Seer Mevum Gurupatham
From Chakravarthi Thirumagal · 1957
- Lyricist
- Clown Sundaram
- Singers
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan, N. S. Krishnan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Chakravarthi Thirumagal1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Seer mevu guru padham | Placing the exalted feet of the guru with devotion in mind, |
| Sindhaiyodu vaaikkinum | Carrying them reverently upon the head and praising them, |
| Siram meedhu vaithu potri | I unfurl the victorious flag praised by the entire world! |
| Jagamellaam mecha jayakodi parakka vidum | I am indeed the embodiment of heroic glory! |
| Veera prathaaban naane sari | Many poets of the Tamil Sangam, |
| Male | |
| Sangathu pulavar palar | Gave gifts of gold bangles, golden medals, |
| Thangathodu porpathakkam | And fine silk robes from Bengal, |
| Vangathu ponnaadai parisalithaar | Declaring that no one here is my equal, they departed. |
| Enakku ingillai eedena solli kilithaar | Do not get disgraced by running away before this lion, |
| Male | |
| Intha singathuku munne oadi | O brave warriors! |
| Pangapatta paaraatheerar | I arrive singing grand poetical lines, |
| Seerezhuthu paadi vaaren naane | Try answering them with a single letter or word! |
| Atharku oarezhuthu bathil solli paaren | Catching an elephant, catching an elephant, |
| Male | |
| Yaanaiyai pidithu yaanaiyai pidithu | And trying to enclose it inside a small pot - |
| Oru paanaikkul adaithu vaikka | Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste? |
| Aathira padubavar pol allavaa | Catching an elephant, |
| Male | |
| Yaanaiyai pidithu | And trying to enclose it inside a small pot - |
| Oru paanaikkul adaithu vaikka | Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste? |
| Aathira padubavar pol allavaa | O poet, your opening verse itself reveals your state! |
| Umathaaramba kavi solluthe pulavaa | Like a house kitten running into the forest, |
| Male | |
| Veettin poonai kutti kaattil oadi | To catch and devour a tiger - |
| Puliyai pidithu thinna | Is your boasting not similar to that story? |
| Purappatta kathai pol allavaa | You sing your own praise, O poet! |
| Tharpugazhchi paadugiraaye pulavaa | Land donations, donating daughters in marriage, |
| Male | |
| Boothaanam kannigathanam | Gold donations, food donations, |
| Sornathaanam annadanam | Cattle donations - there are various forms of charity. |
| Kothaanam undu parpala dhaanangal | If there is a donation greater than these, do tell! |
| Itharku melaana dhaanam irunthaal sollungal | Bring the answer to my question, |
| Male | |
| Kelvikku bathilai kondaa | I will break it into two! |
| Udaichi eriven rendaa | I will defeat you, you fool, |
| Unnai jeyichi kattuven mundaa | And then I will fly my banner of victory! |
| Appuram parakka viduven sendaa | The flag of victory flies high! |
| Jayakodi jayakodi parakkuthu jayakodi | I am telling you... |
| Male | |
| Solren.. | No matter how many donations one makes, |
| Ethanai dhaanam thanthaalum | No matter how much any world praises, |
| Entha logam pugazhnthaalum | The greatest gift of all is composure (Nidhanam). |
| Dhaanathil siranthathu nithaananthaan | Composure indeed! |
| Nithaananthaan | No matter how many donations one makes, |
| Ethanai dhaanam thanthaalum | No matter how much any world praises, |
| Entha logam pugazhnthaalum | The greatest gift of all is composure. |
| Dhaanathil siranthathu nithaananthaan | For those who lose composure, disgrace is certain! |
| Nidhaanathanai izhanthavarku eenandhaan | He answered it well! |
| Male | |
| Sollittaan | Why are temples constructed? |
| Kovilai katti vaippathu ethanaale | Why are temples constructed? |
| Kovilai katti vaippathu ethanaale | Because it brings pride to the art of sculpting! |
| Male | |
| Sirpa velaikku perumai undu athanaale | Look at that, that's right! |
| Paarthukkada sarithaan | Why are free food shelters (Anna Sathiram) run? |
| Male | |
| Anna sathiram iruppathu ethanaale | Why are free food shelters run? |
| Male | |
| Anna sathiram iruppathu ethanaale | Because there are many lazy fellows who sleep on verandahs! |
| Male | |
| Pala thinnai thoongi pasangal iruppathaale | How about that! |
| Eppadi | Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics? |
| Male | |
| Paradhesiyaai thirivathu ethanaale | Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics? |
| Paradhesiyaai thirivathu ethanaale | Mmmm.. because he liked ten houses... wait, no... |
| Male :Mmmm.. avan pathu veettu sari.. venaam | Because he got used to the taste of food from ten different houses! |
| Avan pathu veettu sothu rusi kandathaale | Brother, pay attention here! |
| Male | |
| Thambi inga gavani | Where does pitch darkness engulf? |
| Kaarirul soozhuvathu evvidathile | Brother, where does pitch darkness engulf? |
| Thambi kaarirul soozhuvathu evvidathile | In the hearts of ignorant fools! |
| Male :Katrarivillaatha moodar nenjagathile | Brother, in the hearts of ignorant fools! |
| Anne Katrarivillaatha moodar nenjagathile | You said it right! |
| Male | |
| Sollipittiye | What burns without smoke or fire? |
| Male | |
| Pugaiyum neruppilaamal erivathethu | How can something burn without smoke or fire? |
| Male :Pugaiyum neruppillaama atheppadi eriyum | Shall I tell you? Tell me! |
| Male :Naan sollattumaa sollu | What burns without smoke or fire? |
| Pugaiyum neruppilaamal erivathethu | It is the stomach of people suffering from hunger! |
| Pasithu vaadum makkal vayiru athu | Ah, that is correct, that is correct! |
| Male | |
| Haan sarithaan sarithaan | What is the most dangerous weapon in the world? |
| Male | |
| Ulagathile bayangaramaana aayutham ethu | A knife? No.. An axe? No.. A spear? Mmhmm.. |
| Male :Kathi.. illa.. kodaari.. illa.. eetti.. mmhhmm | A crowbar? No.. Not even that? |
| Kadappaarai.. illai.. athuvumillaiyaa | Then is acid (fire-fluid) the most dangerous weapon? |
| Appuram bayangaramaana aayutham agni thiraavamo | That is not a weapon! |
| Athu aayutham illaiye | Ah, I can't guess.. You tell me, friend! |
| Ada theriya maatenguthe.. neeye sollappaa | What is the most dangerous weapon in the world? |
| Male | |
| Ulagathile bayangaramaana aayutham ethu | It is the tongue of a deceitful, corrupt person! |
| Nilai kettu pona nayavanjagarin | Aahaa Aahaa! |
| Naakku thaan athu aahaa aahaa | It is indeed the tongue of a corrupt, deceitful person! |
| Nilaikettu pona nayavanjagarin naakku thaan athu.. | |
சீர் மேவு குரு பதம் சிந்தையோடு வாய்க்கினும்
சிரம் மீது வைத்து போற்றி
ஜகமெல்லாம் மெச்ச ஜெயக்கொடி பறக்க விடும்
வீரப் பிரதாபன் நானே சரி
Placing the exalted feet of the guru with devotion in mind,
Carrying them reverently upon the head and praising them,
I unfurl the victorious flag praised by the entire world!
I am indeed the embodiment of heroic glory!
Many poets of the Tamil Sangam,
சங்கத்துப் புலவர் பலர்
தங்கத்தோடு பொற்பதக்கம்
வங்கத்து பொன்னாடை பரிசளித்தார்
எனக்கு இங்கில்லை ஈடென சொல்லிக் களித்தார்
Gave gifts of gold bangles, golden medals,
And fine silk robes from Bengal,
Declaring that no one here is my equal, they departed.
Do not get disgraced by running away before this lion,
இந்த சிங்கத்துக்கு முன்னே ஓடி
பங்கப்பட்ட பாராதீரர்
சீரெழுத்து பாடி வாரேன் நானே
அதற்கு ஓரெழுத்து பதில் சொல்லி பாரேன்
O brave warriors!
I arrive singing grand poetical lines,
Try answering them with a single letter or word!
Catching an elephant, catching an elephant,
யானையை பிடித்து....யானையை பிடித்து
ஒரு பானைக்குள் அடைத்து வைக்க
ஆத்திரப் படுபவர் போல் அல்லவா
And trying to enclose it inside a small pot -
Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste?
Catching an elephant,
யானையை பிடித்து
ஒரு பானைக்குள் அடைத்து வைக்க
ஆத்திரப் படுபவர் போல் அல்லவா
உமதாரம்பக் கவி சொல்லுதே புலவா
And trying to enclose it inside a small pot -
Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste?
O poet, your opening verse itself reveals your state!
Like a house kitten running into the forest,
வீட்டின் பூனைக் குட்டி காட்டில் ஓடி
புலியைப் பிடித்து தின்ன
புறப்பட்டக் கதை போல் அல்லவா
தற்புகழ்ச்சி பாடுகிறாயே புலவா
To catch and devour a tiger -
Is your boasting not similar to that story?
You sing your own praise, O poet!
Land donations, donating daughters in marriage,
பூதானம் கன்னிகாதானம்
சொர்ணதானம் அன்னதானம்
கோதானம் உண்டு பற்பல தானங்கள்
இதற்கு மேலான தானம் இருந்தால் சொல்லுங்கள்
Gold donations, food donations,
Cattle donations - there are various forms of charity.
If there is a donation greater than these, do tell!
Bring the answer to my question,
கேள்விக்கு பதிலை கொண்டா
உடைச்சி ஏறிவேன் ரெண்டா
உன்னை ஜெயிச்சி கட்டுவேன் முண்டா
அப்புறம் பறக்க விடுவேன் செண்டா
ஜெயக்கொடி ஜெயக்கொடி பறக்குது ஜெயக்கொடி
I will break it into two!
I will defeat you, you fool,
And then I will fly my banner of victory!
The flag of victory flies high!
I am telling you...
சொல்றேன்......
எத்தனை தானம் தந்தாலும்
எந்த லோகம் புகழ்ந்தாலும்
தானத்தில் சிறந்தது நிதானந்தான்
நிதானத்தனை இழந்தவர்க்கு ஈனந்தான்
No matter how many donations one makes,
No matter how much any world praises,
The greatest gift of all is composure (Nidhanam).
Composure indeed!
No matter how many donations one makes,
No matter how much any world praises,
The greatest gift of all is composure.
For those who lose composure, disgrace is certain!
He answered it well!
சொல்லிட்டான்
கோவிலைக் கட்டி வைப்பது எதனாலே
கோவிலைக் கட்டி வைப்பது எதனாலே
Why are temples constructed?
Why are temples constructed?
Because it brings pride to the art of sculpting!
சிற்ப வேலைக்கு பெருமை உண்டு அதனாலே
பாத்துக்கடா சரிதான்
Look at that, that's right!
Why are free food shelters (Anna Sathiram) run?
அன்ன சத்திரம் இருப்பது எதனாலே
Why are free food shelters run?
அன்ன சத்திரம் இருப்பது எதனாலே
Because there are many lazy fellows who sleep on verandahs!
பல திண்ணை தூங்கி பசங்கள் இருப்பதாலே
எப்படி
How about that!
Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics?
பரதேசியாய் திரிவது எதனாலே
பரதேசியாய் திரிவது எதனாலே
Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics?
Mmmm.. because he liked ten houses... wait, no...
Because he got used to the taste of food from ten different houses!
Brother, pay attention here!
ம்ம்ம்....அவன் பத்து வீட்டு சரி ..... வேணாம்
அவன் பத்து வீட்டு சோத்து ருசி கண்டதாலே
Where does pitch darkness engulf?
Brother, where does pitch darkness engulf?
In the hearts of ignorant fools!
Brother, in the hearts of ignorant fools!
You said it right!
தம்பி இங்க கவனி
காரிருள் சூழுவது எவ்விடத்திலே
தம்பி காரிருள் சூழுவது எவ்விடத்திலே
What burns without smoke or fire?
கற்றறிவில்லாத மூடர் நெஞ்சகத்திலே
அண்ணே கற்றறிவில்லாத மூடர் நெஞ்சகத்திலே
How can something burn without smoke or fire?
Shall I tell you? Tell me!
What burns without smoke or fire?
It is the stomach of people suffering from hunger!
Ah, that is correct, that is correct!
சொல்லிப்பிட்டியே
What is the most dangerous weapon in the world?
புகையும் நெருப்பிலாமல் எரிவதெது
A knife? No.. An axe? No.. A spear? Mmhmm..
A crowbar? No.. Not even that?
Then is acid (fire-fluid) the most dangerous weapon?
That is not a weapon!
Ah, I can't guess.. You tell me, friend!
What is the most dangerous weapon in the world?
புகையும் நெருப்பில்லாம அதெப்படி எரியும்
It is the tongue of a deceitful, corrupt person!
Aahaa Aahaa!
It is indeed the tongue of a corrupt, deceitful person!
நான் சொல்லட்டுமா சொல்லு
புகையும் நெருப்பிலாமல் எரிவதெது
பசித்து வாடும் மக்கள் வயிறு அது
சரிதான் சரிதான் சரிதான்
உலகத்திலே பயங்கரமான ஆயுதம் எது
கத்தி...இல்ல....கோடாரி...இல்ல...ஈட்டி...ம்ஹூம்
கடப்பாரை...இல்லை...அதுவுமில்லையா
அப்புறம் பயங்கரமான ஆயுதம் அக்னி திராவமோ
அது ஆயுதம் இல்லையே
அட தெரிய மாட்டேங்குதே....நீயே சொல்லப்பா
உலகத்திலே பயங்கரமான ஆயுதம் எது
நிலைக் கெட்டு போன நயவஞ்சகரின்
நாக்கு தான் அது ஆஹா ஆஹா
நிலைக்கெட்டு போன நயவஞ்சகரின் நாக்கு தான் அது......
Seer mevu guru padham
Placing the exalted feet of the guru with devotion in mind,
Sindhaiyodu vaaikkinum
Carrying them reverently upon the head and praising them,
Siram meedhu vaithu potri
I unfurl the victorious flag praised by the entire world!
Jagamellaam mecha jayakodi parakka vidum
I am indeed the embodiment of heroic glory!
Veera prathaaban naane sari
Many poets of the Tamil Sangam,
Sangathu pulavar palar
Gave gifts of gold bangles, golden medals,
Thangathodu porpathakkam
And fine silk robes from Bengal,
Vangathu ponnaadai parisalithaar
Declaring that no one here is my equal, they departed.
Enakku ingillai eedena solli kilithaar
Do not get disgraced by running away before this lion,
Intha singathuku munne oadi
O brave warriors!
Pangapatta paaraatheerar
I arrive singing grand poetical lines,
Seerezhuthu paadi vaaren naane
Try answering them with a single letter or word!
Atharku oarezhuthu bathil solli paaren
Catching an elephant, catching an elephant,
Yaanaiyai pidithu yaanaiyai pidithu
And trying to enclose it inside a small pot -
Oru paanaikkul adaithu vaikka
Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste?
Aathira padubavar pol allavaa
Catching an elephant,
Yaanaiyai pidithu
And trying to enclose it inside a small pot -
Oru paanaikkul adaithu vaikka
Is it not like someone acting in desperate haste?
Aathira padubavar pol allavaa
O poet, your opening verse itself reveals your state!
Umathaaramba kavi solluthe pulavaa
Like a house kitten running into the forest,
Veettin poonai kutti kaattil oadi
To catch and devour a tiger -
Puliyai pidithu thinna
Is your boasting not similar to that story?
Purappatta kathai pol allavaa
You sing your own praise, O poet!
Tharpugazhchi paadugiraaye pulavaa
Land donations, donating daughters in marriage,
Boothaanam kannigathanam
Gold donations, food donations,
Sornathaanam annadanam
Cattle donations - there are various forms of charity.
Kothaanam undu parpala dhaanangal
If there is a donation greater than these, do tell!
Itharku melaana dhaanam irunthaal sollungal
Bring the answer to my question,
Kelvikku bathilai kondaa
I will break it into two!
Udaichi eriven rendaa
I will defeat you, you fool,
Unnai jeyichi kattuven mundaa
And then I will fly my banner of victory!
Appuram parakka viduven sendaa
The flag of victory flies high!
Jayakodi jayakodi parakkuthu jayakodi
I am telling you...
Solren..
No matter how many donations one makes,
Ethanai dhaanam thanthaalum
No matter how much any world praises,
Entha logam pugazhnthaalum
The greatest gift of all is composure (Nidhanam).
Dhaanathil siranthathu nithaananthaan
Composure indeed!
Nithaananthaan
No matter how many donations one makes,
Ethanai dhaanam thanthaalum
No matter how much any world praises,
Entha logam pugazhnthaalum
The greatest gift of all is composure.
Dhaanathil siranthathu nithaananthaan
For those who lose composure, disgrace is certain!
Nidhaanathanai izhanthavarku eenandhaan
He answered it well!
Sollittaan
Why are temples constructed?
Kovilai katti vaippathu ethanaale
Why are temples constructed?
Kovilai katti vaippathu ethanaale
Because it brings pride to the art of sculpting!
Sirpa velaikku perumai undu athanaale
Look at that, that's right!
Paarthukkada sarithaan
Why are free food shelters (Anna Sathiram) run?
Anna sathiram iruppathu ethanaale
Why are free food shelters run?
Anna sathiram iruppathu ethanaale
Because there are many lazy fellows who sleep on verandahs!
Pala thinnai thoongi pasangal iruppathaale
How about that!
Eppadi
Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics?
Paradhesiyaai thirivathu ethanaale
Why do people wander around as nomads/ascetics?
Paradhesiyaai thirivathu ethanaale
Mmmm.. because he liked ten houses... wait, no...
Male :Mmmm.. avan pathu veettu sari.. venaam
Because he got used to the taste of food from ten different houses!
Avan pathu veettu sothu rusi kandathaale
Brother, pay attention here!
Thambi inga gavani
Where does pitch darkness engulf?
Kaarirul soozhuvathu evvidathile
Brother, where does pitch darkness engulf?
Thambi kaarirul soozhuvathu evvidathile
In the hearts of ignorant fools!
Male :Katrarivillaatha moodar nenjagathile
Brother, in the hearts of ignorant fools!
Anne Katrarivillaatha moodar nenjagathile
You said it right!
Sollipittiye
What burns without smoke or fire?
Pugaiyum neruppilaamal erivathethu
How can something burn without smoke or fire?
Male :Pugaiyum neruppillaama atheppadi eriyum
Shall I tell you? Tell me!
Male :Naan sollattumaa sollu
What burns without smoke or fire?
Pugaiyum neruppilaamal erivathethu
It is the stomach of people suffering from hunger!
Pasithu vaadum makkal vayiru athu
Ah, that is correct, that is correct!
Haan sarithaan sarithaan
What is the most dangerous weapon in the world?
Ulagathile bayangaramaana aayutham ethu
A knife? No.. An axe? No.. A spear? Mmhmm..
Male :Kathi.. illa.. kodaari.. illa.. eetti.. mmhhmm
A crowbar? No.. Not even that?
Kadappaarai.. illai.. athuvumillaiyaa
Then is acid (fire-fluid) the most dangerous weapon?
Appuram bayangaramaana aayutham agni thiraavamo
That is not a weapon!
Athu aayutham illaiye
Ah, I can't guess.. You tell me, friend!
Ada theriya maatenguthe.. neeye sollappaa
What is the most dangerous weapon in the world?
Ulagathile bayangaramaana aayutham ethu
It is the tongue of a deceitful, corrupt person!
Nilai kettu pona nayavanjagarin
Aahaa Aahaa!
Naakku thaan athu aahaa aahaa
It is indeed the tongue of a corrupt, deceitful person!
Nilaikettu pona nayavanjagarin naakku thaan athu..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a classic musical and philosophical debate (Vaadhu/Tharka Paattu) from the 1957 Tamil film 'Chakravarthi Thirumagal'. It opens with a pompous, arrogant court poet boasting about his poetic genius, accomplishments, and high honors received from various kingdoms. He challenges the simple, wise commoner with riddle-like questions, comparing him to a kitten trying to hunt a tiger.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Seer mevu guru padham / Sindhaiyodu vaaikkinum / Siram meedhu vaithu potri”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Seer' / 'Sindhai' / 'Siram' in the opening verses.
Metaphor & Allegory (Uvamaani / Urubagam)
“Veettin poonai kutti kaattil oadi puliyai pidithu thinna”
Comparing catching an elephant in a small pot or a kitten hunting a tiger to arrogant and foolish overconfidence.
Wordplay / Pun (Sleshhai / Yaappu)
“Dhaanathil siranthathu nithaananthaan”
Clever play on the word 'Dhaanam' (charity/donation) shifting to 'Nidhanam' (patience/composure) as the supreme virtue.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic comedic-philosophical duel features Legendary Singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan providing the majestic classical vocals for the arrogant scholar, while the legendary comedian N.S. Krishnan (NSK) delivers sharp social satire, wisdom, and wit in his distinct conversational singing style.
Keep listening
More from Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Chakravarthi Thirumagal