Thirupathi Venkatesane
From Manjal Mahimai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- Master Venu
- Details
- Manjal Mahimai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
| Poruppaana janangal ingae | Responsible and respectable people here, |
| Punniyam theda vaaranga | Come in search of spiritual merit. |
| Poruppaana janangal ingae | Responsible and respectable people here, |
| Punniyam theda vaaranga | Come in search of spiritual merit. |
| Pusikkavam naanga ketta | When we ask for food to eat, |
| Podaannnuttu poranga | They say 'go away' and leave. |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
| Female | |
| Karattu kallu paadhaiyirukku | Where there was a rough and stony path, |
| Cement road pottanga | They laid down a cement road. |
| Kaalaala nadanthavangala | Those who used to walk on foot, |
| Caaril yera senjaanga | They made them travel in cars. |
| Female | |
| Varapoga elllarukkum | For everyone coming and going, |
| Vasathiyaakki vechaanga | They made modern conveniences. |
| Vaangi thinnum pichaikkaran | For the beggar who lives by asking, |
| Vavuthil mannai pottanga | They poured dirt into his stomach. |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
| Female | |
| Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu | Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu, |
| Seedai boondhi dosai adhirasamum pattu | Seedai, boondhi, dosa, and adhirasam made, |
| Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu | Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu, |
| Thingaatha un peralae senju padaichu puttu | Prepared and offered in your name, though you do not eat. |
| Dhinamum evan evano yeppam pottaan thinnu puttu | Every day, various people eat it all and belch in satisfaction. |
| Unakkum illa enakkum illaiyae | Neither do you get it, nor do I get it, |
| Ketpadharkku oorukullae yaarum illaiyae | There is no one in this town to question this. |
| Male | |
| Govindha govindha govindha | Govinda! Govinda! Govinda! |
| Female | |
| Ulladhu podhadhunnu | Thinking what they have is not enough, |
| Undiyalil panatha pottu | They drop money into the temple donation box, |
| Osandha panam vendi | To ask for even greater riches, |
| Varatha ketkkala naanga | We did not ask for such grand boons. |
| Oru jaanu vayithukkaan unava thavira vera | Except for food for a stomach just one span wide, |
| Onnumae adhigamaaga ninaikkalae | We never thought of asking for anything more. |
| Porulai kettaaal adikka vaaranga | If we ask for money or goods, they come to beat us, |
| Pichaiyeduthaa police vanil pudikka vaaranga | If we beg, police come in a van to arrest us. |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
| Female | |
| Thiruttu poruttu kuruttum seidhu | Committing theft, fraud, and blind deeds, |
| Thirupanigal nadathi veithu | While conducting lavish temple services, |
| Seeman endrae kaatikiravan osandhuttaan | The one who shows off as a rich man has risen high. |
| Thillum mullum seiyaamalum | Without committing trickery or deceit, |
| Thirunaamam solli solli | Constantly chanting the holy name, |
| Jeevanam pannugiravan asanthuttaan | The one making an honest living has grown exhausted. |
| Female | |
| Selvan ezhai ilamale seidhidu | Erase the divide between the rich and the poor, |
| Manasu sirusu perusu paagupattai kuraithidu | Reduce the disparity between small minds and big minds. |
| Tharisanam ellarukkum sarisamamaai koduthidu | Grant divine vision equally to everyone, |
| Deivam nee endra peyarai desathil nilai naattidu | Establish your reputation as a true God across the nation. |
| Sitham vayitha pattini podathae | Do not keep the mind and stomach starving, |
| Pasiyaadha vayaiythil paalum sotha adaithu vidathae | Do not stuff milk and rice into a stomach that isn't hungry. |
| Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi | Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you, |
| Irukkira indha dasanae | This devotee remains here. |
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
பொறுப்பான ஜனங்கள் இங்கே
புண்ணியம் தேட வாராங்க
பொறுப்பான ஜனங்கள் இங்கே
புண்ணியம் தேட வாராங்க
புசிக்கவும் நாங்க கேட்டா
போடான்னுட்டு போறாங்க..
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
Responsible and respectable people here,
Come in search of spiritual merit.
Responsible and respectable people here,
Come in search of spiritual merit.
When we ask for food to eat,
They say 'go away' and leave.
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
கரட்டு கல்லு பாதையிருக்க
சிமெண்ட்டு ரோடு போட்டாங்க
காலால நடந்தவங்கள
காரில் ஏற செஞ்சாங்க
Where there was a rough and stony path,
They laid down a cement road.
Those who used to walk on foot,
They made them travel in cars.
வரப்போக எல்லாருக்கும்
வசதியாக்கி வச்சாங்க
வாங்கி தின்னும் பிச்சைக்காரன்
வவுத்தில் மண்ணை போட்டாங்க...
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
For everyone coming and going,
They made modern conveniences.
For the beggar who lives by asking,
They poured dirt into his stomach.
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
பொங்கல் புளியோதரை வடை லட்டு
சீடை பூந்தி தோசை அதிரசமும் பட்டு
பொங்கல் புளியோதரை வடை லட்டு
திங்காத உன் பேராலே செஞ்சு படைச்சு புட்டு
தினமும் எவனெவனோ ஏப்பம் போட்டான் தின்னுப்புட்டு
உனக்குமில்ல எனக்குமில்லையே
கேட்பதற்கு ஊருக்குள்ளே யாருமில்லையே
Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu,
Seedai, boondhi, dosa, and adhirasam made,
Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu,
Prepared and offered in your name, though you do not eat.
Every day, various people eat it all and belch in satisfaction.
Neither do you get it, nor do I get it,
There is no one in this town to question this.
கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
Govinda! Govinda! Govinda!
உள்ளது போதாதுன்னு
உண்டியலில் பணத்த போட்டு
ஒசந்த பணம் வேண்டி
வரத்த கேட்கலே நாங்க
ஒரு ஜானு வயிதுக்கான உணவ தவிர வேற
ஒண்ணுமே அதிகமாக நினைக்கலே
பொருளை கேட்டால் அடிக்க வாராங்க
பிச்சையெடுத்தா போலீஸ்
வேனில் புடிக்க வாராங்க.......
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
Thinking what they have is not enough,
They drop money into the temple donation box,
To ask for even greater riches,
We did not ask for such grand boons.
Except for food for a stomach just one span wide,
We never thought of asking for anything more.
If we ask for money or goods, they come to beat us,
If we beg, police come in a van to arrest us.
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
திருட்டு பொரட்டு குருட்டும் செய்து
திருப்பணிகள் நடத்தி வைத்து
சீமான் என்றே காட்டிகிறவன் ஒசந்துட்டான்
தில்லுமுல்லும் செய்யாமலும்
திருநாமம் சொல்லி சொல்லி
ஜீவனம் பண்ணுகிறவன் அசந்துட்டான்
Committing theft, fraud, and blind deeds,
While conducting lavish temple services,
The one who shows off as a rich man has risen high.
Without committing trickery or deceit,
Constantly chanting the holy name,
The one making an honest living has grown exhausted.
செல்வன் ஏழை இல்லாமலே செய்திடு
மனசு சிறுசு பெருசு பாகுபாட்ட குறைத்திடு
தரிசனம் எல்லாருக்கும் சரிசமமாய் கொடுத்திடு
தெய்வம் நீயென்ற பெயரை தேசத்தில் நிலை நாட்டிடு
சித்தன் வயித்த பட்டினி போடாதே
பசியாத வயித்தில் பாலும்
சோத்த அடைத்து விடாதே
திருப்பதி வெங்கடேசனே உன்ன நம்பி
இருக்கிறா இந்த தாசனே
Erase the divide between the rich and the poor,
Reduce the disparity between small minds and big minds.
Grant divine vision equally to everyone,
Establish your reputation as a true God across the nation.
Do not keep the mind and stomach starving,
Do not stuff milk and rice into a stomach that isn't hungry.
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
This devotee remains here.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Poruppaana janangal ingae
Responsible and respectable people here,
Punniyam theda vaaranga
Come in search of spiritual merit.
Poruppaana janangal ingae
Responsible and respectable people here,
Punniyam theda vaaranga
Come in search of spiritual merit.
Pusikkavam naanga ketta
When we ask for food to eat,
Podaannnuttu poranga
They say 'go away' and leave.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Karattu kallu paadhaiyirukku
Where there was a rough and stony path,
Cement road pottanga
They laid down a cement road.
Kaalaala nadanthavangala
Those who used to walk on foot,
Caaril yera senjaanga
They made them travel in cars.
Varapoga elllarukkum
For everyone coming and going,
Vasathiyaakki vechaanga
They made modern conveniences.
Vaangi thinnum pichaikkaran
For the beggar who lives by asking,
Vavuthil mannai pottanga
They poured dirt into his stomach.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu
Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu,
Seedai boondhi dosai adhirasamum pattu
Seedai, boondhi, dosa, and adhirasam made,
Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu
Sweet pongal, tamarind rice, vadai, and laddu,
Thingaatha un peralae senju padaichu puttu
Prepared and offered in your name, though you do not eat.
Dhinamum evan evano yeppam pottaan thinnu puttu
Every day, various people eat it all and belch in satisfaction.
Unakkum illa enakkum illaiyae
Neither do you get it, nor do I get it,
Ketpadharkku oorukullae yaarum illaiyae
There is no one in this town to question this.
Govindha govindha govindha
Govinda! Govinda! Govinda!
Ulladhu podhadhunnu
Thinking what they have is not enough,
Undiyalil panatha pottu
They drop money into the temple donation box,
Osandha panam vendi
To ask for even greater riches,
Varatha ketkkala naanga
We did not ask for such grand boons.
Oru jaanu vayithukkaan unava thavira vera
Except for food for a stomach just one span wide,
Onnumae adhigamaaga ninaikkalae
We never thought of asking for anything more.
Porulai kettaaal adikka vaaranga
If we ask for money or goods, they come to beat us,
Pichaiyeduthaa police vanil pudikka vaaranga
If we beg, police come in a van to arrest us.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Thiruttu poruttu kuruttum seidhu
Committing theft, fraud, and blind deeds,
Thirupanigal nadathi veithu
While conducting lavish temple services,
Seeman endrae kaatikiravan osandhuttaan
The one who shows off as a rich man has risen high.
Thillum mullum seiyaamalum
Without committing trickery or deceit,
Thirunaamam solli solli
Constantly chanting the holy name,
Jeevanam pannugiravan asanthuttaan
The one making an honest living has grown exhausted.
Selvan ezhai ilamale seidhidu
Erase the divide between the rich and the poor,
Manasu sirusu perusu paagupattai kuraithidu
Reduce the disparity between small minds and big minds.
Tharisanam ellarukkum sarisamamaai koduthidu
Grant divine vision equally to everyone,
Deivam nee endra peyarai desathil nilai naattidu
Establish your reputation as a true God across the nation.
Sitham vayitha pattini podathae
Do not keep the mind and stomach starving,
Pasiyaadha vayaiythil paalum sotha adaithu vidathae
Do not stuff milk and rice into a stomach that isn't hungry.
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Oh Venkatesa of Tirupati, trusting in you,
Irukkira indha dasanae
This devotee remains here.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, 'Thirupathi Venkatesane' is a powerful socio-political satire disguised as a street beggar's devotional plea. Addressing Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, the singer highlights the harsh disparities created by society and religious institutions. While infrastructure improves to suit wealthy pilgrims traveling in cars and money flows into temple collection boxes from rich donors seeking further wealth, the destitute begging for basic sustenance are met with violence and police arrest.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi / Irukkira indha dasanae”
Standard Tamil poetic meter where the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes (e.g., 'Thirupathi' and 'Irukkira', or 'Poruppaana' and 'Punniyam').
Moonaiz (First-letter Alliteration)
“Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu”
Alliteration of initial consonant sounds across words in a phrase, such as 'Pongal puliyotharai'.
Idiomatic Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Vaangi thinnum pichaikkaran / Vavuthil mannai pottanga”
The idiom 'Vavuthil mannai pottanga' (poured sand into the stomach) metaphorically signifies destroying a poor person's livelihood and means of survival.
Irony and Social Satire
“Thingaatha un peralae senju padaichu puttu / Dhinamum evan evano yeppam pottaan thinnu puttu”
Contrasting lavish, untouched food offerings dedicated to a deity who does not eat, consumed by wealthy middlemen, against starving devotees.
Did you know?
Trivia
Udumalai Narayanakavi, popularly known as 'Kavirayar', was a prominent Dravidian movement reformist lyricist who frequently used cinema songs to voice rationalist ideas, anti-caste philosophy, and social critique. This song from Manjal Mahimai (1959) uses street-folk idiom to attack temple commercialization and class division.
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