Sirkazhi Govindarajan’s “Nandri Ketta Manitharukku” is from the 1960 film Irumbu Thirai, starring Sivaji Ganesan. Kothamangalam Subbu wrote the lyrics for S. V. Venkatraman’s composition. The song opens with a promise not to fear or trust “ungrateful people” who use pleasing lies.
Nandri Ketta Manitharukku
Sirkazhi Govindarajan • From “Irumbu Thirai (1960)”
The verses describe money trampling the poor, causing the laborers’ hearts to boil with rage. A warning is issued to the mocking crowd that the winds have changed direction and they must run. The laborers declare they will demand justice even if their chests are torn open.
Nandri Ketta ManitharukkuWe won’t stand in fear of ungrateful people
Navinikka PoiyuraikkumNor will we trust those
Perai Nambamattomwho speak with pleasing lies
Endru Kooruvomada Ondru SeruvomadaLet’s declare this and unite together
Veeru Kondu SingampolWith the fierce courage of a lion
MunneruvomadaWe will charge forward
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
Nenju KothikkuthuHearts are boiling with rage
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
Nenju KothikkuthuHearts are boiling with rage
Vanjanaikkum AnjidomWe don’t fear betrayal
Vanjanaikkum AnjidomWe won’t fear deception
Panjam Noikku AnjidomWe don’t fear famine and disease
Pattinikkum AnjidomWe won’t fear starvation
Pattinikkum AnjidomWe aren’t afraid of hunger
Panjam Noikku AnjidomWe don’t fear plague or scarcity
Pattinikkum AnjidomWe will not be afraid of starvation
Nenjinai Pilantha PothumEven if our chests are torn open
Needhi Ketka AnjidomWe won’t fear demanding justice
Nenjinai Pilantha PothumThough they may rip our hearts apart
Needhi Ketka AnjidomWe will not be afraid to ask for what is right
Nermaiyattra PergalinAt the feet of dishonest people
Kalgalai VanangidomWe will not bow down
Nermaiyattra PergalinBefore those who lack integrity
Kalgalai VanangidomWe will never fall and worship
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
Nenju KothikkuthuHearts are boiling with rage
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
Nenju KothikkuthuHearts are boiling with rage
Kali Endrum Kooli EndrumCalling us ‘rogues’ and ‘day-laborers’
Keli Seiyum KoottameOh, you mocking crowd
Kaththu Mari Adikkuthu NeerThe wind has changed its direction
Edukka Venum OttameYou had better start running
Edukka Venum OttameIt’s time for you to flee
Edukka Venum OttameYou will have to run for your lives
Kali Endrum Kooli EndrumJeering at us as ‘vagrants’ and ‘hirelings’
Keli Seiyum KoottameOh, you scornful mob
Kaththu Mari Adikkuthu NeerThe tides of change are turning now
Edukka Venum OttameAnd you will have to take flight
Thali Katti KondaLike the wife to whom you tied
Manaivi Poluazhiththa EngalaiThe sacred ‘thali’, you tormented us
Thali Katti KondaLike the bride you wed with a sacred ‘thali’
Manaivi Poluazhiththa EngalaiYou have brought us to ruin
Thavikka Vitta Perai EnthaThe ones who left us here to suffer
Nalum Marakka MattomeWe will not forget them, not for a single day
Thavikka Vitta Perai EnthaThose who abandoned us in our anguish
Nalum Marakka MattomeWe will never, ever forget them
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
Nenju KothikkuthuHearts are boiling with rage
Eliya Makkal Thalaiyil KasuMoney climbs on the heads of the poor
Yeri Mithikkuthu IdhaiAnd it tramples them down
Enni Enni ThozhilalarThinking of this, the laborers’
The song starts with a personal refusal to fear and grows into a collective threat against oppressors. This movement creates an anthem for workers uniting to demand fairness. The meaning of the “Nandri Ketta Manitharukku” lyrics is a direct call for an uprising against exploitation.
