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Pattakkathi Bhairavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yaaro Neeyum Naanum

From Pattakkathi Bhairavan · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Pattakkathi Bhairavan
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
29 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Pala kodi maandharilae
Vilaiyaadum vaazhkaiyilae
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Kottai kattum raajaavukku
Pillai illaiyaam
Kuppai thotti mattum
Oru pillai eendradhaam
Kottai kattum raajaavukku
Pillai illaiyaam
Kuppai thotti mattum
Oru pillai eendradhaam
Kannirandu kaatchi ondru
Kannirandu kaatchi ondru
Rendu kannum rendu pakkam
Parkkum vannam
Seidhaal enna sollungalen
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Paadhai kandu neram kandu
Payanam seiyungal
Paasam ulla pillaikkellaam
Vaazhthu paadungal
Paadhai kandu neram kandu
Payanam seiyungal
Paasam ulla pillaikkellaam
Vaazhthu paadungal
Thaai arivaal magan gunathai
Thaai arivaal magan gunathai
Thaayum indri thandhai indri
Vaazhum pillai
Engae sellum sollungalen
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Pala kodi maandharilae
Vilaiyaadum vaazhkaiyilae
Yaaro neeyum naanum yaaro
Yaaro thaayum thandhai yaaro
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
Among millions of human beings,
in this playful game of life,
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
The king who builds great castles
has no child, they say.
Yet a garbage bin on the street
has birthed a child, they say.
The king who builds great castles
has no child, they say.
Yet a garbage bin on the street
has birthed a child, they say.
Two eyes see just one view,
two eyes see just one view.
If both eyes are made to look
in opposite directions,
what will happen? Tell me!
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
Find the right path and the right time,
and set out on your journey.
For every loving child,
sing your blessings.
Find the right path and the right time,
and set out on your journey.
For every loving child,
sing your blessings.
A mother knows her son's nature,
a mother knows her son's nature.
With no mother and no father,
a child living all alone—
where will he go? Tell me!
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
Among millions of human beings,
in this playful game of life,
Who are we? Who are you, and who am I?
Who are they? Who is a mother, and who is a father?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song delves deep into philosophical questions regarding identity, human relationships, fate, and societal ironies. The lyricist Kannadasan reflects on the transient nature of life among millions of humans, questioning who truly belongs to whom when relationships are often severed by circumstance or destiny. He highlights striking ironies—such as wealthy kings who long for an heir but have none, compared to abandoned children born near garbage bins, pointing out the unpredictable nature of birth and status. Through metaphors like eyes looking in different directions, the song illustrates disharmony and the plight of an orphan navigating the world without parental guidance or affection. Ultimately, it serves as a tender lament and a moral reflection on human compassion, urging society to bless and care for parentless children lost in life's journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kottai kattum raajaavukku / Kuppai thotti mattum”

The second letter 'p/t' sound aligns between 'Kottai' and 'Kuppai' across consecutive thematic lines.

Muran (Irony / Contrast)

“Kottai kattum raajaavukku Pillai illaiyaam / Kuppai thotti mattum Oru pillai eendradhaam”

Contrasts a wealthy king in a fortress having no child with a lowly garbage bin giving birth to/receiving an abandoned child.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Paadhai kandu neram kandu / Payanam seiyungal”

The initial letter 'P' is repeated across 'Paadhai' and 'Payanam'.

Metaphor

“Kannirandu kaatchi ondru”

Uses the unity of two eyes producing a single perception as a metaphor for harmony and shared purpose.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pattakkathi Bhairavan' (1979) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jaishankar. The song 'Yaaro Neeyum Naanum' was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, with lyrics penned by the legendary Kannadasan, known for infusing deep Vedantic philosophy into everyday cinema situations.

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