Thunive Thunai
From Vandhale Maharasi · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- Vaali
- Details
- Vandhale Maharasi1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Female | |
| Ada thatti ketka oru aalillaama | Hey, because there is no one to question and hold accountable |
| Rompa kettu pochu naadu | The country has spoiled very badly |
| Male :Avar kutta kutta naam kunintha kaalam | Male: The era when we bowed down as they kept pressing us down |
| Ini illai endru paadu | Sing that it exists no more hereafter |
| Both :Bayam illai endru paadu | Both: Sing that there is no fear anymore |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Female | |
| Kudisaiyil vaazhgindra kuppanum suppanum | Kuppan and Suppan who dwell in humble huts |
| Kudiyarasatchiyil mannar | Are the true kings in a democratic republic |
| Intha kudiyarasaatchiyil mannar | In this democratic republic, they are kings |
| Male :Antha mannar paathiyil pattini kidakkaiyil | Male: While that king lies starving halfway through life |
| Mattravarukkethappaa dinner | Why should others enjoy a lavish dinner? |
| Female | |
| Porantha naalaikku poster ottura | Pasting posters for their own birthdays |
| Periya manithargal yaarum | Are all these so-called great leaders |
| Adhai otturaanae antha thondan vayiruthaan | But the party worker who pastes those posters |
| Otti kidappathai paarum | Look at how his stomach clings to his spine in hunger |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Male | |
| Then kumari thottu vada imayam mattum | From southern Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas |
| Oru desam endru nee kooradaa | Say that it is one single nation, my friend |
| Orey desam endru nee kooradaa | Say that it is one single nation, my friend |
| Male | |
| Kumari thottu vada imayam mattum | From Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas |
| Oru desam endru nee kooradaa | Say that it is one single nation, my friend |
| Orey desam endru nee kooradaa | Say that it is one single nation, my friend |
| Female | |
| Kizhakku merkendrum therkku vadakkendrum | Dividing as East and West, South and North |
| Piriththu solvathu yaaradaa | Who is speaking to divide, my friend? |
| Naattai pirikka solvathu evandaa | Who is he that advocates partitioning the nation? |
| Male | |
| Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan | Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder |
| Naattukkazhakalla thambi | It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother |
| Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan | Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder |
| Naattukkazhakalla thambi | It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother |
| Edhirkaalam irukku unai nambi | The future relies entirely upon you |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Female | |
| Un thalaivan endru nee maalai podum mun | Before you garland someone calling him your leader |
| Avar thaguthi enna paaru | Check what his true worth and qualifications are |
| Avar thaguthi enna paaru | Check what his true worth and qualifications are |
| Female | |
| Avar seithathenna | What has he accomplished? |
| Avar searththathenna | What wealth or virtue has he accumulated? |
| Avar seithathenna | What has he accomplished? |
| Avar searththathenna | What wealth or virtue has he accumulated? |
| Dhinam paththu perai kelu | Ask ten people every day |
| Padicha paththu perai kelu | Ask ten educated people |
| Male | |
| Porul naadaaraaga pugazh naadaaraaga | Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame |
| Porul naadaaraaga pugazh naadaaraaga | Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame |
| Ulla manitha yaaru kelu | Ask who is the selfless human remaining |
| Avar udhavithaan namakku padhaviyaagumena | Proclaiming that his selfless service to us is our true rank |
| Oongi paattu paadu kural oongi paattu paadu | Sing out loud, raise your voice and sing out loud |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Chorus | |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
| Thunivey thunai thunive thunai | Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion |
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
அட தட்டிக் கேட்க ஒரு ஆளில்லாம
ரொம்ப கெட்டு போச்சு நாடு
அவர் குட்ட குட்ட நாம் குனிந்த காலம்
இனி இல்லை என்று பாடு
இருவர் :
பயம் இல்லை என்று பாடு...
Hey, because there is no one to question and hold accountable
The country has spoiled very badly
Male: The era when we bowed down as they kept pressing us down
Sing that it exists no more hereafter
Both: Sing that there is no fear anymore
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
குடிசையில் வாழ்கின்ற குப்பனும் சுப்பனும்
குடியரசாட்சியில் மன்னர்
இந்த குடியரசாட்சியில் மன்னர்
அந்த மன்னர் பாதியில் பட்டினி கிடக்கையில்
மற்றவருக்கேதப்பா டின்னர்
Kuppan and Suppan who dwell in humble huts
Are the true kings in a democratic republic
In this democratic republic, they are kings
Male: While that king lies starving halfway through life
Why should others enjoy a lavish dinner?
பொறந்த நாளைக்கு போஸ்டர் ஓட்டுற
பெரிய மனிதர்கள் யாரும்
அதை ஒட்டுறானே அந்த தொண்டன் வயிறுதான்
ஒட்டிக் கிடப்பதை பாரும்.....
Pasting posters for their own birthdays
Are all these so-called great leaders
But the party worker who pastes those posters
Look at how his stomach clings to his spine in hunger
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
From southern Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
தென் குமரி தொட்டு வட இமயம் மட்டும்
ஒரு தேசம் என்று நீ கூறடா
ஒரே தேசம் என்று நீ கூறடா
From Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
குமரி தொட்டு வட இமயம் மட்டும்
ஒரு தேசம் என்று நீ கூறடா
ஒரே தேசம் என்று நீ கூறடா
Dividing as East and West, South and North
Who is speaking to divide, my friend?
Who is he that advocates partitioning the nation?
கிழக்கு மேற்கென்றும் தெற்கு வடக்கென்றும்
பிரித்து சொல்வது யாரடா
நாட்டை பிரிக்க சொல்வது எவனடா
Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder
It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother
Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder
It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother
The future relies entirely upon you
துண்டு போடுவது தோளுக்கழகுதான்
நாட்டுக்கழகல்ல தம்பி
துண்டு போடுவது தோளுக்கழகுதான்
நாட்டுக்கழகல்ல தம்பி
எதிர்காலம் இருக்கு உனை நம்பி.....
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Before you garland someone calling him your leader
Check what his true worth and qualifications are
Check what his true worth and qualifications are
உன் தலைவன் என்று நீ மாலை போடும் முன்
அவர் தகுதி என்ன பாரு
அவர் தகுதி என்ன பாரு
What has he accomplished?
What wealth or virtue has he accumulated?
What has he accomplished?
What wealth or virtue has he accumulated?
Ask ten people every day
Ask ten educated people
அவர் செய்ததென்ன......
அவர் சேர்த்ததென்ன
அவர் செய்ததென்ன......
அவர் சேர்த்ததென்ன
தினம் பத்து பேரைக் கேளு
படிச்ச பத்து பேரைக் கேளு
Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame
Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame
Ask who is the selfless human remaining
Proclaiming that his selfless service to us is our true rank
Sing out loud, raise your voice and sing out loud
பொருள் நாடாராக புகழ் நாடாராக
பொருள் நாடாராக புகழ் நாடாராக
உள்ள மனிதர் யாரு கேளு
அவர் உதவிதான் நமக்கு பதவியாகுமென
ஓங்கி பாட்டு பாடு குரல் ஓங்கி பாட்டு பாடு
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
துணிவே துணை துணிவே துணை
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Ada thatti ketka oru aalillaama
Hey, because there is no one to question and hold accountable
Rompa kettu pochu naadu
The country has spoiled very badly
Male :Avar kutta kutta naam kunintha kaalam
Male: The era when we bowed down as they kept pressing us down
Ini illai endru paadu
Sing that it exists no more hereafter
Both :Bayam illai endru paadu
Both: Sing that there is no fear anymore
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Kudisaiyil vaazhgindra kuppanum suppanum
Kuppan and Suppan who dwell in humble huts
Kudiyarasatchiyil mannar
Are the true kings in a democratic republic
Intha kudiyarasaatchiyil mannar
In this democratic republic, they are kings
Male :Antha mannar paathiyil pattini kidakkaiyil
Male: While that king lies starving halfway through life
Mattravarukkethappaa dinner
Why should others enjoy a lavish dinner?
Porantha naalaikku poster ottura
Pasting posters for their own birthdays
Periya manithargal yaarum
Are all these so-called great leaders
Adhai otturaanae antha thondan vayiruthaan
But the party worker who pastes those posters
Otti kidappathai paarum
Look at how his stomach clings to his spine in hunger
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Then kumari thottu vada imayam mattum
From southern Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas
Oru desam endru nee kooradaa
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Orey desam endru nee kooradaa
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Kumari thottu vada imayam mattum
From Kanyakumari to northern Himalayas
Oru desam endru nee kooradaa
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Orey desam endru nee kooradaa
Say that it is one single nation, my friend
Kizhakku merkendrum therkku vadakkendrum
Dividing as East and West, South and North
Piriththu solvathu yaaradaa
Who is speaking to divide, my friend?
Naattai pirikka solvathu evandaa
Who is he that advocates partitioning the nation?
Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan
Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder
Naattukkazhakalla thambi
It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother
Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan
Draping a towel suits the beauty of the shoulder
Naattukkazhakalla thambi
It is not beauty to make pieces out of the nation, brother
Edhirkaalam irukku unai nambi
The future relies entirely upon you
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Un thalaivan endru nee maalai podum mun
Before you garland someone calling him your leader
Avar thaguthi enna paaru
Check what his true worth and qualifications are
Avar thaguthi enna paaru
Check what his true worth and qualifications are
Avar seithathenna
What has he accomplished?
Avar searththathenna
What wealth or virtue has he accumulated?
Avar seithathenna
What has he accomplished?
Avar searththathenna
What wealth or virtue has he accumulated?
Dhinam paththu perai kelu
Ask ten people every day
Padicha paththu perai kelu
Ask ten educated people
Porul naadaaraaga pugazh naadaaraaga
Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame
Porul naadaaraaga pugazh naadaaraaga
Without seeking material wealth, without seeking fame
Ulla manitha yaaru kelu
Ask who is the selfless human remaining
Avar udhavithaan namakku padhaviyaagumena
Proclaiming that his selfless service to us is our true rank
Oongi paattu paadu kural oongi paattu paadu
Sing out loud, raise your voice and sing out loud
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Thunivey thunai thunive thunai
Courage is the only companion, courage is the companion
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thunivey Thunai from Vandhale Maharasi (1973) is a powerful socio-political awakening song that calls upon the common citizens to rise up with courage and assert their democratic rights. Lyricist Vaali critically questions political exploitation, highlighting the contrast between extravagant political leaders and starving party workers who carry out their groundwork. The song emphasizes national unity from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas, warning against divisive regional politics. Through spirited vocals by P. Susheela and Seerkazhi Govindarajan under Shankar-Ganesh's energetic composition, the duet urges the youth to carefully evaluate leaders based on selfless public service rather than opportunistic promises. It reminds the working class that in a republic, the common man is the real king.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emoni / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words like 'Thundu' and 'Tholukku' or 'Porul' and 'Pugazh'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kudisaiyil vaazhgindra kuppanum suppanum / Kudiyarasatchiyil mannar”
Matching second character pattern 'ud' in Kudisaiyil and Kudiyarasatchiyil.
Wordplay / Pun (Shlesha)
“Thundu poduvathu tholukkazhakuthaan Naattukkazhakalla thambi”
Double meaning of 'Thundu' referring both to a folded shoulder-towel (garment) and 'thundu poduvathu' meaning tearing or partitioning the country.
Metaphor
“Kudisaiyil vaazhgindra kuppanum suppanum Kudiyarasatchiyil mannar”
Metaphorically elevating ordinary poor men (Kuppan and Suppan) living in huts as the true 'kings' (Mannar) of a republic.
Did you know?
Trivia
Vandhale Maharasi (1973) starred Jayalalithaa and Jaishankar. The song 'Thunivey Thunai' reflects the vibrant political lyricism characteristic of 1970s Tamil cinema, where songwriters like Vaali embedded strong social critiques, democratic ideals, and messages on national integration within mainstream film soundtracks.
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