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Aayiram Roobai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aanaakka Anthamadam

From Aayiram Roobai · 1964

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Aayiram Roobai
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
30 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ooyingu thavarame
Oorai yethi vayamae
Poyudhae veenaakkamae
Buvvaavae thedikanum
Aanaakka andha madam
Aavaatti sandhai madam
Aanaakka andha madam
Aavaatti sandhai madam
Adhuvum kood illangatti
Platform sondha idam
Adhuvum kood illangatti
Platform sondha idam
Aanaakka andha madam
Aavaatti sandhai madam
Machilae irundhadhan
Mausu innu ennadhae
Kuchile kudi iruntha
Korachalinnu kolladhae
Machu kuchu ellamae
Manasilae thaan irukku
Manasu neranjiruntha
Mathathellam nernjirukkum
Kedacha kanji thanni
Kedaikaatti koyathanni
Kedacha kanji thanni
Kedaikaatti koyathanni
Irukkavae irukkaiyilae
Ennathukku kavala kanni
Irukkavae irukkaiyilae
Ennathukku kavala kanni
Marathae padachavan thaan
Manusaala padachirukkaan
Marathae padachavan thaan
Manusaala padachirukkaan
Varadha yethukkathaan
Manasa koduthirukkaan
Varadha yethukkathaan
Manasa koduthirukkaan
Eduthukinnu porathukku
Thirudan varuvaannu
Eduthukinnu porathukku
Thirudan varuvaannu
Thuttulla seemaanga
Thoongaama mulipanga
Thuttulla seemaanga
Thoongaama mulipanga
Thuttum kaila illa
Thookathukkum panjam illa
Thuttum kaila illa
Thookathukkum panjam illa
Pttiyum thevai illa
Pottukkum vela illa
Without straying from the right path,
Without cheating the town to feed ourselves,
Time is just slipping away in vain,
We must go look for some food!
If things work out, there is that shelter,
If not, the market shed!
If things work out, there is that shelter,
If not, the market shed!
And if even that is not there,
The pavement is our very own home!
And if even that is not there,
The pavement is our very own home!
If things work out, there is that shelter,
If not, the market shed!
Just because someone lives in a mansion,
Do not think it makes them grand!
And if you live in a simple hut,
Do not feel low or small!
Mansions or huts, all of that
Lives only in the mind!
If your heart is content and full,
Everything else will fall into place!
If we find some, rice porridge water,
And if not, plain tap water!
If we find some, rice porridge water,
And if not, plain tap water!
When we have that to sustain us,
Why worry at all, my girl?
When we have that to sustain us,
Why worry at all, my girl?
The One who created the trees
Has created humans too!
The One who created the trees
Has created humans too!
To accept whatever comes our way,
He has given us a heart!
To accept whatever comes our way,
He has given us a heart!
Wondering if someone will carry it away,
Fearing that a thief will come,
Wondering if someone will carry it away,
Fearing that a thief will come,
Rich people with all their money
Lie awake all night without sleep!
Rich people with all their money
Lie awake all night without sleep!
We do not have a coin in our hands,
And we have no shortage of sound sleep!
We do not have a coin in our hands,
And we have no shortage of sound sleep!
We have no need for a lock,
And no use for a latch!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical folk-style track from Aayiram Roobai (1964) delivers a lighthearted yet profound message about contentment and peace of mind. The singer reflects on the transient nature of material wealth, pointing out that true happiness does not depend on living in a mansion or eating luxurious food. Whether one sleeps in a shelter, a market shed, or on a street platform, peace of mind matters most.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Rhyme on second letter)

“Machilae irundhadhan / Kuchile kudi iruntha”

Matching second consonant across lines (e.g., 'Machilae' and 'Kuchile', 'Thuttulla' and 'Thuttum').

Monaai (Alliteration on first letter)

“Machu kuchu ellamae / Manasilae thaan irukku / Manasu neranjiruntha”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across successive words or lines (e.g., 'Manasilae', 'Manasu', 'Mathathellam').

Contrast / Antitheton

“Thuttulla seemaanga Thoongaama mulipanga / Thuttum kaila illa Thookathukkum panjam illa”

Contrasting the worry-filled sleepless nights of the rich with the peaceful sleep of the penniless.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aayiram Roobai (1964) was directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan and scored by K. V. Mahadevan. A. Maruthakasi's lyrics brilliantly capture Madras street-colloquial Tamil ('Buvvaa', 'Mausu', 'Koyathanni') while instilling deep moral philosophy.

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