Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thannai Arindhu

From Ratha Kanneer · 1954

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
C. S. Jayaraman
Details
Ratha Kanneer1954

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Thannai yarinthozhuguvaar thannai maraippaarThose who conduct themselves with self-realization conceal themselves,
Thannai yariyaathavarae thannai kaattuvaarWhile those who do not know themselves show off and expose themselves.
Thannai yarinthozhuguvaar thannai maraippaarThose who conduct themselves with self-realization conceal themselves,
Thannai yariyaathavarae thannai kaattuvaarWhile those who do not know themselves show off and expose themselves.
Male
Pinnaiyoru kadavulai pena ninaiyaarThey will not think of worshipping any other external God,
Pinnaiyoru kadavulai pena ninaiyaarThey will not think of worshipping any other external God.
Peroliyai penuvaayendrodu paambeCherish the Supreme Divine Light, run and dance, O Snake!
Peroliyai penuvaayendrodu paambeCherish the Supreme Divine Light, run and dance, O Snake!
Male
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!
Peroliyai penuvaayendrodu paambeCherish the Supreme Divine Light, run and dance, O Snake!
Male
Uliyitta karsilaiyil undo unarchiDoes a stone statue carved with a chisel possess consciousness or feeling?
Eee…..ee….ee….ee….ee…ee…(Vocal improvisations)
Uliyitta karsilaiyil undo unarchiDoes a stone statue carved with a chisel possess consciousness or feeling?
Ulagaththin moodarukundo unarchiDo the foolish people of this world possess true consciousness?
Male
Puliyitta sembinilae kuttrampomoWill washing copper with sour tamarind remove its inherent metal flaws?
Puliyitta sembinilae kuttrampomoWill washing copper with sour tamarind remove its inherent metal flaws?
Annyaanam pogaathu moodarkondraadu paambeIgnorance will not leave fools; dance declaring this, O Snake!
Male
Poosai seithathaal suththa pothaam varumoWill pure supreme wisdom arise merely by performing ritual worship?
Oo…oo…oo…oo…oo…oo…oo…(Vocal improvisations)
Poosai seithathaal pothaam varumoWill pure wisdom arise merely by performing ritual worship?
Bhoomi valanj seithathanaar punniyamundoIs there any spiritual merit in circumambulating the Earth?
Male
Aasaiyattra kaalaththilaeyae aadhi vashthuvaiOnly in a state completely devoid of desire, the Supreme Reality...
Aasaiyattra kaalaththilaeyae aadhi vashthuvaiOnly in a state completely devoid of desire, the Supreme Reality...
Adaiyaalaamendru thuninthaadu paambeCan be recognized; dance boldly asserting this, O Snake!
Male
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!
Aasaiyattra adaiyaalam endru aadu paambeDance, O Snake, declaring that desirelessness is the true identity!
Male
Sathurvetha maaruvagai saasthiram palaThe four Vedas, the six philosophical systems, and various scriptures,
Sathurvetha maaruvagai saasthiram palaThe four Vedas, the six philosophical systems, and various scriptures,
Thanthiram puraanangalai saattru maagamamTantras, Puranas, and the proclaimed Agamas,
Male
Vidha vidhamaana veru noolgalumAnd various other types of books,
Vidha vidhamaana veru noolgalumAnd various other types of books,
Veenaana noolgalendraadu paambeDance declaring that all these are futile texts, O Snake!
Male
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!
Aadu paambe aadu paambeDance, O Snake! Dance, O Snake!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a sharp philosophical critique of superficial religious rituals, idolatry, and dogma, drawing from the traditional Siddhar poetic style of Pambatti Siddhar. It addresses the snake—a metaphor for the Kundalini energy or human mind—urging it to dance in praise of true inner realization (the Supreme Light) rather than empty ritualistic practices. The lyrics argue that true divinity is found through self-knowledge, desirelessness, and inner awakening, rendering formal scriptures and physical idols meaningless without genuine spiritual understanding.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Madakku / Epistrophe)

“Aadu paambe aadu paambe”

The phrase 'Aadu paambe' (Dance, O Snake) is repeated at the end of verses as a rhythmic refrain, echoing the mystical traditions of Siddhar poetry.

Rhetorical Question (Vinawani)

“Uliyitta karsilaiyil undo unarchi”

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to challenge dogmatic practices, asking if a chiseled stone statue or ritual worship can ever grant true consciousness or wisdom.

Analogy / Metaphor (Uwamai)

“Puliyitta sembinilae kuttrampomo”

The image of scrubbing copper with tamarind is used as an analogy to show that external cleansing or ritual cannot remove deep-seated ignorance from fools.

Initial Rhyme (Monaai)

“Thannai yarinthozhuguvaar thannai maraippaar”

Alliteration of the initial consonants ('Th') creates poetic harmony across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the landmark film Ratha Kanneer (1954), starring M. R. Radha, this Siddhar-style composition sung by C. S. Jayaraman was used to echo the anti-superstition and rationalist themes popularized by the Dravidian movement of the era. Although rooted in ancient Siddhar literature, its inclusion in the film highlighted modern social critique.

Keep listening

More from Ratha Kanneer