Sakthi Ennada
From Imayam · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Imayam1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sakthi ennadaa… | What is power, man? |
| Male | |
| Sakthi ennadaa | What is power, man? |
| Un buthi ennadaa | What is your intellect, man? |
| Sathiyam jeyikka endru | In order to conquer with truth, |
| Kattru konda ennidathil | From me who has learned it all, |
| Kattra vithai kaatta vandha | Coming to show off your learned tricks, |
| Buthi ketta maanidanae po daa | Foolish human, get lost! |
| Ethanaiyo maedhaigalin | So many geniuses' |
| Thatthuvangal kettavan naan | Philosophies I have heard; |
| Athanaiyum nee ariyum | To understand all of that, |
| Aayul unakkillaiyadaa po daa | You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost! |
| Male | |
| Sakthi illaiyaa | Is there no power? |
| Yen buthi illaiyaa | Is there no intellect in me? |
| Male | |
| Haan… | Haan... |
| Male | |
| Sakthi illaiyaa | Is there no power? |
| Yen buthi illaiyaa | Is there no intellect in me? |
| Naan aaduven vilaiyaaduven | I will dance, I will play, |
| Oru maedai yaedhum indri | Without needing any stage. |
| Naan paaduven kavi paaduven | I will sing, I will compose poetry, |
| Oru baashai yaedhum indri | Without needing any specific language. |
| Naan aaduven vilaiyaaduven | I will dance, I will play, |
| Oru maedai yaedhum indri | Without needing any stage. |
| Naan paaduven kavi paaduven | I will sing, I will compose poetry, |
| Oru baashai yaedhum indri | Without needing any specific language. |
| Male | |
| Nee enna yaar enna | What are you, who is anyone, |
| Oor enna ulagenna | What is town, what is world? |
| Thottadhai jeyippadharkku | To conquer whatever I touch, |
| Ettu vazhi naanariven | I know eight different ways. |
| Endha vazhi nee varinum | Whichever path you choose to come, |
| Andha vazhi maattri vaippen | I will alter that path. |
| Yaar nee | Who are you? |
| Kattidathai nee arivaai | You may know the structure, |
| Vaasalgalai naanariven | I know the doorways. |
| Kaatchigalai nee arivaai | You may know the scenes, |
| Saatchigalai naanariven | I know the witnesses. |
| Yaar nee aahaa | Who are you, aha! |
| Male | |
| Thoonumirukkum | There will be a pillar, |
| Narasingam irukkum | Narasingam (Narasimha) will be inside. |
| Thoonumirukkum | There will be a pillar, |
| Narasingam irukkum | Narasingam will be inside. |
| Madhi kaattinaan nilai naattinaan | He showed wisdom and established standard, |
| Oru kaala naeram kandu | Seeing the right opportune time. |
| Naan kaattuven unnai maattuven | I will show you and trap you, |
| Mana kolam kaanum munbu | Before you see your wedding attire. |
| Male | |
| Madhi kaattinaan nilai naattinaan | He showed wisdom and established standard, |
| Oru kaala naeram kandu | Seeing the right opportune time. |
| Naan kaattuven unnai maattuven | I will show you and trap you, |
| Mana kolam kaanum munbu | Before you see your wedding attire. |
| Aanadhu aagattum ponadhu pogattum | Let whatever happens happen, let whatever is past be gone. |
| Male | |
| Sakthi ennadaa | What is power, man? |
| Un buthi ennadaa | What is your intellect, man? |
| Sathiyam jeyikka endru | In order to conquer with truth, |
| Kattru konda ennidathil | From me who has learned it all, |
| Kattra vithai kaatta vandha | Coming to show off your learned tricks, |
| Buthi ketta maanidanae po daa | Foolish human, get lost! |
| Ethanaiyo maedhaigalin | So many geniuses' |
| Thatthuvangal kettavan naan | Philosophies I have heard; |
| Athanaiyum nee ariyum | To understand all of that, |
| Aayul unakkillaiyadaa po daa | You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost! |
| Male | |
| Vivaegamullavan | I am full of wisdom, |
| Male | |
| Naan veeram ullavan | I am full of courage. |
| Male | |
| Vivaegamullavan | I am full of wisdom, |
| Male | |
| Naan veeram ullavan | I am full of courage. |
| Male | |
| Idhu thandhiram raaja thandhiram | This is strategy, grand strategy, |
| Idhai vella yaarumillai | No one can overcome this. |
| Male | |
| Naan velluven badhil solluven | I will win and answer back, |
| Ini vaeru velai illai | There is no other job left now. |
| Male | |
| Odiya maan ondru | A running deer |
| Raamanai yaeithadhu | Deceived Rama. |
| Male | |
| Kannanin kaavalin | Under Krishna's protection, |
| Baaradham vendradhu | Mahabharata was won. |
| Male | |
| Aandavanai ennidathil | I will make the Almighty Lord Himself |
| Thaandavangal aada vaippen | Dance cosmic dances at my place. |
| Aana varai naan nadathi | Conducting as far as possible, |
| Vaanavarai saatchi vaippen yaar nee | I will make celestials my witnesses, who are you? |
| Male | |
| Raavananin vaarthai idhu | These are Ravana's words, |
| Naalai unai veezhuthuvadhu | Felling you tomorrow. |
| Needhiyattra aanavathai | Unjust arrogance, |
| Yaaridathil kaattuvadhu po daa | Whom are you displaying it to? Get lost! |
| Male | |
| Sakthi ennadaa un buthi ennadaa | What is power, man? What is your intellect, man? |
| Sakthi ennadaa un buthi ennadaa | What is power, man? What is your intellect, man? |
சக்தி என்னடா......
What is power, man?
சக்தி என்னடா......
உன் புத்தி என்னடா...................
சத்தியம் ஜெயிக்கும் என்று
கற்றுக் கொண்ட என்னிடத்தில்
கற்ற வித்தை காட்ட வந்த
புத்தி கெட்ட மானிடனே போடா
எத்தனையோ மேதைகளின்
தத்துவங்கள் கேட்டவன் நான்
அத்தனையும் நீ அறியும்
ஆயுள் உனக்கில்லையடா போடா
What is power, man?
What is your intellect, man?
In order to conquer with truth,
From me who has learned it all,
Coming to show off your learned tricks,
Foolish human, get lost!
So many geniuses'
Philosophies I have heard;
To understand all of that,
You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost!
சக்தியில்லையா.....
ஏன் புத்தியில்லையா.........
Is there no power?
Is there no intellect in me?
ஹான்......
Haan...
சக்தியில்லையா
ஏன் புத்தியில்லையா
நான் ஆடுவேன் விளையாடுவேன்
ஒரு மேடை ஏதுமின்றி
நான் பாடுவேன் கவி பாடுவேன்
ஒரு பாஷை ஏதுமின்றி
நான் ஆடுவேன் விளையாடுவேன்
ஒரு மேடை ஏதுமின்றி
நான் பாடுவேன் கவி பாடுவேன்
ஒரு பாஷை ஏதுமின்றி
Is there no power?
Is there no intellect in me?
I will dance, I will play,
Without needing any stage.
I will sing, I will compose poetry,
Without needing any specific language.
I will dance, I will play,
Without needing any stage.
I will sing, I will compose poetry,
Without needing any specific language.
நீயென்ன யாரென்ன
ஊரென்ன உலகென்ன
தொட்டதை ஜெயிப்பதற்கு
எட்டு வழி நானறிவேன்
எந்த வழி நீ வரிணும்
அந்த வழி மாற்றி வைப்பேன்
யார் நீ
கட்டிடத்தை நீயறிவாய்
வாசல்களை நானறிவேன்
காட்சிகளை நீயறிவாய்
சாட்சிகளை நானறிவேன்
யார் நீ ஆஹா.....
What are you, who is anyone,
What is town, what is world?
To conquer whatever I touch,
I know eight different ways.
Whichever path you choose to come,
I will alter that path.
Who are you?
You may know the structure,
I know the doorways.
You may know the scenes,
I know the witnesses.
Who are you, aha!
தூணுமிருக்கும்
நரசிங்கமிருக்கும்
தூணுமிருக்கும்
நரசிங்கமிருக்கும்
மதி காட்டினான் நிலை நாட்டினான்
ஒரு காலம் நேரம் கண்டு
நான் காட்டுவேன் உன்னை மாட்டுவேன்
மணக்கோலம் காணும் முன்பு
There will be a pillar,
Narasingam (Narasimha) will be inside.
There will be a pillar,
Narasingam will be inside.
He showed wisdom and established standard,
Seeing the right opportune time.
I will show you and trap you,
Before you see your wedding attire.
மதி காட்டினான் நிலை நாட்டினான்
ஒரு காலம் நேரம் கண்டு
நான் காட்டுவேன் உன்னை மாட்டுவேன்
மணக்கோலம் காணும் முன்பு
ஆனது ஆகட்டும் போனது போகட்டும்
He showed wisdom and established standard,
Seeing the right opportune time.
I will show you and trap you,
Before you see your wedding attire.
Let whatever happens happen, let whatever is past be gone.
சக்தி என்னடா......
உன் புத்தி என்னடா...................
சத்தியம் ஜெயிக்கும் என்று
கற்றுக் கொண்ட என்னிடத்தில்
கற்ற வித்தை காட்ட வந்த
புத்தி கெட்ட மானிடனே போடா
எத்தனையோ மேதைகளின்
தத்துவங்கள் கேட்டவன் நான்
அத்தனையும் நீ அறியும்
ஆயுள் உனக்கில்லையடா போடா
What is power, man?
What is your intellect, man?
In order to conquer with truth,
From me who has learned it all,
Coming to show off your learned tricks,
Foolish human, get lost!
So many geniuses'
Philosophies I have heard;
To understand all of that,
You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost!
விவேகமுள்ளவன்
I am full of wisdom,
நான் வீரம் உள்ளவன்
I am full of courage.
விவேகமுள்ளவன்
I am full of wisdom,
நான் வீரம் உள்ளவன்
I am full of courage.
இது தந்திரம் ராஜ தந்திரம்
இதை வெல்ல யாருமில்லை
This is strategy, grand strategy,
No one can overcome this.
நான் வெல்லுவேன் பதில் சொல்லுவேன்
இனி வேறு வேலையில்லை
I will win and answer back,
There is no other job left now.
ஓடிய மான் ஒன்று
ராமனை ஏய்த்தது
A running deer
Deceived Rama.
கண்ணனின் காவலின்
பாரதம் வென்றது
Under Krishna's protection,
Mahabharata was won.
ஆண்டவனை என்னிடத்தில்
தாண்டவங்கள் ஆட வைப்பேன்
ஆனவரை நான் நடத்தி
வானவரை சாட்சி வைப்பேன் யார் நீ
I will make the Almighty Lord Himself
Dance cosmic dances at my place.
Conducting as far as possible,
I will make celestials my witnesses, who are you?
இராவணின் வார்த்தை இது
நாளை உனை வீழ்த்துவது
நீதியற்ற ஆணவத்தை
யாரிடத்தில் காட்டுவது போடா
These are Ravana's words,
Felling you tomorrow.
Unjust arrogance,
Whom are you displaying it to? Get lost!
சக்தி என்னடா......
உன் புத்தி என்னடா...................
சக்தி என்னடா......
உன் புத்தி என்னடா...................
What is power, man? What is your intellect, man?
What is power, man? What is your intellect, man?
Sakthi ennadaa…
What is power, man?
Sakthi ennadaa
What is power, man?
Un buthi ennadaa
What is your intellect, man?
Sathiyam jeyikka endru
In order to conquer with truth,
Kattru konda ennidathil
From me who has learned it all,
Kattra vithai kaatta vandha
Coming to show off your learned tricks,
Buthi ketta maanidanae po daa
Foolish human, get lost!
Ethanaiyo maedhaigalin
So many geniuses'
Thatthuvangal kettavan naan
Philosophies I have heard;
Athanaiyum nee ariyum
To understand all of that,
Aayul unakkillaiyadaa po daa
You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost!
Sakthi illaiyaa
Is there no power?
Yen buthi illaiyaa
Is there no intellect in me?
Haan…
Haan...
Sakthi illaiyaa
Is there no power?
Yen buthi illaiyaa
Is there no intellect in me?
Naan aaduven vilaiyaaduven
I will dance, I will play,
Oru maedai yaedhum indri
Without needing any stage.
Naan paaduven kavi paaduven
I will sing, I will compose poetry,
Oru baashai yaedhum indri
Without needing any specific language.
Naan aaduven vilaiyaaduven
I will dance, I will play,
Oru maedai yaedhum indri
Without needing any stage.
Naan paaduven kavi paaduven
I will sing, I will compose poetry,
Oru baashai yaedhum indri
Without needing any specific language.
Nee enna yaar enna
What are you, who is anyone,
Oor enna ulagenna
What is town, what is world?
Thottadhai jeyippadharkku
To conquer whatever I touch,
Ettu vazhi naanariven
I know eight different ways.
Endha vazhi nee varinum
Whichever path you choose to come,
Andha vazhi maattri vaippen
I will alter that path.
Yaar nee
Who are you?
Kattidathai nee arivaai
You may know the structure,
Vaasalgalai naanariven
I know the doorways.
Kaatchigalai nee arivaai
You may know the scenes,
Saatchigalai naanariven
I know the witnesses.
Yaar nee aahaa
Who are you, aha!
Thoonumirukkum
There will be a pillar,
Narasingam irukkum
Narasingam (Narasimha) will be inside.
Thoonumirukkum
There will be a pillar,
Narasingam irukkum
Narasingam will be inside.
Madhi kaattinaan nilai naattinaan
He showed wisdom and established standard,
Oru kaala naeram kandu
Seeing the right opportune time.
Naan kaattuven unnai maattuven
I will show you and trap you,
Mana kolam kaanum munbu
Before you see your wedding attire.
Madhi kaattinaan nilai naattinaan
He showed wisdom and established standard,
Oru kaala naeram kandu
Seeing the right opportune time.
Naan kaattuven unnai maattuven
I will show you and trap you,
Mana kolam kaanum munbu
Before you see your wedding attire.
Aanadhu aagattum ponadhu pogattum
Let whatever happens happen, let whatever is past be gone.
Sakthi ennadaa
What is power, man?
Un buthi ennadaa
What is your intellect, man?
Sathiyam jeyikka endru
In order to conquer with truth,
Kattru konda ennidathil
From me who has learned it all,
Kattra vithai kaatta vandha
Coming to show off your learned tricks,
Buthi ketta maanidanae po daa
Foolish human, get lost!
Ethanaiyo maedhaigalin
So many geniuses'
Thatthuvangal kettavan naan
Philosophies I have heard;
Athanaiyum nee ariyum
To understand all of that,
Aayul unakkillaiyadaa po daa
You don't have enough lifespan, man! Get lost!
Vivaegamullavan
I am full of wisdom,
Naan veeram ullavan
I am full of courage.
Vivaegamullavan
I am full of wisdom,
Naan veeram ullavan
I am full of courage.
Idhu thandhiram raaja thandhiram
This is strategy, grand strategy,
Idhai vella yaarumillai
No one can overcome this.
Naan velluven badhil solluven
I will win and answer back,
Ini vaeru velai illai
There is no other job left now.
Odiya maan ondru
A running deer
Raamanai yaeithadhu
Deceived Rama.
Kannanin kaavalin
Under Krishna's protection,
Baaradham vendradhu
Mahabharata was won.
Aandavanai ennidathil
I will make the Almighty Lord Himself
Thaandavangal aada vaippen
Dance cosmic dances at my place.
Aana varai naan nadathi
Conducting as far as possible,
Vaanavarai saatchi vaippen yaar nee
I will make celestials my witnesses, who are you?
Raavananin vaarthai idhu
These are Ravana's words,
Naalai unai veezhuthuvadhu
Felling you tomorrow.
Needhiyattra aanavathai
Unjust arrogance,
Yaaridathil kaattuvadhu po daa
Whom are you displaying it to? Get lost!
Sakthi ennadaa un buthi ennadaa
What is power, man? What is your intellect, man?
Sakthi ennadaa un buthi ennadaa
What is power, man? What is your intellect, man?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This dramatic track from the movie 'Imayam' (1979) presents an intense verbal and philosophical duel between two confident rivals. One speaker arrogantly dismisses the other's knowledge, strength, and lifespan, claiming supreme mastery over all philosophy and truth. The responding speaker counters with quick wit, agility, and tactical expertise, declaring that true wisdom needs no stage or formal language, and boasting an ability to outsmart any move the adversary makes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Sakthi ennadaa... / Sathiyam jeyikka endru”
Matching initial sounds across lines, such as 'Sakthi' and 'Sathiyam', or 'Vivaegamullavan' and 'Veeram ullavan', enhancing rhythmic flow.
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kattru konda ennidathil / Kattra vithai kaatta vandha”
The second consonant sound matches between adjacent lines, e.g., 'Kattru konda' and 'Kattra vithai'.
Mythological Allusion (Puranic Metaphor)
“Thoonumirukkum Narasingam irukkum”
Kannadasan invokes classical Indian epic stories—Narasimha emerging from the pillar, Maricha the golden deer tricking Rama, and Krishna steering the Pandavas to victory in Mahabharata—to symbolize strategy, deception, and divine retribution.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Kattidathai nee arivaai / Vaasalgalai naanariven”
The lines contrast contrasting perspectives ('You know the building, I know the exits; You know the scenes, I know the witnesses') to build a battle of wits.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1979 film 'Imayam' was directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Jaiganesh, and Sripriya, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song showcase his signature literary style of incorporating classical mythological allegories (Ramayana and Mahabharata) directly into modern cinematic verbal clashes.
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