Pathu Mathanthan
From Kadavulin Theerpu · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Details
- Kadavulin Theerpu1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum | Everyone is born after ten months of gestation, |
| Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa | What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend? |
| Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum | Everyone is born after ten months of gestation, |
| Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa | What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan | Making the lowlands and highlands equal, |
| Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada | Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend. |
| Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan | Making the lowlands and highlands equal, |
| Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada | Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend. |
| Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada | Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Yaettram irakkam enpavai ellaam | Ups and downs, high and low statuses, |
| Evanaal vanthathadaa | Who brought all these into existence, my friend? |
| Elumbilum tholilum jaadhiyin peyarai | On bones and skin, the name of caste |
| Ezhuthiyathillaiyaadaa | Has not been written, has it, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Yaettram irakkam enpavai ellaam | Ups and downs, high and low statuses, |
| Evanaal vanthathadaa | Who brought all these into existence, my friend? |
| Elumbilum tholilum jaadhiyin peyarai | On bones and skin, the name of caste |
| Ezhuthiyathillaiyaadaa | Has not been written, has it, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Allikkodukkum vallalgal ellaam | Generous patrons who give open-handedly, |
| Uyarntha kaadhiyadaa | Are the truly noble community, my friend. |
| Allikkodukkum vallalgal ellaam | Generous patrons who give open-handedly, |
| Uyarntha kaadhiyadaa | Are the truly noble community, my friend. |
| Andru avvai sonnathu endrum vaazhum | What Avvaiyar said back then lives on forever, |
| Sirantha needhiyadaa | As timeless justice, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum | Everyone is born after ten months of gestation, |
| Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa | What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Nallavar sila per pedhaththai ozhikka | A few good people, to abolish discrimination, |
| Naattinai aalgindraar | Are ruling the nation. |
| Avar nanmaigal seithu puratchigal nadaththi | Doing good deeds and leading revolutions, |
| Sariththiram aagindraar | They become history itself. |
| Male | |
| Nallavar sila per pedhaththai ozhikka | A few good people, to abolish discrimination, |
| Naattinai aalgindraar | Are ruling the nation. |
| Avar nanmaigal seithu puratchigal nadaththi | Doing good deeds and leading revolutions, |
| Sariththiram aagindraar | They become history itself. |
| Male | |
| Sollilum seyalilum maarupadaamal | Without any discrepancy between word and deed, |
| Thooyavaraagindraar | They become pure souls. |
| Antha thooyavarthaanae kadavul anuppiya | Those pure souls themselves are |
| Thoothuvar aagindraar…. | The messengers sent by God... |
| Thoothuvar aagindraar…. | They become messengers... |
| Male | |
| Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum | Everyone is born after ten months of gestation, |
| Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa | What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Eesan enbavan neerai thottaal | If God touches the water, |
| Neerum kulirgindrathu | The water turns cool. |
| Antha neerai polae neruppai thottaal | Just like that water, if He touches fire, |
| Neruppum sudungindrathu | The fire burns hot. |
| Male | |
| Eesan enbavan neerai thottaal | If God touches the water, |
| Neerum kulirgindrathu | The water turns cool. |
| Antha neerai polae neruppai thottaal | Just like that water, if He touches fire, |
| Neruppum sudungindrathu | The fire burns hot. |
| Male | |
| Eesan enbavan padaiththa padaippil | In the creation made by God, |
| Edhuvum thavarillai | Nothing is a mistake. |
| Eesan enbavan padaiththa padaippil | In the creation made by God, |
| Edhuvum thavarillai | Nothing is a mistake. |
| Naam indraiya pedhaththai maattraavittaal | If we do not change today's discrimination, |
| Evarukkum vaazhvillai | There will be no life for anyone. |
| Male | |
| Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum | Everyone is born after ten months of gestation, |
| Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa | What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan | Making the lowlands and highlands equal, |
| Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada | Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend. |
| Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada | Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend. |
பத்து மாதந்தான் அத்தனை பேரும்
படைப்பினிலே என்ன பேதமடா
பத்து மாதந்தான் அத்தனை பேரும்
படைப்பினிலே என்ன பேதமடா
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
பள்ளம் மேடும் சமமாவதுதான்
பகுத்தறிவு சொல்லும் வேதமடா
பள்ளம் மேடும் சமமாவதுதான்
பகுத்தறிவு சொல்லும் வேதமடா
பகுத்தறிவு சொல்லும் வேதமடா
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
ஏற்றம் இறக்கம் என்பவை எல்லாம்
எவனால் வந்ததடா
எலும்பிலும் தோலிலும் ஜாதியின் பெயரை
எழுதியதில்லையாடா
Ups and downs, high and low statuses,
Who brought all these into existence, my friend?
On bones and skin, the name of caste
Has not been written, has it, my friend?
ஏற்றம் இறக்கம் என்பவை எல்லாம்
எவனால் வந்ததடா
எலும்பிலும் தோலிலும் ஜாதியின் பெயரை
எழுதியதில்லையாடா
Ups and downs, high and low statuses,
Who brought all these into existence, my friend?
On bones and skin, the name of caste
Has not been written, has it, my friend?
அள்ளிக் கொடுக்கும் வள்ளல்கள் எல்லாம்
உயர்ந்த ஜாதியடா
அள்ளிக் கொடுக்கும் வள்ளல்கள் எல்லாம்
உயர்ந்த ஜாதியடா
அன்று ஔவை சொன்னது என்றும் வாழும்
சிறந்த நீதியடா......
Generous patrons who give open-handedly,
Are the truly noble community, my friend.
Generous patrons who give open-handedly,
Are the truly noble community, my friend.
What Avvaiyar said back then lives on forever,
As timeless justice, my friend.
பத்து மாதந்தான் அத்தனை பேரும்
படைப்பினிலே என்ன பேதமடா
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
நல்லவர் சிலபேர் பேதத்தை ஒழிக்க
நாட்டினை ஆள்கின்றார்
அவர் நன்மைகள் செய்து புரட்சிகள் நடத்தி
சரித்திரம் ஆகின்றார்
A few good people, to abolish discrimination,
Are ruling the nation.
Doing good deeds and leading revolutions,
They become history itself.
நல்லவர் சிலபேர் பேதத்தை ஒழிக்க
நாட்டினை ஆள்கின்றார்
அவர் நன்மைகள் செய்து புரட்சிகள் நடத்தி
சரித்திரம் ஆகின்றார்
A few good people, to abolish discrimination,
Are ruling the nation.
Doing good deeds and leading revolutions,
They become history itself.
சொல்லிலும் செயலிலும் மாறுபடாமல்
தூயவராகின்றார்
அந்தத் தூயவர்தானே கடவுள் அனுப்பிய
தூதுவர் ஆகின்றார்........
தூதுவர் ஆகின்றார்........
Without any discrepancy between word and deed,
They become pure souls.
Those pure souls themselves are
The messengers sent by God...
They become messengers...
பத்து மாதந்தான் அத்தனை பேரும்
படைப்பினிலே என்ன பேதமடா
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
ஈசன் என்பவன் நீரை தொட்டால்
நீரும் குளிர்கின்றது
அந்த நீரை போலே நெருப்பை தொட்டால்
நெருப்பும் சுடுகின்றது
If God touches the water,
The water turns cool.
Just like that water, if He touches fire,
The fire burns hot.
ஈசன் என்பவன் நீரை தொட்டால்
நீரும் குளிர்கின்றது
அந்த நீரை போலே நெருப்பை தொட்டால்
நெருப்பும் சுடுகின்றது
If God touches the water,
The water turns cool.
Just like that water, if He touches fire,
The fire burns hot.
ஈசன் என்பவன் படைத்த படைப்பில்
எதுவும் தவறில்லை
ஈசன் என்பவன் படைத்த படைப்பில்
எதுவும் தவறில்லை
நாம் இன்றைய பேதத்தை மாற்றாவிட்டால்
எவருக்கும் வாழ்வில்லை....
In the creation made by God,
Nothing is a mistake.
In the creation made by God,
Nothing is a mistake.
If we do not change today's discrimination,
There will be no life for anyone.
பத்து மாதந்தான் அத்தனை பேரும்
படைப்பினிலே என்ன பேதமடா
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
பள்ளம் மேடும் சமமாவதுதான்
பகுத்தறிவு சொல்லும் வேதமடா
பகுத்தறிவு சொல்லும் வேதமடா
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Yaettram irakkam enpavai ellaam
Ups and downs, high and low statuses,
Evanaal vanthathadaa
Who brought all these into existence, my friend?
Elumbilum tholilum jaadhiyin peyarai
On bones and skin, the name of caste
Ezhuthiyathillaiyaadaa
Has not been written, has it, my friend?
Yaettram irakkam enpavai ellaam
Ups and downs, high and low statuses,
Evanaal vanthathadaa
Who brought all these into existence, my friend?
Elumbilum tholilum jaadhiyin peyarai
On bones and skin, the name of caste
Ezhuthiyathillaiyaadaa
Has not been written, has it, my friend?
Allikkodukkum vallalgal ellaam
Generous patrons who give open-handedly,
Uyarntha kaadhiyadaa
Are the truly noble community, my friend.
Allikkodukkum vallalgal ellaam
Generous patrons who give open-handedly,
Uyarntha kaadhiyadaa
Are the truly noble community, my friend.
Andru avvai sonnathu endrum vaazhum
What Avvaiyar said back then lives on forever,
Sirantha needhiyadaa
As timeless justice, my friend.
Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Nallavar sila per pedhaththai ozhikka
A few good people, to abolish discrimination,
Naattinai aalgindraar
Are ruling the nation.
Avar nanmaigal seithu puratchigal nadaththi
Doing good deeds and leading revolutions,
Sariththiram aagindraar
They become history itself.
Nallavar sila per pedhaththai ozhikka
A few good people, to abolish discrimination,
Naattinai aalgindraar
Are ruling the nation.
Avar nanmaigal seithu puratchigal nadaththi
Doing good deeds and leading revolutions,
Sariththiram aagindraar
They become history itself.
Sollilum seyalilum maarupadaamal
Without any discrepancy between word and deed,
Thooyavaraagindraar
They become pure souls.
Antha thooyavarthaanae kadavul anuppiya
Those pure souls themselves are
Thoothuvar aagindraar….
The messengers sent by God...
Thoothuvar aagindraar….
They become messengers...
Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Eesan enbavan neerai thottaal
If God touches the water,
Neerum kulirgindrathu
The water turns cool.
Antha neerai polae neruppai thottaal
Just like that water, if He touches fire,
Neruppum sudungindrathu
The fire burns hot.
Eesan enbavan neerai thottaal
If God touches the water,
Neerum kulirgindrathu
The water turns cool.
Antha neerai polae neruppai thottaal
Just like that water, if He touches fire,
Neruppum sudungindrathu
The fire burns hot.
Eesan enbavan padaiththa padaippil
In the creation made by God,
Edhuvum thavarillai
Nothing is a mistake.
Eesan enbavan padaiththa padaippil
In the creation made by God,
Edhuvum thavarillai
Nothing is a mistake.
Naam indraiya pedhaththai maattraavittaal
If we do not change today's discrimination,
Evarukkum vaazhvillai
There will be no life for anyone.
Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum
Everyone is born after ten months of gestation,
Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa
What discrimination can there be in creation, my friend?
Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan
Making the lowlands and highlands equal,
Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada
Is the scripture taught by rationalism, my friend.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Paththu maadhanthaan from Kadavulin Theerpu (1981) is a socio-philosophical song composed by R. Govarthanam, sung by T. M. Soundararajan, and written by Kannadasan. The lyricist strongly critiques human social inequality and caste divisions, pointing out that every human being shares the same fundamental biological origin of a ten-month pregnancy. Since nature does not stamp caste labels on human skin or bones, artificial social hierarchies are entirely man-made constructs that need to be dismantled through rational thinking. Drawing upon Tamil heritage, the lyrics invoke the classical wisdom of saint Avvaiyar, who proclaimed that true high stature belongs only to those who possess generosity and virtuous conduct. The song honors selfless leaders who act without hypocrisy as true messengers of God, asserting that divine creation itself is flawless and balanced. It ends with a strong call for social equality, warning that failure to eliminate present-day discrimination will destroy the collective future of humanity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Paththu maadhanthaan aththanai perum / Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' across key words 'Paththu' and 'Padaippinilae' establishes a rhythmic cadence in the chorus.
Metaphor
“Pallam medum samamaavathuthaan / Paguththarivu sollum vedhamada”
'Pallam' (lowlands) and 'medum' (highlands) serve as a metaphor for social and economic inequality, which rationalism seeks to level into flat, equal ground.
Rhetorical Question
“Padaippinilae enna pedhamadaa”
The lyricist asks 'What discrimination can there be in creation?' to emphasize the absurdity of man-made social divisions.
Allusion
“Andru avvai sonnathu endrum vaazhum / Sirantha needhiyadaa”
Refers to the ancient Tamil poet Avvaiyar and her famous ethical proclamation that there are only two castes: those who give charitably and those who do not.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song's line 'Andru avvai sonnathu' references Avvaiyar's famous verse from 'Niti Nool' where she writes 'Jaathi irandozhiga verillai' (There are only two castes in this world: the charitable noble people who give, and the uncharitable ones who do not). Kannadasan frequently integrated classical Tamil literature into film lyrics to convey modern socio-political messages.
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