Neengal Athanai Perum (Sad)
From En Magan · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- En Magan1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Hae hae ullavanellaam nallavanaavaan | Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good, |
| Illaathavanae pollaathavanaam bhoomiyilae | while the one without it is considered evil on this earth! |
| Pinnae nanmai theemai enbathu enna | Then what is good and bad? |
| Paava punniyam enbathu enna paadhaiyilae | What is sin and virtue on this path of life? |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Aandavanae vendugiraen naan | I pray to the Almighty, |
| Chorus :Harae ram harae ram ram | Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram |
| Male :Vendiyathai thedugiraen naan | Male: I search for what is needed, |
| Chorus :Harae ram harae ram ram | Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram |
| Male | |
| Thiruneeru poosikkondu devaaram paadu | Apply sacred ash and sing divine hymns. |
| Panangaasu sonthamillai pagavaanai naadu | Money and wealth are not permanent; seek the Divine. |
| Kaiyodu kondu vantha porul enna kooru | Tell me, what material object did you bring with you at birth? |
| Kadai naalil vaaraathu kayilulla odu | Even the bowl in your hand won't accompany you on your final day. |
| Male | |
| Eduththavnukku ennam nooru | The one who takes has a hundred thoughts, |
| Koduththavanukku ennam kodi naalellam | The one who gives has millions of thoughts every single day. |
| Pothum pothum enbavanillai | There is no one who says 'Enough, enough', |
| Vendum vendum | 'I want more, I want more' |
| Enbavanthaanae oorellaam | is what everyone in the entire town says! |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Allaavin aasi undu ellorum vaazhga | May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone. |
| Ellorkkum selvam tharum allaavae vaazhga | May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long! |
| Allaavin aasi undu ellorum vaazhga | May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone. |
| Ellorkkum selvam tharum allaavae vaazhga | May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long! |
| Neruppindri pugaiyaathu pugaiyae nee vaazhga | There is no smoke without fire; long live the smoke! |
| Neeyindri naanillai nee kooda vaazhga | Without you, I am nothing; may you live long too! |
| Male | |
| Ellaam avanae enbathu vedham | 'Everything is Him' is the sacred truth. |
| Engum avane endroru paadam padiyungal | Read the lesson that 'He is everywhere'. |
| Kadaiyum avanaal vanthathuthaanae | Even the shop came into existence because of Him, |
| Udaiyum avanae thanthathuthaanae pidiyungal | Even the clothes were granted by Him; hold onto this truth! |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Aandavanae vendugiraen naan | I pray to the Almighty, |
| Chorus :Allah allah hoom | Chorus: Allah Allah hoom |
| Male :Vendiyathai thedugiraen naan | Male: I search for what is needed, |
| Chorus :Allah allah hoom | Chorus: Allah Allah hoom |
| Male | |
| Selavaagum endruthaanae selvam endraaro | Is it named wealth (Selvam) because it gets spent (Selavaagum)? |
| Chorus :Selvam endraaro | Chorus: Did they call it wealth? |
| Male :Thaangaathu endruthaanae thangam endraaro | Male: Is it named gold (Thangam) because it won't endure forever (Thaangaathu)? |
| Chorus :Thangam endraaro | Chorus: Did they call it gold? |
| Male :Ponnaaga piranthavarkku pillai undaagum | Male: Those born golden will be blessed with children. |
| Pon ondru neengal thanthaal ondru rendaagum | If you give one piece of gold, it will double into two. |
| Male | |
| Vidhaiyai podu sediyai paaru | Sow the seed and watch the plant grow, |
| Vilaiyum porulai naalai paaru paarammaa | Look at the yield that grows tomorrow, oh my dear! |
| Poda poda mulaikkum paaru | As you sow more, see how it sprouts; |
| Porumai vendum medhuvaai paaru ponnammaa | Patience is needed, look slowly, my dear golden one! |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
| Male | |
| Hae hae ullavanellaam nallavanaavaan | Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good, |
| Illaathavanae pollaathavanaam bhoomiyilae | while the one without it is considered evil on this earth! |
| Pinnae nanmai theemai enbathu enna | Then what is good and bad? |
| Paava punniyam enbathu enna paadhaiyilae | What is sin and virtue on this path of life? |
| Male | |
| Neengal aththanai perum | Are all of you... |
| Uththamarthaanaa sollungal | truly righteous people? Tell me. |
| Ungal aasai nenjai | Touch your desirable heart... |
| Thottu paarththu kollungal……. | and check for yourselves... |
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
ஹே ஹே உள்ளவனெல்லாம் நல்லவனாவான்
இல்லாதவனே பொல்லாதவனாம் பூமியிலே
பின்னே நன்மை தீமை என்பது என்ன
பாவபுண்ணியம் என்பது என்ன பாதையிலே
Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good,
while the one without it is considered evil on this earth!
Then what is good and bad?
What is sin and virtue on this path of life?
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
ஹரே ராம் ஹரே ராம் ராம்
வேண்டியதைத் தேடுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
ஹரே ராம் ஹரே ராம் ராம்
I pray to the Almighty,
Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram
Male: I search for what is needed,
Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
ஹரே ராம் ஹரே ராம் ராம்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வேண்டியதைத் தேடுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
ஹரே ராம் ஹரே ராம் ராம்
Apply sacred ash and sing divine hymns.
Money and wealth are not permanent; seek the Divine.
Tell me, what material object did you bring with you at birth?
Even the bowl in your hand won't accompany you on your final day.
திருநீறு பூசிக்கொண்டு தேவாரம் பாடு
பணங்காசு சொந்தமில்லை பகவானை நாடு
கையோடு கொண்டு வந்த பொருள் என்ன கூறு
கடை நாளில் வாராது கையிலுள்ள ஓடு
The one who takes has a hundred thoughts,
The one who gives has millions of thoughts every single day.
There is no one who says 'Enough, enough',
'I want more, I want more'
is what everyone in the entire town says!
எடுத்தவனுக்கு எண்ணம் நூறு
கொடுத்தவனுக்கு எண்ணம் கோடி நாளெல்லாம்
போதும் போதும் என்பவனில்லை
வேண்டும் வேண்டும்
என்பவன்தானே ஊரெல்லாம்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone.
May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long!
May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone.
May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long!
There is no smoke without fire; long live the smoke!
Without you, I am nothing; may you live long too!
அல்லாவின் ஆசி உண்டு எல்லோரும் வாழ்க
எல்லோர்க்கும் செல்வம் தரும் அல்லாவே வாழ்க
அல்லாவின் ஆசி உண்டு எல்லோரும் வாழ்க
எல்லோர்க்கும் செல்வம் தரும் அல்லாவே வாழ்க
நெருப்பின்றி புகையாது புகையே நீ வாழ்க
நீயின்றி நானில்லை நீ கூட வாழ்க
'Everything is Him' is the sacred truth.
Read the lesson that 'He is everywhere'.
Even the shop came into existence because of Him,
Even the clothes were granted by Him; hold onto this truth!
எல்லாம் அவனே என்பது வேதம்
எங்கும் அவனே என்றொரு பாடம் படியுங்கள்
கடையும் அவனால் வந்ததுதானே
உடையும் அவனே தந்ததுதானே பிடியுங்கள்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
I pray to the Almighty,
Chorus: Allah Allah hoom
Male: I search for what is needed,
Chorus: Allah Allah hoom
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
அல்லா அல்லா ஹூம்
வேண்டியதைத் தேடுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
அல்லா அல்லா ஹூம்
Is it named wealth (Selvam) because it gets spent (Selavaagum)?
Chorus: Did they call it wealth?
Male: Is it named gold (Thangam) because it won't endure forever (Thaangaathu)?
Chorus: Did they call it gold?
Male: Those born golden will be blessed with children.
If you give one piece of gold, it will double into two.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
அல்லா அல்லா ஹூம்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வேண்டியதைத் தேடுகிறேன் நான்
குழு :
அல்லா அல்லா ஹூம்
Sow the seed and watch the plant grow,
Look at the yield that grows tomorrow, oh my dear!
As you sow more, see how it sprouts;
Patience is needed, look slowly, my dear golden one!
செலவாகும் என்றுதானே செல்வம் என்றாரோ
குழு :
செல்வம் என்றாரோ
தங்காது என்றுதானே தங்கம் என்றாரோ
குழு :
தங்கம் என்றாரோ
பொண்ணாகப் பிறந்தவர்க்கு பிள்ளை உண்டாகும்
பொன் ஒன்று நீங்கள் தந்தால் ஒன்று ரெண்டாகும்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
விதையைப் போடு செடியைப் பாரு
விளையும் பொருளை நாளை பாரு பாரம்மா
போடப் போட முளைக்கும் பாரு
பொறுமை வேண்டும் மெதுவாய் பாரு பொன்னம்மா
Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good,
while the one without it is considered evil on this earth!
Then what is good and bad?
What is sin and virtue on this path of life?
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Are all of you...
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Touch your desirable heart...
and check for yourselves...
ஹே ஹே உள்ளவனெல்லாம் நல்லவனாவான்
இல்லாதவனே பொல்லாதவனாம் பூமியிலே
பின்னே நன்மை தீமை என்பது என்ன
பாவபுண்ணியம் என்பது என்ன பாதையிலே
நீங்கள் அத்தனைபேரும்
உத்தமர்தானா சொல்லுங்கள்
உங்கள் ஆசை நெஞ்சைத்
தொட்டுப் பார்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Hae hae ullavanellaam nallavanaavaan
Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good,
Illaathavanae pollaathavanaam bhoomiyilae
while the one without it is considered evil on this earth!
Pinnae nanmai theemai enbathu enna
Then what is good and bad?
Paava punniyam enbathu enna paadhaiyilae
What is sin and virtue on this path of life?
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Aandavanae vendugiraen naan
I pray to the Almighty,
Chorus :Harae ram harae ram ram
Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram
Male :Vendiyathai thedugiraen naan
Male: I search for what is needed,
Chorus :Harae ram harae ram ram
Chorus: Hare Ram, Hare Ram Ram
Thiruneeru poosikkondu devaaram paadu
Apply sacred ash and sing divine hymns.
Panangaasu sonthamillai pagavaanai naadu
Money and wealth are not permanent; seek the Divine.
Kaiyodu kondu vantha porul enna kooru
Tell me, what material object did you bring with you at birth?
Kadai naalil vaaraathu kayilulla odu
Even the bowl in your hand won't accompany you on your final day.
Eduththavnukku ennam nooru
The one who takes has a hundred thoughts,
Koduththavanukku ennam kodi naalellam
The one who gives has millions of thoughts every single day.
Pothum pothum enbavanillai
There is no one who says 'Enough, enough',
Vendum vendum
'I want more, I want more'
Enbavanthaanae oorellaam
is what everyone in the entire town says!
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Allaavin aasi undu ellorum vaazhga
May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone.
Ellorkkum selvam tharum allaavae vaazhga
May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long!
Allaavin aasi undu ellorum vaazhga
May Allah's blessings be upon all, long live everyone.
Ellorkkum selvam tharum allaavae vaazhga
May Allah who grants wealth to everyone live long!
Neruppindri pugaiyaathu pugaiyae nee vaazhga
There is no smoke without fire; long live the smoke!
Neeyindri naanillai nee kooda vaazhga
Without you, I am nothing; may you live long too!
Ellaam avanae enbathu vedham
'Everything is Him' is the sacred truth.
Engum avane endroru paadam padiyungal
Read the lesson that 'He is everywhere'.
Kadaiyum avanaal vanthathuthaanae
Even the shop came into existence because of Him,
Udaiyum avanae thanthathuthaanae pidiyungal
Even the clothes were granted by Him; hold onto this truth!
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Aandavanae vendugiraen naan
I pray to the Almighty,
Chorus :Allah allah hoom
Chorus: Allah Allah hoom
Male :Vendiyathai thedugiraen naan
Male: I search for what is needed,
Chorus :Allah allah hoom
Chorus: Allah Allah hoom
Selavaagum endruthaanae selvam endraaro
Is it named wealth (Selvam) because it gets spent (Selavaagum)?
Chorus :Selvam endraaro
Chorus: Did they call it wealth?
Male :Thaangaathu endruthaanae thangam endraaro
Male: Is it named gold (Thangam) because it won't endure forever (Thaangaathu)?
Chorus :Thangam endraaro
Chorus: Did they call it gold?
Male :Ponnaaga piranthavarkku pillai undaagum
Male: Those born golden will be blessed with children.
Pon ondru neengal thanthaal ondru rendaagum
If you give one piece of gold, it will double into two.
Vidhaiyai podu sediyai paaru
Sow the seed and watch the plant grow,
Vilaiyum porulai naalai paaru paarammaa
Look at the yield that grows tomorrow, oh my dear!
Poda poda mulaikkum paaru
As you sow more, see how it sprouts;
Porumai vendum medhuvaai paaru ponnammaa
Patience is needed, look slowly, my dear golden one!
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Hae hae ullavanellaam nallavanaavaan
Hey hey, everyone with wealth is considered good,
Illaathavanae pollaathavanaam bhoomiyilae
while the one without it is considered evil on this earth!
Pinnae nanmai theemai enbathu enna
Then what is good and bad?
Paava punniyam enbathu enna paadhaiyilae
What is sin and virtue on this path of life?
Neengal aththanai perum
Are all of you...
Uththamarthaanaa sollungal
truly righteous people? Tell me.
Ungal aasai nenjai
Touch your desirable heart...
Thottu paarththu kollungal…….
and check for yourselves...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'En Magan' (1974) is a philosophical reflection on society, morality, and human nature. The protagonist questions the hypocrisy of society, pointing out how people judge righteousness based on wealth rather than character—where the rich are automatically deemed good and the poor are labeled wicked. He challenges the audience to look inward and ask themselves if they are truly virtuous.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Sol Vilayattu / Etymological Wordplay
“Selavaagum endruthaanae selvam endraaro / Thaangaathu endruthaanae thangam endraaro”
Kannadasan plays with Tamil root words, dissecting 'Selvam' (wealth) as that which gets spent ('Selavaagum') and 'Thangam' (gold) as that which does not stay ('Thaangaathu').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Hae hae ullavanellaam nallavanaavaan / Illaathavanae pollaathavanaam bhoomiyilae”
The second consonant 'll' is repeated across lines (ullavanellaam / illaathavanae) to establish rhythmic flow.
Secular Philosophical Synthesis
“Allaavin aasi undu ellorum vaazhga / Thiruneeru poosikkondu devaaram paadu”
The lyrist weaves together Hindu ('Hare Ram', 'Thiruneeru', 'Devaaram') and Islamic ('Allah') motifs to emphasize unity and universal divine truth.
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Trivia
Kannadasan's signature philosophical wordplay shines prominently in this song through his humorous yet profound deconstruction of everyday Tamil words like 'Selvam' and 'Thangam'. The song features Sivaji Ganesan on screen, delivering a characteristic dramatic and reflective performance.
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