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Alli Petra Pillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Theriyum

From Alli Petra Pillai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Alli Petra Pillai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
24 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Arivirukkum anbirukkum
Panbirukkum silaridam
Azhagirukkum panamirukkum
Pagattirukkum palaridam
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Yaezhedukkum maaligaiyil irukkira per vazhiga
Eththanaiyo thappu thandaa pannuvaanga
Yaezhai eliyavanga illaatha kaaranaththaal
Yaedho siru thavaru pannuvaanga…
Yaezhedukkum maaligaiyil irukkira per vazhiga
Eththanaiyo thappu thandaa pannuvaanga
Yaezhai eliyavanga illaatha kaaranaththaal
Yaedho siru thavaru pannuvaanga…
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Jolly mainargal visiri madippinilae
Kizhisal oru kodi irukkum
Thozhilaali thuvaichchu uduththum udaiyilae
Thaiyal pala odi irukkum….
Jolly mainargal visiri madippinilae
Kizhisal oru kodi irukkum
Thozhilaali thuvaichchu uduththum udaiyilae
Thaiyal pala odi irukkum….
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Kana thanavaanin nenjil ennaalum
Kabadam poraamai enum azhukkirukkum
Kana thanavaanin nenjil ennaalum
Kabadam poraamai enum azhukkirukkum
Kallam ariyaatha paattaali maeniyil
Ullapadi vervai azhukkirukkum
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu
Wisdom and love are found,
and good character, in a few.
Beauty and money are found,
and flashy show, in many.
They see this, but they do not see that.
They see this, but they do not see that.
They see this, but they do not see that.
The people living in seven-storey mansions
commit all kinds of wrongs and crimes.
The poor and humble, driven by their poverty,
might commit some small mistake...
The people living in seven-storey mansions
commit all kinds of wrongs and crimes.
The poor and humble, driven by their poverty,
might commit some small mistake...
They see this, but they do not see that.
They see this, but they do not see that.
In the fancy pleats of carefree rich young men,
a million tears lie hidden.
In the clothes washed and worn by a worker,
many stitched patches run across...
In the fancy pleats of carefree rich young men,
a million tears lie hidden.
In the clothes washed and worn by a worker,
many stitched patches run across...
They see this, but they do not see that.
They see this, but they do not see that.
In the heart of a wealthy man, at all times,
lies the filth of deceit and jealousy.
In the heart of a wealthy man, at all times,
lies the filth of deceit and jealousy.
On the body of an innocent worker,
lies only the honest dirt of sweat...
They see this, but they do not see that.
They see this, but they do not see that.
Male
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Male
Male
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song presents a sharp socio-economic critique comparing the lives and moral values of the rich with those of the working-class poor. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi observes that virtues like love, wisdom, and character are found in only a few, whereas wealth, vanity, and superficial beauty belong to many. He points out society's double standards: the rich commit major crimes behind closed doors in multi-storey mansions, yet the poor are condemned for minor missteps born out of sheer necessity and hunger. Furthermore, the song draws a vivid contrast between moral corruption and physical labor. While wealthy playboys conceal endless flaws behind neat, fashionable attire, laborers wear patched clothes with pride. Ultimately, Maruthakasi notes that the rich carry the internal dirt of deceit and jealousy in their hearts, whereas the laborer's body only carries the external dirt of honest sweat. The refrain 'Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu' highlights society's selective blindness to these deep moral truths.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethir-inaikal)

“Kana thanavaanin nenjil ennaalum / Kallam ariyaatha paattaali maeniyil”

Contrasts the moral filth inside wealthy minds with the physical sweat on an innocent laborer's body.

Refrain / Repetition (Adukku)

“Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu”

The repeated chorus line 'Idhu theriyum adhu theriyaathu' serves as a poetic refrain emphasizing society's ignorance of moral truths.

Rhyme and Assonance (Edhukai and Monai)

“Arivirukkum anbirukkum / Azhagirukkum panamirukkum”

Tamil rhythmic matching of initial sounds (Arivirukkum / Azhagirukkum) and second-letter rhyme patterns (Kana / Kabadam / Kallam).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kabadam poraamai enum azhukkirukkum”

Metaphorically compares moral vices like deceit and jealousy to physical grime ('azhukku').

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1959 Tamil movie 'Alli Petra Pillai', this song composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan is celebrated as one of lyricist A. Maruthakasi's finest socialist philosophical songs addressing class disparity and moral hypocrisy.

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