Naattukkule Sila Narigal
From Naan Potta Savaal · 1980
- Lyricist
- Puratchi Dasan
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Naan Potta Savaal1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Male | |
| Nottam paaththukka thambi | Keep a watchful eye, my little brother |
| En paattai kettkka thambi | Listen carefully to my song, my little brother |
| Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi | Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing |
| Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi | Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad |
| Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae | Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin |
| Thambi thambi thambi | Brother, brother, my dear brother |
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Male | |
| Panjamaa paadhagar anju peru | There are five wretched sinners who commit misdeeds |
| Athai pangittu kondavar naalu peru | And four people who shared the spoils among themselves |
| Kolai kalavu poi kuru ninthaigal | Murders, thefts, lies, and slander against teachers |
| Vanjaga sirippu vaarththaiyil inippu | A deceitful smile and sweet-sounding words |
| Nenjilae kasappu irandu peru | With bitterness hidden inside the heart, there are two such people |
| Thanjamadainthavar thannai thodarnthavar | Those who sought shelter and those who followed them |
| Minjuvathilai oor peru | Not even the town's reputation remains for them |
| Male | |
| Pattam pidiththaar sila peru | A few people acquired grand titles and positions |
| Paarththu thudiththaar pala peru | Many people watched in agony and trembled |
| Vattam pottu adhil thittam theettiyingu | Drawing circles here and plotting evil schemes |
| Kokku thalai pottu vennai poosivitta | Posing innocently while slyly buttering up others |
| Komaali kooththaadi komberi kaaththaadi yaaryaar | Who are these clowns, performers, and high-flying opportunists? |
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Male | |
| Nottam paaththukka thambi | Keep a watchful eye, my little brother |
| En paattai kettkka thambi | Listen carefully to my song, my little brother |
| Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi | Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing |
| Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi | Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad |
| Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae | Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin |
| Thambi thambi thambi | Brother, brother, my dear brother |
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Male | |
| Katti kaaththavar pala peru | Many were those who protected and safeguarded |
| Kaatti koduththavar sila peru | While a few were those who betrayed and exposed |
| Ottikkondu nindru osao ennavendru | Standing close and pretending to ask about the commotion |
| Etti paarththavargal naalu peru | There are four spectators peeking from a distance |
| Patta pagal kollai paaigalin thollai | Daylight robbery and constant harassment by goons |
| Vittu vaippathillai ooru peru | Leaving no peace or honor for the town's name |
| Male | |
| Annan thambi rendu peru | There were two brothers, elder and younger |
| Athai pirinthavar naalu peru | And four conspirators who tore them apart |
| Vambil maattivittu vazhakkil pogavittu | Framing them in trouble and dragging them into litigation |
| Nambikkaiyum kettu naanayamum kettu | Destroying trust and ruining moral integrity |
| Santhi siriththaenae saavaal viduththaanae kelu kelu | Exposed in the public street, issuing an open challenge, listen listen! |
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Male | |
| Nottam paaththukka thambi | Keep a watchful eye, my little brother |
| En paattai kettkka thambi | Listen carefully to my song, my little brother |
| Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi | Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing |
| Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi | Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad |
| Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae | Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin |
| Thambi thambi thambi | Brother, brother, my dear brother |
| Male | |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
| Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu | There are some sly foxes living within this land |
| Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu | And there are some seemingly honest tigers too |
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது......
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
நோட்டம் பாத்துக்க தம்பி
என் பாட்டை கேட்டுக்க தம்பி
இந்த நைனா புலிகள் வேசத்தில் மயங்கி
நல்லது கெட்டதை உணரத் தயங்கி
நம்பி விடாதே வெம்பி விடாதே
தம்பி தம்பி தம்பி........
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Brother, brother, my dear brother
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
பஞ்சமா பாதகர் ஐஞ்சு பேரு
அதை பங்கிட்டு கொண்டவர் நாலு பேரு
கொலை களவு பொய் குரு நிந்தைகள்
வஞ்சக சிரிப்பு வார்த்தையில் இனிப்பு
நெஞ்சிலே கசப்பு இரண்டு பேரு
தஞ்சமடைந்தவர் தன்னை தொடர்ந்தவர்
மிஞ்சுவதில்லை ஊர் பேரு
There are five wretched sinners who commit misdeeds
And four people who shared the spoils among themselves
Murders, thefts, lies, and slander against teachers
A deceitful smile and sweet-sounding words
With bitterness hidden inside the heart, there are two such people
Those who sought shelter and those who followed them
Not even the town's reputation remains for them
பட்டம் பிடித்தார் சில பேரு
பார்த்து துடித்தார் பல பேரு
வட்டம் போட்டு அதில் திட்டம் தீட்டியிங்கு
கொக்கு தலை போட்டு வெண்ணை பூசிவிட்ட
கோமாளி கூத்தாடி கொம்பேறி காத்தாடி யார்யாரு
A few people acquired grand titles and positions
Many people watched in agony and trembled
Drawing circles here and plotting evil schemes
Posing innocently while slyly buttering up others
Who are these clowns, performers, and high-flying opportunists?
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
நோட்டம் பாத்துக்க தம்பி
என் பாட்டை கேட்டுக்க தம்பி
இந்த நைனா புலிகள் வேசத்தில் மயங்கி
நல்லது கெட்டதை உணரத் தயங்கி
நம்பி விடாதே வெம்பி விடாதே
தம்பி தம்பி தம்பி........
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Brother, brother, my dear brother
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
There are some sly foxes living within this land
கட்டிக் காத்தவர் பல பேரு
காட்டிக் கொடுத்தவர் சில பேரு
ஒட்டிக் கொண்டு நின்று ஓசை என்னவென்று
எட்டி பார்த்தவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
பட்டப் பகல் கொள்ளை பாவிகளின் தொல்லை
விட்டு வைப்பதில்லை ஊரு பேரு
Many were those who protected and safeguarded
While a few were those who betrayed and exposed
Standing close and pretending to ask about the commotion
There are four spectators peeking from a distance
Daylight robbery and constant harassment by goons
Leaving no peace or honor for the town's name
அண்ணன் தம்பி ரெண்டு பேரு
அதை பிரித்தவர் நாலு பேரு
வம்பில் மாட்டிவிட்டு வழக்கில் போகவிட்டு
நம்பிக்கையும் கெட்டு நாணயமும் கெட்டு
சந்தி சிரித்தானே சவால் விடுத்தானே கேளு கேளு
There were two brothers, elder and younger
And four conspirators who tore them apart
Framing them in trouble and dragging them into litigation
Destroying trust and ruining moral integrity
Exposed in the public street, issuing an open challenge, listen listen!
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
நோட்டம் பாத்துக்க தம்பி
என் பாட்டை கேட்டுக்க தம்பி
இந்த நைனா புலிகள் வேசத்தில் மயங்கி
நல்லது கெட்டதை உணரத் தயங்கி
நம்பி விடாதே வெம்பி விடாதே
தம்பி தம்பி தம்பி........
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Brother, brother, my dear brother
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
நாட்டுக்குள்ளே சில நரிகள் இருக்குது
ரொம்ப நாணயமான சில புலிகள் இருக்குது
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
There are some sly foxes living within this land
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Nottam paaththukka thambi
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
En paattai kettkka thambi
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Thambi thambi thambi
Brother, brother, my dear brother
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Panjamaa paadhagar anju peru
There are five wretched sinners who commit misdeeds
Athai pangittu kondavar naalu peru
And four people who shared the spoils among themselves
Kolai kalavu poi kuru ninthaigal
Murders, thefts, lies, and slander against teachers
Vanjaga sirippu vaarththaiyil inippu
A deceitful smile and sweet-sounding words
Nenjilae kasappu irandu peru
With bitterness hidden inside the heart, there are two such people
Thanjamadainthavar thannai thodarnthavar
Those who sought shelter and those who followed them
Minjuvathilai oor peru
Not even the town's reputation remains for them
Pattam pidiththaar sila peru
A few people acquired grand titles and positions
Paarththu thudiththaar pala peru
Many people watched in agony and trembled
Vattam pottu adhil thittam theettiyingu
Drawing circles here and plotting evil schemes
Kokku thalai pottu vennai poosivitta
Posing innocently while slyly buttering up others
Komaali kooththaadi komberi kaaththaadi yaaryaar
Who are these clowns, performers, and high-flying opportunists?
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Nottam paaththukka thambi
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
En paattai kettkka thambi
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Thambi thambi thambi
Brother, brother, my dear brother
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Katti kaaththavar pala peru
Many were those who protected and safeguarded
Kaatti koduththavar sila peru
While a few were those who betrayed and exposed
Ottikkondu nindru osao ennavendru
Standing close and pretending to ask about the commotion
Etti paarththavargal naalu peru
There are four spectators peeking from a distance
Patta pagal kollai paaigalin thollai
Daylight robbery and constant harassment by goons
Vittu vaippathillai ooru peru
Leaving no peace or honor for the town's name
Annan thambi rendu peru
There were two brothers, elder and younger
Athai pirinthavar naalu peru
And four conspirators who tore them apart
Vambil maattivittu vazhakkil pogavittu
Framing them in trouble and dragging them into litigation
Nambikkaiyum kettu naanayamum kettu
Destroying trust and ruining moral integrity
Santhi siriththaenae saavaal viduththaanae kelu kelu
Exposed in the public street, issuing an open challenge, listen listen!
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Nottam paaththukka thambi
Keep a watchful eye, my little brother
En paattai kettkka thambi
Listen carefully to my song, my little brother
Intha nainaa puligal vesaththil mayangi
Do not be enchanted by these wolves in sheep's clothing
Nallathu kettathai unara thayangi
Do not hesitate to distinguish between good and bad
Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae
Do not blindly trust and end up in ruin
Thambi thambi thambi
Brother, brother, my dear brother
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu
There are some sly foxes living within this land
Rompa naanayamaana sila puligal irukkuthu
And there are some seemingly honest tigers too
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Naattukkullae Sila Narigal from the 1980 Rajinikanth starrer 'Naan Potta Savaal' is a social commentary song framed as a moral warning. Sung in Malaysia Vasudevan's energetic voice with Ilaiyaraaja's rustic, folk-infused orchestration, the song addresses the prevalence of treacherous, hypocritical people in society who pretend to be noble while secretly plotting evil.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Naattukkullae sila narigal irukkuthu”
Comparing untrustworthy, deceptive people to wild animals like foxes (narigal) and tigers in disguise (puligal).
Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Nambi vidaathae vembi vidaathae”
Matching second consonants across lines to create rhythmic flow ('Nambi' and 'Vembi').
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Patta pagal kollai paaigalin thollai”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' across the line.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Naan Potta Savaal' was a notable action film directed by Puratchi Dasan, who also penned the lyrics for this track. Malaysia Vasudevan was Rajinikanth's primary playback voice during this era, and this song perfectly captures Rajinikanth's signature swagger and mass appeal.
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