Nenjil Uramum Indri
From Ezhavathu Manithan · 1982
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Rajkumar Bharathi
- Music director
- L. Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Ezhavathu Manithan1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nenjil uramum indri | Lacking courage and strength in their hearts, |
| Nermai thiramum indri | Lacking honesty and true capability, |
| Vanjanai solvaaradi kiliyae | They speak deceitful words, O parrot, |
| Vaai sollil veeraradi kiliyae | They are heroes only in spoken words, O parrot, |
| Vaai sollil veeraradi | They are heroes only in spoken words. |
| Male | |
| Koottaththil koodi nidru koovi pidhattralandri | Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly, |
| Koottaththil koodi nidru koovi pidhattralandri | Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly, |
| Naattaththil kollaaradi kiliyae | They hold no real commitment to the nation, O parrot, |
| Naalil marappaaradi kiliyae | They forget everything within days, O parrot, |
| Naalil marappaaradi | They forget everything within days. |
| Male | |
| Uppendrum seeni endrum | Talking of salt and talk of sugar, |
| Ullnaattu selaiyendrum | Talking of indigenous handloom sarees, |
| Uppendrum seeni endrum | Talking of salt and talk of sugar, |
| Ullnaattu selaiyendrum | Talking of indigenous handloom sarees, |
| Seppi thirivaaradi kiliyae | They wander around merely blabbering, O parrot, |
| Sevathriyaaradi Kiliyae | They know not what practical action to take, O parrot, |
| Seivathariyaaradi | They know not what practical action to take. |
| Male | |
| Pazhamai pazhamaiyendru | Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition', |
| Paavanai pesa landri | Other than putting on hypocritical pretense, |
| Pazhamai pazhamaiyendru | Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition', |
| Paavanai pesa landri | Other than putting on hypocritical pretense, |
| Pazhamaiyiruntha nilai kiliyae | The true exalted state of ancient culture, O parrot, |
| Paamarar yaedharivaar kiliyae | How can the uneducated common folk ever know, O parrot? |
| Paamarar yaedharivaar | How can the uneducated common folk ever know? |
| Male | |
| Sontha sagothararkal | Even upon seeing their own brothers |
| Thunbaththil saathal kandum | Perishing in deep agony and suffering, |
| Sontha sagothararkal | Even upon seeing their own brothers |
| Thunbaththil saathal kandum | Perishing in deep agony and suffering, |
| Sinthai rangaaradi kiliyae | Their hearts do not melt in compassion, O parrot, |
| Semmai maranthaaradi kiliyae | They have forgotten true righteousness, O parrot, |
| Semmai maranthaaradi | They have forgotten true righteousness. |
| Male | |
| Thaayai kollum panjaththai | Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland, |
| Thadukka muyarchiyuraar | They make no genuine attempt to stop it, |
| Thaayai kollum panjaththai | Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland, |
| Thadukka muyarchiyuraar | They make no genuine attempt to stop it, |
| Vaayai thiranthu summaa | Simply opening their mouth idly, |
| Kiliyae vanthae maadharamenpar | O parrot, they merely chant 'Vande Mataram', |
| Vanthae maadharamenpar | They merely chant 'Vande Mataram'. |
நெஞ்சில் உரமும் இன்றி
நேர்மைத் திறமும் இன்றி
வஞ்சனை சொல்வாரடி கிளியே...
வாய்ச் சொல்லில் வீரரடி கிளியே
வாய்ச் சொல்லில் வீரரடி
Lacking courage and strength in their hearts,
Lacking honesty and true capability,
They speak deceitful words, O parrot,
They are heroes only in spoken words, O parrot,
They are heroes only in spoken words.
கூட்டத்தில் கூடி நின்று கூவி பிதற்றலன்றி
கூட்டத்தில் கூடி நின்று கூவி பிதற்றலன்றி
நாட்டத்தில் கொள்ளாரடி கிளியே
நாளில் மறப்பாரடி கிளியே நாளில் மறப்பாரடி
Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly,
Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly,
They hold no real commitment to the nation, O parrot,
They forget everything within days, O parrot,
They forget everything within days.
உப்பென்றும் சீனி என்றும்
உள்நாட்டு சேலையென்றும்
உப்பென்றும் சீனி என்றும்
உள்நாட்டு சேலையென்றும்
செப்பித் திரிவாரடி கிளியே...
செய்வதறியாரடி கிளியே... செய்வதறியாரடி
Talking of salt and talk of sugar,
Talking of indigenous handloom sarees,
Talking of salt and talk of sugar,
Talking of indigenous handloom sarees,
They wander around merely blabbering, O parrot,
They know not what practical action to take, O parrot,
They know not what practical action to take.
பழமை பழமை யென்று
பாவனை பேச லன்றிப்
பழமை பழமை யென்று
பாவனை பேச லன்றிப்
பழமையிருந்த நிலை கிளியே
பாமரர் ஏதறிவார்...கிளியே பாமரர் ஏதறிவார்
Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition',
Other than putting on hypocritical pretense,
Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition',
Other than putting on hypocritical pretense,
The true exalted state of ancient culture, O parrot,
How can the uneducated common folk ever know, O parrot?
How can the uneducated common folk ever know?
சொந்த சகோதரர்கள்
துன்பத்தில் சாதல் கண்டும்
சொந்த சகோதரர்கள்
துன்பத்தில் சாதல் கண்டும்
சிந்தை இரங்காரடி கிளியே
செம்மை மறந்தாரடி கிளியே செம்மை மறந்தாரடி
Even upon seeing their own brothers
Perishing in deep agony and suffering,
Even upon seeing their own brothers
Perishing in deep agony and suffering,
Their hearts do not melt in compassion, O parrot,
They have forgotten true righteousness, O parrot,
They have forgotten true righteousness.
தாயைக் கொல்லும் பஞ்சத்தைத்
தடுக்க முயற்சியுறார்
தாயைக் கொல்லும் பஞ்சத்தைத்
தடுக்க முயற்சியுறார்
வாயைத் திறந்து சும்மா கிளியே
வந்தே மாதரமென்பார் வந்தே மாதரமென்பார்.....
Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland,
They make no genuine attempt to stop it,
Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland,
They make no genuine attempt to stop it,
Simply opening their mouth idly,
O parrot, they merely chant 'Vande Mataram',
They merely chant 'Vande Mataram'.
Nenjil uramum indri
Lacking courage and strength in their hearts,
Nermai thiramum indri
Lacking honesty and true capability,
Vanjanai solvaaradi kiliyae
They speak deceitful words, O parrot,
Vaai sollil veeraradi kiliyae
They are heroes only in spoken words, O parrot,
Vaai sollil veeraradi
They are heroes only in spoken words.
Koottaththil koodi nidru koovi pidhattralandri
Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly,
Koottaththil koodi nidru koovi pidhattralandri
Other than gathering in crowds and squawking foolishly,
Naattaththil kollaaradi kiliyae
They hold no real commitment to the nation, O parrot,
Naalil marappaaradi kiliyae
They forget everything within days, O parrot,
Naalil marappaaradi
They forget everything within days.
Uppendrum seeni endrum
Talking of salt and talk of sugar,
Ullnaattu selaiyendrum
Talking of indigenous handloom sarees,
Uppendrum seeni endrum
Talking of salt and talk of sugar,
Ullnaattu selaiyendrum
Talking of indigenous handloom sarees,
Seppi thirivaaradi kiliyae
They wander around merely blabbering, O parrot,
Sevathriyaaradi Kiliyae
They know not what practical action to take, O parrot,
Seivathariyaaradi
They know not what practical action to take.
Pazhamai pazhamaiyendru
Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition',
Paavanai pesa landri
Other than putting on hypocritical pretense,
Pazhamai pazhamaiyendru
Basking in glory by repeating 'ancient tradition, ancient tradition',
Paavanai pesa landri
Other than putting on hypocritical pretense,
Pazhamaiyiruntha nilai kiliyae
The true exalted state of ancient culture, O parrot,
Paamarar yaedharivaar kiliyae
How can the uneducated common folk ever know, O parrot?
Paamarar yaedharivaar
How can the uneducated common folk ever know?
Sontha sagothararkal
Even upon seeing their own brothers
Thunbaththil saathal kandum
Perishing in deep agony and suffering,
Sontha sagothararkal
Even upon seeing their own brothers
Thunbaththil saathal kandum
Perishing in deep agony and suffering,
Sinthai rangaaradi kiliyae
Their hearts do not melt in compassion, O parrot,
Semmai maranthaaradi kiliyae
They have forgotten true righteousness, O parrot,
Semmai maranthaaradi
They have forgotten true righteousness.
Thaayai kollum panjaththai
Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland,
Thadukka muyarchiyuraar
They make no genuine attempt to stop it,
Thaayai kollum panjaththai
Against the devastating famine that kills the motherland,
Thadukka muyarchiyuraar
They make no genuine attempt to stop it,
Vaayai thiranthu summaa
Simply opening their mouth idly,
Kiliyae vanthae maadharamenpar
O parrot, they merely chant 'Vande Mataram',
Vanthae maadharamenpar
They merely chant 'Vande Mataram'.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nenjil Uramum Indri is a sharp, biting critique composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, framed as a Kili Pattu (Parrot Song) where the poet addresses a parrot to condemn the hypocrisy and inaction of his contemporaries during India's freedom struggle. Bharathiyar lambastes self-proclaimed patriots who speak grandly of bravery and native products like salt, sugar, and indigenous clothes, but lack moral fortitude, genuine commitment, and practical solutions when faced with real suffering and poverty around them. He highlights the hollow nature of superficial nationalism, pointing out that people idly chant slogans like 'Vande Mataram' and boast about ancient glory while ignoring the immediate plight of their starving, dying brethren. Through fiery satire, Bharathiyar urges his countrymen to abandon empty lip service, develop true character and compassion, and engage in meaningful action for social and national liberation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Kili Pattu (Parrot Song Folk Form)
“Vanjanai solvaaradi kiliyae”
A traditional Tamil poetic genre where the poet addresses a parrot ('kiliyae') as a poetic device to express philosophical thoughts, satire, or social commentary.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pazhamai pazhamaiyendru / Paavanai pesa landri”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line or stanza, such as 'Pazhamai', 'Paavanai', and 'Paamarar'.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Nenjil uramum indri / Nermai thiramum indri”
Matching of second letters in consecutive lines, such as 'Nenjil' and 'Nermai' (sharing 'n' consonant harmony), and 'Uppendrum' and 'Ullnaattu'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Vaai sollil veeraradi kiliyae / Vaai sollil veeraradi”
Repetition of lines for rhetorical emphasis and musical rhythm in vocal rendition.
Irony and Satire
“Vaayai thiranthu summaa / Kiliyae vanthae maadharamenpar”
Sharp use of irony contrasting empty slogans ('Vande Mataram') with lack of action against famine and suffering.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar was adapted into the 1982 Tamil film 'Ezhavathu Manithan' (The Seventh Man), directed by K. Hariharan. The soundtrack featured several of Bharathiyar's poems set to music by renowned classical musician L. Vaidyanathan and rendered powerfully by K.J. Yesudas. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.
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