Nee Mannavana
From Rudra Thaandavam – 1978 · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Rudra Thaandavam – 19781978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee seththatharkku azhupavargal | How many people weep for your passing? |
| Eththanai per kanakku | That count alone matter. |
| Nee seththatharkku azhupavargal | How many people weep for your passing? |
| Eththanai per kanakku | That count alone matters. |
| Athai poruththeythaan pogumidam | Depending on that count alone, |
| Sorkkam naragam unakku | Your destination—heaven or hell—is decided. |
| Ada sorkkam naragam unakku | Ah, heaven or hell for you! |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Arasiyalvaathi ellaam | All politicians count only votes. |
| Oottai ennugiraar | All palace dwellers count only currency notes. |
| Aranmanai vaasiyellaam | All politicians count only votes. |
| Nottai ennugiraar | All palace dwellers count only currency notes. |
| Male | |
| Arasiyalvaathi ellaam | All politicians count only votes. |
| Oottai ennugiraar | All palace dwellers count only currency notes. |
| Aranmanai vaasiyellaam | All politicians count only votes. |
| Nottai ennugiraar | All palace dwellers count only currency notes. |
| Male | |
| Aayiraththil oruvanthaan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Aandavanai ennugiraan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Aayiraththil oruvanthaan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Aandavanai ennugiraan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Male | |
| Aayiraththil oruvanthaan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Aandavanai ennugiraan | Only one person in a thousand thinks of God. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Ooraarkku uzhaiththavargal | For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople, |
| Oorai vittu pogaiyilae | When they depart from this world, |
| Oorae thirandu vanthu | The whole town gathers together, |
| Vaaikkarasi pottu vidum | And performs the final rites with love. |
| Male | |
| Ooraarkku uzhaiththavargal | For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople, |
| Oorai vittu pogaiyilae | When they depart from this world, |
| Oorae thirandu vanthu | The whole town gathers together, |
| Vaaikkarasi pottu vidum | And performs the final rites with love. |
| Male | |
| Naal muzhukka poi uraiththu | If a man who lied all day and stayed wicked dies, |
| Naalum ketta manithan seththaal | When that evil person passes away, |
| Thol koduththu thookka | To lend a shoulder to carry his body, |
| Oru naathiyindri aagividum | Not a single person will be there. |
| Thol koduththu thookka | To lend a shoulder to carry his body, |
| Oru naathiyindri aagividum | Not a single person will be there. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan | Buddha, who lived in a palace, |
| Mara nizhal kudi pugunthaan | Moved to reside under the shade of trees. |
| Yaezhaigalai gaandhi kandu | Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor, |
| Aadaigalai kuraiththu kondaan | Reduced his own clothing to bond with them. |
| Male | |
| Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan | Buddha, who lived in a palace, |
| Mara nizhal kudi pugunthaan | Moved to reside under the shade of trees. |
| Yaezhaigalai gaandhi kandu | Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor, |
| Aadaigalai kuraiththu kondaan | Reduced his own clothing to bond with them. |
| Male | |
| Anbu kodi ondrirunthaal | If there is a single flag of love, |
| Thunbangalai tholaiththu vidum | It will dispel all human suffering. |
| Aalukkoru kodi pidiththaal | If every person holds a different flag, |
| Oorukkoru kaatchiyendraal | And every village belongs to a different faction, |
| Naalukkoru sandai varum | There will be a fight every day, |
| Naagareegam engu varum | And where will civilization go? |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
| Male | |
| Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa | Are you a king or a common man? |
| Solli vidum pirappu | Your birth will tell. |
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ நல்லவனா கெட்டவனா
சொல்லி விடும் இறப்பு
நீ நல்லவனா கெட்டவனா
சொல்லி விடும் இறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ செத்ததற்கு அழுபவர்கள்
எத்தனை பேர் கணக்கு
நீ செத்ததற்கு அழுபவர்கள்
எத்தனை பேர் கணக்கு
அதை பொறுத்தேதான் போகுமிடம்
சொர்க்கம் நரகம் உனக்கு
அட சொர்க்கம் நரகம் உனக்கு
How many people weep for your passing?
That count alone matter.
How many people weep for your passing?
That count alone matters.
Depending on that count alone,
Your destination—heaven or hell—is decided.
Ah, heaven or hell for you!
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
நீ நல்லவனா கெட்டவனா
சொல்லி விடும் இறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
அரசியல்வாதி எல்லாம்
ஓட்டை எண்ணுகிறார்
அரண்மனை வாசியெல்லாம்
நோட்டை எண்ணுகிறார்
All politicians count only votes.
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
All politicians count only votes.
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
அரசியல்வாதி எல்லாம்
ஓட்டை எண்ணுகிறார்
அரண்மனை வாசியெல்லாம்
நோட்டை எண்ணுகிறார்
All politicians count only votes.
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
All politicians count only votes.
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்தான்
ஆண்டவனை எண்ணுகிறான்
ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்தான்
ஆண்டவனை எண்ணுகிறான்
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்தான்
ஆண்டவனை எண்ணுகிறான்
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
நீ நல்லவனா கெட்டவனா
சொல்லி விடும் இறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
ஊரார்க்கு உழைத்தவர்கள்
ஊரை விட்டு போகையிலே
ஊரே திரண்டு வந்து
வாய்க்கரிசி போட்டு விடும்
For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople,
When they depart from this world,
The whole town gathers together,
And performs the final rites with love.
ஊரார்க்கு உழைத்தவர்கள்
ஊரை விட்டு போகையிலே
ஊரே திரண்டு வந்து
வாய்க்கரிசி போட்டு விடும்
For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople,
When they depart from this world,
The whole town gathers together,
And performs the final rites with love.
நாள் முழுக்க பொய் உரைத்து
நாலும் கெட்ட மனிதன் செத்தால்
தோள் கொடுத்து தூக்க
ஒரு நாதியின்றி ஆகிவிடும்
தோள் கொடுத்து தூக்க
ஒரு நாதியின்றி ஆகிவிடும்
If a man who lied all day and stayed wicked dies,
When that evil person passes away,
To lend a shoulder to carry his body,
Not a single person will be there.
To lend a shoulder to carry his body,
Not a single person will be there.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
மாளிகையில் இருந்த புத்தன்
மர நிழல் குடி புகுந்தான்
ஏழைகளை காந்தி கண்டு
ஆடைகளை குறைத்துக் கொண்டான்
Buddha, who lived in a palace,
Moved to reside under the shade of trees.
Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor,
Reduced his own clothing to bond with them.
மாளிகையில் இருந்த புத்தன்
மர நிழல் குடி புகுந்தான்
ஏழைகளை காந்தி கண்டு
ஆடைகளை குறைத்துக் கொண்டான்
Buddha, who lived in a palace,
Moved to reside under the shade of trees.
Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor,
Reduced his own clothing to bond with them.
அன்பு கொடி ஒன்றிருந்தால்
துன்பங்களை தொலைத்து விடும்
ஆளுக்கொரு கொடிப் பிடித்தால்
ஊருக்கொரு கட்சியென்றால்
நாளுக்கொரு சண்டை வரும்
நாகரீகம் எங்கு வரும்
If there is a single flag of love,
It will dispel all human suffering.
If every person holds a different flag,
And every village belongs to a different faction,
There will be a fight every day,
And where will civilization go?
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
நீ நல்லவனா கெட்டவனா
சொல்லி விடும் இறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
நீ மன்னவனா சின்னவனா
சொல்லி விடும் பிறப்பு
Are you a king or a common man?
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee seththatharkku azhupavargal
How many people weep for your passing?
Eththanai per kanakku
That count alone matter.
Nee seththatharkku azhupavargal
How many people weep for your passing?
Eththanai per kanakku
That count alone matters.
Athai poruththeythaan pogumidam
Depending on that count alone,
Sorkkam naragam unakku
Your destination—heaven or hell—is decided.
Ada sorkkam naragam unakku
Ah, heaven or hell for you!
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Arasiyalvaathi ellaam
All politicians count only votes.
Oottai ennugiraar
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
Aranmanai vaasiyellaam
All politicians count only votes.
Nottai ennugiraar
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
Arasiyalvaathi ellaam
All politicians count only votes.
Oottai ennugiraar
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
Aranmanai vaasiyellaam
All politicians count only votes.
Nottai ennugiraar
All palace dwellers count only currency notes.
Aayiraththil oruvanthaan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Aandavanai ennugiraan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Aayiraththil oruvanthaan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Aandavanai ennugiraan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Aayiraththil oruvanthaan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Aandavanai ennugiraan
Only one person in a thousand thinks of God.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Ooraarkku uzhaiththavargal
For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople,
Oorai vittu pogaiyilae
When they depart from this world,
Oorae thirandu vanthu
The whole town gathers together,
Vaaikkarasi pottu vidum
And performs the final rites with love.
Ooraarkku uzhaiththavargal
For those who worked for the welfare of the townspeople,
Oorai vittu pogaiyilae
When they depart from this world,
Oorae thirandu vanthu
The whole town gathers together,
Vaaikkarasi pottu vidum
And performs the final rites with love.
Naal muzhukka poi uraiththu
If a man who lied all day and stayed wicked dies,
Naalum ketta manithan seththaal
When that evil person passes away,
Thol koduththu thookka
To lend a shoulder to carry his body,
Oru naathiyindri aagividum
Not a single person will be there.
Thol koduththu thookka
To lend a shoulder to carry his body,
Oru naathiyindri aagividum
Not a single person will be there.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan
Buddha, who lived in a palace,
Mara nizhal kudi pugunthaan
Moved to reside under the shade of trees.
Yaezhaigalai gaandhi kandu
Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor,
Aadaigalai kuraiththu kondaan
Reduced his own clothing to bond with them.
Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan
Buddha, who lived in a palace,
Mara nizhal kudi pugunthaan
Moved to reside under the shade of trees.
Yaezhaigalai gaandhi kandu
Gandhi, upon witnessing the poor,
Aadaigalai kuraiththu kondaan
Reduced his own clothing to bond with them.
Anbu kodi ondrirunthaal
If there is a single flag of love,
Thunbangalai tholaiththu vidum
It will dispel all human suffering.
Aalukkoru kodi pidiththaal
If every person holds a different flag,
Oorukkoru kaatchiyendraal
And every village belongs to a different faction,
Naalukkoru sandai varum
There will be a fight every day,
Naagareegam engu varum
And where will civilization go?
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Nee mannavanaa chinnavanaa
Are you a king or a common man?
Solli vidum pirappu
Your birth will tell.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and penned by Kannadasan reflects on the true measure of a human life. It asserts that whether one is born as a king or a commoner, status at birth is irrelevant; what truly defines a person is how many people mourn their passing based on the virtues of their life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Edhukai
“Oottai ennugiraar / Nottai ennugiraar”
Rhyming of second letters in words across lines, such as 'Oottai' (votes) and 'Nottai' (currency notes).
Alliteration / Monai
“Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan / Mara nizhal kudi pugunthaan”
Repetition of initial letters in words, such as 'Maaligaiyil' and 'Mara'.
Historical & Mythological Allusions
“Maaligaiyil iruntha puththan ... Yaezhaigalai gaandhi kandu”
References to historical figures Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi to exemplify selflessness and moral greatness.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from the 1978 film 'Rudra Thaandavam' features iconic philosophical lyrics by Kannadasan, sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, emphasizing social harmony, unity, and morality over material wealth and political factionalism.
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