Nalla Kavignan Enna
From Nenjathai Allitha · 1984
- Lyricist
- P. B. Srinivas
- Singers
- Jayachandran, Vijayaramani
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nenjathai Allitha1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nalla kavingan enna kalaingan enna | What is a good poet, what is an artist? |
| Arivirunthaal podhumaa | Is it enough just to have intelligence? |
| Kavarnthizhukkum azhagillaamal | Without captivating beauty, |
| Kavithai paada thondrumaa | Would one feel inspired to sing a poem? |
| Male | |
| Kambanaagattum periya kompanaagattum | Be it Kamban or any great legendary figure, |
| Azhagai paada maranthathillai | They never forgot to sing of beauty. |
| Maranthu ponaal kavingan illai | If forgotten, one is not a true poet. |
| Male | |
| Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae | Hey look boy, upon this world, |
| Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa | Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love! |
| Chorus :Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae | Chorus: Hey look boy, upon this world, |
| Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa | Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love! |
| Male | |
| Aagaathirukkum aathmiyellaam | Can a useless, worthless soul, |
| Achchaa kavingan aavaanaa | Become a fine poet? |
| Chorus :Aagaathirukkum aathmiyellaam | Chorus: Can a useless, worthless soul, |
| Achchaa kavingan aavaanaa | Become a fine poet? |
| Chorus | |
| Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae | Hey look boy, upon this world, |
| Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa | Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love! |
| Male | |
| Aa….aa….aa…. | Aa....aa....aa.... |
| Vairan endroru perum kavingan | There was a great poet named Lord Byron, |
| Iru paarvaiyillaa arungkavingan | A rare poet who lacked eyesight, |
| Female :Aahaa jamaaikkirainga | Female: Aahaa, you are rocking it! |
| Male :Nyaana kannaal azhagai paadinaan | Male: He sang of beauty with his divine inner eyes, |
| Ketpavar nenjam uruga paadinaan | He sang so sweetly that listeners' hearts melted. |
| Male | |
| Arivodu irunthaalae pothum | It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge. |
| Female :Adadadaa nallaavae irukku | Female: Oh my, that sounds really good! |
| Male :Arivodu irunthaalae pothum | Male: It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge. |
| Vanna azhagellaam mana kannil odum | All colourful beauty will run through the mind's eye. |
| Azhagodu irnthenna laabam | What is the use of merely having physical beauty? |
| Female :Nalla arivondrae adhai kaattum dheepam | Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it. |
| Male | |
| Azhagodu irnthenna laabam | What is the use of merely having physical beauty? |
| Nalla arivondrae adhai kaattum dheepam | Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it. |
| Male | |
| Arivodu irunthaalae pothum | It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge. |
| Male | |
| Thaen kuralil paadgindra thiramiyundu kuyilukku | The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice, |
| Thaen kuralil paadgindra thiramiyundu kuyilukku | The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice, |
| Aanaalum adhai thazhva aasaiyundo manathukku | Yet does the heart desire to embrace it? |
| Aanaalum adhai thazhva aasaiyundo manathukku | Yet does the heart desire to embrace it? |
| Dhesiya paravaiyendra perumaiyundu mayilukku | The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird, |
| Dhesiya paravaiyendra perumaiyundu mayilukku | The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird, |
| Dhesamae mayanguthappaa thogai konda azhagukku | The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage! |
| Dhesamae mayanguthappaa thogai konda azhagukku | The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage! |
| Male | |
| Vellaadu thaadi vaiththaal valluvanaai maaridumo | If a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar? |
| Haa vellaadu thaadi vaiththaal valluvanaai maaridumo | Haa, if a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar? |
| Karappaan meesai vaiththaal kattabomman aagidumo | If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman? |
| Karappaan meesai vaiththaal kattabomman aagidumo | If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman? |
| Kaanpatharkku azhagaagum kaangaeyam kaalaithaan | The Kangayam bull is magnificent to look at, |
| Kaalaiyai adakkuvathu vandikkaaran moolaithaan | But controlling that bull takes the brain of a cart driver! |
| Vandikkaaran moolaithaan….. | It takes the cart driver's brain! |
| Male | |
| Moonu roopaai koduththaalae muniyaandi hotel-lilae | If you pay three rupees at Muniyandi hotel, |
| Moolai kidaikkaatho peengaan plate-nilae | Won't you get brain dish served on a porcelain plate? |
| Azhagukku vilaiyaethu adhai virkkum kadaiyethu | There is no price for beauty, nor a shop to sell it, |
| Adhukkullae madhipellaam arivukku kidaiyaathu | Such priceless value is not found in intellect. |
| Male | |
| Koonal mdhugirukkum kuzhi vizhuntha kannirukkum | There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes, |
| Koonal mdhugirukkum kuzhi vizhuntha kannirukkum | There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes, |
| Kaakkaa niram polae karuththa pennirukkum | A woman dark in complexed tone like a crow, |
| Arivil uyarnthiruppaar avvaiyaar poliruppaar | She may be superior in intellect, wise like Avvaiyar, |
| Adadaa unai thavira avalai yaar manappaar | Oh dear, except you, who would marry her? |
| Avalai yaar manappaar | Who would marry her? |
| Male | |
| Kiliyai polae pennirunthaal kalyaanam kattuvaayo | If a girl is pretty like a parrot, would you marry her? |
| Muththamida ponaalae mookkaalae koththuvaalae | When you go to kiss her, she will peck you with her beak! |
| Male | |
| Puththisaali pennirunthaal poomaalae poduvaayo | If a girl is intelligent, would you offer her a flower garland? |
| Purushanai odhukki vachchu puththagaththai anaippaalae | She will sideline her husband and embrace her books instead! |
| Male | |
| Thannudaiya manaiviyidam ilamai kurainthathendru | Just because youth faded away from his wife, |
| Unnudaiyaa thanthaithaan odhukki vaiththathundo | Has your own father ever cast her aside? |
| Azhagu azhinthu vidum arivukku azhivethu | Beauty perishes with time, but what can destroy intellect? |
| Arivulla pennaalthaan kudumpam nadakkirathu | Only through a wise woman does a family run successfully! |
| Male | |
| Ada poda somaari puththikketta pemaani | Hey lazy fellow, foolish scoundrel, |
| Kaithae kasmaalam oosi pona briyani | Despicable rascal, spoiled stale biryani! |
| Ada aaththaa appan pera kettaa nee isththukkira thoththaa | Hey, when asked for father's name, you draw a blank, |
| Vishwanaathaa veliya vaadaa vachchukkiraen | Vishwanathan, come outside, I will deal with you! |
| Ada veliya vaadaa vachchukkiraen | Hey, come outside, I will deal with you! |
நல்ல கவிஞன் என்ன கலைஞன் என்ன
அறிவிருந்தால் போதுமா
கவர்ந்திழுக்கும் அழகில்லாமல்
கவிதை பாட தோன்றுமா
What is a good poet, what is an artist?
Is it enough just to have intelligence?
Without captivating beauty,
Would one feel inspired to sing a poem?
கம்பனாகட்டும் பெரிய கொம்பனாகட்டும்
அழகை பாட மறந்ததில்லை
மறந்து போனால் கவிஞன் இல்லை
Be it Kamban or any great legendary figure,
They never forgot to sing of beauty.
If forgotten, one is not a true poet.
ஹரே தேக்கோ பையா துனியா மேலே
அழகை கண்டா திவானா
குழு :
ஹரே தேக்கோ பையா துனியா மேலே
அழகை கண்டா திவானா
Hey look boy, upon this world,
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
Chorus: Hey look boy, upon this world,
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
ஆகாதிருக்கும் ஆத்மியெல்லாம்
அச்சா கவிஞன் ஆவானா.......
குழு :
ஆகாதிருக்கும் ஆத்மியெல்லாம்
அச்சா கவிஞன் ஆவானா.......
Can a useless, worthless soul,
Become a fine poet?
Chorus: Can a useless, worthless soul,
Become a fine poet?
ஹரே தேக்கோ பையா துனியா மேலே
அழகை கண்டா திவானா
Hey look boy, upon this world,
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
வைரன் என்றொரு பெரும் கவிஞன்
இரு பார்வையில்லா அருங்கவிஞன்
ஆஹா ஜமாய்க்கிறைங்க
ஞானக் கண்ணால் அழகை பாடினான்
கேட்பவர் நெஞ்சம் உருக பாடினான்
Aa....aa....aa....
There was a great poet named Lord Byron,
A rare poet who lacked eyesight,
Female: Aahaa, you are rocking it!
Male: He sang of beauty with his divine inner eyes,
He sang so sweetly that listeners' hearts melted.
அறிவோடு இருந்தாலே போதும்
அடடடா நல்லாவே இருக்கு
அறிவோடு இருந்தாலே போதும்
வண்ண அழகெல்லாம் மனக் கண்ணில் ஓடும்
அழகோடு இருந்தென்ன லாபம்
நல்ல அறிவொன்றே அதைக் காட்டும் தீபம்
It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
Female: Oh my, that sounds really good!
Male: It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
All colourful beauty will run through the mind's eye.
What is the use of merely having physical beauty?
Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it.
அழகோடு இருந்தென்ன லாபம்
நல்ல அறிவொன்றே அதைக் காட்டும் தீபம்
What is the use of merely having physical beauty?
Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it.
அறிவோடு இருந்தாலே போதும்
It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
தேன் குரலில் பாடுகின்ற திறமையுண்டு குயிலுக்கு
தேன் குரலில் பாடுகின்ற திறமையுண்டு குயிலுக்கு
ஆனாலும் அதை தழுவ ஆசையுண்டோ மனதுக்கு
ஆனாலும் அதை தழுவ ஆசையுண்டோ மனதுக்கு
தேசீய பறவையென்ற பெருமையுண்டு மயிலுக்கு
தேசீய பறவையென்ற பெருமையுண்டு மயிலுக்கு
தேசமே மயங்குதப்பா தோகை கொண்ட அழகுக்கு
தேசமே மயங்குதப்பா தோகை கொண்ட அழகுக்கு
The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice,
The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice,
Yet does the heart desire to embrace it?
Yet does the heart desire to embrace it?
The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird,
The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird,
The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage!
The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage!
வெள்ளாடு தாடி வைத்தால் வள்ளுவனாய் மாறிடுமோ
ஹா வெள்ளாடு தாடி வைத்தால் வள்ளுவனாய் மாறிடுமோ
கரப்பான் மீசை வைத்தால் கட்டபொம்மன் ஆகிடுமோ
கரப்பான் மீசை வைத்தால் கட்டபொம்மன் ஆகிடுமோ
காண்பதற்கு அழகாகும் காங்கேயம் காளைதான்
காளையை அடக்குவது வண்டிக்காரன் மூளைதான்
வண்டிக்காரன் மூளைதான்.......
If a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar?
Haa, if a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar?
If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman?
If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman?
The Kangayam bull is magnificent to look at,
But controlling that bull takes the brain of a cart driver!
It takes the cart driver's brain!
மூணு ரூபாய் கொடுத்தாலே முனியாண்டி ஹோட்டலிலே
மூளை கிடைக்காதோ பீங்கான் ப்ளேட்டினிலே
அழகுக்கு விலையேது அதை விற்கும் கடையேது
அதுக்குள்ளே மதிப்பெல்லாம் அறிவுக்கு கிடையாது
If you pay three rupees at Muniyandi hotel,
Won't you get brain dish served on a porcelain plate?
There is no price for beauty, nor a shop to sell it,
Such priceless value is not found in intellect.
கூனல் முதுகிருக்கும் குழி விழுந்த கண்ணிருக்கும்
கூனல் முதுகிருக்கும் குழி விழுந்த கண்ணிருக்கும்
காக்கா நிறம் போலே கறுத்த பெண்ணிருக்கும்
அறிவில் உயர்ந்திருப்பார் ஔவையார் போலிருப்பார்
அடடா உனைத் தவிர அவளை யார் மணப்பார்
அவளை யார் மணப்பார்
There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes,
There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes,
A woman dark in complexed tone like a crow,
She may be superior in intellect, wise like Avvaiyar,
Oh dear, except you, who would marry her?
Who would marry her?
கிளியைப் போலே பெண்ணிருந்தால் கல்யாணம் கட்டுவாயோ
முத்தமிட போனாலே மூக்காலே கொத்துவாளே
If a girl is pretty like a parrot, would you marry her?
When you go to kiss her, she will peck you with her beak!
புத்திசாலி பெண்ணிருந்தால் பூமாலை போடுவாயோ
புருஷனை ஒதுக்கி வச்சு புத்தகத்தை அணைப்பாளே
If a girl is intelligent, would you offer her a flower garland?
She will sideline her husband and embrace her books instead!
தன்னுடைய மனைவியிடம் இளமை குறைந்ததென்று
உன்னுடைய தந்தைதான் ஒதுக்கி வைத்ததுண்டோ
அழகு அழிந்து விடும் அறிவுக்கு அழிவேது
அறிவுள்ள பெண்ணால்தான் குடும்பம் நடக்கிறது
Just because youth faded away from his wife,
Has your own father ever cast her aside?
Beauty perishes with time, but what can destroy intellect?
Only through a wise woman does a family run successfully!
அட போடா சோமாறி புத்திக்கெட்ட பேமானி
கைய்தே கஸ்மாலம் ஊசி போன பிரியாணி
அட ஆத்தா அப்பன் பேர கேட்டா நீ இஸ்த்துகிற தோத்தா
விஸ்வநாதா வெளிய வாடா வச்சுக்கிறேன்......
அட வெளிய வாடா வச்சுக்கிறேன்.....
Hey lazy fellow, foolish scoundrel,
Despicable rascal, spoiled stale biryani!
Hey, when asked for father's name, you draw a blank,
Vishwanathan, come outside, I will deal with you!
Hey, come outside, I will deal with you!
Nalla kavingan enna kalaingan enna
What is a good poet, what is an artist?
Arivirunthaal podhumaa
Is it enough just to have intelligence?
Kavarnthizhukkum azhagillaamal
Without captivating beauty,
Kavithai paada thondrumaa
Would one feel inspired to sing a poem?
Kambanaagattum periya kompanaagattum
Be it Kamban or any great legendary figure,
Azhagai paada maranthathillai
They never forgot to sing of beauty.
Maranthu ponaal kavingan illai
If forgotten, one is not a true poet.
Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae
Hey look boy, upon this world,
Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
Chorus :Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae
Chorus: Hey look boy, upon this world,
Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
Aagaathirukkum aathmiyellaam
Can a useless, worthless soul,
Achchaa kavingan aavaanaa
Become a fine poet?
Chorus :Aagaathirukkum aathmiyellaam
Chorus: Can a useless, worthless soul,
Achchaa kavingan aavaanaa
Become a fine poet?
Harae thaekko paiyaa thuniyaa melae
Hey look boy, upon this world,
Azhagai kandaa thivaanaa
Whoever beholds beauty becomes crazy in love!
Aa….aa….aa….
Aa....aa....aa....
Vairan endroru perum kavingan
There was a great poet named Lord Byron,
Iru paarvaiyillaa arungkavingan
A rare poet who lacked eyesight,
Female :Aahaa jamaaikkirainga
Female: Aahaa, you are rocking it!
Male :Nyaana kannaal azhagai paadinaan
Male: He sang of beauty with his divine inner eyes,
Ketpavar nenjam uruga paadinaan
He sang so sweetly that listeners' hearts melted.
Arivodu irunthaalae pothum
It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
Female :Adadadaa nallaavae irukku
Female: Oh my, that sounds really good!
Male :Arivodu irunthaalae pothum
Male: It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
Vanna azhagellaam mana kannil odum
All colourful beauty will run through the mind's eye.
Azhagodu irnthenna laabam
What is the use of merely having physical beauty?
Female :Nalla arivondrae adhai kaattum dheepam
Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it.
Azhagodu irnthenna laabam
What is the use of merely having physical beauty?
Nalla arivondrae adhai kaattum dheepam
Female: Good knowledge alone is the lamp that illuminates it.
Arivodu irunthaalae pothum
It is enough to possess wisdom and knowledge.
Thaen kuralil paadgindra thiramiyundu kuyilukku
The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice,
Thaen kuralil paadgindra thiramiyundu kuyilukku
The cuckoo bird has the talent to sing in a honeyed voice,
Aanaalum adhai thazhva aasaiyundo manathukku
Yet does the heart desire to embrace it?
Aanaalum adhai thazhva aasaiyundo manathukku
Yet does the heart desire to embrace it?
Dhesiya paravaiyendra perumaiyundu mayilukku
The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird,
Dhesiya paravaiyendra perumaiyundu mayilukku
The peacock holds the pride of being the national bird,
Dhesamae mayanguthappaa thogai konda azhagukku
The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage!
Dhesamae mayanguthappaa thogai konda azhagukku
The entire nation swoons over the beauty of its plumage!
Vellaadu thaadi vaiththaal valluvanaai maaridumo
If a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar?
Haa vellaadu thaadi vaiththaal valluvanaai maaridumo
Haa, if a goat grows a beard, does it turn into Saint Valluvar?
Karappaan meesai vaiththaal kattabomman aagidumo
If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman?
Karappaan meesai vaiththaal kattabomman aagidumo
If a cockroach grows a moustache, does it become Kattabomman?
Kaanpatharkku azhagaagum kaangaeyam kaalaithaan
The Kangayam bull is magnificent to look at,
Kaalaiyai adakkuvathu vandikkaaran moolaithaan
But controlling that bull takes the brain of a cart driver!
Vandikkaaran moolaithaan…..
It takes the cart driver's brain!
Moonu roopaai koduththaalae muniyaandi hotel-lilae
If you pay three rupees at Muniyandi hotel,
Moolai kidaikkaatho peengaan plate-nilae
Won't you get brain dish served on a porcelain plate?
Azhagukku vilaiyaethu adhai virkkum kadaiyethu
There is no price for beauty, nor a shop to sell it,
Adhukkullae madhipellaam arivukku kidaiyaathu
Such priceless value is not found in intellect.
Koonal mdhugirukkum kuzhi vizhuntha kannirukkum
There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes,
Koonal mdhugirukkum kuzhi vizhuntha kannirukkum
There may be a woman with a hunched back and sunken eyes,
Kaakkaa niram polae karuththa pennirukkum
A woman dark in complexed tone like a crow,
Arivil uyarnthiruppaar avvaiyaar poliruppaar
She may be superior in intellect, wise like Avvaiyar,
Adadaa unai thavira avalai yaar manappaar
Oh dear, except you, who would marry her?
Avalai yaar manappaar
Who would marry her?
Kiliyai polae pennirunthaal kalyaanam kattuvaayo
If a girl is pretty like a parrot, would you marry her?
Muththamida ponaalae mookkaalae koththuvaalae
When you go to kiss her, she will peck you with her beak!
Puththisaali pennirunthaal poomaalae poduvaayo
If a girl is intelligent, would you offer her a flower garland?
Purushanai odhukki vachchu puththagaththai anaippaalae
She will sideline her husband and embrace her books instead!
Thannudaiya manaiviyidam ilamai kurainthathendru
Just because youth faded away from his wife,
Unnudaiyaa thanthaithaan odhukki vaiththathundo
Has your own father ever cast her aside?
Azhagu azhinthu vidum arivukku azhivethu
Beauty perishes with time, but what can destroy intellect?
Arivulla pennaalthaan kudumpam nadakkirathu
Only through a wise woman does a family run successfully!
Ada poda somaari puththikketta pemaani
Hey lazy fellow, foolish scoundrel,
Kaithae kasmaalam oosi pona briyani
Despicable rascal, spoiled stale biryani!
Ada aaththaa appan pera kettaa nee isththukkira thoththaa
Hey, when asked for father's name, you draw a blank,
Vishwanaathaa veliya vaadaa vachchukkiraen
Vishwanathan, come outside, I will deal with you!
Ada veliya vaadaa vachchukkiraen
Hey, come outside, I will deal with you!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a witty, lighthearted musical debate (Pattimandram) between two sides arguing whether physical beauty (Azhagu) or intellect/wisdom (Arivu) holds greater value in life, poetry, and society. One side asserts that without beauty, true art and poetic inspiration cannot exist, citing examples like peacocks and legendary poets praising beauty. The opposing side counters that beauty is fleeting, while knowledge illuminates life, pointing out humorous analogies like goats growing beards without becoming Tiruvalluvar.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Satire
“Vellaadu thaadi vaiththaal valluvanaai maaridumo”
Compares superficial appearances to greatness in a humorous way to disprove that outer appearance equals wisdom.
Edhai (Second letter rhyming / Assonance)
“Karappaan meesai vaiththaal kattabomman aagidumo”
Rhyming of second consonant letters in Tamil lyricism across lines (Vellaadu / Karappaan).
Analogy
“Dhesamae mayanguthappaa thogai konda azhagukku”
Uses the contrasting imagery of a cuckoo (talent without physical splendor) and a peacock (national pride due to visual beauty).
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist P. B. Srinivas was himself a legendary playback singer who composed lyrics in multiple languages including Tamil, Kannada, and Urdu. The song utilizes fun Hindi-Tamil hybrid slang popular in Madras street humor, such as 'Harae thaekko paiyaa'.
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