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Amara Deepam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nanaayam Manushanukku

From Amara Deepam · 1956

Lyricist
K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music directors
T. Chalapathi Rao, G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Amara Deepam
Movie release year
1956
Lyrics added on
21 Aug 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Migavum avasiyam
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththa
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyam
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Vaanipaththil puraluvathu intha naanayam
Manithan vaarththai kaakka udhavuvathu sontha naanayam
Manithan sontha naanayam
Vayaththu pasiyai theerththu vaikkum
Intha naanayam
Manithan vaangum kadanai kodukka sollum
Unga naanayam
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Migavum avasiyam
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththa
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyam
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Kadanai Vaangi maadi veedu kattakoodaathu…oo…oo…
Kadanai Vaangi maadi veedu kattakoodaathu…
Adhai udanadiyaaga manaivi peril ezhuthakkoodaathu
Uyilum ezhuthakoodaathu
Karuppu maarket seithu panaththai thirattakkoodaathu
Court-il kaasukkaaga poi saatchi sollakoodaathu
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Migavum avasiyam
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththa
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyam
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Nanayaththai pechchil mattum kaattakkoodaathu
Nammai nambinorkku
Thiruttu kanakku ezhuthakkoodaathu…oo…oo…
Naanayaththai pechchil mattum kaattakkoodaathu
Nammai nambinorkku
Thiruttu kanakku ezhuthakkoodaathu…oo…oo…
Maanam pokkum lanjam edhilum vaangakoodaathu
Maanam pokkum lanjam edhilum vaangakoodaathu
Kaalai maadaai uzhaiththae saappida thayangakkoodaathi
Thambi naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Migavum avasiyam
Adhuvey nallorgal solli vaiththa
Nanmaiyaana ragasiyam
Naanayam manusanukku avasiyam
Migavum avasiyam….
Integrity is essential for a person.
Brother, integrity is essential for a person.
It is very essential.
That is the beneficial secret
passed down by the wise.
Integrity is essential for a person.
What circulates in trade is money,
but what helps a person keep their word is personal integrity.
A person's own integrity!
It satisfies the hunger of the belly—
this money does!
It urges a person to repay the debts they borrowed—
that is your integrity!
Brother, integrity is essential for a person.
It is very essential.
That is the beneficial secret
passed down by the wise.
Integrity is essential for a person.
You shouldn't borrow money to build a mansion... ooh... ooh...
You shouldn't borrow money to build a mansion,
and immediately register it in your wife's name.
Nor should you write a will to hide it.
You shouldn't amass wealth through the black market,
nor give false testimony in court for cash.
Brother, integrity is essential for a person.
It is very essential.
That is the beneficial secret
passed down by the wise.
Integrity is essential for a person.
You shouldn't show honesty only in your speech,
and to those who place their trust in us,
you shouldn't cook up fraudulent accounts... ooh... ooh...
You shouldn't show honesty only in your speech,
and to those who place their trust in us,
you shouldn't cook up fraudulent accounts... ooh... ooh...
You shouldn't accept bribes that destroy your self-respect,
You shouldn't accept bribes that destroy your self-respect,
and you shouldn't hesitate to work hard like a bull to earn your food.
Brother, integrity is essential for a person.
It is very essential.
That is the beneficial secret
passed down by the wise.
Integrity is essential for a person.
It is very essential...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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