Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Karpukkarasi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thoongaadhu Kann Thoongaadhu

From Karpukkarasi · 1957

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Karpukkarasi
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
14 Nov 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Irul soozhum ulagil
Pothu vaazhvu thondrum varai
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Irul soozhum ulagil
Pothu vaazhvu thondrum varai
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Vengaivaada nari maenmaiyaavathum
Vengaivaada nari maenmaiyaavathum
Veerar marabu thaazhvathum neegum varai
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Aadhi neethi murai aatchi eiyyavae
Anbu mazhai peiyyavae
Aadhi neethi murai aatchi eiyyavae
Anbu mazhai peiyyavae
Sodhi iraiyarul aaru paayavae
Pedham marainthu uyyavae kaanum varai
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
Irul soozhum ulagil
Pothu vaazhvu thondrum varai
Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep
In this world surrounded by darkness,
Until a life of equality dawns for all,
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep...
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep
In this world surrounded by darkness,
Until a life of equality dawns for all,
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep...
While the tiger suffers and the fox rises to power,
While the tiger suffers and the fox rises to power,
Until the downfall of the brave comes to an end,
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep!
So that the timeless rule of justice may reign,
And love may shower down like rain,
So that the timeless rule of justice may reign,
And love may shower down like rain,
So that the radiant river of divine grace may flow,
Until I see all divisions vanish and people thrive,
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep
In this world surrounded by darkness,
Until a life of equality dawns for all,
These eyes will not sleep, they will not sleep...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from Karpukkarasi (1957) conveys a powerful moral and social pledge. The speaker vows that the watchful eye of truth and justice will never sleep as long as deceit, inequality, and moral decline prevail in the world. It denounces fraudulent leaders—symbolized by jackals donning tiger hides—and laments the erosion of true valor and righteousness. The song envisions a transformed society built on justice, universal love, and spiritual grace, where discrimination vanishes and humanity thrives under benevolent rule.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain

Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu

The phrase 'Thoongaathu kann thoongaathu' is repeated systematically to underline unyielding vigilance and dedication to reform.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Vengaivaada nari maenmaiyaavathum

'Vengaivaada nari' (a jackal wearing tiger skin) is a vivid metaphor for hypocritical pretenders and corrupt authorities who masquerade as noble leaders.

Metaphor

Anbu mazhai peiyyavae

'Anbu mazhai' (rain of love) compares compassion and affection to life-giving rain.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aadhi neethi murai aatchi eiyyavae

The verbal suffixes 'eiyyavae', 'peiyyavae', 'paayavae', and 'uyyavae' create a pleasing rhythmic cadence at line endings.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aadhi neethi murai aatchi eiyyavae

The second consonant sound 'dhi / dham' aligns across lines ('Aadhi', 'Sodhi', 'Pedham') to establish classical Tamil poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for weaving progressive socialist ideology and political commentary into Tamil film music. This track showcases his signature ability to blend high literary Tamil imagery with socio-political critique, perfectly delivered by T. M. Soundararajan under G. Ramanathan's classical composition.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Karpukkarasi

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.