Nietzschean philosophy in Tamil movie

Continuing in our series of exploration of smacks of philosophy in Tamil film, we will look into a MGR starred 1971 film, Rickshawkaran. It must have been a year to honour the little men of the cheaper mass public transportation sector, the trishaw men! Later that year, another film, Babu, was released with Sivaji Ganesan as a dedicated cart pulling trishaw man makes a graduate out of his adopted daughter.

I did not realise that quite early in childhood I had been infused, rather subliminally with Nietzschean philosophy. Of course, the Indian screenwriters need not look up to Nietzsche for inspiration as the Vedic scriptures already have in abundance a treasure chest so filled with philosophy that would last many generations. 

In this song, MGR a MA graduate, yes Masters of Arts, who just finds being a rickshaw rider more rewarding than other bourgeois professions, tries to pacify a child from the monstrosities around her. Her father had  been murdered and MGR is trying to find justice for her.

In his eyes, he sees the masters as the evil ones trying to do non-virtuous things which the masters think it is their birthright. The slaves, being in a helpless situation, try to pacify themselves that the real judgment would be meted in the end at probably when the real Judgement Day comes. The priestly clan, in the form of MGR comes to the rescue of the slaves. In doing so, the priest also finds own solace.

Life is not fair, the slaves perceived it, as they see the masters frolic in merriment of their achievements. The slaves with their own set of morals try look at these in disdain, seek comfort that their pains and suffering will somehow elevate them metaphysically. The masters feel it is right to enjoy after all the risks and tiring mental calisthenics that they had to endure. The world is now and they are living the life and improving it.

Both parties try to justify their action, ennoble themselves and make sense on their time on earth; one physically and the other metaphysically. The priests too go in with their own agenda, for self-purity!

My amateurish attempt at translation of the song.

Let the people laugh, their haughty laughs.
Your golden smile is a glorious delight.

When the day comes, when world gives the Final Judgement,

Then we will know who'll laugh and who'll cry. 

Humans laugh till they ache in the belly.

Those who laugh at others' aches are animals.
In guise of human clothing, animals live in the country.

Justice and honesty are written in stone.

Is deviating, bending and curling called law?

And to deflect, you need a lawyer with a law degree.
Children of Lady Justice, Will a mother ever blind her children?

Will truth stay mum? to make us bow in shame. 

When the fence that was to guard starts eating the plant,

we're supposed to stay quiet?
I'll have my hand in it,

I'll ask when time comes,

I'll show the cat is a tiger,

as time goes on,

I'll show 'em!