Nenjukku Needhiyum
From Nenjukku Neethi(1979) · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nenjukku Neethi(1979)1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nenjukku needhiyum tholukku vaalum | Justice in the heart and a sword on the shoulder, |
| Niraintha sudarmani poon | A radiant, gem-encrusted ornament. |
| Panjukku naer pala thunpangalaam | Many sorrows are like cotton, |
| Un paarvaikku naer perunthee | And your sight is like a great fire to them. |
| Male | |
| Vanjanai indri pagaiyindri soodhindri | Without deceit, without enmity, without cunning, |
| Vaiyaa maantharellaam vaazhvatharkkae | For all human beings in the world to live, |
| Kavi bharathi paadiya needhi | Is the justice sung by poet Bharathiyar, |
| Vaaimaisaer nenjukku needhi | Justice for the heart imbued with truth. |
| Nenjukku needhi nenjukku needhi | Justice for the heart, justice for the heart. |
| Male | |
| Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae | Before pointing out flaws about someone else, |
| Oruvaraipattri kurai koorum munnaalae | Before pointing out flaws about someone else, |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Oruvaraipattri kurai koorum munnaalae | Before pointing out flaws about someone else, |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your back behind you. |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Male | |
| Uthamargal arivuraiyai udhattalavil niruththaamal | Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service, |
| Ullaththil pathiththiduvaai annae | Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother. |
| Uthamargal arivuraiyai udhattalavil niruththaamal | Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service, |
| Ullaththil pathiththiduvaai annae | Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother. |
| Sinthanai semmalgal kaattiya nerigalai | The principles shown by great thinkers, |
| Sinthanai semmalgal kaattiya nerigalai | The principles shown by great thinkers, |
| Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae | Accumulate them into actions, my brother. |
| Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae | Accumulate them into actions, my brother. |
| Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae | Accumulate them into actions, my brother. |
| Male | |
| Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae | Before pointing out flaws about someone else, |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your back behind you. |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Male | |
| Saathi mathangalai saaipom endru | Declaring that we shall eliminate caste and religion, |
| Budhar gandhi bodhanai purinthaar | Buddha and Gandhi preached their teachings. |
| Yazhaiyin sirippil iraivari kaana | To see God in the smile of the poor, |
| Aringar annaa ingae piranthaar | Scholar Anna was born here. |
| Male | |
| Kadamaiyai seivom | Let us do our duty, |
| Urimaiyai peruvom | Let us claim our rights, |
| Madamaiyai maaiththiduvom | Let us destroy ignorance, |
| Manitharaai vaazhnthiduvom | Let us live as true human beings, |
| Manitharaai vaazhnthiduvom | Let us live as true human beings. |
| Male | |
| Oozhal oozhal endru | Corruption, corruption! |
| Oozhal oozhal endru dhinam paadinaayae paattu | You sang a song every day crying corruption, corruption! |
| Un mugathai neeyae oru kannaadiyil kaattu | Show your own face in a mirror first. |
| Veen pazhi podum velai unakku | The work of blaming others unnecessarily, |
| Veen pazhi podum velai unakku aagaathudaa yappaa | Blaming others needlessly will not suit you, my friend. |
| Perum thoon ondru un thalaiyil veezhumappaa | A massive pillar will fall upon your head! |
| Thoon ondru un thalaiyil veezhumappaa | A pillar will fall upon your head! |
| Male | |
| Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae | Before pointing out flaws about someone else, |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
| Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your back behind you. |
| Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae | Turn around and look at your own back behind you. |
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதியும் தோளுக்கு வாளும்
நிறைந்த சுடர்மணிப் பூண்
பஞ்சுக்கு நேர் பல துன்பங்களாம்
உன் பார்வைக்கு நேர் பெருந்தீ.
Justice in the heart and a sword on the shoulder,
A radiant, gem-encrusted ornament.
Many sorrows are like cotton,
And your sight is like a great fire to them.
வஞ்சனை இன்றிப் பகையின்றிச் சூதின்றி
வையக மாந்தரெல்லாம் வாழ்வதற்கே
கவி பாரதி பாடிய நீதி
வாய்மைசேர் நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி......
Without deceit, without enmity, without cunning,
For all human beings in the world to live,
Is the justice sung by poet Bharathiyar,
Justice for the heart imbued with truth.
Justice for the heart, justice for the heart.
ஒருவரைப் பற்றி குறை கூறும் முன்னாலே
ஒருவரைப் பற்றி குறை கூறும் முன்னாலே
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
ஒருவரைப் பற்றி குறை கூறும் முன்னாலே
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
உத்தமர்கள் அறிவுரையை உதட்டளவில் நிறுத்தாமல்
உள்ளத்தில் பதித்திடுவாய் அண்ணே
உத்தமர்கள் அறிவுரையை உதட்டளவில் நிறுத்தாமல்
உள்ளத்தில் பதித்திடுவாய் அண்ணே
சிந்தனை செம்மல்கள் காட்டிய நெறிகளை
சிந்தனை செம்மல்கள் காட்டிய நெறிகளை
செயல்களாய் குவித்திடு அண்ணே....
செயல்களாய் குவித்திடு அண்ணே....
செயல்களாய் குவித்திடு அண்ணே....
Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service,
Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother.
Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service,
Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother.
The principles shown by great thinkers,
The principles shown by great thinkers,
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
ஒருவரைப் பற்றி குறை கூறும் முன்னாலே
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
சாதி மதங்களை சாய்ப்போம் என்று
புத்தர் காந்தி போதனை புரிந்தார்
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவனை காண
அறிஞர் அண்ணா இங்கே பிறந்தார்
Declaring that we shall eliminate caste and religion,
Buddha and Gandhi preached their teachings.
To see God in the smile of the poor,
Scholar Anna was born here.
கடமையை செய்வோம்
உரிமையை பெறுவோம்
மடமையை மாய்த்திடுவோம்
மனிதராய் வாழ்ந்திடுவோம்...
மனிதராய் வாழ்ந்திடுவோம்...
Let us do our duty,
Let us claim our rights,
Let us destroy ignorance,
Let us live as true human beings,
Let us live as true human beings.
ஊழல் ஊழல் என்று
ஊழல் ஊழல் என்று தினம் பாடினாயே பாட்டு
உன் முகத்தை நீயே ஒரு கண்ணாடியில் காட்டு
வீண் பழி போடும் வேலை உனக்கு
வீண் பழி போடும் வேலை உனக்கு ஆகாதுடா யப்பா
பெரும் தூண் ஒன்று உன் தலையில் வீழுமப்பா
தூண் ஒன்று உன் தலையில் வீழுமப்பா
Corruption, corruption!
You sang a song every day crying corruption, corruption!
Show your own face in a mirror first.
The work of blaming others unnecessarily,
Blaming others needlessly will not suit you, my friend.
A massive pillar will fall upon your head!
A pillar will fall upon your head!
ஒருவரைப் பற்றி குறை கூறும் முன்னாலே
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
உன் முதுகை கொஞ்சம் திரும்பி பாரு பின்னாலே.....
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Nenjukku needhiyum tholukku vaalum
Justice in the heart and a sword on the shoulder,
Niraintha sudarmani poon
A radiant, gem-encrusted ornament.
Panjukku naer pala thunpangalaam
Many sorrows are like cotton,
Un paarvaikku naer perunthee
And your sight is like a great fire to them.
Vanjanai indri pagaiyindri soodhindri
Without deceit, without enmity, without cunning,
Vaiyaa maantharellaam vaazhvatharkkae
For all human beings in the world to live,
Kavi bharathi paadiya needhi
Is the justice sung by poet Bharathiyar,
Vaaimaisaer nenjukku needhi
Justice for the heart imbued with truth.
Nenjukku needhi nenjukku needhi
Justice for the heart, justice for the heart.
Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Oruvaraipattri kurai koorum munnaalae
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Oruvaraipattri kurai koorum munnaalae
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Uthamargal arivuraiyai udhattalavil niruththaamal
Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service,
Ullaththil pathiththiduvaai annae
Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother.
Uthamargal arivuraiyai udhattalavil niruththaamal
Without stopping the advice of noble ones merely at lip-service,
Ullaththil pathiththiduvaai annae
Inscribe it deep within your heart, my brother.
Sinthanai semmalgal kaattiya nerigalai
The principles shown by great thinkers,
Sinthanai semmalgal kaattiya nerigalai
The principles shown by great thinkers,
Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
Seyalgalaai kiviththidu annae
Accumulate them into actions, my brother.
Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Saathi mathangalai saaipom endru
Declaring that we shall eliminate caste and religion,
Budhar gandhi bodhanai purinthaar
Buddha and Gandhi preached their teachings.
Yazhaiyin sirippil iraivari kaana
To see God in the smile of the poor,
Aringar annaa ingae piranthaar
Scholar Anna was born here.
Kadamaiyai seivom
Let us do our duty,
Urimaiyai peruvom
Let us claim our rights,
Madamaiyai maaiththiduvom
Let us destroy ignorance,
Manitharaai vaazhnthiduvom
Let us live as true human beings,
Manitharaai vaazhnthiduvom
Let us live as true human beings.
Oozhal oozhal endru
Corruption, corruption!
Oozhal oozhal endru dhinam paadinaayae paattu
You sang a song every day crying corruption, corruption!
Un mugathai neeyae oru kannaadiyil kaattu
Show your own face in a mirror first.
Veen pazhi podum velai unakku
The work of blaming others unnecessarily,
Veen pazhi podum velai unakku aagaathudaa yappaa
Blaming others needlessly will not suit you, my friend.
Perum thoon ondru un thalaiyil veezhumappaa
A massive pillar will fall upon your head!
Thoon ondru un thalaiyil veezhumappaa
A pillar will fall upon your head!
Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae
Before pointing out flaws about someone else,
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your back behind you.
Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae
Turn around and look at your own back behind you.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nenjukku Neethi is a powerful reformist and socio-political song that calls for self-introspection, integrity, and social justice. It serves as a stern reminder that before finding faults or making allegations of corruption against others, one must examine their own conduct and eliminate personal hypocrisy. The lyrics evoke the egalitarian ideals of historical and political icons like Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, Gautama Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, and C. N. Annadurai (Anna). Through strong rhetorical lines, Kannadasan urges people to transform noble teachings into concrete actions, uphold duty and rights, eradicate social divides like caste and religion, and live with moral dignity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)
“Panjukku naer pala thunpangalaam / Un paarvaikku naer perunthee”
Compares sorrows to soft cotton ('Panjukku naer') and an upright moral vision to a fierce fire ('paarvaikku naer perunthee') that consumes problems easily.
Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)
“Kadamaiyai seivom / Urimaiyai peruvom / Madamaiyai maaiththiduvom”
Harmonious repetition of the second consonant sound 'da/ra' across consecutive rhyming lines.
Initial Sound Assonance / Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Uthamargal arivuraiyai udhattalavil niruththaamal / Ullaththil pathiththiduvaai annae”
Matching the initial vowel sound 'U' across lines for rhythmic impact.
Refrain / Anaphora
“Oruvarai pattri kurai koorum munnaalae / Un mudhugai konjam thirumbi paaru pinnaalae”
Repeated line emphasizing the central thematic advice of self-reflection before judging others.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nenjukku Neethi' ('Justice to the Conscience') is famously the title chosen by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for his extensive six-volume autobiography. The title itself draws inspiration from Subramania Bharathi's patriotic verses. In this 1979 song, Kannadasan weaves political rhetoric with moral philosophy, rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan.
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