Thannai Vendravan
From Sakthi Leelai · 1972
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- M. S. Rajeswari
- Music director
- T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Sakthi Leelai1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Unnai vellalaam | You can be conquered |
| Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam | Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you |
| Mannanayinum kavithai mannanayinum | Be he a king or a king among poets |
| Avan maadu meikum siruvanidam panivathundu | He bows before a small cowherd boy |
| Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam | Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you |
| Female | |
| Ezhuthu enbathu unaku evan koduthathu | Who gave you the gift of writing? |
| Arivu enbathu unaku yaar koduthathu | Who gave you wisdom? |
| Ezhuthu enbathu unaku evan koduthathu | Who gave you the gift of writing? |
| Arivu enbathu unaku yaar koduthathu | Who gave you wisdom? |
| Kalviyale valarnthu varum nyanamum undu | There is wisdom that grows from education |
| Esan karunaiyale piranthu varum kavithaiyum undu | And there is poetry born out of God's grace |
| Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam | Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you |
| Female | |
| Sollenum udalukul porulennum uyirai | Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word |
| Thogupathu kaviyagum | That compilation is what makes poetry |
| Porul illaiyendral | If there is no meaning |
| Verum soll mattum irunthal | If there are only mere words |
| Porul illaiyendral | If there is no meaning |
| Verum soll mattum irunthal | If there are only mere words |
| Iranthavan udalagum | It is like the body of a dead person |
| Iranthavan udalagum | It is like the body of a dead person |
| Female | |
| Kaikanda sirpi kallilum kooda | An expert sculptor, even in a stone |
| Kadavulai seigindran | Creates a god |
| Antha kalaiyarinthavan kadavulai kooda | That artist who knows the art, even god |
| Kallai Ninaigindran | Considers as mere stone |
| Kallena kidapathu sollagum | Lying as stone is the word |
| Athil kadavulai vadipathu porulagum | Carving god into it is the meaning |
| Sollum porulum inainthu vanthalthan | Only when word and meaning come together |
| Suvaiulla kavithai uruvagum | A flavorful poem takes shape |
| Suvaiulla kavithai uruvagum | A flavorful poem takes shape |
| Female | |
| Sollenum udalukul porulennum uyirai | Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word |
| Thogupathu kaviyagum | That compilation is what makes poetry |
| Porul illaiyendral | If there is no meaning |
| Verum soll mattum irunthal | If there are only mere words |
| Iranthavan udalagum | It is like the body of a dead person |
| Iranthavan udalagum | It is like the body of a dead person |
| Female | |
| Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan | God is the one who created the Earth |
| Athil veliyai pottavan manithan | Man is the one who put fences on it |
| Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan | God is the one who created the Earth |
| Athil veliyai pottavan manithan | Man is the one who put fences on it |
| Valathai padaithavan iraivan | God is the one who created wealth |
| Athai kuvithu kondan oru manithan | A single man hoarded it for himself |
| Idhu aathikakaarargal vazhiya | Is this the way of authoritarian rulers? |
| Idhil aandavan meethinil pazhiya | And then blaming God for it? |
| Idhu aathikakaarargal vazhiya | Is this the way of authoritarian rulers? |
| Idhil aandavan meethinil pazhiya | And then blaming God for it? |
| Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan | God is the one who created the Earth |
| Female | |
| Saathikum manithan poruppu | Man is responsible for achieving |
| Yetra thazhvuku manithan poruppu | Man is responsible for inequality |
| Saathikum manithan poruppu | Man is responsible for achieving |
| Yetra thazhvuku manithan poruppu | Man is responsible for inequality |
| Idhil kadavulin pangu karupu | God's role in this is dark / nonexistent |
| Indru kanalpol eriyuthu neruppu | Today a fire burns like a flame |
| Antha nerupin niramthan sivappu | The color of that fire is red |
| Idhai kettathum unaken thigaipu | Why are you astonished hearing this? |
| Female | |
| Ariyudaiya manithargalum | Even men endowed with intellect |
| Aganthai ennum thereri | Riding the chariot of arrogance |
| Aathikam seiyum neram | When they commit oppression |
| Anbudaiya nangaiyarum | When loving women |
| Agamudaiya naayaganai | Consider their wedded husbands |
| Adimai pol ennum neram | Like slaves |
| Karaiyudaiya nenjinarum | When people with stained hearts |
| Thiranudaiya kavingaergalai | Kick talented poets |
| Kaalal udhaikum neram | With their feet |
| Kadal perugi mazhai perugi | When the ocean swells, rain overflows |
| Kaatru puyalaga varum | And the wind turns into a tempest |
| Kaliyugam mudiyum neram | The time when Kali Yuga ends |
| Female | |
| Tharuma neri poithathena | Saying the path of righteousness has failed |
| Thaayarkulam vaaduvathu | When motherly womanhood withers away |
| Thaalathu pongum neram | The time when lullabies overflow |
| Thadiyudaiya moodargalum | Fools holding sticks |
| Padaiyudaiya thalaivargalum | And leaders with armies |
| Thalai thooki nirkum neram | The time when they stand tall in pride |
| Tharumavinai poiyaagi | When righteousness becomes a lie |
| Kaalaneri thavaragi | When the order of time goes wrong |
| Karunai paripogum neram | The time when mercy is completely lost |
| Kannanavan sonnapadi | Just as Lord Krishna said |
| Kannethiril vanthuvidum | It will appear right before our eyes |
| Kaliyugam mudiyum neram | The time when Kali Yuga ends |
| Kaliyugam mudiyum neram | The time when Kali Yuga ends |
உன்னை வெல்லலாம்
தன்னை வென்றவன் எவனும் உன்னை வெல்லலாம்
மன்னனாயினும் கவிதை மன்னனாயினும்
அவன் மாடு மேய்க்கும் சிறுவனிடம் பணிவதுண்டு
தன்னை வென்றவன் உன்னை வெல்லலாம்
You can be conquered
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
Be he a king or a king among poets
He bows before a small cowherd boy
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
எழுத்து என்பது உனக்கு எவன் கொடுத்தது
அறிவு என்பது உனக்கு யார் கொடுத்தது
எழுத்து என்பது உனக்கு எவன் கொடுத்தது
அறிவு என்பது உனக்கு யார் கொடுத்தது
கல்வியாலே வளர்ந்து வரும் ஞானமும் உண்டு ஈசன்
கருணையாலே பிறந்து வரும் கவிதையும் உண்டு
தன்னை வென்றவன் உன்னை வெல்லலாம்
Who gave you the gift of writing?
Who gave you wisdom?
Who gave you the gift of writing?
Who gave you wisdom?
There is wisdom that grows from education
And there is poetry born out of God's grace
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
சொல்லெனும் உடலுக்குள்
பொருளென்னும் உயிரை
தொகுப்பது கவியாகும்
பொருள் இல்லையென்றால்
வெறும் சொல் மட்டும் இருந்தால்
பொருள் இல்லையென்றால்
வெறும் சொல் மட்டும் இருந்தால்
இறந்தவன் உடலாகும்
இறந்தவன் உடலாகும்
Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word
That compilation is what makes poetry
If there is no meaning
If there are only mere words
If there is no meaning
If there are only mere words
It is like the body of a dead person
It is like the body of a dead person
கைக்கண்ட சிற்பி கல்லிலும் கூட
கடவுளைச் செய்கிறான் அந்த கலையறியாதவன்
கடவுளைக் கூட
கல்லாய் நினைக்கின்றான்
கல்லெனக் கிடப்பது சொல்லாகும்
அதில் கடவுளை வடிப்பது பொருளாகும்
சொல்லும் பொருளும் இணைந்து வந்தால்தான்
சுவையுள்ள கவிதை உருவாகும் ....
சுவையுள்ள கவிதை உருவாகும் ....
An expert sculptor, even in a stone
Creates a god
That artist who knows the art, even god
Considers as mere stone
Lying as stone is the word
Carving god into it is the meaning
Only when word and meaning come together
A flavorful poem takes shape
A flavorful poem takes shape
சொல்லெனும் உடலுக்குள்
பொருளென்னும் உயிரை
தொகுப்பது கவியாகும்
பொருள் இல்லையென்றால்
வெறும் சொல் மட்டும் இருந்தால்
பொருள் இல்லையென்றால்
வெறும் சொல் மட்டும் இருந்தால்
இறந்தவன் உடலாகும்
இறந்தவன் உடலாகும்
Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word
That compilation is what makes poetry
If there is no meaning
If there are only mere words
It is like the body of a dead person
It is like the body of a dead person
பூமியைப் படைத்தவன் இறைவன்
அதில் வேலியைப் போட்டவன் மனிதன்
பூமியைப் படைத்தவன் இறைவன்
அதில் வேலியைப் போட்டவன் மனிதன்
வளத்தைப் படைத்தவன் இறைவன்
அதை குவித்துக் கொண்டான் ஒரு மனிதன்
இது ஆதிக்ககாரர்கள் வழியா
இதில் ஆண்டவன் மீதினில் பழியா.....
இது ஆதிக்ககாரர்கள் வழியா
இதில் ஆண்டவன் மீதினில் பழியா...
பூமியைப் படைத்தவன் இறைவன்
God is the one who created the Earth
Man is the one who put fences on it
God is the one who created the Earth
Man is the one who put fences on it
God is the one who created wealth
A single man hoarded it for himself
Is this the way of authoritarian rulers?
And then blaming God for it?
Is this the way of authoritarian rulers?
And then blaming God for it?
God is the one who created the Earth
சாதிக்கும் மனிதன் பொறுப்பு
ஏற்ற தாழ்வுக்கும் மனிதன் பொறுப்பு
சாதிக்கும் மனிதன் பொறுப்பு
ஏற்ற தாழ்வுக்கும் மனிதன் பொறுப்பு
இதில் கடவுளின் பங்கு கருப்பு
இன்று கனல்போல் எரியுது நெருப்பு
அந்த நெருப்பின் நிறந்தான் சிவப்பு
இதைக் கேட்டதும் உனக்கேன் திகைப்பு
Man is responsible for achieving
Man is responsible for inequality
Man is responsible for achieving
Man is responsible for inequality
God's role in this is dark / nonexistent
Today a fire burns like a flame
The color of that fire is red
Why are you astonished hearing this?
அறிவுடைய மனிதர்களும் அகந்தை என்னும்
தேரேறி ஆதிக்கம் செய்யும் நேரம்
அன்புடைய நங்கையரும் அகமுடைய நாயகனை
அடிமை போல் என்னும் நேரம்
Even men endowed with intellect
Riding the chariot of arrogance
When they commit oppression
When loving women
Consider their wedded husbands
Like slaves
When people with stained hearts
Kick talented poets
With their feet
When the ocean swells, rain overflows
And the wind turns into a tempest
The time when Kali Yuga ends
கறையுடைய நெஞ்சினரும் திறனுடைய
கவிஞர்களை காலால் உதிக்கும் நேரம்
கடல் பெருகி மழை பெருகி
காற்று புயலாக வரும் கலியுகம் முடியும் நேரம்
Saying the path of righteousness has failed
When motherly womanhood withers away
The time when lullabies overflow
Fools holding sticks
And leaders with armies
The time when they stand tall in pride
When righteousness becomes a lie
When the order of time goes wrong
The time when mercy is completely lost
Just as Lord Krishna said
It will appear right before our eyes
The time when Kali Yuga ends
The time when Kali Yuga ends
தரும நெறி பொய்த்ததென தாயர்குலம்
வாடுவது தாளாது பொங்கும் நேரம்
தடியுடைய முரடர்களும் படையுடைய
தலைவர்களும் தலை தூக்கி நிற்கும் நேரம்
தருமவினை பொய்யாகி காலநெறி தவறாகி
கருணை பறிபோகும் நேரம்
கண்ணனவன் சொன்னபடி
கண்ணெதிரில் வந்து விடும்
கலியுகம் முடியும் நேரம்......
கலியுகம் முடியும் நேரம்...
Unnai vellalaam
You can be conquered
Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
Mannanayinum kavithai mannanayinum
Be he a king or a king among poets
Avan maadu meikum siruvanidam panivathundu
He bows before a small cowherd boy
Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
Ezhuthu enbathu unaku evan koduthathu
Who gave you the gift of writing?
Arivu enbathu unaku yaar koduthathu
Who gave you wisdom?
Ezhuthu enbathu unaku evan koduthathu
Who gave you the gift of writing?
Arivu enbathu unaku yaar koduthathu
Who gave you wisdom?
Kalviyale valarnthu varum nyanamum undu
There is wisdom that grows from education
Esan karunaiyale piranthu varum kavithaiyum undu
And there is poetry born out of God's grace
Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam
Anyone who has conquered himself can conquer you
Sollenum udalukul porulennum uyirai
Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word
Thogupathu kaviyagum
That compilation is what makes poetry
Porul illaiyendral
If there is no meaning
Verum soll mattum irunthal
If there are only mere words
Porul illaiyendral
If there is no meaning
Verum soll mattum irunthal
If there are only mere words
Iranthavan udalagum
It is like the body of a dead person
Iranthavan udalagum
It is like the body of a dead person
Kaikanda sirpi kallilum kooda
An expert sculptor, even in a stone
Kadavulai seigindran
Creates a god
Antha kalaiyarinthavan kadavulai kooda
That artist who knows the art, even god
Kallai Ninaigindran
Considers as mere stone
Kallena kidapathu sollagum
Lying as stone is the word
Athil kadavulai vadipathu porulagum
Carving god into it is the meaning
Sollum porulum inainthu vanthalthan
Only when word and meaning come together
Suvaiulla kavithai uruvagum
A flavorful poem takes shape
Suvaiulla kavithai uruvagum
A flavorful poem takes shape
Sollenum udalukul porulennum uyirai
Putting the soul called meaning inside the body called word
Thogupathu kaviyagum
That compilation is what makes poetry
Porul illaiyendral
If there is no meaning
Verum soll mattum irunthal
If there are only mere words
Iranthavan udalagum
It is like the body of a dead person
Iranthavan udalagum
It is like the body of a dead person
Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan
God is the one who created the Earth
Athil veliyai pottavan manithan
Man is the one who put fences on it
Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan
God is the one who created the Earth
Athil veliyai pottavan manithan
Man is the one who put fences on it
Valathai padaithavan iraivan
God is the one who created wealth
Athai kuvithu kondan oru manithan
A single man hoarded it for himself
Idhu aathikakaarargal vazhiya
Is this the way of authoritarian rulers?
Idhil aandavan meethinil pazhiya
And then blaming God for it?
Idhu aathikakaarargal vazhiya
Is this the way of authoritarian rulers?
Idhil aandavan meethinil pazhiya
And then blaming God for it?
Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan
God is the one who created the Earth
Saathikum manithan poruppu
Man is responsible for achieving
Yetra thazhvuku manithan poruppu
Man is responsible for inequality
Saathikum manithan poruppu
Man is responsible for achieving
Yetra thazhvuku manithan poruppu
Man is responsible for inequality
Idhil kadavulin pangu karupu
God's role in this is dark / nonexistent
Indru kanalpol eriyuthu neruppu
Today a fire burns like a flame
Antha nerupin niramthan sivappu
The color of that fire is red
Idhai kettathum unaken thigaipu
Why are you astonished hearing this?
Ariyudaiya manithargalum
Even men endowed with intellect
Aganthai ennum thereri
Riding the chariot of arrogance
Aathikam seiyum neram
When they commit oppression
Anbudaiya nangaiyarum
When loving women
Agamudaiya naayaganai
Consider their wedded husbands
Adimai pol ennum neram
Like slaves
Karaiyudaiya nenjinarum
When people with stained hearts
Thiranudaiya kavingaergalai
Kick talented poets
Kaalal udhaikum neram
With their feet
Kadal perugi mazhai perugi
When the ocean swells, rain overflows
Kaatru puyalaga varum
And the wind turns into a tempest
Kaliyugam mudiyum neram
The time when Kali Yuga ends
Tharuma neri poithathena
Saying the path of righteousness has failed
Thaayarkulam vaaduvathu
When motherly womanhood withers away
Thaalathu pongum neram
The time when lullabies overflow
Thadiyudaiya moodargalum
Fools holding sticks
Padaiyudaiya thalaivargalum
And leaders with armies
Thalai thooki nirkum neram
The time when they stand tall in pride
Tharumavinai poiyaagi
When righteousness becomes a lie
Kaalaneri thavaragi
When the order of time goes wrong
Karunai paripogum neram
The time when mercy is completely lost
Kannanavan sonnapadi
Just as Lord Krishna said
Kannethiril vanthuvidum
It will appear right before our eyes
Kaliyugam mudiyum neram
The time when Kali Yuga ends
Kaliyugam mudiyum neram
The time when Kali Yuga ends
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a profound philosophical critique addressed to a scholar or ruler who is blinded by arrogance. The lyrics emphasize that true mastery begins with self-control, noting that even great kings bow to divine simplicity (represented by Krishna, the cowherd boy). It defines true poetry as a living synthesis where words form the body and deep meaning serves as the soul, warning that words without true essence are merely dead corpses.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Sollenum udalukul porulennum uyirai”
Compares the 'word' to a body (udal) and 'meaning' to the soul (uyir), emphasizing that poetry without meaning is merely a corpse.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Boomiyai padaithavan iraivan / Valathai padaithavan iraivan”
Matching second consonants across lines ('Boomiyai' / 'Valathai') to build rhythm and structure in Tamil poetry.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Thannai vendravan yavanum unnai vellalam”
Repetition of key lines throughout the song to reinforce the central theme of self-mastery and spiritual humility.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features in the 1972 Tamil mythological film Sakthi Leelai, directed by T. R. Ramanna. Penned by legendary lyricist Kannadasan and set to music by T. K. Ramamoorthy, the song integrates classical literary philosophy regarding Kali Yuga and divine justice into a film song context.
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