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
- Details
- Puthisaligal1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali | The one who knows their own limits is a wise person. |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali | The one who knows their own limits is a wise person. |
| Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo | Won't half desire and half wisdom join together? |
| Male | |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Female | |
| Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali | The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person. |
| Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali | The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person. |
| Female | |
| Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali | The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person. |
| Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali | The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person. |
| Female | |
| Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondri saeraadhoo | Won't half desire and half wisdom join together? |
| Female | |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Male | |
| Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru | Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one. |
| Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru | Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one. |
| Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum | Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may. |
| Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru | Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.' |
| Male | |
| Ahaa ..manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru | Aha... man has three hands inside him, |
| Nambikkai ondru | Faith is one. |
| Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum | Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may. |
| Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru | Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.' |
| Female | |
| Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru | The golden ornament women have is a smile. |
| Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru | The golden ornament women have is a smile. |
| Selavillaamal kadanillaamal | Without expense, without debt, |
| Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru | Without expense, without debt, acquire it today. |
| Female | |
| Ahaa… | Aha… |
| Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru | The golden ornament women have is a smile. |
| Selavillaamal kadanillaamal | Without expense, without debt, |
| Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru | Without expense, without debt, acquire it today. |
| Male | |
| Enakkandha yogam irukku pinnadi paaru | I have that good fortune, look behind you. |
| Kidaikaamal pogalaagumoo | Could it end up unobtained? |
| Female :Indhaangoo summaa irungooo abhisttu neenga | Female: Here, stay quiet, you foolish person! |
| Edhirthennai pesathingooo | Do not argue against me! |
| Female | |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Female | |
| Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali | The one who knows their own limits is a wise person. |
| Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo | Won't half desire and half wisdom join together? |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Male | |
| Veettuku veedu vaasar padi | Every house has a threshold. |
| Roadukku roadu nooru nodi | Every road has a hundred moments. |
| Veettuku veedu vaasar padi | Every house has a threshold. |
| Roadukku roadu nooru nodi | Every road has a hundred moments. |
| Yaettiku potti vazhkaiyadi | Life is a constant rivalry, my dear. |
| Edhirthu ninnaa vetriyadi | Standing up against it brings victory, my dear. |
| Male | |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Male | |
| Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali | The one who knows their own limits is a wise person. |
| Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo | Won't half desire and half wisdom join together? |
| Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali | The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person. |
| Chorus | |
| Buthisaligal…(3) | Wise people... (repeated 3 times) |
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி
அவனவன் எல்லையை தெரிந்து கொண்டவன் புத்திசாலி
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி
அவனவன் எல்லையை தெரிந்து கொண்டவன் புத்திசாலி
ஆசை பாதி அறிவு பாதி ஒன்று சேராதோ...
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி..
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
வரவுக்கு தகுந்த சேலை எடுப்பவள் புத்திசாலி
கூந்தலுக்கேற்ற பூவை முடிப்பவள் புத்திசாலி
The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person.
The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person.
வரவுக்கு தகுந்த சேலை எடுப்பவள் புத்திசாலி
கூந்தலுக்கேற்ற பூவை முடிப்பவள் புத்திசாலி
The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person.
The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person.
ஆசை பாதி அறிவு பாதி ஒன்று சேராதோ...
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
மனிதனுக்குள்ள கைகள் மூன்று நம்பிக்கை ஒன்று
மனிதனுக்குள்ள கைகள் மூன்று நம்பிக்கை ஒன்று
Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one.
Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one.
Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may.
Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.'
மனிதனுக்குள்ள கைகள் மூன்று நம்பிக்கை ஒன்று
மனிதனுக்குள்ள கைகள் மூன்று நம்பிக்கை ஒன்று
வருவது வரட்டும் எதுவானாலும் வருவது வரட்டும்
எதுவானாலும் சந்திப்போம் என்று
Aha... man has three hands inside him,
Faith is one.
Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may.
Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.'
ஆஹா......மனிதனுக்குள்ள கைகள் மூன்று
நம்பிக்கை ஒன்று
வருவது வரட்டும் எதுவானாலும் வருவது வரட்டும்
எதுவானாலும் சந்திப்போம் என்று
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
Without expense, without debt,
Without expense, without debt, acquire it today.
பெண்களுக்குள்ள பொன்னகை ஒன்று
புன்னகை என்று
பெண்களுக்குள்ள பொன்னகை ஒன்று
புன்னகை என்று
செலவில்லாமல் கடனில்லாமல்
செலவில்லாமல் கடனில்லாமல்
சேர்த்து கொள் இன்று
Aha…
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
Without expense, without debt,
Without expense, without debt, acquire it today.
ஆஹா......பெண்களுக்குள்ள பொன்னகை ஒன்று
புன்னகை என்று
செலவில்லாமல் கடனில்லாமல்
செலவில்லாமல் கடனில்லாமல்
சேர்த்து கொள் இன்று
I have that good fortune, look behind you.
Could it end up unobtained?
Female: Here, stay quiet, you foolish person!
Do not argue against me!
எனக்கந்த யோகம் இருக்கு பின்னாடி பாரு
கிடைக்காமல் போகலாகுமோ
இந்தாங்கோ சும்மா இருங்கோ அபிஷ்டு நீங்க
எதிர்த்தென்னை பேசாதீங்கோ....
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி......
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
அவனவன் எல்லையை தெரிந்து கொண்டவன் புத்திசாலி
ஆசை பாதி அறிவு பாதி ஒன்று சேராதோ...
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி..
Every house has a threshold.
Every road has a hundred moments.
Every house has a threshold.
Every road has a hundred moments.
Life is a constant rivalry, my dear.
Standing up against it brings victory, my dear.
வீட்டுக்கு வீடு வாசற்படி
ரோட்டுக்கு ரோடு நூறு நொடி
வீட்டுக்கு வீடு வாசற்படி
ரோட்டுக்கு ரோடு நூறு நொடி
ஏட்டிக்கு போட்டி வாழ்க்கையடி
எதிர்த்து நின்னா வெற்றியடி....
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி...
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
அவனவன் எல்லையை தெரிந்து கொண்டவன் புத்திசாலி
ஆசை பாதி அறிவு பாதி ஒன்று சேராதோ...
ஆட்டுக்கு வாலை அளந்து வைத்தவன் புத்திசாலி..
Wise people... (repeated 3 times)
புத்திசாலிகள்......(3)
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali
The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person.
Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali
The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person.
Varavukku thaguntha saelai eduppaval buthisaali
The woman who buys a saree suited to her income is a wise person.
Koondhalukkukaettra poovai mudippaval buthisaali
The woman who adorns her hair with suitable flowers is a wise person.
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondri saeraadhoo
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru
Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one.
Manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru nambikkai ondru
Man has three hands inside him, and faith is one.
Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum
Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may.
Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru
Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.'
Ahaa ..manidhanukkulla kaigal moondru
Aha... man has three hands inside him,
Nambikkai ondru
Faith is one.
Varuvadhu varattum edhuvaanaalum …varuvadhu varattum
Let come what may, whatever it is... let come what may.
Edhuvaanaalum sandhippom endru
Saying, 'We will face whatever comes.'
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal
Without expense, without debt,
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru
Without expense, without debt, acquire it today.
Ahaa…
Aha…
Pengalukkulla ponnagai ondru punnagai endru
The golden ornament women have is a smile.
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal
Without expense, without debt,
Selavillaamal kadanillaamal serthu kol indru
Without expense, without debt, acquire it today.
Enakkandha yogam irukku pinnadi paaru
I have that good fortune, look behind you.
Kidaikaamal pogalaagumoo
Could it end up unobtained?
Female :Indhaangoo summaa irungooo abhisttu neenga
Female: Here, stay quiet, you foolish person!
Edhirthennai pesathingooo
Do not argue against me!
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Veettuku veedu vaasar padi
Every house has a threshold.
Roadukku roadu nooru nodi
Every road has a hundred moments.
Veettuku veedu vaasar padi
Every house has a threshold.
Roadukku roadu nooru nodi
Every road has a hundred moments.
Yaettiku potti vazhkaiyadi
Life is a constant rivalry, my dear.
Edhirthu ninnaa vetriyadi
Standing up against it brings victory, my dear.
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Avanavan ellaiyai therinthu kondavan buthisaali
The one who knows their own limits is a wise person.
Aasai paadhi arivu paadhi ondru saeraadhoo
Won't half desire and half wisdom join together?
Aatukku vaalai alanthu vaithavan buthisaali
The one who measured the goat's tail to size is a wise person.
Buthisaligal…(3)
Wise people... (repeated 3 times)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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