaal nanmai unakku
If you think like that, it will do you good.
Naan yen pirandhaen
Why was I born?
Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen
What good have I done for the nation?
Endru naalum pozhudhum
Thus, every single day and moment,
Vaazhum varaiyil
As long as you live,
Ninaithidu en thozhaa
Think about it, my friend.
Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa
Think and act, my friend.
Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa
Act immediately, my friend.
Malaiyil pirandha nadhiyaal
By the river born in the mountain,
Makkal dhaagam theerndhadhu
The thirst of the people was quenched.
Marathil pirandha kaniyaal
By the fruit born on the tree,
Avar pasiyum thanindhadhu
Their hunger was satisfied.
Malaiyil pirandha nadhiyaal
By the river born in the mountain,
Makkal dhaagam theerndhadhu
The thirst of the people was quenched.
Marathil pirandha kaniyaal
By the fruit born on the tree,
Avar pasiyum thanindhadhu
Their hunger was satisfied.
Kodiyil pirandha malaraal
By the flower born on the creeper,
Engum vaasam thavazhdhadhu
Fragrance wafts everywhere.
Annai madiyil pirandha unnaal
By you, born in your mother's lap,
Enna payan thaan vilaindhadhu
What useful outcome has been yielded?
Naan yen pirandhaen
Why was I born?
Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen
What good have I done for the nation?
Endru naalum pozhudhum
Thus, every single day and moment,
Vaazhum varaiyil
As long as you live,
Ninaithidu en thozhaa
Think about it, my friend.
Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa
Think and act, my friend.
Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa
Act immediately, my friend.
Pathu thingal sumandhaalae
She who bore you for ten months,
Aval perumai pada vendum
Should feel proud of you.
Unnai pettradhanaal aval
Because she gave birth to you,
Mattravaraalae pottra pada vendum
She should be praised by everyone else.
Kattravar sabaiyil unakkaaga
In the assembly of learned scholars,
Thani idamum thara vendum
A special place must be reserved for you.
Un kannil oru thuli neer vandhaalum
Even if a single drop of tear comes to your eye,
Ulagam azha vendum
The world should weep for you.
Naan yen pirandhaen
Why was I born?
Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen
What good have I done for the nation?
Endru naalum pozhudhum
Thus, every single day and moment,
Vaazhum varaiyil
As long as you live,
Ninaithidu en thozhaa
Think about it, my friend.
Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa
Think and act, my friend.
Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa
Act immediately, my friend.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Naan Yen Pirandhen is an inspiring social reform song from the 1972 Tamil movie of the same name starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song acts as a call to self-reflection, encouraging individuals to contemplate their purpose in life and their duty towards their nation. It urges citizens to give up destructive habits like alcoholism and stop complaining about what the country has given them, asking them instead to focus on what contribution they have made to society. Using poetic metaphors from nature—such as rivers quenching thirst, fruit trees feeding the hungry, and flowers spreading fragrance—the song highlights that every element in nature serves a selfless purpose. Human beings should similarly strive to live meaningful lives that bring honor to their mothers, gain respect in learned societies, and leave a positive impact on the world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question
“Naan yen pirandhaen / Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen”
The speaker uses self-questioning to evoke self-reflection regarding one's civic duty and social contribution.
Analogy / Metaphor from Nature
“Malaiyil pirandha nadhiyaal / Makkal dhaagam theerndhadhu”
Compares elements of nature (river, fruit, flower) fulfilling a selfless purpose to challenge human beings to do the same.
Ethirai / Alliteration
“Naan yen pirandhaen / Naattukku nalam enna purindhaen”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Na' across lines to create rhythmic flow.
Epistrophe / Refrain
“Ninaithidu en thozhaa / Ninaithu seyalpadu en thozhaa / Udanae seyalpadu en thozhaa”
Repetition of the ending phrase 'en thozhaa' across consecutive lines to build strong direct address to the audience.
Did you know?
Trivia
The iconic lines 'Naadenna seidhadhu namakku... Neeyenna seidhaai adharku' were heavily inspired by U.S. President John F. Kennedy's famous 1961 inaugural address quote: 'Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.' The music for this movie was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with vocals rendered by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) and lyrics penned by Vaali.
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