Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Nalla Theerppu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adhu Irundhaal

From Nalla Theerppu · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Nalla Theerppu
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
13 Oct 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ellorum nampumpadi sollum thiranirunthaal
Sollilae unmai illai
Ullathai ullapadi sollum manithanidam
Unarnthidum thiramaiyillai
Unmaiyum nampa vaikkum
Thiranum amainthirunthaal
Ulagam athai yaerpathillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
Avanukkingae idamillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Angamathil mangaiyarkku
Azhagirunthaal arivillai
Aamaa angamathil mangaiyarkku
Azhagirunthaal arivillai
Aaraainthu mudivu seiyyum
Arivirunthaal azhagillai
Azhagum arivum amaintha pengal
Adhisayamaai piranthaalum
Kurugum manam kondavargal
Kulaukkaamal viduvathillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
Avanukkingae idamillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Palli sellum maanavarkku
Padippu vanthaal panamillai…yae…yae….
Palli sellum maanavarkku
Padippu vanthaal panamillai…
Panamirunthaal ilaingyarukku
Padippathilae manamillai
Manamirunthu padippu vanthu
Paritchaiyilum thaeri vittaal
Pala padigal yaeri irangi
Paarththaalum velaiyillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
Avanukkingae idamillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Pothuppaniyil selavalikka
Ninaikkumpothu porulillai
Porulum pugalum saerntha pinnae
Pothuppaniyil ninaivillai
Pothumaana porulum vanthu
Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal
Aa….aa…aa….aah…aa…
Pothumaana porulum vanthu
Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal
Potta thittam nirai vera
Koottaaligal sariyillai…
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
Avanukkingae idamillai
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If one has the skill to speak so everyone believes,
there is no truth in what is said.
In a person who speaks the plain truth,
there is no skill to persuade.
If both truth and the power
to convince others are present,
the world will not accept it.
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
If both that and this come together,
there is no place for him here!
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
In women, if physical beauty
is there, wisdom is missing.
Yes, in women, if physical beauty
is there, wisdom is missing.
If there is wisdom to think and decide,
beauty is missing.
Even if women with both beauty and wisdom
are born as rare wonders,
people with narrow minds
will never stop until they ruin them.
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
If both that and this come together,
there is no place for him here!
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
For students going to school,
if they have aptitude for studies, there is no money... yeah... yeah...
For students going to school,
if they have aptitude for studies, there is no money...
If the youth have money,
they have no mind for studying.
If the desire is there, learning comes easy,
and they even pass their exams,
after climbing up and down many doorsteps,
there is still no job.
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
If both that and this come together,
there is no place for him here!
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
When one wishes to spend on public good,
one has no money.
Once wealth and fame are gathered,
there is no thought of public good.
Even if enough wealth comes
and the thought of public good arises,
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
even if enough wealth comes
and the thought of public good arises,
to fulfill the plans that were made,
the companions are no good...
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
If both that and this come together,
there is no place for him here!
If that is there, this is not.
If this is there, that is not.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Athu Irunthaal Idhu Illai from the 1959 movie Nalla Theerppu, written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, is a satirical and philosophical masterpiece exploring the existential paradoxes of society. It observes that key human virtues, material conditions, and opportunities rarely align at the same time. Whether in communication (truth vs. persuasiveness), personal attributes (beauty vs. intellect), youth and career (education vs. wealth and employment), or social good (intent vs. financial capability and reliable companions), life continuously presents dualistic trade-offs.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Paradox

Athu irunthaal idhu illai / Idhu irunthaal adhu illai

Contrasting opposing forces that rarely exist together such as truth vs persuasion, intellect vs beauty, and education vs money.

Anaphora / Repetition

Athu irunthaal idhu illai

Structured chorus repetition emphasizing the recurring nature of life's contradictions.

Mónai (Initial Alliteration)

Palli sellum maanavarkku / Padippu vanthaal panamillai

Alliteration on initial consonant sounds across adjacent phrases like 'Palli', 'Padippu', and 'Panam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was celebrated for weaving deep philosophical observations about everyday social reality into simple, catchy rhythm. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan under S. M. Subbaiah Naidu's music composition, this song remains an enduring classic in Tamil film music history.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Nalla Theerppu

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.