Porakkum Podhu
From Chakravarthi Thirumagal · 1957
- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Chakravarthi Thirumagal1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Urangaiyile paanaigalai | Knocking over pots while people sleep |
| Uruttuvadhu poonai gunam | Is the nature of a cat |
| Kaanbatharkae uruppadiyaai iruppathaiyum | Destroying even things that look useful |
| Keduppathuve kurangu gunam | Is the nature of a monkey |
| Male | |
| Aatril iranguvorai kondru | Killing those who step into the river |
| Iraiyaakkal muthalai gunam aanaal | And making them prey is the nature of a crocodile, but |
| Ithanaiyum manitharidam | All these animal qualities |
| Mothamaai vaazhuthadaa | Live together inside human beings, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Porakkumbothu porantha gunam | The nature one is born with |
| Poga poga maaruthu | Changes as time goes by |
| Porakkumbothu porantha gunam | The nature one is born with |
| Poga poga maaruthu | Changes as time goes by |
| Male | |
| Ellaam irukkumbothu pirintha gunam | Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine |
| Irakkumbothu seruthu | Come together only at the time of death |
| Ellaam irukkumbothu pirintha gunam | Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine |
| Irakkumbothu seruthu | Come together only at the time of death |
| Male | |
| Manithan porakkumbothu | When a human is born... |
| Manithan porakkumbothu porantha gunam | When a human is born, the nature born with him |
| Poga poga maaruthu | Changes as time goes by |
| Male | |
| Pattapagal thirudargalai | Thieves who steal in broad daylight |
| Pattaadaigal maraikkuthu | Are hidden behind fine silk clothes |
| Pattapagal thirudargalai | Thieves who steal in broad daylight |
| Pattaadaigal maraikkuthu | Are hidden behind fine silk clothes |
| Oru panjaiyaithaan ellaam sernthu | While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man |
| Thirudan endre uthaikkuthu | And kicks him, calling him a thief |
| Oru panjaiyaithaan ellaam sernthu | While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man |
| Thirudan endre udhaikuthu | And kicks him, calling him a thief |
| Male | |
| Manithan porakkumbothu | When a human is born... |
| Manithan porakkumbothu porantha gunam | When a human is born, the nature born with him |
| Poga poga maaruthu | Changes as time goes by |
| Male | |
| Kaala nilaiyai maranthu silathu | Forgetting the passage of time, some |
| Kambaiyum kombaiyum neettuthu | Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly |
| Kaala nilaiyai maranthu silathu | Forgetting the passage of time, some |
| Kambaiyum kombaiyum neettuthu | Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly |
| Male | |
| Puliyin kadungopam therinjirunthum | Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger |
| Vaalai pidichi aattuthu | They grab and shake its tail |
| Puliyin kadungopan therinjirunthum | Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger |
| Vaalai pidichi aattuthu | They grab and shake its tail |
| Male | |
| Vaazhvin kanakku puriyaama onnu | Without understanding the math of life, one person |
| Kaasai thedi poottuthu | Chases money and locks it away |
| Vaazhvin kanakku puriyaama onnu | Without understanding the math of life, one person |
| Kaasai thedi poottuthu | Chases money and locks it away |
| Male | |
| Aanaal kaathoram naracha mudi | But the grey hair near the ear |
| Kadhai mudivai kaattuthu | Shows the end of life's story |
| Aanaal kaathoram naracha mudi | But the grey hair near the ear |
| Kadhai mudivai kaattuthu | Shows the end of life's story |
| Male | |
| Manithan porakkumbothu | When a human is born... |
| Manithan porakkuthu porantha gunam | When a human is born, the nature born with him |
| Poga poga maaruthu | Changes as time goes by |
| Male | |
| Purali katti porulai thattum | Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth |
| Santhai pachai pulugai vitru | Selling blatant lies in the market |
| Salugai petra mandhai | Is a herd of people enjoying privileges |
| Purali katti porulai thattum | Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth |
| Santhai pachai pulugai vitru | Selling blatant lies in the market |
| Salugai petra mandhai idhil | In this herd of people enjoying privileges |
| Poligalum kaaligalum bommalaattam | Fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show |
| Aadugindra vindhai sonnaal nindhai | It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of |
| Idhil poligalum kaaligalum bommalaattam | In this, fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show |
| Aadugindra vindhai sonnaal nindhai | It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of |
| Male | |
| Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal | If someone calls a rock salt a diamond |
| Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal | If someone calls a rock salt a diamond |
| Nambi oppu kollum moodarukku munnaal | In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it |
| Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal | If someone calls a rock salt a diamond |
| Nambi oppu kollum moodarukku munnaal | In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it |
| Male | |
| Naam ulari enna kathari enna | What is the point of us rambling or screaming? |
| Onnume nadakkavillai thozha romba naalaa | Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend! |
| Naam ulari enna kathari enna | What is the point of us rambling or screaming? |
| Onnume nadakkavillai thozha romba naalaa | Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend! |
உறங்கையிலே பானைகளை
உருட்டுவது பூனை குணம்
காண்பதற்கு உருப்படியாய் இருப்பதையும்
கெடுப்பதுவே குரங்கு குணம்
Knocking over pots while people sleep
Is the nature of a cat
Destroying even things that look useful
Is the nature of a monkey
ஆற்றில் இறங்குவோரை கொன்று
இரையாக்கல் முதலை குணம் - ஆனால்
இத்தனையும் மனிதனிடம்
மொத்தமாய் வாழுதடா .........
Killing those who step into the river
And making them prey is the nature of a crocodile, but
All these animal qualities
Live together inside human beings, my friend!
பொறக்கும்போது பொறந்த குணம்
போக போக மாறுது
பொறக்கும்போது பொறந்த குணம்
போக போக மாறுது
The nature one is born with
Changes as time goes by
The nature one is born with
Changes as time goes by
எல்லாம் இருக்கும்போது பிரிந்த குணம்
இறக்கும்போது சேருது...
எல்லாம் இருக்கும்போது பிரிந்த குணம்
இறக்கும்போது சேருது....
Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine
Come together only at the time of death
Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine
Come together only at the time of death
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது பொறந்த குணம்
போக போக மாறுது
When a human is born...
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Changes as time goes by
பட்டப்பகல் திருடர்களை பட்டாடைகள் மறைக்குது
பட்டப்பகல் திருடர்களை பட்டாடைகள் மறைக்குது
ஒரு பஞ்சையைதான் எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து
திருடன் என்றே உதைக்குது
ஒரு பஞ்சையைதான் எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து
திருடன் என்றே உதைக்குது......
Thieves who steal in broad daylight
Are hidden behind fine silk clothes
Thieves who steal in broad daylight
Are hidden behind fine silk clothes
While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man
And kicks him, calling him a thief
While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man
And kicks him, calling him a thief
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது பொறந்த குணம்
போக போக மாறுது
When a human is born...
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Changes as time goes by
காலநிலையை மறந்து சிலது
கம்பையும் கொம்பையும் நீட்டுது
காலநிலையை மறந்து சிலது
கம்பையும் கொம்பையும் நீட்டுது
Forgetting the passage of time, some
Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly
Forgetting the passage of time, some
Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly
புலியின் கடுங்கோபம் தெரிஞ்சிருந்தும்
வாலை பிடிச்சி ஆட்டுது
புலியின் கடுங்கோபம் தெரிஞ்சிருந்தும்
வாலை பிடிச்சி ஆட்டுது
Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger
They grab and shake its tail
Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger
They grab and shake its tail
வாழ்வின் கணக்கு புரியாம ஒண்ணு
காசை தேடி பூட்டுது
வாழ்வின் கணக்கு புரியாம ஒண்ணு
காசை தேடி பூட்டுது
ஆனால் காதோரம் நரச்ச முடி
கதை முடிவை காட்டுது.
ஆனால் காதோரம் நரச்ச முடி
கதை முடிவை காட்டுது.......
Without understanding the math of life, one person
Chases money and locks it away
Without understanding the math of life, one person
Chases money and locks it away
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது
மனிதன் பொறக்கும்போது பொறந்த குணம்
போக போக மாறுது
புரளி கட்டி பொருளை தட்டும் சந்தை
பச்சை புளுகை விற்று சலுகை பெற்ற மந்தை
இதில் போலிகளும் காலிகளும் பொம்மலாட்டம்
ஆடுகின்ற விந்தை சொன்னால் நிந்தை
But the grey hair near the ear
Shows the end of life's story
But the grey hair near the ear
Shows the end of life's story
உப்புக்கல்லை வைரம் என்று சொன்னால்
உப்புக்கல்லை வைரம் என்று சொன்னால்
நம்பி ஒப்புக் கொள்ளும் மூடருக்கு முன்னால்
உப்புக்கல்லை வைரம் என்று சொன்னால்
நம்பி ஒப்புக் கொள்ளும் மூடருக்கு முன்னால் -
When a human is born...
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Changes as time goes by
நாம் உளறி என்ன கதறி என்ன
ஒண்ணுமே நடக்கவில்லை தோழா ரொம்ப நாளா......
நாம் உளறி என்ன கதறி என்ன
ஒண்ணுமே நடக்கவில்லை தோழா ரொம்ப நாளா
Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth
Selling blatant lies in the market
Is a herd of people enjoying privileges
Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth
Selling blatant lies in the market
In this herd of people enjoying privileges
Fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show
It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of
In this, fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show
It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it
What is the point of us rambling or screaming?
Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend!
What is the point of us rambling or screaming?
Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend!
Urangaiyile paanaigalai
Knocking over pots while people sleep
Uruttuvadhu poonai gunam
Is the nature of a cat
Kaanbatharkae uruppadiyaai iruppathaiyum
Destroying even things that look useful
Keduppathuve kurangu gunam
Is the nature of a monkey
Aatril iranguvorai kondru
Killing those who step into the river
Iraiyaakkal muthalai gunam aanaal
And making them prey is the nature of a crocodile, but
Ithanaiyum manitharidam
All these animal qualities
Mothamaai vaazhuthadaa
Live together inside human beings, my friend!
Porakkumbothu porantha gunam
The nature one is born with
Poga poga maaruthu
Changes as time goes by
Porakkumbothu porantha gunam
The nature one is born with
Poga poga maaruthu
Changes as time goes by
Ellaam irukkumbothu pirintha gunam
Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine
Irakkumbothu seruthu
Come together only at the time of death
Ellaam irukkumbothu pirintha gunam
Qualities that stayed apart when everything was fine
Irakkumbothu seruthu
Come together only at the time of death
Manithan porakkumbothu
When a human is born...
Manithan porakkumbothu porantha gunam
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Poga poga maaruthu
Changes as time goes by
Pattapagal thirudargalai
Thieves who steal in broad daylight
Pattaadaigal maraikkuthu
Are hidden behind fine silk clothes
Pattapagal thirudargalai
Thieves who steal in broad daylight
Pattaadaigal maraikkuthu
Are hidden behind fine silk clothes
Oru panjaiyaithaan ellaam sernthu
While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man
Thirudan endre uthaikkuthu
And kicks him, calling him a thief
Oru panjaiyaithaan ellaam sernthu
While everyone gangs up on a poor destitute man
Thirudan endre udhaikuthu
And kicks him, calling him a thief
Manithan porakkumbothu
When a human is born...
Manithan porakkumbothu porantha gunam
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Poga poga maaruthu
Changes as time goes by
Kaala nilaiyai maranthu silathu
Forgetting the passage of time, some
Kambaiyum kombaiyum neettuthu
Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly
Kaala nilaiyai maranthu silathu
Forgetting the passage of time, some
Kambaiyum kombaiyum neettuthu
Flex their sticks and horns arrogantly
Puliyin kadungopam therinjirunthum
Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger
Vaalai pidichi aattuthu
They grab and shake its tail
Puliyin kadungopan therinjirunthum
Despite knowing the extreme anger of a tiger
Vaalai pidichi aattuthu
They grab and shake its tail
Vaazhvin kanakku puriyaama onnu
Without understanding the math of life, one person
Kaasai thedi poottuthu
Chases money and locks it away
Vaazhvin kanakku puriyaama onnu
Without understanding the math of life, one person
Kaasai thedi poottuthu
Chases money and locks it away
Aanaal kaathoram naracha mudi
But the grey hair near the ear
Kadhai mudivai kaattuthu
Shows the end of life's story
Aanaal kaathoram naracha mudi
But the grey hair near the ear
Kadhai mudivai kaattuthu
Shows the end of life's story
Manithan porakkumbothu
When a human is born...
Manithan porakkuthu porantha gunam
When a human is born, the nature born with him
Poga poga maaruthu
Changes as time goes by
Purali katti porulai thattum
Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth
Santhai pachai pulugai vitru
Selling blatant lies in the market
Salugai petra mandhai
Is a herd of people enjoying privileges
Purali katti porulai thattum
Fabricating rumors and snatching wealth
Santhai pachai pulugai vitru
Selling blatant lies in the market
Salugai petra mandhai idhil
In this herd of people enjoying privileges
Poligalum kaaligalum bommalaattam
Fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show
Aadugindra vindhai sonnaal nindhai
It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of
Idhil poligalum kaaligalum bommalaattam
In this, fakes and ruffians perform a puppet show
Aadugindra vindhai sonnaal nindhai
It is a wonder to watch, but a shame to speak of
Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
Nambi oppu kollum moodarukku munnaal
In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it
Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal
If someone calls a rock salt a diamond
Nambi oppu kollum moodarukku munnaal
In front of fools who blindly believe and accept it
Naam ulari enna kathari enna
What is the point of us rambling or screaming?
Onnume nadakkavillai thozha romba naalaa
Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend!
Naam ulari enna kathari enna
What is the point of us rambling or screaming?
Onnume nadakkavillai thozha romba naalaa
Nothing has changed for a long time, my friend!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Porakkumbothu Porantha Gunam is a sharp, philosophical, and socially critical song written by the legendary poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram for the 1957 Tamil film Chakravarthi Thirumagal. Sung powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and composed by G. Ramanathan, the song explores human nature, morality, and social hypocrisy. It opens by comparing human vices to animal characteristics—the sly stealth of a cat, the senseless destructiveness of a monkey, and the cold predatory nature of a crocodile—noting how human beings manage to embody all these bad traits combined.\n\nThe song highlights societal inequities, pointing out how wealthy thieves who steal in broad daylight are protected by luxury silk garments, while helpless, impoverished people are scapegoated and beaten. It cautions against arrogance and greed, reminding listeners that grey hairs near the temples signal the inevitable end of life's story regardless of how much wealth one hoards. Finally, it satirizes a gullible society where frauds thrive and fools accept worthless rock salt as precious diamonds, concluding that attempting to reason with such ignorance is futile.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Animal Imagery / Metaphor
“Urangaiyile paanaigalai uruttuvadhu poonai gunam...”
Compares specific negative human behaviors to distinct animal traits (cat, monkey, crocodile).
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Porakkumbothu porantha gunam / Poga poga maaruthu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines, such as Porakkumbothu and Poga.
Ethirai (Second Letter Agreement)
“Pattapagal thirudargalai / Pattaadaigal maraikkuthu”
Agreement of the second consonant sound across lines ('t' in Pattapagal and Pattaadaigal).
Irony and Satire
“Uppukallai vairam endru sonnaal... Nambi oppu kollum moodarukku munnaal”
Uses the contrast between rock salt and diamonds to mock society's gullibility towards charlatans.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was renowned for bringing Marxist concepts, social reform, and practical life philosophy into mainstream Tamil cinema using clear, conversational language accessible to the common person. This song remains one of Seerkazhi Govindarajan's iconic philosophical solos.
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