Tamizh Magane
From Thozhar Pandian · 1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Male | |
| Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae | The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian, |
| Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae | And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian. |
| Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae | The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian, |
| Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae | And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian. |
| Male | |
| Medai pechai kettu kettu | Listening repeatedly to stage speeches, |
| Kaiyai thatti nindra kaalam | The days spent clapping hands, |
| Pogattum pogattum | Let them pass, let them pass! |
| Kaasai vaangi vote pottu | Taking money to cast votes, |
| Kaiyai kattum kaalam podhumae podhumae | And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough! |
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Nadigar nadigaiyai dheivamaakiyae | Making actors and actresses into gods, |
| Pallakkilae thookki pora | Carrying them around on palanquins, |
| Thambiyae thambiyae | Oh younger brother, oh younger brother! |
| Poli thalaivargal kaattum paadhaiyai | Believing in the path shown by fake leaders, |
| Nambi kettu ponaai nenjam | You got ruined, with a heart, |
| Vembiyae vembiyae | Aching and grieving! |
| Male | |
| Vennai vazhiyum kodambakkam | Kodambakkam overflows with butter, |
| Annan ilaiyilae | On the elder brother's leaf, |
| Ennaiyum illae aadhambakkam | While there isn't even oil in Adambakkam, |
| Thambi thalaiyilae | On the younger brother's head! |
| Male | |
| Thamizhargal ena oru inam undaam | They say there is a distinct race called Tamils, |
| Thani pada avarkkoru gunam undaam | And that they possess unique, noble qualities. |
| Kavidhai inikkudhu unmai udhaikkudhu | The poetry is sweet, but the reality kicks hard! |
| Thamizhan vaazhgavae | Long live the Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Thamizhan kuzhandhaigal | The children of Tamil people, |
| Thaayai thandhaiyai | Call their mother and father, |
| Mummy endrum daddy endrum | As 'Mummy' and 'Daddy', |
| Solludhae solludhae | They keep saying, they keep saying! |
| Male | |
| Thamizhan veettilae | In the home of a Tamilian, |
| TV kaatchiyil | On television shows, |
| Naanum neeyum pesum mozhi | The language that you and I speak, |
| Illaiyae illaiyae | Is absent, completely absent! |
| Male | |
| Kai valaiyal kaadhil maatum | The time has come where men wear ear rings like bangles, |
| Kaalam aanadhae | It has become the norm! |
| Dhaavanigal salwar kameez | Traditional half-sarees have been replaced by salwar kameez, |
| Aagi ponadhae | That is how things have become! |
| Male | |
| Tharikkettu ponadhu sari thaanaa | Is it right for society to lose all self-control? |
| Thalaimurai idaiveli idhu thaanaa | Is this what is called a generation gap? |
| Thamizhai thamizhanae pesa koosuraan | A Tamilian feels hesitant even to speak in Tamil, |
| Thamizh thaai vaazhgavae | Long live Mother Tamil! |
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
| Male | |
| Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae | The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian, |
| Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae | And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian. |
| Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae | The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian, |
| Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae | And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian. |
| Male | |
| Medai pechai kettu kettu | Listening repeatedly to stage speeches, |
| Kaiyai thatti nindra kaalam | The days spent clapping hands, |
| Pogattum pogattum | Let them pass, let them pass! |
| Kaasai vaangi vote pottu | Taking money to cast votes, |
| Kaiyai kattum kaalam podhumae podhumae | And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough! |
| Male | |
| Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae | O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil! |
| Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae | Why were you born, O Son of Tamil? |
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைப்பவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
ஏமாந்து போறவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைப்பவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
ஏமாந்து போறவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
Listening repeatedly to stage speeches,
The days spent clapping hands,
Let them pass, let them pass!
Taking money to cast votes,
And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough!
மேடைப் பேச்சைக்
கேட்டுக் கேட்டு
கையைத் தட்டி நின்ற காலம்
போகட்டும் போகட்டும்
காசை வாங்கி ஓட்டுப் போட்டு
கையக் கட்டும் காலம்
போதுமே போதுமே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
...
....................
Making actors and actresses into gods,
Carrying them around on palanquins,
Oh younger brother, oh younger brother!
Believing in the path shown by fake leaders,
You got ruined, with a heart,
Aching and grieving!
நடிகர் நடிகையை
தெய்வமாக்கியே பல்லக்கிலே
தூக்கி போற தம்பியே
Kodambakkam overflows with butter,
On the elder brother's leaf,
While there isn't even oil in Adambakkam,
On the younger brother's head!
போலி தலைவர்கள்
காட்டும் பாதையை
நம்பிக் கெட்டுப் போனாய்
நெஞ்சம் வெம்பியே வெம்பியே
They say there is a distinct race called Tamils,
And that they possess unique, noble qualities.
The poetry is sweet, but the reality kicks hard!
Long live the Tamilian!
வெண்ணை வழியும்
கோடம்பாக்கம் அண்ணன் இலையிலே
எண்ணையும் இல்லே
ஆதம்பாக்கம் தம்பி தலையிலே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
தமிழர்கள் என
ஒரு இனம் உண்டாம்
தனிப்பட அவர்க்கொரு
குணம் உண்டாம்
...
கவிதை இனிக்குது
உண்மை உதைக்குது
தமிழன் வாழ்கவே
The children of Tamil people,
Call their mother and father,
As 'Mummy' and 'Daddy',
They keep saying, they keep saying!
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
In the home of a Tamilian,
On television shows,
The language that you and I speak,
Is absent, completely absent!
.............
The time has come where men wear ear rings like bangles,
It has become the norm!
Traditional half-sarees have been replaced by salwar kameez,
That is how things have become!
தமிழன் குழந்தைகள்
தாயை தந்தையை
மம்மி என்றும் டாடி என்றும்
சொல்லுதே சொல்லுதே
Is it right for society to lose all self-control?
Is this what is called a generation gap?
A Tamilian feels hesitant even to speak in Tamil,
Long live Mother Tamil!
தமிழன் வீட்டிலே டிவி காட்சியில்
நானும் நீயும் பேசும் மொழி
இல்லையே இல்லையே
கை வளையல் காதில் மாட்டும்
காலம் ஆனதே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
தாவணிகள் சல்வார்
கமீஸ் ஆகிப் போனதே
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
தறிக்கெட்டுப் போனது சரி தானா
தலைமுறை இடைவெளி இதுதானா
தமிழை தமிழனே பேசக் கூசுறான்
தமிழ்த் தாய் வாழ்கவே
Listening repeatedly to stage speeches,
The days spent clapping hands,
Let them pass, let them pass!
Taking money to cast votes,
And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough!
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைப்பவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
ஏமாந்து போறவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைப்பவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
ஏமாந்து போறவனும்
தமிழ் மகனே
மேடைப் பேச்சைக்
கேட்டுக் கேட்டு
கையைத் தட்டி நின்ற காலம்
போகட்டும் போகட்டும்
காசை வாங்கி ஓட்டுப் போட்டு
கையக் கட்டும் காலம்
போதுமே போதுமே
தமிழ் மகனே தமிழ் மகனே
ஏன் பிறந்தாய் தமிழ் மகனே
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
Medai pechai kettu kettu
Listening repeatedly to stage speeches,
Kaiyai thatti nindra kaalam
The days spent clapping hands,
Pogattum pogattum
Let them pass, let them pass!
Kaasai vaangi vote pottu
Taking money to cast votes,
Kaiyai kattum kaalam podhumae podhumae
And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough!
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
………………………
...
Nadigar nadigaiyai dheivamaakiyae
Making actors and actresses into gods,
Pallakkilae thookki pora
Carrying them around on palanquins,
Thambiyae thambiyae
Oh younger brother, oh younger brother!
Poli thalaivargal kaattum paadhaiyai
Believing in the path shown by fake leaders,
Nambi kettu ponaai nenjam
You got ruined, with a heart,
Vembiyae vembiyae
Aching and grieving!
Vennai vazhiyum kodambakkam
Kodambakkam overflows with butter,
Annan ilaiyilae
On the elder brother's leaf,
Ennaiyum illae aadhambakkam
While there isn't even oil in Adambakkam,
Thambi thalaiyilae
On the younger brother's head!
Thamizhargal ena oru inam undaam
They say there is a distinct race called Tamils,
Thani pada avarkkoru gunam undaam
And that they possess unique, noble qualities.
Kavidhai inikkudhu unmai udhaikkudhu
The poetry is sweet, but the reality kicks hard!
Thamizhan vaazhgavae
Long live the Tamilian!
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
…………………………
...
Thamizhan kuzhandhaigal
The children of Tamil people,
Thaayai thandhaiyai
Call their mother and father,
Mummy endrum daddy endrum
As 'Mummy' and 'Daddy',
Solludhae solludhae
They keep saying, they keep saying!
Thamizhan veettilae
In the home of a Tamilian,
TV kaatchiyil
On television shows,
Naanum neeyum pesum mozhi
The language that you and I speak,
Illaiyae illaiyae
Is absent, completely absent!
Kai valaiyal kaadhil maatum
The time has come where men wear ear rings like bangles,
Kaalam aanadhae
It has become the norm!
Dhaavanigal salwar kameez
Traditional half-sarees have been replaced by salwar kameez,
Aagi ponadhae
That is how things have become!
Tharikkettu ponadhu sari thaanaa
Is it right for society to lose all self-control?
Thalaimurai idaiveli idhu thaanaa
Is this what is called a generation gap?
Thamizhai thamizhanae pesa koosuraan
A Tamilian feels hesitant even to speak in Tamil,
Thamizh thaai vaazhgavae
Long live Mother Tamil!
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
Yeichi pizhaippavanum thamizh maganae
The one who survives by deceiving others is a Tamilian,
Yemaandhu poravanum thamizh maganae
And the one who gets cheated is also a Tamilian.
Medai pechai kettu kettu
Listening repeatedly to stage speeches,
Kaiyai thatti nindra kaalam
The days spent clapping hands,
Pogattum pogattum
Let them pass, let them pass!
Kaasai vaangi vote pottu
Taking money to cast votes,
Kaiyai kattum kaalam podhumae podhumae
And standing with bound hands—that era is enough, enough!
Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae
O Son of Tamil! O Son of Tamil!
Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae
Why were you born, O Son of Tamil?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thamizh Maganae from the 1994 movie Thozhar Pandian, written by legendary lyricist Vaali, is a sharp socio-political satire that laments the modern decline of cultural values, self-respect, and political consciousness among Tamil people. The song highlights how the populace has become gullible—buying into empty political speeches, accepting cash for votes, and elevating cinema stars to godlike status while ignoring their own economic plight.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony and Satire
“Kavidhai inikkudhu unmai udhaikkudhu / Thamizhan vaazhgavae”
Vaali uses bitter sarcasm to mock the romanticized view of Tamil pride versus the harsh everyday reality.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Vennai vazhiyum kodambakkam... Ennaiyum illae aadhambakkam”
Contrasts the extreme wealth and luxury of the film elite in Kodambakkam with the poverty of ordinary working people in Adambakkam.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thamizhargal ena oru inam undaam / Thani pada avarkkoru gunam undaam”
Classic Tamil poetic rhyming where the second letter of consecutive lines matches (Thamizhargal / Thani).
Repetition / Anaphora
“Thamizh maganae thamizh maganae / Yen pirandhaai thamizh maganae”
Repeatedly calling out to the 'Son of Tamil' to evoke self-reflection and questioning.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thozhar Pandian (1994) was directed by Napolean and featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics reflect Vaali's signature ability to weave colloquial socio-political critiques into mainstream film music.
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