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Lyrics & meaning

Paarthaya Manidanin

From Naan Valartha Thangai · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Pondiyala Srinivasan
Details
Naan Valartha Thangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?
Deva paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiO Lord, have you seen the antics of mankind?
Deva nilaiyaana ulagathaiyumO Lord, this enduring world,
Neraaana pazhakkathaiyumAnd upright habits,
Thalaikeezhaai purattividumTurning them upside down,
Thaarumaaru velaiyaiWhat chaotic work!
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?
Female
Bhaktha janangal kavanam ellaamThe attention of all devotees
Dhinamum kedaikkum sundalilae..haa..haaIs only on the snack received daily.. ha.. ha
Bhaktha janangal kavanam ellaamThe attention of all devotees
Dhinamum kedaikkum sundalilaeIs only on the snack received daily
Pasiyum sundal rusiyum ponaalIf hunger and the taste of the snack are gone,
Bhakthiyillai bajanai illaiThere is no devotion, nor any prayer singing!
Suthamaana poligalin sombaeri veshathilaeIn the lazy disguises of complete frauds,
Suthamaana poligalin sombaeri veshathilaeIn the lazy disguises of complete frauds,
Female
Thodarnthu undhan kannedhirilContinuously right before your eyes,
Nadanthu varum mosangalaiThe deceptions that keep happening,
Female
Paarthaaya…Have you seen...
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?
Deva paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiO Lord, have you seen the antics of mankind?
Female
Attam pottu puralvadhu thaanIs thrashing and rolling on the floor
Aandavnin saevaiyaaReally service to the Lord?
Aalayathai tharisikka alangaaram thevaiyaIs extravagant dressing up required to visit a temple?
Aalai aalu idikkaruthum adithadiyum yenaiyaaWhy this shoving between people and physical fights?
Anbar kannu angae moraikkudhuThe devotees' eyes glare over there,
Kumbidu mattum ingae nadakuthuWhile only token bow happens here!
Female
Paarthaaya….Have you seen...
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?
Deva paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiO Lord, have you seen the antics of mankind?
Female
Vinnum mannum neeyaanaaiYou became the sky and the earth,
Veyilum mazhaiyum neeyaanaaiYou became the sunshine and the rain,
Vilangum agila ulagamidhuIn this entire world that shines,
Neeilladha idam yedhu ..haa..haa..Where is a place without you? ..ha..ha..
Vinnum mannum neeyaanaaiYou became the sky and the earth,
Veyilum mazhaiyum neeyaanaaiYou became the sunshine and the rain,
Vilangum agila ulagamidhuIn this entire world that shines,
Neeilladha idam yedhu ..Where is a place without you? ..
Female
Kaasu thandhaal thaan unnaiOnly if money is given, they claim
Kaanum vazhi kattuvadhaaiTo show the path to see you,
Kadhavu pottu pootti veithuPutting doors, locking them up,
Kattaayam pannuvadhaiAnd forcing people for money,
Female
Paarthaaya….Have you seen...
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?
Neraaana pazhakkathaiyumAnd upright habits,
Thalaikeezhaai purattividumTurning them upside down,
Thaarumaaru velaiyaiWhat chaotic work!
Paarthaaya maanidanin leelaiyaiHave you seen the antics of mankind?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Paarthaaya Maanidanin Leelaiyai from Naan Valartha Thangai (1958) is a powerful satirical song written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, composed by Pondiyala Srinivasan, and rendered by P. Susheela. Addressing God directly, the song exposes the hypocrisy, superficiality, and commercialization surrounding religious practices and temple rituals. The lyricist highlights how self-proclaimed devotees are often more interested in free temple food (sundal) than genuine worship, and mocks those who perform dramatic bodily postures or wear elaborate costumes under the guise of piety. Furthermore, it sharply condemns temple custodians who lock doors and demand money for divine darshan, pointing out the irony of charging to see an omnipresent God who exists in the sky, earth, rain, and sun.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Angatham / Satire

Bhaktha janangal kavanam ellaam dhinamum kedaikkum sundalilae

The entire song uses sharp social satire to expose superficial religiosity and commercialization of worship.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aalayathai tharisikka alangaaram thevaiya

Repetition of the initial 'A' sound creates a rhythmic auditory pattern.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vinnum mannum neeyaanaai / Veyilum mazhaiyum neeyaanaai

Repetition of the initial 'V' sound across consecutive lines.

Rhetorical Questioning

Vilangum agila ulagamidhu neeilladha idam yedhu

Addressing the omnipresent Divine to emphasize the absurdity of paywalled worship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for embedding Dravidian movement ideals, rationalism, and anti-superstition themes into mainstream Tamil cinema lyrics. This song stands out as one of the earliest direct critiques of temple paywalls and ritualistic hypocrisy in 1950s Tamil film music.

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