Thanneer Vittaa
From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Trichy Loganathan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa | Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord? |
| Ippayirai | This crop of freedom |
| Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo | We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away? |
| Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo…. | We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away? |
| Male | |
| Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa | Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord? |
| Ippayirai | This crop |
| Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo | We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away? |
| Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa | Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord? |
| Ippayirai | This crop |
| Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo | We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away? |
| Thaneer vitto valarthom | Did we nurture it with water? |
| Male | |
| Ennamellaam meiyaaga | Making all our cherished dreams come true, |
| Em uyirinul valarndha..a.a.a | That grew deep within our very souls... |
| Ennamellaam meiyaaga | Making all our cherished dreams come true, |
| Em uyirinul valarndha | That grew deep within our very souls, |
| Vanna vilakkidhu madiya thiruvulamo | Is it Your divine will that this colorful lamp be extinguished? |
| Thaneer vitto valarthom | Did we nurture it with water? |
| Male | |
| Oraayiram varudam oindhu kidandha pinnar | After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years, |
| Vaaraadhu pola vandha maamaniyai thorpomo… | Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us? |
| Oraayiram varudam oindhu kidandha pinnar | After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years, |
| Vaaraadhu pola vandha maamaniyai thorpomo… | Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us? |
| Maadharaiyum makkalaiyum vanjanmaiyaal pirindhu | Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit, |
| Maadharaiyum makkalaiyum vanjanmaiyaal pirindhu | Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit, |
| Kaadhal ilaingar karuthazhidhal kaanaayo…. | Do You not see the loving youth losing their minds and strength in agony? |
| Male | |
| Dharmame vellum enum | Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'— |
| Saandror sol poiyaamo | Going to turn out to be a lie? |
| Karma vilaivugal yam kandadhellaam podhaadho | Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough? |
| Dharmame vellum enum | Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'— |
| Saandror sol poiyaamo | Going to turn out to be a lie? |
| Karma vilaivugal yam kandadhellaam podhaadho | Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough? |
| En thaai nee thandha iyar porulellaam izhandhu | Having lost all the natural riches given by Mother Earth, |
| Nondhaarkku neeyindri novazhippaar yaar ularo | For those who suffer, who else is there to relieve pain besides You? |
| Male | |
| Melorgal venchiraiyil veezhndhu kidappadhuvum | Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells, |
| Noolorgal sekkadiyil novadhuvum kaangilaiyo… | Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press? |
| Melorgal venchiraiyil veezhndhu kidappadhuvum | Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells, |
| Noolorgal sekkadiyil novadhuvum kaangilaiyo… | Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press? |
| Ennatra nallor idhayam puzhungi | Innumerable good people burn inside with deep distress, |
| Iru kannattra sei pol kalanguvadhum kaangilaiyo… | Do You not see them weeping like a child blind in both eyes? |
தண்ணீர் விட்டோ வளர்த்தோம் சர்வேசா
இப்பயிரை
கண்ணீரால் காத்தோம் கருக திருவுளமோ
கண்ணீரால் காத்தோம் கருக திருவுளமோ
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
This crop of freedom
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
தண்ணீர் விட்டோ வளர்த்தோம் சர்வேசா
இப்பயிரை
கண்ணீரால் காத்தோம் கருக திருவுளமோ
தண்ணீர் விட்டோ வளர்த்தோம் சர்வேசா
இப்பயிரை
கண்ணீரால் காத்தோம் கருக திருவுளமோ
தண்ணீர் விட்டோ வளர்த்தோம்
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
This crop
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
This crop
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Did we nurture it with water?
எண்ணமெல்லாம் மெய்யாக
எம்முயிரினுள் வளர்ந்த...ஹா ...ஆஅ
எண்ணமெல்லாம் மெய்யாக
எம்முயிரினுள் வளர்ந்த
வண்ண விளக்கிது மடிய திருவுளமோ
தண்ணீர் விட்டோம் வளர்த்தோம்
Making all our cherished dreams come true,
That grew deep within our very souls...
Making all our cherished dreams come true,
That grew deep within our very souls,
Is it Your divine will that this colorful lamp be extinguished?
Did we nurture it with water?
ஓராயிரம் வருடம் ஓய்ந்து கிடந்த பின்னர்
வாராது போல வந்த மாமணியை தோற்போமோ
ஓராயிரம் வருடம் ஓய்ந்து கிடந்த பின்னர்
வாராது போல வந்த மாமணியை தோற்போமோ
மாதரையும் மக்களையும் வஞ்சமையால் பிரிந்து
மாதரையும் மக்களையும் வஞ்சமையால் பிரிந்து
காதல் இளைஞர் கருத்தழிதல் காணாயோ
After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years,
Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us?
After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years,
Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us?
Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit,
Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit,
Do You not see the loving youth losing their minds and strength in agony?
தர்மமே வெல்லும் எனும்
சான்றோர் சொல் பொய்யாமோ
கர்ம விளைவுகள் யாம் கண்டதெல்லாம் போதாதோ
தர்மமே வெல்லும் எனும்
சான்றோர் சொல் பொய்யாமோ
கர்ம விளைவுகள் யாம் கண்டதெல்லாம் போதாதோ
என் தாய் நீ தந்த இயற் பொருள் எல்லாம் இழந்து
நொந்தார்க்கு நீ இன்றி நோவ் அளிப்பார் யார் உளரோ
Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'—
Going to turn out to be a lie?
Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough?
Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'—
Going to turn out to be a lie?
Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough?
Having lost all the natural riches given by Mother Earth,
For those who suffer, who else is there to relieve pain besides You?
மேலோர்கள் வெஞ்சிறையில் வீழ்ந்து கிடப்பதுவும்
நூலோர்கள் செக்கடியில் நோவதுவும் காண்கிலையோ
மேலோர்கள் வெஞ்சிறையில் வீழ்ந்து கிடப்பதுவும்
நூலோர்கள் செக்கடியில் நோவதுவும் காண்கிலையோ
எண்ணற்ற நல்லோர் இதயம் புழுங்கி
இரு கண்ணற்ற சேய் போல்
கலங்குவதும் காண்கிலையோ
Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells,
Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press?
Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells,
Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press?
Innumerable good people burn inside with deep distress,
Do You not see them weeping like a child blind in both eyes?
Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
Ippayirai
This crop of freedom
Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo….
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
Ippayirai
This crop
Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa
Did we nurture this crop with water, Oh Almighty Lord?
Ippayirai
This crop
Kanneeraal kaathom karuga thiruvulamo
We protected it with our tears; is it Your divine will that it wither away?
Thaneer vitto valarthom
Did we nurture it with water?
Ennamellaam meiyaaga
Making all our cherished dreams come true,
Em uyirinul valarndha..a.a.a
That grew deep within our very souls...
Ennamellaam meiyaaga
Making all our cherished dreams come true,
Em uyirinul valarndha
That grew deep within our very souls,
Vanna vilakkidhu madiya thiruvulamo
Is it Your divine will that this colorful lamp be extinguished?
Thaneer vitto valarthom
Did we nurture it with water?
Oraayiram varudam oindhu kidandha pinnar
After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years,
Vaaraadhu pola vandha maamaniyai thorpomo…
Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us?
Oraayiram varudam oindhu kidandha pinnar
After lying dormant and subjugated for a thousand years,
Vaaraadhu pola vandha maamaniyai thorpomo…
Shall we lose this priceless gem that finally came to us?
Maadharaiyum makkalaiyum vanjanmaiyaal pirindhu
Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit,
Maadharaiyum makkalaiyum vanjanmaiyaal pirindhu
Separated from wives and children through cruel deceit,
Kaadhal ilaingar karuthazhidhal kaanaayo….
Do You not see the loving youth losing their minds and strength in agony?
Dharmame vellum enum
Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'—
Saandror sol poiyaamo
Going to turn out to be a lie?
Karma vilaivugal yam kandadhellaam podhaadho
Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough?
Dharmame vellum enum
Is the eternal truth of the wise—'Dharma alone triumphs'—
Saandror sol poiyaamo
Going to turn out to be a lie?
Karma vilaivugal yam kandadhellaam podhaadho
Is not all the karmic suffering we have endured enough?
En thaai nee thandha iyar porulellaam izhandhu
Having lost all the natural riches given by Mother Earth,
Nondhaarkku neeyindri novazhippaar yaar ularo
For those who suffer, who else is there to relieve pain besides You?
Melorgal venchiraiyil veezhndhu kidappadhuvum
Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells,
Noolorgal sekkadiyil novadhuvum kaangilaiyo…
Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press?
Melorgal venchiraiyil veezhndhu kidappadhuvum
Great noble souls lie fallen in harsh prison cells,
Noolorgal sekkadiyil novadhuvum kaangilaiyo…
Do You not see learned scholars suffering at the oil press?
Ennatra nallor idhayam puzhungi
Innumerable good people burn inside with deep distress,
Iru kannattra sei pol kalanguvadhum kaangilaiyo…
Do You not see them weeping like a child blind in both eyes?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Thaneer Vitto Valarthom' is a poignant and powerful patriotic prayer composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, featured in the film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' (1961). The poem uses extended agricultural metaphors, framing the Indian freedom struggle as a delicate crop that patriots have nurtured not with mere water, but with their sweat, blood, and tears. The speaker addresses God ('Sarvesa') with heartfelt anguish, asking if it is divine destiny to let this hard-earned plant of liberty wither away just as it begins to blossom after a thousand years of subjugation. The song paints a vivid, heartbreaking picture of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters: separation from families, imprisonment in harsh conditions, and intellectuals subjected to grueling physical labor like operating heavy oil presses (a direct reference to V. O. Chidambaram Pillai's rigorous imprisonment). It challenges the moral order, asking whether the ancient adage 'Righteousness triumphs' has become a falsehood, and pleads for divine intervention to relieve a suffering nation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Thaneer vitto valarthom sarvesa / Ippayirai”
Freedom/patriotism is metaphorically compared to a tender crop ('payir') that needs nurturing.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Vanna vilakkidhu madiya thiruvulamo”
The nation's rising hope and freedom movement are compared to a glowing colorful lamp ('vanna vilakku').
Uvamai (Simile)
“Iru kannattra sei pol kalanguvadhum kaangilaiyo…”
The helpless grief of innocent patriots is explicitly compared using 'pol' (like) to a child who is blind in both eyes.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thaneer vitto valarthom... / Kanneeraal kaathom...”
The second letters 'nee' in 'Thaneer' and 'Kanneeraal' rhyme, creating a harmonious phonetic rhythm.
Rhetorical Questioning (Vinah)
“Saandror sol poiyaamo / Karma vilaivugal yam kandadhellaam podhaadho”
The poem heavily relies on intense rhetorical questions addressed to the Divine ('Is it your will?', 'Is it a lie?', 'Do you not see?') to express despair and provoke conscience.
Did you know?
Trivia
In 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' (1961), this iconic song was picturized on Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan portraying the freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC). The scene dramatically depicts VOC being forced to pull a heavy stone oil press (sekkadi) as hard labor in Coimbatore Central Prison, an ordeal that inspired Mahakavi Bharathiyar's original poem.
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