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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattinikku Oru Manasu

From Hello Mister Zamindar · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Jamuna Rani
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Hello Mister Zamindar1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattinikku oru manasuOne mindset when facing hunger,
Panathukku oru manasuA different mindset when possessing money,
Pazhangkadhai marandhavangaFor those who forget their past history,
Paarvaiyae oru dhinusuuEven their look becomes quite peculiar.
Female
Pattinikku oru manasuOne mindset when facing hunger,
Panathukku oru manasuA different mindset when possessing money,
Pazhangkadhai marandhavangaFor those who forget their past history,
Paarvaiyae oru dhinusuuEven their look becomes quite peculiar.
Female
{Kotti kotti alappadhanaalJust by measuring endlessly with greed,
Koranjathu valarvathillaeWhat has diminished will not grow back;
Gopurathil iruppadhanaalJust by sitting on top of a temple tower,
Kuruvi parundhaavadhillai} (2)A sparrow does not become an eagle.
Female
Pattinikku oru manasuOne mindset when facing hunger,
Panathukku oru manasuA different mindset when possessing money,
Pazhangkadhai marandhavangaFor those who forget their past history,
Paarvaiyae oru dhinusuuEven their look becomes quite peculiar.
Female
Kai irandum kaal irandumThe two hands and the two legs
Kadukalavum maaravillaeHave not changed even by a mustard seed's size;
Kaasu vandha neram mudhalYet from the moment money arrived,
Kazhuthilae thalaiyum illaeThe head is no longer present on the neck (arrogance).
Female
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….aaa..aaa..Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaa..aaa..
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Female
Kai irandum kaal irandumThe two hands and the two legs
Kadukalavum maaravillaeHave not changed even by a mustard seed's size;
Kaasu vandha neram mudhalYet from the moment money arrived,
Kazhuthilae thalaiyum illaeThe head is no longer present on the neck (arrogance).
Female
Munaalum pogavillaeThey did not move forward,
Pinnalum thirumbavillaeNor did they look back;
Munaalum pogavillaeThey did not move forward,
Pinnalum thirumbavillaeNor did they look back;
Muzhusaa maaravillaeThey haven't completely transformed,
Pavusilae kuraichal illaeYet there is no lack of grand display.
Female
Pattinikku oru manasuOne mindset when facing hunger,
Panathukku oru manasuA different mindset when possessing money,
Pazhangkadhai marandhavangaFor those who forget their past history,
Paarvaiyae oru dhinusuuEven their look becomes quite peculiar.
Female
Ettadukku maadi manaiAn eight-story mansion and home,
Sugam irunthum amaidhi illaeDespite having comfort, there is no peace;
Vetti vitta sondham ellaamAll the relatives who were cut off,
Vilakkavum mudiyavillaeCannot be cast aside completely either.
Female
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….aaa..aaa..Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaa..aaa..
Aaaa…aaa…aaaa….Aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Female
Ettadukku maadi manaiAn eight-story mansion and home,
Sugam irunthum amaidhi illaeDespite having comfort, there is no peace;
Vetti vitta sondham ellaamAll the relatives who were cut off,
Vilakkavum mudiyavillaeCannot be cast aside completely either.
Female
Pattanathu vaasanaiyumThe scent of city life
Pazhakamum maaravillaeAnd the old habits have not changed;
Pattanathu vaasanaiyumThe scent of city life
Pazhakamum maaravillaeAnd the old habits have not changed;
Paadhi vazhi pona maachaanThe brother-in-law who went halfway,
Meedhi vazhi poga villaeDid not travel the rest of the way.
Female
Pattinikku oru manasuOne mindset when facing hunger,
Panathukku oru manasuA different mindset when possessing money,
Pazhangkadhai marandhavangaFor those who forget their past history,
Paarvaiyae oru dhinusuuEven their look becomes quite peculiar.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Hello Mister Zamindar' offers a witty yet profound social critique on human nature, wealth, and ego. Lyricist Kannadasan contrasts how a person thinks and behaves when poor versus when rich. The lyrics emphasize that while material prosperity can alter one's external appearances and social stance, it does not inherently change one's fundamental identity or grant true peace of mind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Analogy (Uvamaani)

Gopurathil iruppadhanaal Kuruvi parundhaavadhillai

Kannadasan uses the metaphor that a sparrow sitting on a grand temple tower does not automatically become a majestic eagle, symbolizing that sudden wealth or elevated position does not change a person's intrinsic stature.

Moonaal (Initial Alliteration)

Pattinikku oru manasu / Panathukku oru manasu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across consecutive lines (Pattinikku, Panathukku, Pazhangkadhai, Paarvaiyae).

Idiomatic Expression / Hyperbole

Kaasu vandha neram mudhal Kazhuthilae thalaiyum illae

'Kazhuthilae thalaiyum illae' (The head is missing from the neck) is a Tamil idiom indicating that wealth makes someone lose their head to vanity and pride.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Hello Mister Zamindar' (1965) is a Tamil comedy-drama film starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, directed by K. J. Mahadevan. The music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and the song reflects Kannadasan's signature philosophical wit.

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