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Lyrics & meaning

Sandi Kuthirai Nondi Kuthirai

From Thayai Katha Thanayan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thayai Katha Thanayan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Nalla savvaari kuthirai moonuAnd a good riding horse; these three
Manushan sangadhi ellam inga irukkuAll human character traits are right here
Sariyaai terinjikka venum venumYou must understand this correctly, correctly
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Nalla savvaari kuthirai moonuAnd a good riding horse; these three
Manushan sangadhi ellam inga irukkuAll human character traits are right here
Sariyaai terinjikka venum venumYou must understand this correctly, correctly
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Female
{Samsaaram kattikittu{Getting married
Janathogai yethikittuIncreasing the population
Sambadhyam marandhavanWhile forgetting to earn a living
Sandi sandi} (2)Is a stubborn one, a stubborn horse} (2)
Female
Dhinam sambadhyamTo earn every day
Seiya nalla sandharpamThough there are good opportunities waiting
Kaathirundhum sanyaasi aanavanOne who becomes an idle ascetic instead
Nondi nondi nondiIs a lame one, lame, lame
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Female
{Pala pala endru irukkum{Even on a bright and smooth
Paathaiyilae ponaalumPath that one walks upon
Mella mella povadhuOne who moves extremely slowly
Sandi kuthirai} (2)Is a stubborn horse} (2)
Female
Perum pallam medaana oruEven on a path full of deep ditches
Paathiyilae sendraalumAnd rough uneven slopes
Thulli thulli ooduvathuOne who leaps and gallops forward
Nalla kuthiraiIs a good riding horse
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Female
{Ponadhellaam pogattum{Let whatever is past be gone
Aanabadi aagattumLet whatever happens happen
Nada da raaja paathaiyilae} (2)Walk boldly on the royal path} (2)
Female
Pirar ezhai endru sonaalumEven if others brand you as poor
Maanam mariyadhaiyudanWith honor and self-respect
Vaazhnthida vendum boomiyilaeOne must live on this earth
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse
Nalla savvaari kuthirai moonuAnd a good riding horse; these three
Manushan sangadhi ellam inga irukkuAll human character traits are right here
Sariyaai terinjikka venum venumYou must understand this correctly, correctly
Female
Sandi kuthiraiiStubborn horse
Nondi kuthiraiiLame horse

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this philosophical song penned by lyricist Kannadasan for the 1962 film Thayai Katha Thanayan, human personalities are metaphorically categorized using three types of horses: the stubborn horse (Sandi kuthirai), the lame horse (Nondi kuthirai), and the good riding horse (Nalla savvaari kuthirai). The stubborn horse represents individuals who take on responsibilities like family but shirk work, or those who move sluggishly even when smooth roads lie ahead. The lame horse symbolizes those who make excuses and give up despite having good opportunities. In contrast, the good riding horse represents resilient individuals who overcome all hardships and rough terrains to gallop forward with determination. Ultimately, the song serves as a moral guide advising people to leave past failures behind, walk the high road with dignity and self-respect, and face life's ups and downs bravely regardless of material wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Nalla savvaari kuthirai moonu / Manushan sangadhi ellam inga irukku

Human behaviors and mindsets are metaphorically mapped to three types of horses: stubborn, lame, and good riding horse.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Sandi kuthiraii / Nondi kuthiraii

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Sandi' and 'Nondi'.

Repetition / Anaphora

Thulli thulli ooduvathu

Repetition of words like 'Sandi', 'Nondi', 'mella mella', and 'thulli thulli' for rhythmic and emphatic effect.

Contrast / Antithesis

Perum pallam medaana oru / Paathiyilae sendraalum / Thulli thulli ooduvathu / Nalla kuthirai

Contrasting the sluggish behavior on smooth roads (Sandi) with dynamic leaping on rough terrain (Nalla kuthirai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Thayai Katha Thanayan (1962) is an M. G. Ramachandran starrer produced by Devar Films and directed by M. A. Thirumugam. The music for the film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by Kannadasan. This song uses simple folk-inspired allegories typical of MGR's screen persona to convey moral values to the masses.

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