Adhu Irundhaal
From Nalla Theerppu · 1959
- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Nalla Theerppu1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ellorum nampumpadi sollum thiranirunthaal | If one has the skill to speak convincingly so that everyone believes, |
| Sollilae unmai illai | There is no truth in those words. |
| Ullathai ullapadi sollum manithanidam | In the person who speaks the truth as it is, |
| Unarnthidum thiramaiyillai | There is no skill to make people realize it. |
| Unmaiyum nampa vaikkum | If both truth and convincing skill |
| Thiranum amainthirunthaal | Are present together, |
| Ulagam athai yaerpathillai | The world does not accept it. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal | If both that and this exist together, |
| Avanukkingae idamillai | There is no place for him here. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Male | |
| Angamathil mangaiyarkku | In women, if their physical form |
| Azhagirunthaal arivillai | Has beauty, there is no wisdom. |
| Aamaa angamathil mangaiyarkku | Yes, in women, if their physical form |
| Azhagirunthaal arivillai | Has beauty, there is no wisdom. |
| Aaraainthu mudivu seiyyum | If there is analytical wisdom |
| Arivirunthaal azhagillai | To judge and decide, beauty is absent. |
| Male | |
| Azhagum arivum amaintha pengal | Even if women blessed with both beauty and wisdom |
| Adhisayamaai piranthaalum | Are born as a rarity, |
| Kurugum manam kondavargal | Those with narrow minds |
| Kulaukkaamal viduvathillai | Will not let them live in peace. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal | If both that and this exist together, |
| Avanukkingae idamillai | There is no place for him here. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Male | |
| Palli sellum maanavarkku | For students going to school, |
| Padippu vanthaal panamillai…yae…yae…. | If they get education, there is no money... |
| Palli sellum maanavarkku | For students going to school, |
| Padippu vanthaal panamillai… | If they get education, there is no money... |
| Panamirunthaal ilaingyarukku | If youth have money, |
| Padippathilae manamillai | They have no mind to study. |
| Male | |
| Manamirunthu padippu vanthu | Even if they have the mind and get an education, |
| Paritchaiyilum thaeri vittaal | And pass in their examinations, |
| Pala padigal yaeri irangi | Even after climbing up and down many steps searching, |
| Paarththaalum velaiyillai | There is no job available. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal | If both that and this exist together, |
| Avanukkingae idamillai | There is no place for him here. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Male | |
| Pothuppaniyil selavalikka | When intending to spend on public service, |
| Ninaikkumpothu porulillai | There is no wealth. |
| Porulum pugalum saerntha pinnae | Once wealth and fame are acquired, |
| Pothuppaniyil ninaivillai | There is no thought of public service. |
| Male | |
| Pothumaana porulum vanthu | Even if sufficient wealth arrives, |
| Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal | And the thought of public service comes, |
| Aa….aa…aa….aah…aa… | Aa....aa...aa....aah...aa... |
| Pothumaana porulum vanthu | Even if sufficient wealth arrives, |
| Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal | And the thought of public service comes, |
| Potta thittam nirai vera | To fulfill the plans laid out, |
| Koottaaligal sariyillai… | The associates or partners are not right... |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
| Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal | If both that and this exist together, |
| Avanukkingae idamillai | There is no place for him here. |
| Male | |
| Athu irunthaal idhu illai | If that is present, this is absent; |
| Idhu irunthaal adhu illai | If this is present, that is absent. |
எல்லோரும் நம்பும்படி சொல்லும் திறனிருந்தால்
சொல்லிலே உண்மை இல்லை
உள்ளதை உள்ளபடி சொல்லும் மனிதனிடம்
உணர்ந்திடும் திறமையில்லை
உண்மையும் நம்ப வைக்கும்
திறனும் அமைந்திருந்தால்
உலகம் அதை ஏற்பதில்லை.......
If one has the skill to speak convincingly so that everyone believes,
There is no truth in those words.
In the person who speaks the truth as it is,
There is no skill to make people realize it.
If both truth and convincing skill
Are present together,
The world does not accept it.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
அதுவும் இதுவும் சேர்ந்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிங்கே இடமில்லை.........
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
If both that and this exist together,
There is no place for him here.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
அங்கமதில் மங்கையர்க்கு
அழகிருந்தால் அறிவில்லை
ஆமா அங்கமதில் மங்கையர்க்கு
அழகிருந்தால் அறிவில்லை
ஆராய்ந்து முடிவு செய்யும்
அறிவிருந்தால் அழகில்லை
In women, if their physical form
Has beauty, there is no wisdom.
Yes, in women, if their physical form
Has beauty, there is no wisdom.
If there is analytical wisdom
To judge and decide, beauty is absent.
அழகும் அறிவும் அமைந்த பெண்கள்
அதிசயமாய்ப் பிறந்தாலும்
குறுகும் மனம் கொண்டவர்கள்
குலைக்காமல் விடுவதில்லை
Even if women blessed with both beauty and wisdom
Are born as a rarity,
Those with narrow minds
Will not let them live in peace.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
அதுவும் இதுவும் சேர்ந்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிங்கே இடமில்லை.........
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
If both that and this exist together,
There is no place for him here.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
பள்ளி செல்லும் மாணவர்க்குப்
படிப்பு வந்தால் பணமில்லை...ஏ...ஏ...
பள்ளி செல்லும் மாணவர்க்குப்
படிப்பு வந்தால் பணமில்லை...
பணமிருந்தால் இளைஞருக்குப்
படிப்பதிலே மனமில்லை
For students going to school,
If they get education, there is no money...
For students going to school,
If they get education, there is no money...
If youth have money,
They have no mind to study.
மனமிருந்து படிப்பு வந்து
பரீட்சையிலும் தேறி விட்டால்
பல படிகள் ஏறி இறங்கிப்
பார்த்தாலும் வேலையில்லை
Even if they have the mind and get an education,
And pass in their examinations,
Even after climbing up and down many steps searching,
There is no job available.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
அதுவும் இதுவும் சேர்ந்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிங்கே இடமில்லை.........
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
If both that and this exist together,
There is no place for him here.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
பொதுப்பணியில் செலவழிக்க
நினைக்கும் போது பொருளில்லை
பொருளும் புகழும் சேர்ந்த பின்னே
பொதுப்பணியில் நினைவில்லை
When intending to spend on public service,
There is no wealth.
Once wealth and fame are acquired,
There is no thought of public service.
போதுமான பொருளும் வந்து
பொதுப் பணியில் நினைவும் வந்தால்
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆஹ்....ஆ.....
போதுமான பொருளும் வந்து
பொதுப் பணியில் நினைவும் வந்தால்
போட்ட திட்டம் நிறைவேறக்
கூட்டாளிகள் சரியில்லை...
Even if sufficient wealth arrives,
And the thought of public service comes,
Aa....aa...aa....aah...aa...
Even if sufficient wealth arrives,
And the thought of public service comes,
To fulfill the plans laid out,
The associates or partners are not right...
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
அதுவும் இதுவும் சேர்ந்திருந்தால்
அவனுக்கிங்கே இடமில்லை.........
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
If both that and this exist together,
There is no place for him here.
அது இருந்தால் இது இல்லை
இது இருந்தால் அது இல்லை
If that is present, this is absent;
If this is present, that is absent.
Ellorum nampumpadi sollum thiranirunthaal
If one has the skill to speak convincingly so that everyone believes,
Sollilae unmai illai
There is no truth in those words.
Ullathai ullapadi sollum manithanidam
In the person who speaks the truth as it is,
Unarnthidum thiramaiyillai
There is no skill to make people realize it.
Unmaiyum nampa vaikkum
If both truth and convincing skill
Thiranum amainthirunthaal
Are present together,
Ulagam athai yaerpathillai
The world does not accept it.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
If both that and this exist together,
Avanukkingae idamillai
There is no place for him here.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Angamathil mangaiyarkku
In women, if their physical form
Azhagirunthaal arivillai
Has beauty, there is no wisdom.
Aamaa angamathil mangaiyarkku
Yes, in women, if their physical form
Azhagirunthaal arivillai
Has beauty, there is no wisdom.
Aaraainthu mudivu seiyyum
If there is analytical wisdom
Arivirunthaal azhagillai
To judge and decide, beauty is absent.
Azhagum arivum amaintha pengal
Even if women blessed with both beauty and wisdom
Adhisayamaai piranthaalum
Are born as a rarity,
Kurugum manam kondavargal
Those with narrow minds
Kulaukkaamal viduvathillai
Will not let them live in peace.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
If both that and this exist together,
Avanukkingae idamillai
There is no place for him here.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Palli sellum maanavarkku
For students going to school,
Padippu vanthaal panamillai…yae…yae….
If they get education, there is no money...
Palli sellum maanavarkku
For students going to school,
Padippu vanthaal panamillai…
If they get education, there is no money...
Panamirunthaal ilaingyarukku
If youth have money,
Padippathilae manamillai
They have no mind to study.
Manamirunthu padippu vanthu
Even if they have the mind and get an education,
Paritchaiyilum thaeri vittaal
And pass in their examinations,
Pala padigal yaeri irangi
Even after climbing up and down many steps searching,
Paarththaalum velaiyillai
There is no job available.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
If both that and this exist together,
Avanukkingae idamillai
There is no place for him here.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Pothuppaniyil selavalikka
When intending to spend on public service,
Ninaikkumpothu porulillai
There is no wealth.
Porulum pugalum saerntha pinnae
Once wealth and fame are acquired,
Pothuppaniyil ninaivillai
There is no thought of public service.
Pothumaana porulum vanthu
Even if sufficient wealth arrives,
Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal
And the thought of public service comes,
Aa….aa…aa….aah…aa…
Aa....aa...aa....aah...aa...
Pothumaana porulum vanthu
Even if sufficient wealth arrives,
Pothu paniyil ninaivum vanthaal
And the thought of public service comes,
Potta thittam nirai vera
To fulfill the plans laid out,
Koottaaligal sariyillai…
The associates or partners are not right...
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Adhuvum idhuvum saernthirunthaal
If both that and this exist together,
Avanukkingae idamillai
There is no place for him here.
Athu irunthaal idhu illai
If that is present, this is absent;
Idhu irunthaal adhu illai
If this is present, that is absent.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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