Nenjukku Neethi Undu
From Sabatham · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- G. K. Venkatesh
- Details
- Sabatham1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Female | |
| Manjal alli vaithom aiyanaarae | We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Chorus :Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Male | |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Male | |
| Kannal kandaal munnal nindru | If seen with the eyes, standing in front |
| Karunai vazhangum aiyaavae nalla | O Lord who bestows good mercy |
| Karunai vazhangum aiyaavae | O Lord who bestows mercy |
| Chorus :Nalla karunai vazhangum aiyaavae | Chorus: O Lord who bestows good mercy |
| Male :Kaiyaal vanangi ullam urugi | Male: Bowing with hands, our hearts melting |
| Kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae | We stood with a ripe and tender heart, O Lord |
| Ullam kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae | Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord |
| Chorus :Ullam kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae | Chorus: Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord |
| Female | |
| Pottodu poovodu vaazha | To live with vermilion bindi and flowers |
| Chorus :Naangal vaazha | Chorus: For us to live |
| Female :Undhan kovilai naadi vandhom aiyanaarae | Female: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Chorus :Undhan kovilai naadi vandhom aiyanaarae | Chorus: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Female :Ilaiyilae pooveduthu | Female: Taking flowers in leaves |
| Udalilae azhagu kuthi | Tattooing beauty onto the body |
| Thalaiyile thaanga vandhom aiyanaarae | We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Chorus :Thalaiyile thaanga vandhom aiyanaarae | Chorus: We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Male | |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Male | |
| Enniya ennam nadanthu vittaal | If evil intentions come to pass |
| Aiyaa unakku idamillai | Lord, there will be no place for you |
| Chorus :Aiyaa unakku idamillai | Chorus: Lord, there will be no place for you |
| Male :Ilaithavargal vizhunthu vittaal | Male: If the downtrodden people fall |
| Unadhu vilakkil oliyillai | There will be no light in your lamp |
| Chorus :Unadhu vilakkil oliyillai | Chorus: There will be no light in your lamp |
| Male | |
| Punniyam ellam thottru vittaal | If all righteousness loses and fails |
| Kovilukku porul illai | There is no purpose or meaning for a temple |
| Chorus :Kovilukku porul illai | Chorus: There is no purpose or meaning for a temple |
| Poi illadha meiyanaarae | O True Lord who contains no lie |
| Boomi kaakkum aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth |
| Poi illadha meiyanaarae | O True Lord who contains no lie |
| Boomi kaakkum aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth |
| Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae | O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Male | |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae | There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae | Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Female | |
| Manjal alli vaithom aiyanaarae | We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Chorus :Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
| Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae | You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar |
அய்யனாரே அய்யனாரே.......
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
மஞ்சள் அள்ளி வைத்தோம் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
குழு :
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
கண்ணால் கண்டால் முன்னால் நின்று
கருணை வழங்கும் ஐயாவே நல்ல
கருணை வழங்கும் ஐயாவே
குழு :
நல்ல கருணை வழங்கும் ஐயாவே
கையால் வணங்கி உள்ளம் உருகி
கனிந்து நின்றோம் ஐயாவே
உள்ளம் கனிந்து நின்றோம் ஐயாவே
குழு :
உள்ளம் கனிந்து நின்றோம் ஐயாவே
If seen with the eyes, standing in front
O Lord who bestows good mercy
O Lord who bestows mercy
Chorus: O Lord who bestows good mercy
Male: Bowing with hands, our hearts melting
We stood with a ripe and tender heart, O Lord
Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord
Chorus: Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord
பொட்டோடு பூவோடு வாழ
குழு :
நாங்கள் வாழ
உந்தன் கோவிலை நாடி வந்தோம் அய்யனாரே
குழு :
உந்தன் கோவிலை நாடி வந்தோம் அய்யனாரே
இலையிலே பூவெடுத்து
உடலிலே அலகு குத்தி
தலையிலே தாங்க வந்தோம் அய்யனாரே
குழு :
தலையிலே தாங்க வந்தோம் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
To live with vermilion bindi and flowers
Chorus: For us to live
Female: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar
Female: Taking flowers in leaves
Tattooing beauty onto the body
We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus: We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
எண்ணிய எண்ணம் நடந்து விட்டால்
ஐயா உனக்கு இடமில்லை
குழு :
ஐயா உனக்கு இடமில்லை
இளைத்தவர்கள் விழுந்து விட்டால்
உனது விளக்கில் ஒளியில்லை
குழு :
உனது விளக்கில் ஒளியில்லை
If evil intentions come to pass
Lord, there will be no place for you
Chorus: Lord, there will be no place for you
Male: If the downtrodden people fall
There will be no light in your lamp
Chorus: There will be no light in your lamp
புண்ணியம் எல்லாம் தோற்று விட்டால்
கோவிலுக்குப் பொருளில்லை
குழு :
கோவிலுக்குப் பொருளில்லை
பொய்யில்லாத மெய்யனாரே
பூமி காக்கும் அய்யனாரே
பொய்யில்லாத மெய்யனாரே
பூமி காக்கும் அய்யனாரே
அய்யனாரே அய்யனாரே
அய்யனாரே அய்யனாரே
அய்யனாரே அய்யனாரே
அய்யனாரே அய்யனாரே
If all righteousness loses and fails
There is no purpose or meaning for a temple
Chorus: There is no purpose or meaning for a temple
O True Lord who contains no lie
O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth
O True Lord who contains no lie
O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி உண்டு அய்யனாரே
இங்கே நீயுண்டு காவலுண்டு அய்யனாரே
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
மஞ்சள் அள்ளி வைத்தோம் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
குழு :
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
எங்க மங்கலம் காக்க வேண்டும் அய்யனாரே
We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Manjal alli vaithom aiyanaarae
We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus :Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Kannal kandaal munnal nindru
If seen with the eyes, standing in front
Karunai vazhangum aiyaavae nalla
O Lord who bestows good mercy
Karunai vazhangum aiyaavae
O Lord who bestows mercy
Chorus :Nalla karunai vazhangum aiyaavae
Chorus: O Lord who bestows good mercy
Male :Kaiyaal vanangi ullam urugi
Male: Bowing with hands, our hearts melting
Kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae
We stood with a ripe and tender heart, O Lord
Ullam kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae
Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord
Chorus :Ullam kanindhu nindrom aiyaavae
Chorus: Our hearts stood tenderly, O Lord
Pottodu poovodu vaazha
To live with vermilion bindi and flowers
Chorus :Naangal vaazha
Chorus: For us to live
Female :Undhan kovilai naadi vandhom aiyanaarae
Female: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus :Undhan kovilai naadi vandhom aiyanaarae
Chorus: We came seeking your temple, O Lord Ayyanaar
Female :Ilaiyilae pooveduthu
Female: Taking flowers in leaves
Udalilae azhagu kuthi
Tattooing beauty onto the body
Thalaiyile thaanga vandhom aiyanaarae
We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus :Thalaiyile thaanga vandhom aiyanaarae
Chorus: We came bearing offerings on our heads, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enniya ennam nadanthu vittaal
If evil intentions come to pass
Aiyaa unakku idamillai
Lord, there will be no place for you
Chorus :Aiyaa unakku idamillai
Chorus: Lord, there will be no place for you
Male :Ilaithavargal vizhunthu vittaal
Male: If the downtrodden people fall
Unadhu vilakkil oliyillai
There will be no light in your lamp
Chorus :Unadhu vilakkil oliyillai
Chorus: There will be no light in your lamp
Punniyam ellam thottru vittaal
If all righteousness loses and fails
Kovilukku porul illai
There is no purpose or meaning for a temple
Chorus :Kovilukku porul illai
Chorus: There is no purpose or meaning for a temple
Poi illadha meiyanaarae
O True Lord who contains no lie
Boomi kaakkum aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth
Poi illadha meiyanaarae
O True Lord who contains no lie
Boomi kaakkum aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar who protects the earth
Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
Aiyanaarae aiyanaarae
O Lord Ayyanaar, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Nenjukku needhi undu aiyanaarae
There is justice in the heart, O Lord Ayyanaar
Ingae neeyundu kaavalundu aiyanaarae
Here you are present, as a guard, O Lord Ayyanaar
Manjal alli vaithom aiyanaarae
We gathered turmeric and placed it, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Chorus :Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
Chorus: You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Enga mangalam kaakka vendum aiyanaarae
You must protect our marital auspiciousness, O Lord Ayyanaar
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Sabatham (1971) is a traditional devotional prayer addressed to Lord Ayyanaar, a prominent guardian village deity (Kaval Deivam) in Tamil culture. The villagers and devotees express their unwavering trust in the deity to uphold justice, protect their families, and maintain auspiciousness (mangalam) in women's lives. The lyrics blend folk rituals—such as carrying offerings on their heads, applying turmeric, and tattooing—with philosophical reflections. Written by poet Kannadasan, the song poses a moral challenge to divinity: if evil triumphs or the poor fall into ruin, the deity's lamp loses its light and temples lose their purpose. It reinforces the belief that Lord Ayyanaar is the embodiment of absolute truth ('Meiyanaar') who stands as a vigilant protector of righteous human hearts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Enniya ennam nadanthu vittaal”
Repetition of initial vowel sound 'E' across words in the same line ('Enniya ennam').
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Poi illadha meiyanaarae / Boomi kaakkum aiyanaarae”
Matching of the second consonant 'y' sound ('Poi' / 'Boomi') across consecutive lines.
Wordplay / Contrast (Poi vs. Mei)
“Poi illadha meiyanaarae”
Kannadasan contrasts 'Poi' (lie/falsehood) with 'Mei' (truth/body) to form the title 'Meiyanaar' (True Deity) as an antonym to falsehood.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed in a rustic Tamil folk genre dedicated to guardian spirits (Kaval Deivam) like Ayyanaar, Karuppasamy, and Madurai Veeran. The music for the film Sabatham (1971) was composed by G. K. Venkatesh, featuring Ravichandran and K. R. Vijaya.
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