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Thiru Neelakandar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thathuvathil Naan

From Thiru Neelakandar · 1972

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
K. M. Mani Rajan
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Movie name
Thiru Neelakandar
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
3 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vilaiyaattukaaranukku
Sivan endru per vaiththu
Vilaiyaada sonnavar yaaro….
Vilaiyaada sonnavar yaaro….
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Baktharukku naan orr parathesi
Antha paramanukku naan orr ubanyaasi
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Neerukkul kallum undu
Kallukkul neerum undu
Neerukkul kallum undu
Kallukkul neerum undu
Paarvaikku theriyaathu
Bhoomikkul naanum undu
Enakkullum bhoomiyundu
Kelvikku puriyaathu….
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Uravinil thaai thagappan
Oru thulithaan tharuvaar
Uravinil thaai thagappan
Oru thulithaan tharuvaar
Valarppathu en paadu
Valarntha piragu silar
Mamathaiyinaa ennai
Marappathu panpaadu marappathu panpaadu
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Maranthavar mattum alla
Ninaiththavarum kooda
Maranthavar mattum alla
Ninaiththavarum kooda
Maraivathu kankoodu
En madiyil vizhuntha pinbu iruvaraiyum
Samamaai anaippathu en veedu
Anaippathu en veedu
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi
En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari
To this playful one,
giving him the name of Shiva,
who was it that told him to play?
Who was it that told him to play?
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
To devotees, I am a wanderer,
to the Supreme Lord, I am a preacher.
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
There is stone inside water,
and there is water inside stone.
There is stone inside water,
and there is water inside stone,
unseen to ordinary eyes...
I exist inside the earth,
and the earth exists inside me,
beyond what mere questions can grasp...
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
As parents in kinship,
they give only a single drop.
As parents in kinship,
they give only a single drop,
yet raising that life is my task...
Once grown up, some people,
out of pure arrogance,
make a habit of forgetting me, make a habit of forgetting me.
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
Not only those who forgot,
but even those who remembered—
not only those who forgot,
but even those who remembered—
their passing away is plain to see...
Once they fall into my lap, both of them
are embraced equally by my home,
embraced by my home.
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
In philosophy, I am an ascetic,
as far as my strength goes, I am a family man.
Male
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Male
Male
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This deeply philosophical song explores the dual nature of human existence, spiritual detachment, and the cycle of life and death. The speaker reflects on being philosophically detached like an ascetic (sanniyaasi) while simultaneously managing worldly responsibilities as a householder (samsaari). The verses highlight nature's hidden mysteries—such as water within stone and the interconnectedness of creation—to show how life originates from a tiny spark provided by parents, but is ultimately sustained by a higher cosmic force.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Antithesis

“Thaththuvaththil naan orr sanniyaasi / En sakthi varai naan orr samsaari”

Contrasts two opposing concepts: being a detached ascetic theoretically, but living as a householder practically.

Chiasmus / Inversion

“Neerukkul kallum undu / Kallukkul neerum undu”

Reverses the words 'water' and 'stone' to emphasize the divine, paradoxical unity of nature.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Maranthavar mattum alla / Ninaiththavarum kooda”

The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines ('Maranthavar' and 'Ninaiththavar' - 'ra' sound pattern).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from 'Thiru Neelakandar' (1972), a devotional film centered around the life of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar. Lyricist Panchu Arunachalam skillfully uses wordplay with 'Sakthi'—referring to both personal capacity/energy and the divine feminine power, Parvati.

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