Nerukku Neraai
From Meenava Nanban · 1977
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Meenava Nanban1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naerukku naeraai varattum | Let them face me head-on |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Male | |
| Naerukku naeraai varattum | Let them face me head-on |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| En kaelvikku badhilai tharattum | Let them answer my question |
| Naermai thiramirundhaal | If they have honesty and capability |
| Naermai thiramirundhaal | If they have honesty and capability |
| En kaelvikku badhilai tharattum | Let them answer my question |
| Naermai thiramirundhaal | If they have honesty and capability |
| Naermai thiramirundhaal | If they have honesty and capability |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippor anaivarum ondru | All working class people are one |
| Enum unarvinil valarvadhu nadru | It is good to grow with this feeling of unity |
| Uzhaippor anaivarum ondru | All working class people are one |
| Enum unarvinil valarvadhu nadru | It is good to grow with this feeling of unity |
| Valiyor ezhaiyai vaattidum kodumai | The cruelty of the strong torturing the poor |
| Ini oru naalum nadakkaadhu | Will never happen again |
| Ini oru naalum nadakkaadhu | Will never happen again |
| Male | |
| Naerukku naeraai varattum | Let them face me head-on |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Male | |
| Pattiniyaal dhinam ottiya vayiru | The stomach pinched daily by hunger |
| Paadhaiyil thavikkudhadaa | Suffers helplessly on the streets |
| Sila paavigal aanavam panjaiyin uyirai | The arrogance of a few sinners snatches |
| Dhinam dhinam parikkudhadaa | The poor person's life day after day |
| Male | |
| Pattiniyaal dhinam ottiya vayiru | The stomach pinched daily by hunger |
| Paadhaiyil thavikkudhadaa | Suffers helplessly on the streets |
| Sila paavigal aanavam panjaiyin uyirai | The arrogance of a few sinners snatches |
| Dhinam dhinam parikkudhadaa | The poor person's life day after day |
| Maarinaal maarattum illaiyael maattruvom | If things change naturally, good; if not, we will force the change |
| Theemaigal yaavaiyum koondilae yaettruvom | We will put all evils into the cage of justice |
| Male | |
| Naerukku naeraai varattum | Let them face me head-on |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Male | |
| Needhiyin dheebangal yaendhiya kaigalin | Of hands holding the lamps of justice |
| Latchiya payanamidhu | This is an ambitious journey |
| Idhil sathiya sodhanai ethanai naerinum | No matter how many trials of truth occur in this |
| Thaangidum idhayamidhu | This heart will endure them all |
| Male | |
| Needhiyin dheebangal yaendhiya kaigalin | Of hands holding the lamps of justice |
| Latchiya payanamidhu | This is an ambitious journey |
| Idhil sathiya sodhanai ethanai naerinum | No matter how many trials of truth occur in this |
| Thaangidum idhayamidhu | This heart will endure them all |
| Annanin paadhaiyil vettriyae kaanalaam | We can see victory on elder brother's path |
| Annanin paadhaiyil vettriyae kaanalaam | We can see victory on elder brother's path |
| Dharmamae kolgaiyaai naalellaam kaakkalaam… | We shall protect righteousness as our doctrine forever |
| Male | |
| Naerukku naeraai varattum | Let them face me head-on |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Nenjil thunivirundhaal | If they have courage in their heart |
| Male | |
| Thani oru manidhanukku | If for a single human being |
| Unavillai endraal jagathinai azhithiduvom | There is no food, we shall destroy the universe |
| Endru thamizh kavi bharathi | Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi |
| Paadiya paattai nadamurai aakiduvom | We shall make that poem a reality |
| Male | |
| Thani oru manidhanukku | If for a single human being |
| Unavillai endraal jagathinai azhithiduvom | There is no food, we shall destroy the universe |
| Endru thamizh kavi bharathi | Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi |
| Paadiya paattai nadamurai aakiduvom | We shall make that poem a reality |
| Sonnadhai seiyivom seivadhai solluvom | We will do what we say, and say what we do |
| Annaiyin boomiyae dheivamaai ennuvom | We will treat our motherland as our deity |
நேருக்கு நேராய் வரட்டும்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
Let them face me head-on
If they have courage in their heart
நேருக்கு நேராய் வரட்டும்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
என் கேள்விக்கு பதிலை தரட்டும்
நேர்மை திறமிருந்தால்
நேர்மை திறமிருந்தால்
என் கேள்விக்கு பதிலை தரட்டும்
நேர்மை திறமிருந்தால்
நேர்மை திறமிருந்தால்
Let them face me head-on
If they have courage in their heart
Let them answer my question
If they have honesty and capability
If they have honesty and capability
Let them answer my question
If they have honesty and capability
If they have honesty and capability
உழைப்போர் யாவரும் ஒன்று
என்னும் உணர்வினில் வளர்வது இன்று
உழைப்போர் யாவரும் ஒன்று
என்னும் உணர்வினில் வளர்வது இன்று
வலியோர் ஏழையை வாட்டிடும் கொடுமை
இனி ஒரு நாளும் நடக்காது
இனி ஒரு நாளும் நடக்காது
All working class people are one
It is good to grow with this feeling of unity
All working class people are one
It is good to grow with this feeling of unity
The cruelty of the strong torturing the poor
Will never happen again
Will never happen again
நேருக்கு நேராய் வரட்டும்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
Let them face me head-on
If they have courage in their heart
If they have courage in their heart
பட்டினியால் தினம் ஒட்டிய வயிறு
பாதையில் தவிக்குதடா
சில பாவிகள் ஆணவம் மக்களின் உயிரை
தினம் தினம் பறிக்குதடா
The stomach pinched daily by hunger
Suffers helplessly on the streets
The arrogance of a few sinners snatches
The poor person's life day after day
பட்டினியால் தினம் ஒட்டிய வயிறு
பாதையில் தவிக்குதடா
சில பாவிகள் ஆணவம் மக்களின் உயிரை
தினம் தினம் பறிக்குதடா
மாறினால் மாற்றட்டும்
இல்லையேல் மாற்றுவோம்
தீமைகள் யாவையும்
கூண்டிலே ஏற்றுவோம்
The stomach pinched daily by hunger
Suffers helplessly on the streets
The arrogance of a few sinners snatches
The poor person's life day after day
If things change naturally, good; if not, we will force the change
We will put all evils into the cage of justice
நேருக்கு நேராய் வரட்டும்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
Let them face me head-on
If they have courage in their heart
If they have courage in their heart
நீதியின் தீபத்தை ஏந்திய கைகளின்
லட்சிய பயணமிது
இதில் சத்திய சோதனை எத்தனை நேரினும்
தாங்கிடும் இதயமிது
Of hands holding the lamps of justice
This is an ambitious journey
No matter how many trials of truth occur in this
This heart will endure them all
நீதியின் தீபத்தை ஏந்திய கைகளின்
லட்சிய பயணமிது
இதில் சத்திய சோதனை எத்தனை நேரினும்
தாங்கிடும் இதயமிது
அண்ணனின் பாதையில்
வெற்றியே காணலாம்
அண்ணனின் பாதையில்
வெற்றியே காணலாம்
தர்மமே கொள்கையாய்
நாளெல்லாம் காக்கலாம்
Of hands holding the lamps of justice
This is an ambitious journey
No matter how many trials of truth occur in this
This heart will endure them all
We can see victory on elder brother's path
We can see victory on elder brother's path
We shall protect righteousness as our doctrine forever
நேருக்கு நேராய் வரட்டும்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
நெஞ்சில் துணிவிருந்தால்
Let them face me head-on
If they have courage in their heart
If they have courage in their heart
தனி ஒரு மனிதனுக்கு
உணவில்லை என்றால் ஜகத்தினை அழித்திடுவோம்
என்று தமிழ் கவி பாரதி
பாடியா பாட்டை நடைமுறை ஆக்கிடுவோம்
If for a single human being
There is no food, we shall destroy the universe
Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi
We shall make that poem a reality
தனி ஒரு மனிதனுக்கு
உணவில்லை என்றால் ஜகத்தினை அழித்திடுவோம்
என்று தமிழ் கவி பாரதி
பாடியா பாட்டை நடைமுறை ஆக்கிடுவோம்
சொன்னதை செய்வோம் செய்வதை சொல்வோம்
அன்னையின் பூமியே தெய்மாய் எண்ணுவோம்
If for a single human being
There is no food, we shall destroy the universe
Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi
We shall make that poem a reality
We will do what we say, and say what we do
We will treat our motherland as our deity
Naerukku naeraai varattum
Let them face me head-on
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Naerukku naeraai varattum
Let them face me head-on
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
En kaelvikku badhilai tharattum
Let them answer my question
Naermai thiramirundhaal
If they have honesty and capability
Naermai thiramirundhaal
If they have honesty and capability
En kaelvikku badhilai tharattum
Let them answer my question
Naermai thiramirundhaal
If they have honesty and capability
Naermai thiramirundhaal
If they have honesty and capability
Uzhaippor anaivarum ondru
All working class people are one
Enum unarvinil valarvadhu nadru
It is good to grow with this feeling of unity
Uzhaippor anaivarum ondru
All working class people are one
Enum unarvinil valarvadhu nadru
It is good to grow with this feeling of unity
Valiyor ezhaiyai vaattidum kodumai
The cruelty of the strong torturing the poor
Ini oru naalum nadakkaadhu
Will never happen again
Ini oru naalum nadakkaadhu
Will never happen again
Naerukku naeraai varattum
Let them face me head-on
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Pattiniyaal dhinam ottiya vayiru
The stomach pinched daily by hunger
Paadhaiyil thavikkudhadaa
Suffers helplessly on the streets
Sila paavigal aanavam panjaiyin uyirai
The arrogance of a few sinners snatches
Dhinam dhinam parikkudhadaa
The poor person's life day after day
Pattiniyaal dhinam ottiya vayiru
The stomach pinched daily by hunger
Paadhaiyil thavikkudhadaa
Suffers helplessly on the streets
Sila paavigal aanavam panjaiyin uyirai
The arrogance of a few sinners snatches
Dhinam dhinam parikkudhadaa
The poor person's life day after day
Maarinaal maarattum illaiyael maattruvom
If things change naturally, good; if not, we will force the change
Theemaigal yaavaiyum koondilae yaettruvom
We will put all evils into the cage of justice
Naerukku naeraai varattum
Let them face me head-on
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Needhiyin dheebangal yaendhiya kaigalin
Of hands holding the lamps of justice
Latchiya payanamidhu
This is an ambitious journey
Idhil sathiya sodhanai ethanai naerinum
No matter how many trials of truth occur in this
Thaangidum idhayamidhu
This heart will endure them all
Needhiyin dheebangal yaendhiya kaigalin
Of hands holding the lamps of justice
Latchiya payanamidhu
This is an ambitious journey
Idhil sathiya sodhanai ethanai naerinum
No matter how many trials of truth occur in this
Thaangidum idhayamidhu
This heart will endure them all
Annanin paadhaiyil vettriyae kaanalaam
We can see victory on elder brother's path
Annanin paadhaiyil vettriyae kaanalaam
We can see victory on elder brother's path
Dharmamae kolgaiyaai naalellaam kaakkalaam…
We shall protect righteousness as our doctrine forever
Naerukku naeraai varattum
Let them face me head-on
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Nenjil thunivirundhaal
If they have courage in their heart
Thani oru manidhanukku
If for a single human being
Unavillai endraal jagathinai azhithiduvom
There is no food, we shall destroy the universe
Endru thamizh kavi bharathi
Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi
Paadiya paattai nadamurai aakiduvom
We shall make that poem a reality
Thani oru manidhanukku
If for a single human being
Unavillai endraal jagathinai azhithiduvom
There is no food, we shall destroy the universe
Endru thamizh kavi bharathi
Thus sang the Tamil poet Bharathi
Paadiya paattai nadamurai aakiduvom
We shall make that poem a reality
Sonnadhai seiyivom seivadhai solluvom
We will do what we say, and say what we do
Annaiyin boomiyae dheivamaai ennuvom
We will treat our motherland as our deity
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Naerukku Naeraai Varattum is a fiery political and social anthem from the 1977 Tamil movie Meenava Nanban, starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song serves as a direct challenge to corrupt oppressors and social exploiters, daring them to face the protagonist head-on if they possess courage and moral standing. It emphasizes working-class solidarity, declaring that the exploitation of the poor by the powerful must come to a permanent end.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Alliteration)
“Naerukku naeraai varattum / Nenjil thunivirundhaal”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'N' in 'Naerukku' and 'Nenjil'.
Literary Allusion
“Thani oru manidhanukku / Unavillai endraal jagathinai azhithiduvom”
Direct quotation and homage to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous revolutionary line about destroying the world if a single person starves.
Antimetabole / Political Rhetoric
“Sonnadhai seiyivom seivadhai solluvom”
Inversion of words for rhetorical emphasis ('Sonnadhai seiyivom seivadhai solluvom'), highlighting integrity between speech and action.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Meenava Nanban was released in 1977, a pivotal year when M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The line 'Sonnadhai seiyivom, seivadhai solluvom' (We do what we say, and say what we do) was an iconic political slogan in Tamil Nadu polity, closely linked with Dravidian political leadership.
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