Yokkiyan Enbavan Ulagathile
From Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal · 1959
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Details
- Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vakkalae pirar vaazhvai keduthae vaazhvaaro | Will people live by ruining others' lives through their words? |
| Hoo ooo | Hoo ooo |
| Manathaalae kedukka vazhi paarthae iruppaaroo | Will they constantly scheme in their minds to destroy others? |
| Hooo oo | Hoo oo |
| Yakkaiyin balathaalae adithu pizhaipparoo | Will they survive by physically harming and exploiting others? |
| Allamaal nalloorai ariyaen paraparamae | Apart from this, I know no truly righteous person, O Supreme Divine! |
| Male | |
| Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae | A truly virtuous man in this world... |
| Oruthanum kedaiyathu | There is not even a single person! |
| Parama yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae | A supreme virtuous man in this world... |
| Oruthanum kedaiyathu | There is not even a single person! |
| Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu | Oh sir, not even one exists! |
| Yedhoo undunnu sonna | If anyone claims there is one, |
| Avanukku moonum irukkadhu | He too possesses all three desires! |
| Mani penn aasai ponn aasai | Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold— |
| Indha moonum irukkadhu | He possesses all these three desires! |
| Male | |
| Aasaiyinaale porandhu valarnthathu | Born and raised out of desire, |
| Ariya maanidar porappu | Is this rare human birth. |
| Adhu sadharanam aanadhum | Once life becomes ordinary, |
| Avasiyamaandhum kaasu panam kai iruppu | Having cash and money on hand becomes a necessity. |
| Andha kasu panam thannai | That cash and money, |
| Kanniyamaagavae kai therndhu | Until it is earned through honorable skills, |
| Varumvarai sirappu | It is dignified. |
| Idhai kavanithu paaru | Observe this carefully: |
| Uruttukkum poratukkum | Through deception and struggle, |
| Thiruttukullae than nadakuthu polappu | Livelihood operates entirely within dishonesty! |
| Male | |
| Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae | A truly virtuous man in this world... |
| Oruthanum kedaiyathu | There is not even a single person! |
| Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu | Oh sir, not even one exists! |
| Yedhoo undunnu sonna | If anyone claims there is one, |
| Avanukku moonum irukkadhu | He too possesses all three desires! |
| Mani penn aasai ponn aasai | Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold— |
| Indha moonum irukkadhu | He possesses all these three desires! |
| Male | |
| Illadha kodumai | What terrible injustice! |
| Yemattra therindhavan | The one who knows how to deceive, |
| Iruttil poduraan … | Hides money away in the dark... |
| Latchakanakkilae | In hundreds of thousands, |
| Kaimathi kaimaathi | Passing money from hand to hand, |
| Instalment aaguraan panam…… | He turns money into instalments... |
| Kallan endra peraal kaanadha podhu | When no one is watching, under the name of a petty thief, |
| Katharithuedukraan ponnu | He snatches gold away by cutting it off! |
| Perum kallan endra peraal kaanadha podhu | When no one is watching, under the name of a master thief, |
| Katharithuedukraan ponnu | He snatches gold away by cutting it off! |
| Kazhuthil katharithuedukraan ponnu | He snatches gold directly off the neck! |
| Nagai kadaiyinil vechukittu | Keeping it in a jewelry shop, |
| Kallaala urasikittu | Rubbing it against the touchstone, |
| Karaikkira chetty avan kannu | The merchant's eyes deceive and melt it away! |
| Male | |
| Idhil yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae | In all this, a truly virtuous man in this world... |
| Oruthanum kedaiyathu | There is not even a single person! |
| Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu | Oh sir, not even one exists! |
| Yedhoo undunnu sonna | If anyone claims there is one, |
| Avanukku moonum irukkadhu | He too possesses all three desires! |
| Mani penn aasai ponn aasai | Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold— |
| Indha moonum irukkadhu | He possesses all these three desires! |
| Male | |
| Theerkka tharisi pala noor aandile | Once in several hundred years, a prophet |
| Deivam pola vandhu porakalam | May be born like a deity. |
| Haa..aaa…haa..aa | Haa..aaa…haa..aa |
| Theerkka tharisi pala noor aandile | Once in several hundred years, a prophet |
| Deivam pola vandhu porakalam | May be born like a deity. |
| Pesum buthar gandhiyai polae | Like Buddha or Gandhi who spoke truth, |
| Sethum sagathu irukkalam | They remain immortal even after death! |
| Baaki yulla aatkalai ellam | All the rest of the people, |
| Pagutharivodu paarkalaam | We must view with rationalism! |
| Parppaan vallavan theetiyabadi | According to how the clever schemer draws the line, |
| Oru payal undaa sollu ketkalam | Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear! |
| Oru payal undaa sollu ketkalam | Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear! |
| Male | |
| Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae | A truly virtuous man in this world... |
| Oruthanum kedaiyathu | There is not even a single person! |
| Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu | Oh sir, not even one exists! |
| Yedhoo undunnu sonna | If anyone claims there is one, |
| Avanukku moonum irukkadhu | He too possesses all three desires! |
| Mani penn aasai ponn aasai | Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold— |
| Indha moonum irukkadhu | He possesses all these three desires! |
வாக்காலே பிறர் வாழ்வை கெடுத்தே வாழ்வாரோ
ஹோ ஓஓ
மனத்தாலே கெடுக்க வழி பார்த்தே இருப்பாரோ
ஹோ ஓ
யாக்கையின் பலத்தாலே அடித்துப் பிழைப்பாரோ
அல்லாமல் நல்லோரை அறியேன் பராபரமே
Will people live by ruining others' lives through their words?
Hoo ooo
Will they constantly scheme in their minds to destroy others?
Hoo oo
Will they survive by physically harming and exploiting others?
Apart from this, I know no truly righteous person, O Supreme Divine!
யோக்கியன் என்பவன் உலகத்திலே
ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
பரம யோக்கியன் என்பவன் உலகத்திலே
ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஐயா ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஏதோ உண்டுன்னு சொன்னா
அவனுக்கு மூணும் இருக்காது
மணி பெண் ஆசை பொன் ஆசை
இந்த மூணும் இருக்காது
A truly virtuous man in this world...
There is not even a single person!
A supreme virtuous man in this world...
There is not even a single person!
Oh sir, not even one exists!
If anyone claims there is one,
He too possesses all three desires!
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
He possesses all these three desires!
ஆசையினாலே பொறந்து வளர்ந்தது
அறிய மானிடர் பொறப்பு
அது சாதாரணம் ஆனாதும்
அவசியமானதும் காசு பணம் கை இருப்பு
அந்த காசு பணம் தன்னை
கன்னியமாகவே கை தேர்ந்து
வரும்வரை சிறப்பு
இதை கவனித்து பாரு
உருட்டுக்கும் பொரட்டுக்கும்
திருட்டுக்குள்ளே தான் நடக்குது பொழப்பு
Born and raised out of desire,
Is this rare human birth.
Once life becomes ordinary,
Having cash and money on hand becomes a necessity.
That cash and money,
Until it is earned through honorable skills,
It is dignified.
Observe this carefully:
Through deception and struggle,
Livelihood operates entirely within dishonesty!
யோக்கியன் என்பவன் உலகத்திலே
ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஐயா ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஏதோ உண்டுன்னு சொன்னா
அவனுக்கு மூணும் இருக்காது
மணி பெண் ஆசை பொன் ஆசை
இந்த மூணும் இருக்காது
A truly virtuous man in this world...
There is not even a single person!
Oh sir, not even one exists!
If anyone claims there is one,
He too possesses all three desires!
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
He possesses all these three desires!
இல்லாதகொடுமை
ஏமாற்ற தெரிந்தவன்
இருட்டில் போடுறான்...
லட்சகணக்கிலே
கைமாத்தி கைமாத்தி
இன்ஸ்டால்மெண்ட் ஆகுறான் பணம்......
கல்லன் என்ற பேரால் காணாத போது
கத்தரித்து எடுக்கறான் பொண்ணு
பெரும் கல்லன் என்ற பேரால் காணாத போது
கத்தரித்து எடுக்கறான் பொண்ணு
கழுத்தில் கத்தரித்து எடுக்கறான் பொண்ணு
நகை கடையினில் வெச்சுகிட்டு
கல்லால உரசிகிட்டு
கரைக்கிற செட்டி அவன் கண்ணு
What terrible injustice!
The one who knows how to deceive,
Hides money away in the dark...
In hundreds of thousands,
Passing money from hand to hand,
He turns money into instalments...
When no one is watching, under the name of a petty thief,
He snatches gold away by cutting it off!
When no one is watching, under the name of a master thief,
He snatches gold away by cutting it off!
He snatches gold directly off the neck!
Keeping it in a jewelry shop,
Rubbing it against the touchstone,
The merchant's eyes deceive and melt it away!
இதில் யோக்கியன் என்பவன் உலகத்திலே
ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஐயா ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஏதோ உண்டுன்னு சொன்னா
அவனுக்கு மூணும் இருக்காது
மணி பெண் ஆசை பொன் ஆசை
இந்த மூணும் இருக்காது
In all this, a truly virtuous man in this world...
There is not even a single person!
Oh sir, not even one exists!
If anyone claims there is one,
He too possesses all three desires!
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
He possesses all these three desires!
தீர்க்க தரிசி பல நூறு ஆண்டிலே
தெய்வம் போல வந்து பொறக்கலாம்
ஹா..ஆஆ...ஹா..ஆ
தீர்க்க தரிசி பல நூறு ஆண்டிலே
தெய்வம் போல வந்து பொறக்கலாம்
பேசும் புத்தர் காந்தியைப் போலே
செத்தும் சாகாது இருக்கலாம்
பாக்கி உள்ள ஆட்களை எல்லாம்
பகுத்தறிவோடு பார்க்கலாம்
பார்ப்பான் வல்லவன் தீட்டியபடி
ஒரு பயல் உண்டா சொல்லு கேட்கலாம்
ஒரு பயல் உண்டா சொல்லு கேட்கலாம்
Once in several hundred years, a prophet
May be born like a deity.
Haa..aaa…haa..aa
Once in several hundred years, a prophet
May be born like a deity.
Like Buddha or Gandhi who spoke truth,
They remain immortal even after death!
All the rest of the people,
We must view with rationalism!
According to how the clever schemer draws the line,
Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear!
Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear!
யோக்கியன் என்பவன் உலகத்திலே
ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஐயா ஒருதனும் கெடையாது
ஏதோ உண்டுன்னு சொன்னா
அவனுக்கு மூணும் இருக்காது
மணி பெண் ஆசை பொன் ஆசை
இந்த மூணும் இருக்காது
A truly virtuous man in this world...
There is not even a single person!
Oh sir, not even one exists!
If anyone claims there is one,
He too possesses all three desires!
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
He possesses all these three desires!
Vakkalae pirar vaazhvai keduthae vaazhvaaro
Will people live by ruining others' lives through their words?
Hoo ooo
Hoo ooo
Manathaalae kedukka vazhi paarthae iruppaaroo
Will they constantly scheme in their minds to destroy others?
Hooo oo
Hoo oo
Yakkaiyin balathaalae adithu pizhaipparoo
Will they survive by physically harming and exploiting others?
Allamaal nalloorai ariyaen paraparamae
Apart from this, I know no truly righteous person, O Supreme Divine!
Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae
A truly virtuous man in this world...
Oruthanum kedaiyathu
There is not even a single person!
Parama yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae
A supreme virtuous man in this world...
Oruthanum kedaiyathu
There is not even a single person!
Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu
Oh sir, not even one exists!
Yedhoo undunnu sonna
If anyone claims there is one,
Avanukku moonum irukkadhu
He too possesses all three desires!
Mani penn aasai ponn aasai
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
Indha moonum irukkadhu
He possesses all these three desires!
Aasaiyinaale porandhu valarnthathu
Born and raised out of desire,
Ariya maanidar porappu
Is this rare human birth.
Adhu sadharanam aanadhum
Once life becomes ordinary,
Avasiyamaandhum kaasu panam kai iruppu
Having cash and money on hand becomes a necessity.
Andha kasu panam thannai
That cash and money,
Kanniyamaagavae kai therndhu
Until it is earned through honorable skills,
Varumvarai sirappu
It is dignified.
Idhai kavanithu paaru
Observe this carefully:
Uruttukkum poratukkum
Through deception and struggle,
Thiruttukullae than nadakuthu polappu
Livelihood operates entirely within dishonesty!
Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae
A truly virtuous man in this world...
Oruthanum kedaiyathu
There is not even a single person!
Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu
Oh sir, not even one exists!
Yedhoo undunnu sonna
If anyone claims there is one,
Avanukku moonum irukkadhu
He too possesses all three desires!
Mani penn aasai ponn aasai
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
Indha moonum irukkadhu
He possesses all these three desires!
Illadha kodumai
What terrible injustice!
Yemattra therindhavan
The one who knows how to deceive,
Iruttil poduraan …
Hides money away in the dark...
Latchakanakkilae
In hundreds of thousands,
Kaimathi kaimaathi
Passing money from hand to hand,
Instalment aaguraan panam……
He turns money into instalments...
Kallan endra peraal kaanadha podhu
When no one is watching, under the name of a petty thief,
Katharithuedukraan ponnu
He snatches gold away by cutting it off!
Perum kallan endra peraal kaanadha podhu
When no one is watching, under the name of a master thief,
Katharithuedukraan ponnu
He snatches gold away by cutting it off!
Kazhuthil katharithuedukraan ponnu
He snatches gold directly off the neck!
Nagai kadaiyinil vechukittu
Keeping it in a jewelry shop,
Kallaala urasikittu
Rubbing it against the touchstone,
Karaikkira chetty avan kannu
The merchant's eyes deceive and melt it away!
Idhil yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae
In all this, a truly virtuous man in this world...
Oruthanum kedaiyathu
There is not even a single person!
Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu
Oh sir, not even one exists!
Yedhoo undunnu sonna
If anyone claims there is one,
Avanukku moonum irukkadhu
He too possesses all three desires!
Mani penn aasai ponn aasai
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
Indha moonum irukkadhu
He possesses all these three desires!
Theerkka tharisi pala noor aandile
Once in several hundred years, a prophet
Deivam pola vandhu porakalam
May be born like a deity.
Haa..aaa…haa..aa
Haa..aaa…haa..aa
Theerkka tharisi pala noor aandile
Once in several hundred years, a prophet
Deivam pola vandhu porakalam
May be born like a deity.
Pesum buthar gandhiyai polae
Like Buddha or Gandhi who spoke truth,
Sethum sagathu irukkalam
They remain immortal even after death!
Baaki yulla aatkalai ellam
All the rest of the people,
Pagutharivodu paarkalaam
We must view with rationalism!
Parppaan vallavan theetiyabadi
According to how the clever schemer draws the line,
Oru payal undaa sollu ketkalam
Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear!
Oru payal undaa sollu ketkalam
Tell me, is there a single pure fellow? Let us hear!
Yogiyan enbavan ulagathilae
A truly virtuous man in this world...
Oruthanum kedaiyathu
There is not even a single person!
Aiyaa oruthanum kedaiyathu
Oh sir, not even one exists!
Yedhoo undunnu sonna
If anyone claims there is one,
Avanukku moonum irukkadhu
He too possesses all three desires!
Mani penn aasai ponn aasai
Desire for money, desire for women, desire for gold—
Indha moonum irukkadhu
He possesses all these three desires!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical social commentary song from 'Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal' (1959) critiques human greed, moral hypocrisy, and the illusion of absolute saintliness. Written by the renowned rationalist poet Udumalai Narayanakavi, the song asserts that no ordinary person in the modern world is completely untainted by the three primal worldly desires ('Moovasai'): money/property, women, and gold. The lyricist exposes how society operates through trickery, financial exploitation, theft, and shady business practices disguised as respectable trades. While acknowledging that once in a few centuries, monumental figures like Buddha or Mahatma Gandhi are born and live on eternally through their ideals, the song urges people to apply rationalism ('Pagutharivu') when evaluating ordinary human beings. It emphasizes that beneath the surface, everyone is driven by self-interest and financial survival, making absolute saints an impossibility among common mortals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Avanukku moonum irukkadhu / Indha moonum irukkadhu”
The repetitive ending word 'irukkadhu' creates a rhythmic cadence emphasizing the universality of human desires.
Muran (Oxymoron / Paradox)
“Sethum sagathu irukkalam”
'Sethum' (even after dying) paired with 'sagathu irukkalam' (remaining immortal/alive) creates a poetic paradox describing eternal legacy.
Alliteration (Consonance)
“Mani penn aasai ponn aasai”
Repetition of nasal sounds ('m', 'n', 'nn') reinforces the traditional Tamil concept of the three primary worldly temptations ('Moovasai').
Satire / Irony (Angatham)
“Nagai kadaiyinil vechukittu / Kallaala urasikittu / Karaikkira chetty avan kannu”
Irony and satire are used to expose how respectable shopkeepers trick customers and exploit their gold using touchstones.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, a pioneering lyricist in Tamil cinema known for infusing Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's Dravidian rationalist and anti-caste philosophy into popular film music. The song makes specific references to Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi to contrast legendary moral icons with ordinary fallible humans who are driven by 'Moovasai' (the three worldly desires).
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