Panamirukkira Manusan Lyrics English Translation: Ratha Pasam | P. Leela
P. Leela performs ‘Panamirukkira Manusan’ from the album Ratha Pasam. Lyricist Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniyam and composer A. V. Nadarajan create a direct critique of economic inequality. The vocals emphasize contrasts between wealth and moral character.
Panamirukkira Manusan
P. Leela • From “Ratha Pasam”
Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniyam
Composer
A. V. Nadarajan
Ratha Pasam’s Panamirukkira Manusan Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniyam observes hungry individuals lacking rice while landowners remain idle. He describes farmers without fields and laborers exhausting themselves for survival. These examples expose systemic injustice through specific situations.
Panam Irukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got money,
Manamillae Nalla Gunamillaehas no heart and no good character.
Nalla Manamirukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got a good heart,
Panamillaehas no money.
Manamirukkira Manushan Kitta PanamillaeThe man who’s got a heart has no money.
Panam Irukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got money,
Manamillaehas no heart.
Nalla Manamirukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got a good heart,
Panamillaehas no money.
Maadi Melae MaadiyunduHe’s got floor upon floor in his mansion.
Vaasal Kakka NaayumunduHe’s got a dog to guard the door.
Adimai Velaikki Pala PerunduHe’s got many people for slave-like work.
Vidhavidhamaaga Caar Undu Ellam IrundhumHe’s got all kinds of cars, but even with all that,
Panam Irukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got money,
Manamillaehas no heart.
Nalla Manamirukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got a good heart,
Panamillaehas no money.
Pasi Irukkira Manushanukku SorillaeThe hungry man’s got no rice.
Thingha SorillaeHe’s got no rice to eat.
Kaiyile Pasaiyirukkira ManushanukkuFor the man with ‘wealth’ in his hands,
Pasiyillae Vayithu Pasiyillaehe’s got no hunger, no hunger in his belly.
Mannai Vetti PonneduthuHe digs the earth to find gold.
Malaiya Vetti Mani EduthuHe cuts the mountains to find gems.
Kalludaichu Kaitheri NenjiHe breaks stones and weaves on a handloom.
Viraghu Kattai Vetti Rickshaa Vandi IluthuHe chops firewood and pulls a rickshaw.
Aluthu PonaaOnce he’s worn out,
Pasi Irukkira Manushanukku SorillaeThe hungry man’s got no rice.
Thingha SorillaeHe’s got no rice to eat.
Kaiyile Pasaiyirukkira ManushanukkuFor the man with ‘wealth’ in his hands,
Pasiyillae Vayithu Pasiyillaehe’s got no hunger, no hunger in his belly.
Paadupadum Uzhavanukku NilamillaeThe hardworking farmer’s got no land.
Kani NilamillaeHe’s got no fertile land.
Adhai Thedi Vecha Seemn Odambhu ValaiyalaeThe wealthy man who hoarded it doesn’t even bend his body to work.
Ulagam Pora Pokku Onnum SariyillaThe way the world’s going isn’t right.
Nilaimai SariyillaThe situation isn’t right.
Idhai Olunghu Panni AmaichukittaIf we set this right and organize it,
Azhivillae Yedhum Azhivillaethere won’t be any destruction, no destruction at all.
Panam Irukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got money,
Manamillae Nalla Gunamillaehas no heart and no good character.
Nalla Manamirukkira Manushan KittaThe man who’s got a good heart,
Panamillaehas no money.
Manamirukkira Manushan Kitta PanamillaeThe man who’s got a heart has no money.
The Ratha Pasam track demands fair resource distribution in its Tamil lyrics meaning. Balasubramaniyam argues that correcting imbalances prevents societal collapse. This message retains urgency decades after release.
