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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Summa Nee

From Periya Veetu Pannakkaran · 1990

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Periya Veetu Pannakkaran1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa… haahaa haahaa aa…Ah... haha haha ah...
Male
Aa… haahaa haahaa aa…Ah... haha haha ah...
Male
Mmm… mm… hahahaa…Mmm... mm... hahaha...
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhaeDon't refuse when good advice is given.
Rendu kaiyum undu kaalum undu edhukkaagaYou have two hands and two legs, what are they for?
Ingu uzhaikkanum adhukkaagaTo work hard here, that is what they are for.
Unmai uzhaippukku palanundu uyarvaagaHonest hard work brings fruitful rewards and elevated status,
Nanmai vilaindhidum namakkaagaGoodness will blossom for all of us.
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhae…aaa…aaa…Don't refuse when good advice is given... ah... ah...
Male
Velli mani thaan olikkumA silver bell rings,
Enga meenaatchi sirippinilaeIn the laughter of our Meenakshi.
Vennilavu thaan sirikkumThe white moon smiles,
Aval kannaatchi arasinilaeIn her rule and watchful eyes.
Vandhu aval azhagu kandaalIf one comes and beholds her beauty,
Andha sondha mozhi marandhu vidumThey will forget even their own mother tongue.
Solli cholli paatteduthaalIf you compose songs expressing it again and again,
Thunbam solli kondu parandhu vidumSorrow will fly away taking leave.
Thandhaalae ponnulagam vandhomae paadu padaA golden world was given to us, we came here to toil,
Idhu ponaa marubadi varumaaIf this opportunity is gone, will it ever come back?
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhaeDon't refuse when good advice is given.
Rendu kaiyum undu kaalum undu edhukkaagaYou have two hands and two legs, what are they for?
Ingu uzhaikkanum adhukkaagaTo work hard here, that is what they are for.
Unmai uzhaippukku palanundu uyarvaagaHonest hard work brings fruitful rewards and elevated status,
Nanmai vilaindhidum namakkaagaGoodness will blossom for all of us.
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhae…aaa…aaa…Don't refuse when good advice is given... ah... ah...
Male
Kai asaivil naadham ezhumA divine sound arises at the wave of his hand,
Siru kannasaivil geetham varumA melody springs forth from a slight glance of his eye.
Kolla varum kodiyavarumEven cruel people who come to harm,
Ivar mellisaikku adi panivaarWill bow down to his soft music.
Painthamizhil kaanikkaiyoIs he an offering in rich Tamil language?
Nalla pan isaikkum maanikkamoIs he a precious gem playing fine tunes?
Than uzhaippil uyarndhavar thaanHe is one who rose through his own hard work,
En ilaiya raajanammaaHe is my Ilaiyaraaja, dear!
Nalla manam nall uzhaippuWith a good heart and honest hard work,
Annai arul ingirundhaalIf the Divine Mother's grace is present here,
Indha ulagam avar kaaladiyilThis entire world will lie at his feet.
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhaeDon't refuse when good advice is given.
Rendu kaiyum undu kaalum undu edhukkaagaYou have two hands and two legs, what are they for?
Ingu uzhaikkanum adhukkaagaTo work hard here, that is what they are for.
Unmai uzhaippukku palanundu uyarvaagaHonest hard work brings fruitful rewards and elevated status,
Nanmai vilaindhidum namakkaagaGoodness will blossom for all of us.
Male
Summaa nee suthaadhaeDon't just wander around aimlessly,
Sonnaalae thattaadhae…aaa…aaa…Don't refuse when good advice is given... ah... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Summaa Nee Suthaadhae' is an inspiring, motivational track that highlights the value of hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance. It urges youth not to waste time in idleness, reminding them that physical strength and opportunities are meant to be utilized for productive labor that leads to true success and fulfillment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Unmai uzhaippukku palanundu uyarvaaga / Nanmai vilaindhidum namakkaaga

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across lines, such as 'Unmai' (உண்மை) and 'Nanmai' (நன்மை).

Moonaai (Initial sound alliteration)

Summaa nee suthaadhae / Sonnaalae thattaadhae

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in adjacent phrases, as in 'Summaa' and 'Sonnaalae'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Velli mani thaan olikkum / Enga meenaatchi sirippinilae

Comparing a joyful smile to the ringing of a silver bell and the moonlight.

Did you know?

Trivia

The second stanza of this song contains a direct tribute to the music maestro Ilaiyaraaja ('Than uzhaippil uyarndhavar thaan / En ilaiya raajanammaa'), praising his rise to supreme fame purely through innate musical brilliance, dedication, and hard work.

Keep listening

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