Movie: Avandhaan Manidhan
Poet: Kannadasan
Music Director: MS Viswanathan
Singer: TM Sounderajan
This is another song written by Kannadasan for the movie ‘Avanthaan Manithan’ (அவன்தான் மனிதன், Only He is Human). The film tells the story of an industrialist with a tragic past. His wife died in childbirth, and his child drowned as a toddler. Despite his sorrows, he puts on a happy face and carries on his earthly duties, manning his matchstick plant and helping his employees.
Tragedy strikes again when the cargo ship transporting his merchandise goes down. Due to some technical issues, he does not get any compensation. He soon turns a pauper. His mansion is auctioned off.
His philanthropy elevated his favourite worker, who bought over his house and offered it to his boss. Unfortunately, the industrialist is too proud to take handouts. He downgrades himself to live with his faithful butler. The charity bug never left the industrialist. Despite being in dire straits, his addiction to giving charity never waned.
The above song appeared when the industrialist was sitting down, reflecting on the life he had lived.
Kannadasan thought his life, giving and giving even at times of trouble, was comparable to that of Karna’s in the Mahabharata. Hence the composition.
(1)ஆட்டுவித்தால் யாரொருவர் ஆடாதாரே கண்ணா ஆசையெனும் தொட்டினிலே ஆடாதாரே கண்ணா
Somebody is initiating the dance; no one is exempt, Kanna?
Nobody escapes the trap of desires.
Nobody escapes the trap of desires.
Interpretation: In the dance called life, God starts the ball rolling. Everyone has no choice but to partake in the reverie. But beware, we are entwined in it by the lure of pleasures. We are kept trapped in these chains of interpersonal bonds and worldly materials.
(2)நீ நடத்தும் நாடகத்தில் நானும் உண்டு (3)என் நிழலில் கூட அனுபவத்தில் சோகம் உண்டு
In the dance that you organise, I am also in it,
My shadows, too, feel the experience of melancholy.
My shadows, too, feel the experience of melancholy.
Interpretation: The emotions that life brings affect every part of our body. Our mannerisms, the way we move, and our general appearance are testimony to the fact.
(4) பகைவர்களை நானும் வெல்வேன் அறிவினாலே ஆனால் நண்பனிடம் தோற்று விட்டேன் பாசத்தாலே
I will win over enemies with intelligence,
But I lost to my friend because of affection.
But I lost to my friend because of affection.
Interpretation: We think we are logical and use our thinking sense to act wisely. The fact of the matter is, we are biased. The bonds that we build cloud our actions.
(5)பாஞ்சாலி உன்னிடத்தில் சேலை கேட்டாள் அந்த பார்த்தனவன் உன்னிடத்தில் கீதை கேட்டான் நானிருக்கும் நிலையில் உன்னை என்ன கேட்பேன் இன்னும் நன்மை செய்து துன்பம் வாங்கும் உள்ளம் கேட்ப்பேன்
Panjali (Draupadi) asked you for saree,
That Partha (Arjuna) asked you for the Gita,
What can I, in this situation, ask from you?
Even now, a heart to do good to be returned with tragedy.
That Partha (Arjuna) asked you for the Gita,
What can I, in this situation, ask from you?
Even now, a heart to do good to be returned with tragedy.
Interpretation: This is easily the most meaningful message in this song. It relates to the story of the Mahabharata. When Yudhishtra, the Pandava king, gambles off his kingdom and property, he also loses his wife, Draupadi (aka Panjali). When the Kaurava thought it was alright for them to disrobe and humiliate a menstruating queen, she pleaded to the Gods for a longer saree to protect her honour. On the eve of the Kurushetra War, Arjuna had cold feet. The idea of combating, mortally wounding or outright killing his uncles and cousins was confusing. For that, Krishna started what can now be termed a counselling session. The conversation was immortalised as the Bhagavad Gita (Gita). In the real world, when someone asks you what you really want, what do you say? First, you would think it is a trick question. What is the catch, and what is it for you? In the verse, the Poet quotes Karna's supposed request, 'the ability to continue helping people in next births'. Apparently, this was not mentioned in Valmiki's original version of the Mahabharata.
(6)கடலளவு கிடைத்தாலும் மயங்க மாட்டேன் அது கையளவே ஆனாலும் கலங்க மாட்டேன் உள்ளத்திலே உள்ளது தான் உலகம் கண்ணா இதை உணர்ந்து கொண்டால் துன்பமெல்லாம் விலகும் கண்ணா
Even when I get wealth as deep as the ocean, I won't be inebriated,
Even if it's just a handful, I won't be sad,
Only what is in your heart is your world, Kanna,
Only when this is realised does sadness go away, Kanna.
Even if it's just a handful, I won't be sad,
Only what is in your heart is your world, Kanna,
Only when this is realised does sadness go away, Kanna.
P.S. Krishna is also affectionately called Kanna, amongst many other names.
Interpretation: This is another life lesson. When endowed with great wealth, one should not be intoxicated by the pleasures it can offer. Even if it is hardly enough to go around, one should not falter. One should contend with what one has. This realisation leads to happiness. Be happy with what one has.
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