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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aattukku Valai Alanthu

From Puthisaligal · 1968

Lyricist
C. N. Muthu
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, K. Jamunarani, K. Swarna, S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Puthisaligal
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
14 Apr 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali
Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali
Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali
Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondri saeraadhoo
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru
Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru
Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum
Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru
Ahaa ..manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru
Nambikkai ondru
Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum
Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru
Ahaa…
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru
Enakkandha yogam irukku pinnadi paaru
Kidaikaamal pogalaagumoo
Female :Indhaangoo summaa irungooo abhisttu neenga
Edhirthennai pesathingooo
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Veettuku veedu vaasar padi
Roadukku roadu nooru nodi
Veettuku veedu vaasar padi
Roadukku roadu nooru nodi
Yaettiku potti vazhkaiyadi
Edhirthu ninnaa vetriyadi
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
Buthisaligal…(3)
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever,
The one who knows their own limits is wise.
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever,
The one who knows their own limits is wise.
Can't half desire and half wisdom come together?
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever.
She who buys a saree within her means is wise,
She who wears flowers that suit her hair is clever.
She who buys a saree within her means is wise,
She who wears flowers that suit her hair is clever.
Can't half desire and half wisdom come together?
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever.
A person has three hands, and hope is one of them,
A person has three hands, and hope is one of them.
Come what may, whatever happens... let it come,
Ready to face whatever comes our way!
Aha... a person has three hands,
And hope is one of them!
Come what may, whatever happens... let it come,
Ready to face whatever comes our way!
Women possess a golden jewel, and that is a smile,
Women possess a golden jewel, and that is a smile.
Without any expense, without any debt,
Without any expense or debt, wear it today!
Aha...
Women possess a golden jewel, and that is a smile.
Without any expense, without any debt,
Without any expense or debt, wear it today!
I have that good fortune ahead, just look,
Could it ever slip away from me?
Female: Look here, just keep quiet, you silly fool!
Don't talk back to me!
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever,
The one who knows their own limits is wise.
Can't half desire and half wisdom come together?
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever.
Every house has its own doorstep,
Every street takes a hundred seconds.
Every house has its own doorstep,
Every street takes a hundred seconds.
Life is a constant test of rivalry, my girl,
If you stand up and face it, victory is yours!
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever,
The one who knows their own limits is wise.
Can't half desire and half wisdom come together?
The one who sized a goat’s tail is clever.
Clever minds...(3)
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song from the 1968 film 'Puthisaligal' delivers practical life wisdom rooted in Tamil folk proverbs. Through the classic proverb of God measuring a goat's tail precisely so as not to burden it, the lyricist conveys that true wisdom lies in understanding one's personal boundaries and living within one's means. It counsels financial prudence, such as purchasing clothes relative to income and appreciating simple, cost-free virtues like a smile. In addition to financial self-restraint, the song advocates inner courage and resilience against life's conflicts. Metaphorically referring to self-confidence as a 'third hand', it encourages individuals to face challenges head-on without fear, balancing desire with intellect to achieve lasting victory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Folk Proverb / Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali”

Uses the traditional Tamil folk proverb about the goat's tail as a metaphor for divine moderation and self-awareness.

Wordplay / Paronomasia (Pun)

“Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru”

Plays with the phonetic similarity between 'ponnagai' (gold ornament) and 'punnagai' (smile) to highlight the value of a smile.

Rhyme / Monai and Etukai

“Veettuku veedu vaasar padi / Roadukku roadu nooru nodi”

Uses rhythmic rhyming line endings ('vaasar padi' and 'nooru nodi') to build a lively folk lyric structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening line references the ancient Tamil proverb 'Aatukku vaalai alanthu vechurukkan' (Nature/God gave the goat a short tail suited to its body), which is widely used in Tamil culture to urge people to live according to their status and capacity.

Keep listening

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