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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanakku Thanakku Endru

From Magizhampoo · 1969

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
D. B. Ramachandran
Details
Magizhampoo1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
HahahahaHahahaha
Thanakku thanakku endru odhukaadhaeDo not set aside wealth only for yourself
Seidha dharmam thalai kaakkum marakkadhaeDo not forget that charity performed will protect you in times of danger
Thanakku minji thaan thaanam engindraThat charity is only what remains after personal needs
Thathuvam poi adhai madhikkadhaeIs a false philosophy, do not respect it
Male
HahahahaHahahaha
Irukku irukkuthendru kodukkadhae panamDo not give away money just because you have it
Illaadha kalathil thavikkadhaeAnd suffer later when you have nothing left
Thanakku minjithaan thaanam engindraThat charity begins after taking care of oneself
Thathuvam mei adhai marakkadhaeIs a true philosophy, never forget it
Male
Thanakku thanakku endru odhukaadhaeDo not set aside wealth only for yourself
Seidha dharmam thalai kaakkum marakkadhaeDo not forget that charity performed will protect you in times of danger
Male
Thannalam illaa manidharin nenjilIn the heart of a selfless human being
Kadavul irukkindraanGod resides
Thannalam illaa manidharin nenjilIn the heart of a selfless human being
Kadavul irukkindraanGod resides
Nalla dharmam seibavanin kaigalin vazhiyaeThrough the hands of one who does good charity
Karnan sirikkindraanKarna smiles
Male
Koduthavan ellaam sarithirathoduEveryone who gives generously becomes history
Sarithiram aagindraanAlong with history itself
Koduthavan ellaam sarithirathoduEveryone who gives generously becomes history
Sarithiram aagindraanAlong with history itself
Aduthavan ellaam therupuzhu polaeWhile others remain like street worms
Karipugai aagindraanTurning into black smoke
Male
Irukku irukkuthendru kodukkadhae panamDo not give away money just because you have it
Illaadha kalathil thavikkadhaeAnd suffer later when you have nothing left
Male
Kanja kazhudhaiyum kaasu irundhaalEven a stingy donkey, if it possesses money
Karnan aagi viduvaanWill be regarded as Karna
Kanja kazhudhaiyum kaasu irundhaalEven a stingy donkey, if it possesses money
Karnan aagi viduvaanWill be regarded as Karna
Indha kazhisaadai ulagil panamudaiyorkkuIn this corrupt world, towards those who have money
Kadavulum bayapaduvaanEven God feels afraid
Male
Endha kaalamum irukkira varai thaanOnly as long as one possesses wealth
Oorukku ubayogamAre they of any use to the town
Endha kaalamum irukkira varai thaanOnly as long as one possesses wealth
Oorukku ubayogamAre they of any use to the town
Adhai izhandhuvittaloo karnan endraalumIf that wealth is lost, even if one were Karna
Kidapadhu avamanamOnly humiliation awaits them
Male
Thanakku thanakku endru odhukaadhaeDo not set aside wealth only for yourself
Seidha dharmam thalai kaakkum marakkadhaeDo not forget that charity performed will protect you in times of danger
Male
Aduthavan madhikka kodupathu ellaamWhatever is given merely to win another person's praise
Kodiyinil seraadhuWill not add to one's merit
Aduthavan madhikka kodupathu ellaamWhatever is given merely to win another person's praise
Kodiyinil seraadhuWill not add to one's merit
Alandhu kodukkiravan irukkira varaikkumAs long as people give only in measured amounts
Dharmam valaradhuRighteousness will not flourish
Male
Irupadhaiyellam kodukkira manidharkkuFor the person who gives away everything they have
Nilaikkira pugazh irukkumEverlasting fame will endure
Irupadhaiyellam kodukkira manidharkkuFor the person who gives away everything they have
Nilaikkira pugazh irukkumEverlasting fame will endure
Adhai thadukkira paavikku kaiyodu kaalumFor the sinner who stops charity, their limbs will wither
Virathathum peyar marakkumAnd their name will be forgotten
Male
Aattril pottaalum alandhu podendruEven when throwing into a river, do so after measuring, says
Pazhamozhi irukkiradhuAn ancient proverb
Aattril pottaalum alandhu podendruEven when throwing into a river, do so after measuring, says
Pazhamozhi irukkiradhuAn ancient proverb
Alavukku meeri kodupathu ellaamGiving beyond reasonable limits
Vishamaai pogirathuTurns into poison
Male
Vidhaikku illamal vilaindhadhai ellaamSelling everything harvested without saving seed for the next crop
Virpathu udhavaadhuWill not help in the long run
Vidhaikku illamal vilaindhadhai ellaamSelling everything harvested without saving seed for the next crop
Virpathu udhavaadhuWill not help in the long run
Vishayam therindhavarin vaarthaigal mattumOnly the words of a wise person who knows reality
Eppavum thavaraadhuWill never go wrong
Male
Thanakku thanakku endru odhukkadhaeDo not keep everything only for yourself
Male
Irukku irukkthendru kodukkadhaeDo not give away recklessly just because you have it
Panam illadha kaalathil thavikkadhae………….Do not suffer during times when you have no money

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical duet from Magizhampoo (1969) features a classic debate on charity, wealth management, and social morality between two opposing viewpoints, rendered vividly by T. M. Soundarajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan. One perspective argues for uninhibited selflessness, asserting that charity protects the giver, bestows immortal fame like that of King Karna, and that God resides in the hearts of those who give without calculation. The opposing perspective advocates for prudent giving, arguing that charity should only be done after securing one's own basic needs, citing traditional proverbs that warn against excessive generosity which can lead to personal ruin and social humiliation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thanakku thanakku endru odhukaadhae

Repetition of the second consonant 'na' in 'Thanakku' and 'Seidha' / 'Thathuvam' across adjacent lines.

Monaï (Alliteration)

Kanja kazhudhaiyum kaasu irundhaal / Karnan aagi viduvaan

Matching initial consonants like 'Kanja' and 'Karnan' in the same line.

Simile (Upamai)

Aduthavan ellaam therupuzhu polae / Karipugai aagindraan

Comparing selfish, uncharitable individuals to street worms ('therupuzhu') and black smoke ('karipugai').

Allusion

Nalla dharmam seibavanin kaigalin vazhiyae / Karnan sirikkindraan

Reference to Karna from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, universally regarded in Tamil culture as the epitome of grand philanthropy.

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Trivia

This track is a quintessential Tamil musical debate song ('Patti Mandram' style duet) featuring the legendary singing duo T. M. Soundarajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Such musical debates were a popular trope in mid-20th-century Tamil cinema, allowing lyricists to weave ancient proverbs, ethical texts (like Tirukkural), and pragmatic worldly advice into captivating screen drama.

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