Nallathan Yosi
From Sontham (1973) · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- M. S. Vishwanathan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Sontham (1973)1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaarmegam manasu vachcha | If the dark cloud decides to bestow its mind, |
| Kaadellaam mazhai pozhiyum | Rain will pour across all the forests. |
| Yaer uzhavar manasu vachcha | If the farmer who plows decides to bestow his mind, |
| Engaeyum nel vilaiyum | Paddy will grow everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Kulam parththu valai virichchaa | If a net is spread looking at the pond, |
| Koottamaa meen kidaikkum | A swarm of fish will be caught. |
| Kolvatharkkum koduppatharkkum | For both taking lives and giving back, |
| Manasuthaanae karanamaam | The mind alone is the ultimate cause. |
| Oo….ooh…oo…ooh…ohhha…. | Oo....ooh...oo...ooh...ohhha.... |
| Female | |
| Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga | You are thinking very well indeed, |
| Namakenna kurainju pochu | What are we lacking after all? |
| Ellorkkum melae neega | You are above everyone else, |
| Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu | In what aspect have you fallen low? |
| Female | |
| Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga | You are thinking very well indeed, |
| Namakenna kurainju pochu | What are we lacking after all? |
| Ellorkkum melae neega | You are above everyone else, |
| Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu | In what aspect have you fallen low? |
| Female | |
| Maanamthaan perisu endru | Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest, |
| Sonna mama | Oh uncle who said so, |
| Malai poae ooraar munnae | Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers, |
| Nillu mama… | Stand proud, uncle... |
| Female | |
| Maanamthaan perisu endru | Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest, |
| Sonna mama | Oh uncle who said so, |
| Malai poae ooraar munnae | Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers, |
| Nillu mama… | Stand proud, uncle... |
| Female | |
| Thattil vaiththa pattu selai | A fine silk saree kept on a plate |
| Kettu povathumillai | Does not get ruined easily. |
| Thangam rendu thundaanaalum | Even if gold is broken into two pieces, |
| Maaththu povathillai | Its purity and value do not change. |
| Female | |
| Kotti pona santhanaththil | Even in spilled sandalwood paste, |
| Vaasam povathumillai | The fragrance never fades away. |
| Kobam kondathaal ungal | Just because you expressed anger, |
| Gunam povathumillai | Your good nature does not vanish. |
| Female | |
| Maanamthaan perisu endru | Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest, |
| Sonna mama | Oh uncle who said so, |
| Malai poae ooraar munnae | Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers, |
| Nillu mama… | Stand proud, uncle... |
| Female | |
| Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga | You are thinking very well indeed, |
| Namakenna kurainju pochu | What are we lacking after all? |
| Ellorkkum melae neega | You are above everyone else, |
| Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu | In what aspect have you fallen low? |
| Female | |
| Vaasam ulla mullai undu | There is fragrant jasmine available, |
| Soodum aasai vendum | One needs the desire to adorn it. |
| Vanna vanna thottam undu | There is a colorful garden available, |
| Aadum aasai vendum | One needs the desire to dance in it. |
| Female | |
| Manjam endru ondru undu | There is a bed of togetherness available, |
| Nenjil kolla vendum | One must hold it in one's heart. |
| Mangai sonna jadaiyai | The subtle hints given by the maiden, |
| Enni kolla vendum | One must count and consider. |
| Female | |
| Maanamthaan perisu endru | Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest, |
| Sonna mama | Oh uncle who said so, |
| Malai poae ooraar munnae | Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers, |
| Nillu mama… | Stand proud, uncle... |
| Female | |
| Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga | You are thinking very well indeed, |
| Namakenna kurainju pochu | What are we lacking after all? |
| Ellorkkum melae neega | You are above everyone else, |
| Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu | In what aspect have you fallen low? |
| Female | |
| Maanamthaan perisu endru | Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest, |
| Sonna mama | Oh uncle who said so, |
| Malai poae ooraar munnae | Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers, |
| Nillu mama… | Stand proud, uncle... |
கார்மேகம் மனசு வச்சா
காடெல்லாம் மழை பொழியும்
ஏர் உழவர் மனசு வச்சா
எங்கேயும் நெல் விளையும்
If the dark cloud decides to bestow its mind,
Rain will pour across all the forests.
If the farmer who plows decides to bestow his mind,
Paddy will grow everywhere.
குளம் பார்த்து வலை விரிச்சா
கூட்டமா மீன் கிடைக்கும்
கொள்வதற்கும் கொடுப்பதற்கும்
மனசுதானே காரணமாம்
ஓ...ஓஹ்.....ஓ.....ஓஹ்....ஓஹ்ஹ்ஹ.....
If a net is spread looking at the pond,
A swarm of fish will be caught.
For both taking lives and giving back,
The mind alone is the ultimate cause.
Oo....ooh...oo...ooh...ohhha....
நல்லாத்தான் யோசிக்கிறீங்க
நமக்கென்ன குறைஞ்சு போச்சு
எல்லோர்க்கும் மேலே நீங்க
எதிலேதான் தாழ்ந்து போச்சு
You are thinking very well indeed,
What are we lacking after all?
You are above everyone else,
In what aspect have you fallen low?
நல்லாத்தான் யோசிக்கிறீங்க
நமக்கென்ன குறைஞ்சு போச்சு
எல்லோர்க்கும் மேலே நீங்க
எதிலேதான் தாழ்ந்து போச்சு
You are thinking very well indeed,
What are we lacking after all?
You are above everyone else,
In what aspect have you fallen low?
மானம்தான் பெரிசு என்று
சொன்ன மாமா
மலை போலே ஊரார் முன்னே
நில்லு மாமா........
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Oh uncle who said so,
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Stand proud, uncle...
மானம்தான் பெரிசு என்று
சொன்ன மாமா
மலை போலே ஊரார் முன்னே
நில்லு மாமா........
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Oh uncle who said so,
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Stand proud, uncle...
தட்டில் வைத்த பட்டுச் சேலை
கெட்டுப் போவதுமில்லை
தங்கம் ரெண்டு துண்டானாலும்
மாத்துப் போவதுமில்லை
A fine silk saree kept on a plate
Does not get ruined easily.
Even if gold is broken into two pieces,
Its purity and value do not change.
தட்டில் வைத்த பட்டுச் சேலை
கெட்டுப் போவதுமில்லை
தங்கம் ரெண்டு துண்டானாலும்
மாத்துப் போவதுமில்லை
Even in spilled sandalwood paste,
The fragrance never fades away.
Just because you expressed anger,
Your good nature does not vanish.
கொட்டிப் போன சந்தனத்தில்
வாசம் போவதுமில்லை
கோபம் கொண்டதால் உங்கள்
குணம் போவதுமில்லை
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Oh uncle who said so,
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Stand proud, uncle...
மானம்தான் பெரிசு என்று
சொன்ன மாமா
மலை போலே ஊரார் முன்னே
நில்லு மாமா........
You are thinking very well indeed,
What are we lacking after all?
You are above everyone else,
In what aspect have you fallen low?
நல்லாத்தான் யோசிக்கிறீங்க
நமக்கென்ன குறைஞ்சு போச்சு
எல்லோர்க்கும் மேலே நீங்க
எதிலேதான் தாழ்ந்து போச்சு
There is fragrant jasmine available,
One needs the desire to adorn it.
There is a colorful garden available,
One needs the desire to dance in it.
வாசம் உள்ள முல்லை உண்டு
சூடும் ஆசை வேண்டும்
வண்ண வண்ணத் தோட்டம் உண்டு
ஆடும் ஆசை வேண்டும்
There is a bed of togetherness available,
One must hold it in one's heart.
The subtle hints given by the maiden,
One must count and consider.
வாசம் உள்ள முல்லை உண்டு
சூடும் ஆசை வேண்டும்
வண்ண வண்ணத் தோட்டம் உண்டு
ஆடும் ஆசை வேண்டும்
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Oh uncle who said so,
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Stand proud, uncle...
மஞ்சம் என்று ஒன்று உண்டு
நெஞ்சில் கொள்ள வேண்டும்
மங்கை சொன்ன ஜாடையை
எண்ணிக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்
You are thinking very well indeed,
What are we lacking after all?
You are above everyone else,
In what aspect have you fallen low?
மானம்தான் பெரிசு என்று
சொன்ன மாமா
மலை போலே ஊரார் முன்னே
நில்லு மாமா........
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Oh uncle who said so,
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Stand proud, uncle...
நல்லாத்தான் யோசிக்கிறீங்க
நமக்கென்ன குறைஞ்சு போச்சு
எல்லோர்க்கும் மேலே நீங்க
எதிலேதான் தாழ்ந்து போச்சு
மானம்தான் பெரிசு என்று
சொன்ன மாமா
மலை போலே ஊரார் முன்னே
நில்லு மாமா........
Kaarmegam manasu vachcha
If the dark cloud decides to bestow its mind,
Kaadellaam mazhai pozhiyum
Rain will pour across all the forests.
Yaer uzhavar manasu vachcha
If the farmer who plows decides to bestow his mind,
Engaeyum nel vilaiyum
Paddy will grow everywhere.
Kulam parththu valai virichchaa
If a net is spread looking at the pond,
Koottamaa meen kidaikkum
A swarm of fish will be caught.
Kolvatharkkum koduppatharkkum
For both taking lives and giving back,
Manasuthaanae karanamaam
The mind alone is the ultimate cause.
Oo….ooh…oo…ooh…ohhha….
Oo....ooh...oo...ooh...ohhha....
Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga
You are thinking very well indeed,
Namakenna kurainju pochu
What are we lacking after all?
Ellorkkum melae neega
You are above everyone else,
Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu
In what aspect have you fallen low?
Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga
You are thinking very well indeed,
Namakenna kurainju pochu
What are we lacking after all?
Ellorkkum melae neega
You are above everyone else,
Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu
In what aspect have you fallen low?
Maanamthaan perisu endru
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Sonna mama
Oh uncle who said so,
Malai poae ooraar munnae
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Nillu mama…
Stand proud, uncle...
Maanamthaan perisu endru
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Sonna mama
Oh uncle who said so,
Malai poae ooraar munnae
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Nillu mama…
Stand proud, uncle...
Thattil vaiththa pattu selai
A fine silk saree kept on a plate
Kettu povathumillai
Does not get ruined easily.
Thangam rendu thundaanaalum
Even if gold is broken into two pieces,
Maaththu povathillai
Its purity and value do not change.
Kotti pona santhanaththil
Even in spilled sandalwood paste,
Vaasam povathumillai
The fragrance never fades away.
Kobam kondathaal ungal
Just because you expressed anger,
Gunam povathumillai
Your good nature does not vanish.
Maanamthaan perisu endru
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Sonna mama
Oh uncle who said so,
Malai poae ooraar munnae
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Nillu mama…
Stand proud, uncle...
Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga
You are thinking very well indeed,
Namakenna kurainju pochu
What are we lacking after all?
Ellorkkum melae neega
You are above everyone else,
Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu
In what aspect have you fallen low?
Vaasam ulla mullai undu
There is fragrant jasmine available,
Soodum aasai vendum
One needs the desire to adorn it.
Vanna vanna thottam undu
There is a colorful garden available,
Aadum aasai vendum
One needs the desire to dance in it.
Manjam endru ondru undu
There is a bed of togetherness available,
Nenjil kolla vendum
One must hold it in one's heart.
Mangai sonna jadaiyai
The subtle hints given by the maiden,
Enni kolla vendum
One must count and consider.
Maanamthaan perisu endru
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Sonna mama
Oh uncle who said so,
Malai poae ooraar munnae
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Nillu mama…
Stand proud, uncle...
Nallaaththaan yosikkireenga
You are thinking very well indeed,
Namakenna kurainju pochu
What are we lacking after all?
Ellorkkum melae neega
You are above everyone else,
Edhilaethaan thaazhnthu pochu
In what aspect have you fallen low?
Maanamthaan perisu endru
Saying that honor and dignity are the greatest,
Sonna mama
Oh uncle who said so,
Malai poae ooraar munnae
Like a majestic mountain in front of the villagers,
Nillu mama…
Stand proud, uncle...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is an uplifting and philosophical dialogue designed to boost self-worth and dignity. It opens with the premise that human intent and state of mind govern all outcomes—just as dark clouds choose to bring rain and farmers choose to cultivate grain. The narrative reassures an elder figure (uncle) that temporary setbacks or moments of anger do not diminish intrinsic virtue, drawing vivid analogies to gold retaining its value even if broken, silk remaining pristine, and sandalwood keeping its fragrance even when spilled. In the latter half, the tone turns romantically encouraging, urging one to embrace life's pleasures, beauty, and subtle affectionate gestures. Kannadasan's lyrics blend deep folk wisdom with affectionate banter, encouraging the listener to stand firm and proud like a majestic mountain in the face of society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Malai poae ooraar munnae / Nillu mama…”
Compares standing tall with honor in front of society to standing majestic like a mountain ('Malai poae').
Uruvagam & Metaphorical Analogies
“Thangam rendu thundaanaalum / Maaththu povathillai”
Uses gold, silk, and sandalwood as metaphors for inner human character, which retains its inherent value regardless of external damage or circumstances.
Moonaal / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaarmegam manasu vachcha / Kaadellaam mazhai pozhiyum”
Matching initial consonants across lines (e.g., Kaarmegam / Kaadellaam).
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thattil vaiththa pattu selai ... Thangam rendu thundaanaalum”
The second consonant 't' / 'ng' creates rhythmic rhyming across verse lines (Thattil / Thangam / Kotti / Kobam).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the 1973 movie 'Sontham', this track features MSV himself behind the microphone alongside legendary singer P. Susheela. MSV's distinctive voice brings a uniquely authentic, earthy charm to Kannadasan's philosophical lines.
Keep listening
More from Sontham (1973)
Sontham (1973)
Sontham (1973)
Sontham (1973)