Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanaayam Manushanukku

From Amara Deepam · 1956

Lyricist
K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music directors
T. Chalapathi Rao, G. Ramanathan
Details
Amara Deepam1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyamIntegrity is essential for a human being.
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyamLittle brother, integrity is essential for a human being.
Migavum avasiyamExtremely essential.
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththaThat is what good people have handed down,
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyamA beneficial secret.
Male
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyamIntegrity is essential for a human being.
Male
Vaanipaththil puraluvathu intha naanayamThis coin circulates in trade and business,
Manithan vaarththai kaakka udhavuvathu sontha naanayamPersonal integrity helps a person keep their word.
Manithan sontha naanayamA person's personal integrity.
Vayaththu pasiyai theerththu vaikkumIt satisfies the hunger of the stomach,
Intha naanayamThis money.
Manithan vaangum kadanai kodukka sollumIt prompts a person to repay the debts they take,
Unga naanayamYour integrity.
Male
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyamLittle brother, integrity is essential for a human being.
Migavum avasiyamExtremely essential.
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththaThat is what good people have handed down,
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyamA beneficial secret.
Male
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyamIntegrity is essential for a human being.
Male
Kadanai Vaangi maadi veedu kattakoodaathu…oo…oo…One shouldn't build a multi-storey house on borrowed debt...
Kadanai Vaangi maadi veedu kattakoodaathu…One shouldn't build a multi-storey house on borrowed debt...
Adhai udanadiyaaga manaivi peril ezhuthakkoodaathuAnd immediately register it in the wife's name,
Uyilum ezhuthakoodaathuNor write a will for it.
Karuppu maarket seithu panaththai thirattakkoodaathuOne shouldn't hoard wealth through black marketing,
Court-il kaasukkaaga poi saatchi sollakoodaathuNor give false testimony in court for money.
Male
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyamLittle brother, integrity is essential for a human being.
Migavum avasiyamExtremely essential.
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththaThat is what good people have handed down,
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyamA beneficial secret.
Male
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyamIntegrity is essential for a human being.
Male
Nanayaththai pechchil mattum kaattakkoodaathuIntegrity shouldn't be displayed merely in speech.
Nammai nambinorkkuTo those who trust us,
Thiruttu kanakku ezhuthakkoodaathu…oo…oo…Fraudulent accounts shouldn't be maintained...
Naanayaththai pechchil mattum kaattakkoodaathuIntegrity shouldn't be displayed merely in speech.
Nammai nambinorkkuTo those who trust us,
Thiruttu kanakku ezhuthakkoodaathu…oo…oo…Fraudulent accounts shouldn't be maintained...
Male
Maanam pokkum lanjam edhilum vaangakoodaathuDignity-destroying bribes should never be taken,
Maanam pokkum lanjam edhilum vaangakoodaathuDignity-destroying bribes should never be taken,
Kaalai maadaai uzhaiththae saappida thayangakkoodaathiOne should never hesitate to earn food by working hard like a bullock.
Male
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyamLittle brother, integrity is essential for a human being.
Migavum avasiyamExtremely essential.
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththaThat is what good people have handed down,
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyamA beneficial secret.
Male
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyamIntegrity is essential for a human being.
Migavum avasiyam….Extremely essential....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic moralistic song emphasizes the importance of 'Naanayam', cleverly playing on its double meaning of both 'currency/coin' and 'moral integrity/honesty'. It advises the listener that while money circulates in trade and satisfies physical hunger, true personal integrity ensures one keeps their word, pays off debts, and maintains self-respect. The lyricist cautions against unprincipled financial habits like building houses on unpaid debt, illegal transfer of property, black-marketing, taking bribes, and testifying falsely in court for cash.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Double Entendre (Iratura Mozhidhal / Sledai)

Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam

The word 'Naanayam' is used throughout the song to mean both physical currency (coin) and moral integrity/honesty.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kaalai maadaai uzhaiththae saappida thayangakkoodaathi

The lyrics compare honest, hard physical labor to the tireless work of a farm bullock ('Kaalai maadhu').

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Edhugai / Monai)

Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththa / Nanmaiyaana ragasiyam

Repetition of starting sounds like 'Naanayam' and 'Nanmaiyaana' creates rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Amara Deepam (1956) starred Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, and Savitri. Although T. M. Soundararajan sang this popular moral song written by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, the film's soundtrack was composed by G. Ramanathan and T. Chalapathi Rao.

Keep listening

More from Amara Deepam