Summa Kedantha
From Nadodi Mannan · 1958
- Lyricists
- Not listed
- Singers
- P. Banumathi, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Nadodi Mannan1958
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ohh….ohh..ohhh…ohhh…. | Ohh….ohh..ohhh…ohhh…. |
| Female :Ohh..ohhh…ohh…ohh….oh.. | Female: Ohh..ohhh…ohh…ohh….oh.. |
| Female | |
| {Summa kedantha | {Tilling the land |
| Nelaththa koththi | that was lying idle, |
| Sombalillaamae yer nadaththi} (2) | tirelessly plowing with the bullock} (2) |
| Kammaa karaiya osaththi katti | Raising the embankments of the lake high, |
| Karumbu kollaiyil vaaikkaal vetti | Digging irrigation canals into the sugarcane fields, |
| Female | |
| Sambaa payirai | Plucking the Samba rice saplings, |
| Parichchu nattu | Planting them carefully, |
| Thagantha muraiyil thanneer vittu | Watering them in the proper manner, |
| {Nellu velainchirukku | {The paddy crop has grown full, |
| Varappum ullae marainchirukku} (2) | even hiding the field bunds beneath it} (2) |
| Female | |
| Ada {kaadu velainjchenna | Ah, {what if the fields have yielded, |
| Machan namakku | Oh dear brother-in-law, for us, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham} (2) | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end} (2) |
| Male | |
| Ippo kaadu velaiyattum | Now let the fields yield crops, |
| Ponnae namaku | My dear girl, for us, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future. |
| Kaadu velaiyattum ponnae namaku | Let the field yield crops, my dear girl, for us, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future. |
| Male | |
| {Mannai polanthu | {Cleaving open the earth, |
| Sorangam vechu | digging underground mines, |
| Ponnai edukka kanigal vetti} (2) | excavating pits to extract gold} (2) |
| {Madhilu vechu maaligai katti | {Building grand mansions with tall walls, |
| Kadalil moozhgi muththai edukkum} (2) | diving deep into the ocean to gather pearls} (2) |
| Male | |
| Vazhi kaatti maramaana | Like a signpost guiding others, |
| Thozhilaalar vaazhkkaiyilae | in the lives of the working class, |
| Patta thuyarini maarum romba | the sorrow suffered will now change, |
| Kitta nerunguthu neram | the right time is drawing very near, |
| Kitta nerunguthu neram | the right time is drawing very near. |
| Avar patta thuyarini maarum romba | The sorrow they suffered will now change, |
| Kitta nerunguthu neram | the right time is drawing very near, |
| Kitta nerunguthu neram | the right time is drawing very near. |
| Female | |
| Ada kaadu velainjchenna | Ah, what if the fields have yielded, |
| Machan namakku | Oh dear brother-in-law, for us, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end. |
| Male | |
| Kaadu velaiyattum | Let the fields yield crops, |
| Ponnae namaku | My dear girl, for us, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future, |
| Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae | better times lie ahead in the future. |
| Female | |
| Maada ozhaichchavan | He who worked tirelessly like a bull, |
| Vaazhkkaiyilae | why in his life |
| Pasi vanthida kaaranam enna machan | does hunger strike, oh dear? |
| Male :Avan thediya selvangal | Male: The wealth that he earned |
| Vera idaththilae | goes and accumulates in another place; |
| Servathinaal varum thollaiyadi | that is the source of all our troubles, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Pancha paramparai | For a generation born into poverty |
| Vaazhvatharku | to survive and prosper, |
| Ini panna vendiyathu enna machan | what should be done now, oh dear? |
| Male :Thinam kanji kanji endraal | Male: Simply crying for porridge every day |
| Paanai niraiyaadhu | will not fill the pot; |
| Sinthichchu munnera venumadi | we must think critically and progress, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Vaadikkaiyaai varum | Allowing our recurring |
| Thunbangalai innum | afflictions and hardships |
| Needikka seivadhu mosamandro | to persist any longer is foolish, isn't it? |
| Male :Irul moodi kidantha | Male: The mind that was wrapped in darkness |
| Manamum veluththu | will brighten and clear up, |
| Segarikkum inbam thirumbumadi | and the accumulated happiness will return to us, |
| Ini segarikkum inbam thirumbumadi | now the happiness gathered will return to us. |
| Female | |
| Ada kaadu velainjchenna | Ah, what if the fields have yielded, |
| Machan namakku | Oh dear brother-in-law, for us, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end, |
| Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham | only our bare hands and legs remain in the end. |
| Male | |
| Naanae podapporen sattam | I myself am going to enact a new law, |
| Podhuvil | for the general public, |
| Nanmai purinthidum thittam | a plan that bestows common good, |
| Naadu nalam perum thittam | a scheme through which the whole nation prospers! |
ஓ....ஓ......ஓ...... ஓ...... ஓ.....
ஓ....ஓ......ஓ...... ஓ...... ஓ.....
Ohh….ohh..ohhh…ohhh….
Female: Ohh..ohhh…ohh…ohh….oh..
{சும்மா கெடந்த
நெலத்த கொத்தி
சோம்பலில்லாமே ஏர் நடத்தி} (2)
கம்மா கரைய ஒசத்தி கட்டி
கரும்பு கொல்லையில்
வாய்க்கால் வெட்டி
{Tilling the land
that was lying idle,
tirelessly plowing with the bullock} (2)
Raising the embankments of the lake high,
Digging irrigation canals into the sugarcane fields,
சம்பா பயிரைப் பறிச்சு நட்டு
தகந்த முறையில் தண்ணீர் விட்டு
{நெல்லு வெளைஞ்சிருக்கு
வரப்பும் உள்ளே மறைஞ்சிருக்கு} (2)
Plucking the Samba rice saplings,
Planting them carefully,
Watering them in the proper manner,
{The paddy crop has grown full,
even hiding the field bunds beneath it} (2)
அட {காடு வெளைஞ்சென்ன
மச்சான் நமக்கு
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்} (2)
Ah, {what if the fields have yielded,
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end} (2)
இப்போ காடு வெளையட்டும்
பொண்ணே நமக்கு
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
காடு வெளையட்டும்
பொண்ணே நமக்கு
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
Now let the fields yield crops,
My dear girl, for us,
better times lie ahead in the future,
better times lie ahead in the future.
Let the field yield crops, my dear girl, for us,
better times lie ahead in the future,
better times lie ahead in the future.
{மண்ணைப் பொளந்து
சொரங்கம் வெச்சு
பொன்னை எடுக்க கனிகள் வெட்டி} (2)
{மதிலு வெச்சு மாளிகை கட்டி
கடலில் மூழ்கி முத்தை எடுக்கும்} (2)
{Cleaving open the earth,
digging underground mines,
excavating pits to extract gold} (2)
{Building grand mansions with tall walls,
diving deep into the ocean to gather pearls} (2)
வழி காட்டி மரமான
தொழிலாளர் வாழ்க்கையிலே
பட்ட துயரினி மாறும் ரொம்ப
கிட்ட நெருங்குது நேரம்
கிட்ட நெருங்குது நேரம்
அவர் பட்ட துயரினி மாறும் ரொம்ப
கிட்ட நெருங்குது நேரம்
கிட்ட நெருங்குது நேரம்
Like a signpost guiding others,
in the lives of the working class,
the sorrow suffered will now change,
the right time is drawing very near,
the right time is drawing very near.
The sorrow they suffered will now change,
the right time is drawing very near,
the right time is drawing very near.
அட காடு வெளைஞ்சென்ன
மச்சான் நமக்கு
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்
Ah, what if the fields have yielded,
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end.
காடு வெளையட்டும்
பொண்ணே நமக்கு
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
காலமிருக்குது பின்னே
Let the fields yield crops,
My dear girl, for us,
better times lie ahead in the future,
better times lie ahead in the future.
மாடா ஒழைச்சவன்
வாழ்க்கையிலே
பசி வந்திட காரணம் என்ன மச்சான்
அவன் தேடிய செல்வங்கள்
வேற இடத்திலே
சேர்வதினால் வரும் தொல்லையடி
He who worked tirelessly like a bull,
why in his life
does hunger strike, oh dear?
Male: The wealth that he earned
goes and accumulates in another place;
that is the source of all our troubles, my dear.
பஞ்ச பரம்பரை வாழ்வதற்கு
இனி பண்ண வேண்டியது
என்ன மச்சான்
தினம் கஞ்சி கஞ்சி என்றால்
பானை நிறையாது
சிந்திச்சு முன்னேற வேணுமடி
For a generation born into poverty
to survive and prosper,
what should be done now, oh dear?
Male: Simply crying for porridge every day
will not fill the pot;
we must think critically and progress, my dear.
வாடிக்கையாய் வரும்
துன்பங்களை இன்னும்
நீடிக்க செய்வது மோசமன்றோ
இருள் மூடி கிடந்த
மனமும் வெளுத்தது
சேரிக்கும் இன்பம் திரும்புமடி
இனி சேரிக்கும் இன்பம் திரும்புமடி
Allowing our recurring
afflictions and hardships
to persist any longer is foolish, isn't it?
Male: The mind that was wrapped in darkness
will brighten and clear up,
and the accumulated happiness will return to us,
now the happiness gathered will return to us.
அட காடு வெளைஞ்சென்ன
மச்சான் நமக்கு
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்
கையுங் காலுந்தானே மிச்சம்
Ah, what if the fields have yielded,
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end.
நானே
போடப்போறேன் சட்டம்
பொதுவில்
நன்மை புரிந்திடும் திட்டம்
நாடு நலம் பெறும் திட்டம்
I myself am going to enact a new law,
for the general public,
a plan that bestows common good,
a scheme through which the whole nation prospers!
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
{நன்மை புரிந்திடும் திட்டம்
நாடு நலம் பெறும் திட்டம்} (2)
Ohh….ohh..ohhh…ohhh….
Ohh….ohh..ohhh…ohhh….
Female :Ohh..ohhh…ohh…ohh….oh..
Female: Ohh..ohhh…ohh…ohh….oh..
{Summa kedantha
{Tilling the land
Nelaththa koththi
that was lying idle,
Sombalillaamae yer nadaththi} (2)
tirelessly plowing with the bullock} (2)
Kammaa karaiya osaththi katti
Raising the embankments of the lake high,
Karumbu kollaiyil vaaikkaal vetti
Digging irrigation canals into the sugarcane fields,
Sambaa payirai
Plucking the Samba rice saplings,
Parichchu nattu
Planting them carefully,
Thagantha muraiyil thanneer vittu
Watering them in the proper manner,
{Nellu velainchirukku
{The paddy crop has grown full,
Varappum ullae marainchirukku} (2)
even hiding the field bunds beneath it} (2)
Ada {kaadu velainjchenna
Ah, {what if the fields have yielded,
Machan namakku
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham} (2)
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end} (2)
Ippo kaadu velaiyattum
Now let the fields yield crops,
Ponnae namaku
My dear girl, for us,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future.
Kaadu velaiyattum ponnae namaku
Let the field yield crops, my dear girl, for us,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future.
{Mannai polanthu
{Cleaving open the earth,
Sorangam vechu
digging underground mines,
Ponnai edukka kanigal vetti} (2)
excavating pits to extract gold} (2)
{Madhilu vechu maaligai katti
{Building grand mansions with tall walls,
Kadalil moozhgi muththai edukkum} (2)
diving deep into the ocean to gather pearls} (2)
Vazhi kaatti maramaana
Like a signpost guiding others,
Thozhilaalar vaazhkkaiyilae
in the lives of the working class,
Patta thuyarini maarum romba
the sorrow suffered will now change,
Kitta nerunguthu neram
the right time is drawing very near,
Kitta nerunguthu neram
the right time is drawing very near.
Avar patta thuyarini maarum romba
The sorrow they suffered will now change,
Kitta nerunguthu neram
the right time is drawing very near,
Kitta nerunguthu neram
the right time is drawing very near.
Ada kaadu velainjchenna
Ah, what if the fields have yielded,
Machan namakku
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end.
Kaadu velaiyattum
Let the fields yield crops,
Ponnae namaku
My dear girl, for us,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future,
Kaalamirukkuthu pinnae
better times lie ahead in the future.
Maada ozhaichchavan
He who worked tirelessly like a bull,
Vaazhkkaiyilae
why in his life
Pasi vanthida kaaranam enna machan
does hunger strike, oh dear?
Male :Avan thediya selvangal
Male: The wealth that he earned
Vera idaththilae
goes and accumulates in another place;
Servathinaal varum thollaiyadi
that is the source of all our troubles, my dear.
Pancha paramparai
For a generation born into poverty
Vaazhvatharku
to survive and prosper,
Ini panna vendiyathu enna machan
what should be done now, oh dear?
Male :Thinam kanji kanji endraal
Male: Simply crying for porridge every day
Paanai niraiyaadhu
will not fill the pot;
Sinthichchu munnera venumadi
we must think critically and progress, my dear.
Vaadikkaiyaai varum
Allowing our recurring
Thunbangalai innum
afflictions and hardships
Needikka seivadhu mosamandro
to persist any longer is foolish, isn't it?
Male :Irul moodi kidantha
Male: The mind that was wrapped in darkness
Manamum veluththu
will brighten and clear up,
Segarikkum inbam thirumbumadi
and the accumulated happiness will return to us,
Ini segarikkum inbam thirumbumadi
now the happiness gathered will return to us.
Ada kaadu velainjchenna
Ah, what if the fields have yielded,
Machan namakku
Oh dear brother-in-law, for us,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end,
Kaiyung kaalunthaanae mitcham
only our bare hands and legs remain in the end.
Naanae podapporen sattam
I myself am going to enact a new law,
Podhuvil
for the general public,
Nanmai purinthidum thittam
a plan that bestows common good,
Naadu nalam perum thittam
a scheme through which the whole nation prospers!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Summa Kedantha' (from Nadodi Mannan, 1958) is an iconic socialist anthem in Tamil cinema. The song portrays the plight of agricultural laborers, miners, and builders who work tirelessly—plowing fields, mining gold, and constructing grand mansions—only to end up empty-handed while the wealth created accumulates in the hands of the wealthy elite. Through a dialogue between the female and male characters, the lyricist addresses systemic exploitation and calls for social consciousness, critical thinking, and collective action rather than passive endurance. The song culminates with MGR's character promising to enact progressive laws and welfare policies aimed at equal distribution of wealth and uplifting the common people, echoing MGR's own political ideology and future administrative goals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvameyam)
“Vazhi kaatti maramaana Thozhilaalar vaazhkkaiyilae”
Compares the working class to a guiding signpost ('Vazhi kaatti maram') which shows everyone else the way forward while standing still in its own hardship.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Mannai polanthu... / Ponnai edukka kanigal vetti”
The second consonant 'n' is repeated in consecutive lines ('Mannai' and 'Ponnai'), creating rhythmic harmony.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Maada ozhaichchavan Vaazhkkaiyilae”
Compares a laborer working relentlessly to a draft bullock ('Maada ozhaichchavan').
Monnai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Pancha paramparai Vaazhvatharku”
Repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the beginning of adjacent words ('Pancha', 'Paramparai').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nadodi Mannan' (1958) was directed by and starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The iconic lyrics were penned by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, celebrated for bringing socialist philosophy and working-class struggles into mainstream Tamil cinema lyrics. The song was set to music by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Leela. The closing lines ('Naanae podapporen sattam...') famously served as a political blueprint for MGR's future political career and governance.
Keep listening
More from Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan