Thoongaathe Thambi
From Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Male | |
| Pattukkottai vaarthaigalai pottu | Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, |
| Namba puratchiyaaru paadi vecha paattu | This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang. |
| Kannu muzhichukkadaa neeyum idhai kettu | Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this, |
| Un surusuruppai kaariyathil kaattu | And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions. |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Male | |
| Thollirukka sola muzhunghum aalai | To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk, |
| Nee therinjukkathaan kuduthurukkaan moolai | God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand. |
| Thollirukka sola muzhunghum aalai | To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk, |
| Nee therinjukkathaan kuduthurukkaan moolai | God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand. |
| Male | |
| Naama muzhichukkittae irukkaiyilum kooda | Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant, |
| Naama muzhichukkittae irukkaiyilum kooda | Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant, |
| Thalaiyil molagaa araikka aal iruppaan kooda hoi | There will be cunning people trying to trick us and grind chillies on our heads! |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Male | |
| Thoongaama odudhada aaru | The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping, |
| Adhu thoongipputtaa nammakku yedhu soru | If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food? |
| Thoongaama odudhada aaru | The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping, |
| Adhu thoongipputtaa nammakku yedhu soru | If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food? |
| Male | |
| Oyaama suthuthadaa bhoomi | The Earth spins around without ever stopping, |
| Ada oyaama suthuthadaa bhoomi | Oh, the Earth spins around endlessly, |
| Adhu oivedukkum naal irundhaa kaami hoi | Show me if there is ever a single day it takes a break! |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Male | |
| Karnanai pol vaazhndhirundhaal veeran | If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero, |
| Kumbhakkarnanai pol paduthirundhaa moodan | If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool. |
| Karnanai pol vaazhndhirundhaal veeran | If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero, |
| Kumbhakkarnanai pol paduthirundhaa moodan | If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool. |
| Male | |
| Nee veeranai pol vaazhanum da thambhi | You must live like a true hero, my brother, |
| Nee veeranai pol vaazhanum da thambhi | You must live like a true hero, my brother, |
| Indha ooru ulagam irukudhu unnai nambhi hoi | This entire town and world rely on you with high hopes! |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
| Male | |
| Pattukkottai vaarthaigalai pottu | Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, |
| Namba puratchiyaaru paadi vecha paattu | This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang. |
| Kannu muzhichukkadaa neeyum idhai kettu | Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this, |
| Un surusuruppai kaariyathil kaattu | And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions. |
| Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae | Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep. |
| Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae | Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later. |
ஆண்
: தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
பட்டுக்கோட்டை வார்த்தைகளை போட்டு
நம்ப புரட்ச்சியாரு பாடி வெச்ச பாட்டு
கண்ணு முழிச்சுக்கடா நீயும் இதை கேட்டு
உன் சுறுசுறுப்பை காரியத்தில் காட்டு
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram,
This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang.
Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this,
And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions.
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
தோள்ளிருக்க சொல முழுங்கும் ஆளை
நீ தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான் குடுத்திருக்கான் மூளை
தோள்ளிருக்க சொல முழுங்கும் ஆளை
நீ தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான் குடுத்திருக்கான் மூளை
To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk,
God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand.
To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk,
God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand.
நாம்ம முழிச்சிக்கிட்டே இருக்கையிலும் கூட
நாம்ம முழிச்சிக்கிட்டே இருக்கையிலும் கூட
தலையில் மொளகா அரைக்க
ஆள் இருப்பான் கூட ஹோய்
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant,
Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant,
There will be cunning people trying to trick us and grind chillies on our heads!
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
தூங்காம ஓடுதடா ஆறு
அது தூங்கிப்புட்டா நமக்கு ஏது சோறு
தூங்காம ஓடுதடா ஆறு
அது தூங்கிப்புட்டா நமக்கு ஏது சோறு
The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping,
If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food?
The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping,
If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food?
ஓயாம சுத்துதடா பூமி
அட ஓயாம சுத்துதடா பூமி
அது ஓய்வெடுக்கும் நாள் இருந்தா காமி ஹோய்
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
The Earth spins around without ever stopping,
Oh, the Earth spins around endlessly,
Show me if there is ever a single day it takes a break!
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
கர்ணனை போல் வாழ்ந்திருந்தால் வீரன்
கும்பக்கர்ணனை போல் படுத்திருந்தா மூடன்
கர்ணனை போல் வாழ்ந்திருந்தால் வீரன்
கும்பக்கர்ணனை போல் படுத்திருந்தா மூடன்
If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero,
If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool.
If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero,
If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool.
நீ வீரனை போள் வாழனும்டா தம்பி
நீ வீரனை போள் வாழனும்டா தம்பி
இந்த ஊரு உலகம் இருகுது உன்னை நம்பி ஹோய்
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
You must live like a true hero, my brother,
You must live like a true hero, my brother,
This entire town and world rely on you with high hopes!
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
பட்டுக்கோட்டை வார்த்தைகளை போட்டு
நம்ப புரட்ச்சியாரு பாடி வெச்ச பாட்டு
கண்ணு முழிச்சுக்கடா நீயும் இதை கேட்டு
உன் சுறுசுறுப்பை காரியத்தில் காட்டு
தூங்காதே தம்பி தூங்காதே
இப்போ தூங்கிப்புட்டு பின்னாடி ஏங்காதே
Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram,
This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang.
Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this,
And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions.
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Pattukkottai vaarthaigalai pottu
Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram,
Namba puratchiyaaru paadi vecha paattu
This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang.
Kannu muzhichukkadaa neeyum idhai kettu
Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this,
Un surusuruppai kaariyathil kaattu
And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions.
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Thollirukka sola muzhunghum aalai
To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk,
Nee therinjukkathaan kuduthurukkaan moolai
God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand.
Thollirukka sola muzhunghum aalai
To spot a deceptive person who swallows an entire sugarcane grove while leaving the husk,
Nee therinjukkathaan kuduthurukkaan moolai
God gave you a brain so that you can discern and understand.
Naama muzhichukkittae irukkaiyilum kooda
Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant,
Naama muzhichukkittae irukkaiyilum kooda
Even when we remain wide awake and vigilant,
Thalaiyil molagaa araikka aal iruppaan kooda hoi
There will be cunning people trying to trick us and grind chillies on our heads!
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Thoongaama odudhada aaru
The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping,
Adhu thoongipputtaa nammakku yedhu soru
If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food?
Thoongaama odudhada aaru
The river flows ceaselessly without sleeping,
Adhu thoongipputtaa nammakku yedhu soru
If it stops to sleep, where will we get our daily food?
Oyaama suthuthadaa bhoomi
The Earth spins around without ever stopping,
Ada oyaama suthuthadaa bhoomi
Oh, the Earth spins around endlessly,
Adhu oivedukkum naal irundhaa kaami hoi
Show me if there is ever a single day it takes a break!
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Karnanai pol vaazhndhirundhaal veeran
If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero,
Kumbhakkarnanai pol paduthirundhaa moodan
If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool.
Karnanai pol vaazhndhirundhaal veeran
If you live generously and valiantly like Karna, you are a true hero,
Kumbhakkarnanai pol paduthirundhaa moodan
If you lie down sleeping like Kumbhakarna, you are a fool.
Nee veeranai pol vaazhanum da thambhi
You must live like a true hero, my brother,
Nee veeranai pol vaazhanum da thambhi
You must live like a true hero, my brother,
Indha ooru ulagam irukudhu unnai nambhi hoi
This entire town and world rely on you with high hopes!
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Pattukkottai vaarthaigalai pottu
Woven with the famous words of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram,
Namba puratchiyaaru paadi vecha paattu
This is the song that our Revolutionary Leader (MGR) once sang.
Kannu muzhichukkadaa neeyum idhai kettu
Keep your eyes wide open and alert after listening to this,
Un surusuruppai kaariyathil kaattu
And demonstrate your enthusiasm through your actions.
Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae
Don't sleep, little brother, don't sleep.
Ippo thoongiputtu pinnaadi yengaadhae
Don't sleep now and yearn in regret later.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic song serves as a powerful motivational anthem advising youth against laziness, negligence, and ignorance. The lyricist Vaali pays homage to the legendary poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram and political icon M.G. Ramachandran (Puratchi Thalaivar), who originally popularized similar social reform songs. The song urges the listener to remain vigilant against deceitful people in society and stresses that active diligence is necessary for personal and societal growth. Through vivid natural allegories like the restless river and the spinning Earth, along with mythological contrasts between Karna (the heroic giver) and Kumbhakarna (the perpetual sleeper), the track emphasizes that youth must stay awake, wise, and proactive to fulfill their duties to society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Karnanai pol vaazhndhirundhaal veeran / Kumbhakkarnanai pol paduthirundhaa moodan”
Matching second consonants in consecutive lines (e.g., 'Thoongaadhae' and 'Ippo' share vowel-consonant structure; 'Karnanai' and 'Kumbhakkarnanai' share 'r' / 'm' soft sounds).
Metaphor & Idiom
“Thalaiyil molagaa araikka aal iruppaan kooda hoi”
The phrase 'Thalaiyil molagaa araikka' (grinding chillies on one's head) is a classical Tamil idiom meaning to dupe or trick someone deceptively.
Personification & Allusion
“Thoongaama odudhada aaru / Adhu thoongipputtaa nammakku yedhu soru”
Nature (river, earth) is given human traits of resting/sleeping, while mythological characters (Karna, Kumbhakarna) serve as moral contrasts.
Repetition / Anaphora
“Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae”
The refrain 'Thoongaadhae thambhi thoongaadhae' is repeated regularly to reinforce the core message of constant vigilance.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from the 1983 movie 'Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey' starring Kamal Haasan was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Lyricist Vaali intentionally opens the song by crediting poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram and M.G. Ramachandran ('Puratchiyaaru'), referencing MGR's famous 1958 song 'Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey' from the movie 'Nadodi Mannan'. It bridges two generations of Tamil cinema history and social reform music.
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