Oru Payala Nambi
From Manidharil Manikkam · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Manidharil Manikkam1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya! |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya! |
| Male | |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya! |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya! |
| Male | |
| Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa | Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend! |
| Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa | God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living! |
| Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa | Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend! |
| Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa | God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living! |
| Male | |
| : Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko | Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have! |
| Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko | Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger! |
| Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko | Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have! |
| Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko | Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger! |
| Male | |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya! |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya! |
| Male | |
| Manna nambi maramirukku ramaiyaa | A tree stands tall by trusting the earth, oh Ramaiya! |
| Inga unna nambi naanirukken amaaiyaa | Here, I stand relying on you, my quiet companion! |
| Kadalai thaandi dhoodhu pona ramaiyaa | Oh Ramaiya, like the messenger Hanuman who crossed the ocean! |
| Nee kattra viththaiyai kaatti kaasu kelaiyyaa | Show off the tricks you've learned and ask for money! |
| Male | |
| Pudichchaa pudichchathu korangu puththi | When it holds on, it holds tight—that's a monkey's stubborn nature! |
| Aa….a….aa…a….aa….aa….aa… | Vocalizing (Aa….a….aa…a….aa….aa….aa…) |
| Kadichaa kadichathu naayi puththi | When it bites, it bites deep—that's a dog's aggressive nature! |
| Entha neram pudikkum idhu entha neram kadikkum | When will it embrace, and when will it bite? |
| Ada yaarukkudaa theriyum | Hey, who on earth really knows? |
| Koranga vida kevalam manushan puththi | Human nature is far worse and wretched than that of a monkey! |
| Male | |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya! |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya! |
| Male | |
| Aadhiyil intha manushan kooda ramaiyaa | In the ancient beginning, even man, oh Ramaiya... |
| Un jaadhiya saerntha koottamthaandaa somaiyaa | Belonged to the very same species as you, oh Somaiya! |
| Vaalai thavira maththathu ellaam paarappaa | Look closely, everything except the tail is identical! |
| Intha vaanara jaadhikku maanidarendra perappaa | This monkey clan was merely given the name 'human'! |
| Male | |
| Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa | Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend! |
| Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa | God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living! |
| Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko | Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have! |
| Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko | Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger! |
| Male | |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya! |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa) |
| Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa | Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya! |
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா ராமைய்யா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா சோமைய்யா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா ராமைய்யா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா சோமைய்யா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
ஒரு பயல நம்பி வயத்த வளர்க்க வேண்டாண்டா
நாம பொழைக்கத்தானே கையும் காலும் வச்சாண்டா
ஒரு பயல நம்பி வயத்த வளர்க்க வேண்டாண்டா
நாம பொழைக்கத்தானே கையும் காலும் வச்சாண்டா
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
அட உள்ளத கொண்டு வாழவேணும் தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
நம்ம விரலுக்கேத்த வீக்கம் வேணும் புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
அட உள்ளத கொண்டு வாழவேணும் தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
நம்ம விரலுக்கேத்த வீக்கம் வேணும் புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா ராமைய்யா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா சோமைய்யா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
மண்ண நம்பி மரமிருக்கு ராமைய்யா
இங்க உன்ன நம்பி நானிருக்கேன் ஆமாய்யா
கடலைத் தாண்டி தூது போன ராமைய்யா
நீ கற்ற வித்தையைக் காட்டி காசு கேளய்யா
A tree stands tall by trusting the earth, oh Ramaiya!
Here, I stand relying on you, my quiet companion!
Oh Ramaiya, like the messenger Hanuman who crossed the ocean!
Show off the tricks you've learned and ask for money!
புடிச்சா புடிச்சது கொரங்கு புத்தி
ஆ.....அ...ஆ...அ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
கடிச்சா கடிச்சது நாயி புத்தி
எந்த நேரம் புடிக்கும் இது எந்த நேரம் கடிக்கும்
அட யாருக்குடா தெரியும்
கொரங்க விட கேவலம் மனுஷன் புத்தி
When it holds on, it holds tight—that's a monkey's stubborn nature!
Vocalizing (Aa….a….aa…a….aa….aa….aa…)
When it bites, it bites deep—that's a dog's aggressive nature!
When will it embrace, and when will it bite?
Hey, who on earth really knows?
Human nature is far worse and wretched than that of a monkey!
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா ராமைய்யா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா சோமைய்யா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
ஆதியில் இந்த மனுஷன் கூட ராமைய்யா
உன் ஜாதிய சேர்ந்த கூட்டம்தாண்டா சோமைய்யா
வாலை தவிர மத்தது எல்லாம் பாரப்பா
இந்த வானர ஜாதிக்கு மானிடரென்ற பேரப்பா....
In the ancient beginning, even man, oh Ramaiya...
Belonged to the very same species as you, oh Somaiya!
Look closely, everything except the tail is identical!
This monkey clan was merely given the name 'human'!
ஒரு பயல நம்பி வயத்த வளர்க்க வேண்டாண்டா
நாம பொழைக்கத்தானே கையும் காலும் வச்சாண்டா
அட உள்ளத கொண்டு வாழவேணும் தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
நம்ம விரலுக்கேத்த வீக்கம் வேணும் புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா ராமைய்யா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா
திகிரிடுதன்னா திகிரிடுதன்னா சோமைய்யா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
: Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Manna nambi maramirukku ramaiyaa
A tree stands tall by trusting the earth, oh Ramaiya!
Inga unna nambi naanirukken amaaiyaa
Here, I stand relying on you, my quiet companion!
Kadalai thaandi dhoodhu pona ramaiyaa
Oh Ramaiya, like the messenger Hanuman who crossed the ocean!
Nee kattra viththaiyai kaatti kaasu kelaiyyaa
Show off the tricks you've learned and ask for money!
Pudichchaa pudichchathu korangu puththi
When it holds on, it holds tight—that's a monkey's stubborn nature!
Aa….a….aa…a….aa….aa….aa…
Vocalizing (Aa….a….aa…a….aa….aa….aa…)
Kadichaa kadichathu naayi puththi
When it bites, it bites deep—that's a dog's aggressive nature!
Entha neram pudikkum idhu entha neram kadikkum
When will it embrace, and when will it bite?
Ada yaarukkudaa theriyum
Hey, who on earth really knows?
Koranga vida kevalam manushan puththi
Human nature is far worse and wretched than that of a monkey!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Aadhiyil intha manushan kooda ramaiyaa
In the ancient beginning, even man, oh Ramaiya...
Un jaadhiya saerntha koottamthaandaa somaiyaa
Belonged to the very same species as you, oh Somaiya!
Vaalai thavira maththathu ellaam paarappaa
Look closely, everything except the tail is identical!
Intha vaanara jaadhikku maanidarendra perappaa
This monkey clan was merely given the name 'human'!
Oru payala nambi vayaththa valarkka vendaandaa
Don't rely on anyone else to feed your stomach, my friend!
Naama pozhaikkaththaanae kaiyum kaalum vachchaandaa
God gave us hands and feet so we could make our own living!
Ada ullatha kondu vaazhavenum therinjukko
Know this: you must learn to live contentedly with whatever you have!
Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko
Understand that the swelling should only match the size of your finger!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa ramaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Ramaiya!
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa)
Thigiriduthannaa thigiriduthannaa somaiyaa
Rhythmic folk chant, oh Somaiya!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a lively and philosophical street performance track delivered through the lens of a performer addressing his trained monkeys, named Ramaiya and Somaiya. Through playful banter and upbeat rhythm, the protagonist conveys timeless moral principles about self-reliance, hard work, and living within one's means without depending on others for survival. Beneath its lighthearted facade, the lyricist Vaali embeds sharp social critique and satire regarding human nature. By drawing evolutionary parallels between monkeys and humans, the song reflects on how human morality has regressed, arguing that animal nature is predictable while human deceit and selfishness make man far worse than monkeys.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverb / Idiom (Pazhamozhi)
“Namma viralukeththa veekkam venum purinjukko”
Uses the popular Tamil proverb ('Viraluketha veekkam') which metaphorically warns people to live within their means (the swelling should not exceed the finger's size).
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Manna nambi maramirukku ramaiyaa / Inga unna nambi naanirukken amaaiyaa”
The second letters of 'Manna' (ன்) and 'Unna' (ன்) rhyme, creating a harmonious cadence in the couplet.
Iyaipu (End rhyme)
“ramaiyaa / somaiyaa / amaaiyaa”
The line endings repeatedly use the '-aiyaa' sound to maintain rhythmic flow throughout the song.
Satire / Irony
“Koranga vida kevalam manushan puththi”
Employs irony by comparing human intellect unfavorably against animal behavior, highlighting human hypocrisy.
Did you know?
Trivia
In Tamil cinema, street-performer songs featuring trained monkeys (often named Ramaiya and Somaiya) are a classic device used by lyricists to deliver deep philosophical messages disguised as playful entertainment. Composer M. S. Viswanathan utilized energetic folk beats coupled with T. M. Soundararajan's dynamic vocal modulation to give the track its iconic street-play feel.
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