Yaanaiyin Balam
From Idhayam Parkiradhu · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Idhayam Parkiradhu1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa…..aaha….aa… oo….oohho ho….. | Ah... aaha... aa... oo... oohho ho... |
| Chorus :Ahaa ahaa aahaa….. | Chorus: Ahaa ahaa aahaa... |
| Male | |
| Yaanaiyin balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae | Where lies an elephant's strength? In its trunk! |
| Manithanoda balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae | Where lies a human's strength? In hope! |
| Male | |
| Yaanaiyin balam edhilae | Where lies an elephant's strength? |
| Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae | Chorus: In its trunk! |
| Male :Manithanoda balam edhilae | Male: Where lies a human's strength? |
| Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae | Chorus: In hope! |
| Chorus | |
| Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Male: Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Male | |
| Aadhi manithan kadalai kandu | Early man saw the ocean, |
| Payanthathum undu | And was afraid of it. |
| Aduththu vantha manithan konjam | The man who came next, |
| Thuninthathum undu | Was a little braver. |
| Chorus | |
| Antha nampikkaithaan vilakku | That hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Male | |
| Yaanaiyin balam edhilae | Where lies an elephant's strength? |
| Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae | Chorus: In its trunk! |
| Male :Manithanoda balam edhilae | Male: Where lies a human's strength? |
| Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae | Chorus: In hope! |
| Male | |
| Kangal paarkkavillai endraal | If the eyes cannot see, |
| Idhayam paarkkattum | Let the heart see. |
| Nammai kadavul paarkkavillai endraal | If God does not look upon us, |
| Kaalam paarkkattum | Let time look upon us. |
| Male | |
| Moondru kangal kadavulukku | Does God not have three eyes? |
| Vanthathillaiy | It isn't meant for God alone; |
| Antha moondraavathu kann | Isn't that third eye, |
| Namm manathil illaiyo | Present in our minds too? |
| Chorus | |
| Paavaththirkku thandanaiyaa | Is losing sight a punishment, |
| Paarvai ponathu | Inflicted for sins? |
| Male :Kann paarvai ulla manithar thaanae | Male: Isn't it people with eyesight, |
| Paavam seivathu | Who actually commit sins? |
| Male | |
| Yaettra thaazhvai maruppatharkko | Did we become blind, |
| Gurudar aanathu | Just to ignore social inequality? |
| Chorus: Namm ellorukkum engirunthu | Chorus: From where did our kinship, |
| Uravu vanthathu | Originate for all of us? |
| Male | |
| Aduththavanai koduppavargal | Those who betray others, |
| Arivu gurudargal petra | Are blind in wisdom; those who forget, |
| Annaiyaiyum marappavargal | Even the mother who gave birth to them, |
| Anbu gurudargal | Are blind in love; |
| Male | |
| Anaiththavanai veruppavargal | Those who hate the one who embraced them, |
| Nandri gurudargal | Are blind in gratitude; |
| Chorus | |
| Naam aandavaanaal padaikkappatta | We are created by God, |
| Piravi gurudargal | As blind by birth. |
| Naam aandavanaal padaikkappatta | We are created by God, |
| Piravi gurudargal…. | As blind by birth... |
| Chorus | |
| Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Male: Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Chorus | |
| Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
| Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku | Male: Hope is the guiding lamp, |
| Iru kann izhantha namakku | For us who have lost both eyes. |
ஆ.......அஹ.....ஆ....ஓ.....ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோ......
குழு :
அஹா அஹா ஆஹா
Ah... aaha... aa... oo... oohho ho...
Chorus: Ahaa ahaa aahaa...
ஆண்
: யானையின் பலம் எதிலே தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே நம்பிக்கையிலே
Where lies an elephant's strength? In its trunk!
Where lies a human's strength? In hope!
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே
குழு :
தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே
குழு :
நம்பிக்கையிலே
Where lies an elephant's strength?
Chorus: In its trunk!
Male: Where lies a human's strength?
Chorus: In hope!
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே நம்பிக்கையிலே
Early man saw the ocean,
And was afraid of it.
The man who came next,
Was a little braver.
ஆதி மனிதன் கடலை கண்டு
பயந்ததும் உண்டு
அடுத்து வந்த மனிதன் கொஞ்சம்
துணிந்ததும் உண்டு
That hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
பயந்து போன மனிதன் அந்த
கரையிலே நின்றான்
துணிந்தவனோ படகு கட்டி
கடலையும் வென்றான்
Where lies an elephant's strength?
Chorus: In its trunk!
Male: Where lies a human's strength?
Chorus: In hope!
அந்த நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
If the eyes cannot see,
Let the heart see.
If God does not look upon us,
Let time look upon us.
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே
குழு :
தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே
குழு :
நம்பிக்கையிலே
Does God not have three eyes?
It isn't meant for God alone;
Isn't that third eye,
Present in our minds too?
கண்கள் பார்க்கவில்லை என்றால்
இதயம் பார்க்கட்டும்
நம்மை கடவுள் பார்க்கவில்லை என்றால்
காலம் பார்க்கட்டும்
Is losing sight a punishment,
Inflicted for sins?
Male: Isn't it people with eyesight,
Who actually commit sins?
மூன்று கண்கள் கடவுளுக்கு
வந்ததில்லையோ அந்த
மூன்றாவது கண் நம்
மனதில் இல்லையோ......
Did we become blind,
Just to ignore social inequality?
Chorus: From where did our kinship,
Originate for all of us?
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே நம்பிக்கையிலே
Those who betray others,
Are blind in wisdom; those who forget,
Even the mother who gave birth to them,
Are blind in love;
பாவத்திற்கு தண்டனையா
பார்வை போனது
கண் பார்வை உள்ள மனிதர் தானே
பாவம் செய்வது...
Those who hate the one who embraced them,
Are blind in gratitude;
ஏற்ற தாழ்வை மறப்பதர்க்கோ
குருடர் ஆனது
குழு :
நம் எல்லோருக்கும் எங்கிருந்து
உறவு வந்தது.....
We are created by God,
As blind by birth.
We are created by God,
As blind by birth...
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே நம்பிக்கையிலே
Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
அடுத்தவனை கெடுப்பவர்கள்
அறிவு குருடர்கள் பெற்ற
அன்னையையும் மறப்பவர்கள்
அன்பு குருடர்கள்
Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
For us who have lost both eyes.
அணைத்தவனை வெறுப்பவர்கள்
நன்றி குருடர்கள்
நாம் ஆண்டவனால் படைக்கப்பட்ட
பிறவி குருடர்கள்
நாம் ஆண்டவனால் படைக்கப்பட்ட
பிறவி குருடர்கள்.....
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
யானையின் பலம் எதிலே தும்பிக்கையிலே
மனிதனோட பலம் எதிலே நம்பிக்கையிலே
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
நம்பிக்கை தான் விளக்கு
இரு கண் இழந்த நமக்கு
Aa…..aaha….aa… oo….oohho ho…..
Ah... aaha... aa... oo... oohho ho...
Chorus :Ahaa ahaa aahaa…..
Chorus: Ahaa ahaa aahaa...
Yaanaiyin balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae
Where lies an elephant's strength? In its trunk!
Manithanoda balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae
Where lies a human's strength? In hope!
Yaanaiyin balam edhilae
Where lies an elephant's strength?
Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae
Chorus: In its trunk!
Male :Manithanoda balam edhilae
Male: Where lies a human's strength?
Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae
Chorus: In hope!
Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Aadhi manithan kadalai kandu
Early man saw the ocean,
Payanthathum undu
And was afraid of it.
Aduththu vantha manithan konjam
The man who came next,
Thuninthathum undu
Was a little braver.
Antha nampikkaithaan vilakku
That hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Yaanaiyin balam edhilae
Where lies an elephant's strength?
Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae
Chorus: In its trunk!
Male :Manithanoda balam edhilae
Male: Where lies a human's strength?
Chorus :Thumbikkaiyilae
Chorus: In hope!
Kangal paarkkavillai endraal
If the eyes cannot see,
Idhayam paarkkattum
Let the heart see.
Nammai kadavul paarkkavillai endraal
If God does not look upon us,
Kaalam paarkkattum
Let time look upon us.
Moondru kangal kadavulukku
Does God not have three eyes?
Vanthathillaiy
It isn't meant for God alone;
Antha moondraavathu kann
Isn't that third eye,
Namm manathil illaiyo
Present in our minds too?
Paavaththirkku thandanaiyaa
Is losing sight a punishment,
Paarvai ponathu
Inflicted for sins?
Male :Kann paarvai ulla manithar thaanae
Male: Isn't it people with eyesight,
Paavam seivathu
Who actually commit sins?
Yaettra thaazhvai maruppatharkko
Did we become blind,
Gurudar aanathu
Just to ignore social inequality?
Chorus: Namm ellorukkum engirunthu
Chorus: From where did our kinship,
Uravu vanthathu
Originate for all of us?
Aduththavanai koduppavargal
Those who betray others,
Arivu gurudargal petra
Are blind in wisdom; those who forget,
Annaiyaiyum marappavargal
Even the mother who gave birth to them,
Anbu gurudargal
Are blind in love;
Anaiththavanai veruppavargal
Those who hate the one who embraced them,
Nandri gurudargal
Are blind in gratitude;
Naam aandavaanaal padaikkappatta
We are created by God,
Piravi gurudargal
As blind by birth.
Naam aandavanaal padaikkappatta
We are created by God,
Piravi gurudargal….
As blind by birth...
Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Male :Nampikkaithaan vilakku
Male: Hope is the guiding lamp,
Iru kann izhantha namakku
For us who have lost both eyes.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This uplifting philosophical song from the movie Idhayam Parkiradhu (1974) addresses the inner strength, dignity, and spirit of the visually impaired. Lyricist Kannadasan opens with a wordplay contrasting 'Thumbikkai' (an elephant's trunk, where its physical power lies) with 'Nambikkai' (hope/faith, where human fortitude lies). The lyrics emphasize that physical blindness is not a curse or punishment, pointing out that true moral blindness belongs to sighted people who commit sins, betray others, or lack love and gratitude. The song encourages viewing the world through the heart and the 'third eye' of the mind rather than relying solely on physical vision. Through historical analogies of human progress and faith in time and divine justice, it serves as an inspiring anthem of hope and self-respect for those living without eyesight.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Wordplay (Iledai)
“Yaanaiyin balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae / Manithanoda balam edhilae thumbikkaiyilae [nambikkaiyilae]”
Kannadasan uses phonological similarity between 'Thumbikkai' (trunk) and 'Nambikkai' (faith/hope) to draw a poetic comparison between physical strength and mental fortitude.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Nampikkaithaan vilakku”
Hope is directly metaphorsed as a 'vilakku' (lamp) that provides light and guidance to those living in darkness.
Muran (Contrast / Irony)
“Kann paarvai ulla manithar thaanae / Paavam seivathu”
Contrasts physical vision with moral blindness, arguing that those with actual sight are the ones committing sins, whereas the blind are innocent.
Symbolism
“Antha moondraavathu kann / Namm manathil illaiyo”
The 'third eye' traditionally associated with Lord Shiva is used as a symbol for wisdom, intuition, and inner vision residing within the human mind.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features a famous linguistic cleverness by Kannadasan, leveraging the rhyming sound of 'Thumbikkai' (trunk) and 'Nambikkai' (faith). Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with music by T. R. Pappa, the composition remains one of Tamil cinema's iconic inspirational tracks celebrating resilience among the disabled.
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