Nallavan Kaiyil Naanayam Song
From Yaar Jambulingam · 1972
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Yaar Jambulingam1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
| Adhu pollaathavan paiyil irunthaal | If that same money is in a bad person's pocket, |
| Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam | It is harmful to all living beings. |
| Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam | It is harmful to all living beings. |
| Male | |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
| Male | |
| Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi | If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist, |
| Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan | And lives on endlessly even after death. |
| Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi | If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist, |
| Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan | And lives on endlessly even after death. |
| Panaththimir konda manithar nimirnthirunthaalum | Even if a man filled with money-driven arrogance stands tall, |
| Nadai pinamaaga nadakkindraan | He walks around like a walking corpse. |
| Male | |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
| Male | |
| Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam | In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles |
| Echilai polae parakkumadaa | Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend! |
| Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam | In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles |
| Echilai polae parakkumadaa | Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Achchadiththirukkum kaagitha perumai | The glory and power of printed paper currency |
| Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa | Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend! |
| Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa | Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
| Male | |
| Odum urulum… | Running and rolling... |
| Odum urulum ulagam thannil | In this world that runs and rolls on, |
| Thedum porulum thevaithaan | The wealth we seek is indeed necessary. |
| Thedum porulum thevaithaan | The wealth we seek is indeed necessary. |
| Male | |
| Adhil mayakkam illaamal adakkam irunthaal | Without delusion for it, if humility exists, |
| Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan | That indeed is the highest life. |
| Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan | That indeed is the highest life. |
| Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan | That indeed is the highest life. |
| Male | |
| Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal | If money is in the hands of a good person, |
| Naalu perukku saathagam | It benefits four people around. |
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
அது பொல்லாதவன் பையில் இருந்தால்
எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் பாதகம்
எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் பாதகம்
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
If that same money is in a bad person's pocket,
It is harmful to all living beings.
It is harmful to all living beings.
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
இருப்பவன் கொடுத்தால் வள்ளல் என்றாகி
இறந்தும் இறவாதிருக்கின்றான்
இருப்பவன் கொடுத்தால் வள்ளல் என்றாகி
இறந்தும் இறவாதிருக்கின்றான்
பணத்திமிர் கொண்ட மனிதர் நிமிர்ந்திருந்தாலும்
நடை பிணமாக நடக்கின்றான்
If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist,
And lives on endlessly even after death.
If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist,
And lives on endlessly even after death.
Even if a man filled with money-driven arrogance stands tall,
He walks around like a walking corpse.
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
லட்சங்கள் முன்னே லட்சியமெல்லாம்
எச்சிலை போலே பறக்குமடா
லட்சங்கள் முன்னே லட்சியமெல்லாம்
எச்சிலை போலே பறக்குமடா
In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles
Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend!
In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles
Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend!
அச்சடித்திருக்கும் காகித பெருமை
ஆண்டவனார்க்கும் இல்லையடா
ஆண்டவனார்க்கும் இல்லையடா
The glory and power of printed paper currency
Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend!
Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend!
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
ஓடும் உருளும்..............
ஓடும் உருளும் உலகம் தன்னில்
தேடும் பொருளும் தேவைதான்
தேடும் பொருளும் தேவைதான்
Running and rolling...
In this world that runs and rolls on,
The wealth we seek is indeed necessary.
The wealth we seek is indeed necessary.
அதில் மயக்கம் இல்லாமல் அடக்கம் இருந்தால்
அதுவே உயர்ந்த வாழ்க்கை தான்
அதுவே உயர்ந்த வாழ்க்கை தான்
அதுவே உயர்ந்த வாழ்க்கை தான்
Without delusion for it, if humility exists,
That indeed is the highest life.
That indeed is the highest life.
That indeed is the highest life.
நல்லவன் கையில் நாணயம் இருந்தால்
நாலு பேருக்கு சாதகம்
If money is in the hands of a good person,
It benefits four people around.
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Adhu pollaathavan paiyil irunthaal
If that same money is in a bad person's pocket,
Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam
It is harmful to all living beings.
Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam
It is harmful to all living beings.
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi
If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist,
Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan
And lives on endlessly even after death.
Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi
If a person of means gives to others, he becomes a philanthropist,
Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan
And lives on endlessly even after death.
Panaththimir konda manithar nimirnthirunthaalum
Even if a man filled with money-driven arrogance stands tall,
Nadai pinamaaga nadakkindraan
He walks around like a walking corpse.
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam
In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles
Echilai polae parakkumadaa
Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend!
Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam
In front of lakhs of money, all ideal principles
Echilai polae parakkumadaa
Fly away like spat-out food crumbs, my friend!
Achchadiththirukkum kaagitha perumai
The glory and power of printed paper currency
Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa
Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend!
Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa
Even Almighty God does not possess, my friend!
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Odum urulum…
Running and rolling...
Odum urulum ulagam thannil
In this world that runs and rolls on,
Thedum porulum thevaithaan
The wealth we seek is indeed necessary.
Thedum porulum thevaithaan
The wealth we seek is indeed necessary.
Adhil mayakkam illaamal adakkam irunthaal
Without delusion for it, if humility exists,
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
That indeed is the highest life.
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
That indeed is the highest life.
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
That indeed is the highest life.
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
If money is in the hands of a good person,
Naalu perukku saathagam
It benefits four people around.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal is a classic philosophical track from the film Yaar Jambulingam (1972), written by lyricist Vaali and set to music by T. R. Pappa. Sung in the distinct, theatrical style of C. S. Jayaraman, the song offers a deep moral reflection on money and human nature. It argues that money itself is neutral; its moral value depends on the hands that hold it. When possessed by a good person, wealth serves society and creates a lasting legacy of generosity. Conversely, in the hands of the wicked, money breeds arrogance and brings ruin to everyone around. The lyricist further critiques how material riches can easily dissolve human principles and moral ideals. However, the song concludes on a realistic note: while money is indispensable for life in a constantly moving world, the ideal way of living is to acquire wealth without falling prey to greed, maintaining humility and moral integrity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Na' in 'Nallavan' and 'naanayam' creates rhythmic harmony.
Eyaigai (Rhyme)
“Naalu perukku saathagam / Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam”
End-rhyming between 'saathagam' (favorable) and 'paathagam' (harmful) highlights the contrast between good and evil actions.
Paradox / Muran
“Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan”
The phrase 'Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan' (dying yet living endlessly) uses a paradox to explain how a philanthropist's legacy lives on after death.
Upamai (Simile)
“Echilai polae parakkumadaa”
High moral ideals ('latchiyam') crumbling before money are compared to lightweight leftover food crumbs ('echil') flying away in the wind.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is renowned for C. S. Jayaraman's distinctive vocal delivery, which was famous in mid-20th century Tamil cinema for giving a grandiose, theatrical resonance to philosophical songs. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly uses wordplay contrasting 'naanayam' (coin/currency) with moral uprightness, and 'latcham' (lakhs/money) with 'latchiyam' (ideals/goals).
Keep listening
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