- Lyricist
- Kaduveli Sithar
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Iravin Nizhal
- Movie release year
- 2022
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Paapanjeyyaathiru Maname is an ancient Tamil Siddhar poem composed by Kaduveli Sithar, set to music by A. R. Rahman for Parthiban's single-shot film 'Iravin Nizhal' (2022). The poem serves as a profound moral awakening addressed directly to human consciousness. It sternly cautions the mind against engaging in sin, anger, deceit, or lustful greed. It reminds mankind of the inevitability and unpredictability of death, emphasizing that Yaman (Lord of Death) can claim life at any moment, leaving no room for redemption once time runs out. The song urges spiritual seekers to elevate themselves onto the path of true divine wisdom (Meignanam) and pure philosophical expansiveness (Vettaveli). By rejecting deceitful words, practicing virtue, harboring true love for fellow humans, and seeking the company of the wise, one can transcend worldly suffering and achieve ultimate liberation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe (Munnilai Paraval)
“Paapanjeyyaathiru maname”
The entire poem directly addresses the poet's own mind ('Maname') as an external entity to deliver philosophical counsel.
Edukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Meignaana paathaiyileru / Agnaana maargathai thooru”
Matching second consonants across lines to create rhythmic resonance, seen in 'Meignaana' and 'Agnaana'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sutha vedhaantha vettavelithanai theru”
'Vettaveli' (open empty space) is used metaphorically in Siddha tradition to describe the boundless, formless reality of the Supreme Consciousness.
Personification
“Naalai kobanjeyyaatheyaman Kondaadipovaan”
Death ('Yaman') is personified as a triumphant figure waiting to angrily carry away mortal life.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Kaduveli Sithar was one of the celebrated 18 Tamil Siddhars (spiritual mystics) who lived around the 15th century. Known for using accessible language to communicate profound advice on morality and mortality, his verses often warning against hypocrisy and sinful living are famous in Tamil literature. A. R. Rahman adapted this classic literary work into a haunting, acoustic choral piece for R. Parthiban's 'Iravin Nizhal' (2022), which entered the Asia Book of Records as the world's first non-linear single-shot feature film.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Iravin Nizhal
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.