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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Panam Mattum

From Solla Marandha Kadhai · 2002

Lyricist: Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer: Ilayaraja
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Solla Marandha Kadhai
Movie release year: 2002
Lyrics added on: 15 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam endraal kadhavellaam therakkudhu

Kanavilae midhakkudhu parakkudhu

Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhu

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Mirugam vandhu manusha manasilae

Ulla nozhanju otti aattudhu

Uruttum porattum kooda cheravae

Kuruttu ulagil kudumbam nadathudhu

Vela koduthu porula vaangi

Veettukkullae koottalaam

Vaazhkkaikkenna vela koduppa

Neeyum sollu paakkalaam

Paasam ellaam manushanukku

Panathu mela pogudhu

Paazhadainja aramanaiyaa

Paavi nenju maarudhu

Ezhandhadhum puriyala

Vazhi yedhum theriyala

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Manadhil nalla manidhan nee endraal

Maadi veedum ullae azhaikkumae

Maanathodu irukka ninaippadhaal

Madhithidaadhu veliyil thurathumae

Ulagam romba virinjirukku

Unakku idam illaiyaa

Un edatha yevan eduppaan

Urudhi unakku illaiyaa

Yaer munaiyaal kaayam pattaal

Endha nilam azhugudhu

Uzhuvadhellaam velachalukku

Unakku nalla padippidhu

Uzhavu thaan nadandhadhu

Velachal thaan irukkudhu

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam endraal kadhavellaam therakkudhu

Kanavilae midhakkudhu parakkudhu

Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhu

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa

Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

When money talks, every door opens wide,

floating and soaring in wild dreams,

while the heart wanders somewhere like a stray dog!

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

A wild beast has entered the human mind,

seizing control and driving it around.

With deceit and lies joining hands,

it runs its home in this blind world.

Paying a price, you can buy goods

and pile them up inside your house.

What price will you pay for your life?

Tell me that, let us see!

All the love in a person's heart

now flows only toward money.

Like a ruined, abandoned palace,

this sinner's heart turns desolate.

He does not realize what he has lost,

nor does he see any way forward.

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Even if you are a good person at heart,

will a rich mansion ever welcome you inside?

Because you choose to live with self-respect,

it shows no regard and throws you out!

This world is vast and wide,

is there no room here for you?

Who can ever steal your place?

Do you not have that inner resolve?

When wounded by the sharp blade of a plow,

does the earth ever shed a tear?

Every plowing is meant for a rich harvest,

and this is a valuable lesson for you.

The plowing has now been done,

and a harvest is sure to arrive!

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

When money talks, every door opens wide,

floating and soaring in wild dreams,

while the heart wanders somewhere like a stray dog!

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Is money the only thing in life

for this wretched human being?

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Panam Mattum Vaazhkkaiyaa from Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002) is a deeply philosophical song composed by Ilaiyaraaja that questions humanity's obsession with material wealth. The lyrics lament how money has taken center stage in human relationships, corrupting human empathy and transforming minds into self-serving entities. It sharply contrasts material acquisition with true life value, dignity, and self-respect, reminding the listener that while money can open material doors, it cannot buy genuine peace or essential life value. Drawing upon rich agrarian imagery, the song encourages resilience, self-reliance, and faith in hard work. Just as the land endures the plow's cuts to yield a bountiful harvest, a person who stays true to their values despite societal rejection will eventually reap the rewards of their integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

“Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhu”

Compares the restless, unfulfilled mind driven by greed to a stray dog wandering aimlessly.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Paazhadainja aramanaiyaa Paavi nenju maarudhu”

Compares the corrupt, sinful heart of a person pursuing money to a deserted, ruined palace.

Agrarian Allegory (Thinaiporul)

“Yaer munaiyaal kaayam pattaal Endha nilam azhugudhu”

Uses the metaphor of plowing land and enduring pain to symbolize hard work leading to a fruitful life harvest.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' creating poetic rhythm across the refrains.

Did you know?

Trivia

Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002) was directed by Cheran based on the popular Tamil novel Thalaikeezh Vigithangal by N. Muthuswamy. Director Cheran himself starred as the protagonist in the film, and Ilaiyaraaja composed the music as well as penned the lyrics for this song, showcasing his signature folk-philosophical lyricism.

Keep listening

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