Paarthal Pasumaram
From Thiruvilaiyadal · 1965
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Thiruvilaiyadal1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Serthaa veragukkaagumaa | Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Male | |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Serthaa veragukkaagumaa | Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Male | |
| {Kattazhagu meniyaippaar | {Look at this exquisitely beautiful body, |
| Pottum poovumaa | Adorned with bindi and flowers; |
| Neetti kattaiyilae paduththuvittaa | Once laid down flat on the wooden bier, |
| Kaasukkaagumaa} (2) | Is it worth even a penny?} |
| Male | |
| Vattamidum kaalaiyaippaar | Look at this wandering young bull, |
| Vaatta saattamaa | So robust and sturdy; |
| Vattamidum kaalaiyaippaar | Look at this wandering young bull, |
| Vaatta saattamaa | So robust and sturdy; |
| Kooni valanchi vitta | Once bent and stooped with age, |
| Odambu indha aattam podumaa | Will this body dance like this anymore? |
| Kooni valanchi vitta | Once bent and stooped with age, |
| Odambu indha aattam podumaa | Will this body dance like this anymore? |
| Male | |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Serthaa veragukkaagumaa | Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Male | |
| Ponnum porulum mootta katti | He tied up gold and wealth into bundles, |
| Pottu vechchaaru | And stashed them away safely; |
| {Ponnum porulum mootta katti | {He tied up gold and wealth into bundles, |
| Pottu vechchaaru | And stashed them away safely; |
| Ivaru pona varusham mazhaiya nambi | Trusting last year's rain, |
| Vedha vedhachchaaru} (2) | He sowed the seeds;} |
| Male | |
| Yettu kanakka maathi maathi | Manipulating the palm-leaf account books, |
| Ezhudhi vechaaru | He wrote false calculations; |
| Yettu kanakka maathi maathi | Manipulating the palm-leaf account books, |
| Ezhudhi vechaaru | He wrote false calculations; |
| Eesan potta kanakku maaravilla | The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change, |
| Poi vizhundhaaru | So he fell dead false; |
| Eesan potta kanakku maaravilla | The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change, |
| Poi vizhundhaaru | So he fell dead false; |
| Male | |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Serthaa veragukkaagumaa | Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Male | |
| {Aruvadaiya mudikkum munnae | {Before completing the harvest, |
| Vedhaikkalaaguma | Is it time to sow seeds again? |
| Ada aandavanae un padaippil | Oh God, in your creation, |
| Iththanai vegama} (2) | Is there such speed?} |
| Male | |
| Paththupulla peththa pinnum | Even after giving birth to ten children, |
| Ettu maasama | Is she eight months pregnant again? |
| Paththupulla peththa pinnum | Even after giving birth to ten children, |
| Ettu maasama | Is she eight months pregnant again? |
| Indha paavi magalukkentha naalum | For this sinful woman's daughter, every day, |
| Karba veshama | Is it always a guise of pregnancy? |
| Indha paavi magalukkentha naalum | For this sinful woman's daughter, every day, |
| Karba veshama | Is it always a guise of pregnancy? |
| Male | |
| Paarthaa pasumaram | If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree, |
| Paduthuvitta nedumaram | When fallen down, it is just a tall log. |
| Serthaa veragukkaagumaa | Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? |
| Gyaana thangamae | O wise golden one! |
| Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa …aannn | If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? ...aannn |
பார்த்தா பசுமரம்
படுத்துவிட்டா நெடுமரம்
பார்த்தா பசுமரம் படுத்து
விட்டா நெடுமரம் சேர்த்தா
வெறகுக்காகுமா ஞான
தங்கமே தீயிலிட்டா கறியும்
மிஞ்சுமா
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
பார்த்தா பசுமரம்
படுத்துவிட்டா நெடுமரம்
சேர்த்தா வெறகுக்காகுமா
ஞான தங்கமே தீயிலிட்டா
கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா ஞான தங்கமே
தீயிலிட்டா கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
{ கட்டழகு
மேனியைப்பார் பொட்டும்
பூவுமா நீட்டி கட்டையிலே
படுத்துவிட்டா காசுக்காகுமா } (2)
{Look at this exquisitely beautiful body,
Adorned with bindi and flowers;
Once laid down flat on the wooden bier,
Is it worth even a penny?}
வட்டமிடும்
காளையைப்பார் வாட்ட
சாட்டமா வட்டமிடும்
காளையைப்பார் வாட்ட
சாட்டமா கூனி வளைஞ்சி
விட்டா ஒடம்பு இந்த ஆட்டம்
போடுமா கூனி வளைஞ்சி
விட்டா ஒடம்பு இந்த ஆட்டம்
போடுமா
Look at this wandering young bull,
So robust and sturdy;
Look at this wandering young bull,
So robust and sturdy;
Once bent and stooped with age,
Will this body dance like this anymore?
Once bent and stooped with age,
Will this body dance like this anymore?
பார்த்தா பசுமரம்
படுத்துவிட்டா நெடுமரம்
சேர்த்தா வெறகுக்காகுமா
ஞான தங்கமே தீயிலிட்டா
கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா ஞான தங்கமே
தீயிலிட்டா கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
பொன்னும் பொருளும்
மூட்ட கட்டி போட்டு வெச்சதாரு
{ பொன்னும் பொருளும் மூட்ட
கட்டி போட்டு வெச்சதாரு இவரு
போன வருஷம் மழைய நம்பி
வித விதைச்சாரு } (2)
He tied up gold and wealth into bundles,
And stashed them away safely;
{He tied up gold and wealth into bundles,
And stashed them away safely;
Trusting last year's rain,
He sowed the seeds;}
ஏட்டு கணக்க
மாத்தி மாத்தி எழுதி
வெச்சாரு ஏட்டு கணக்க
மாத்தி மாத்தி எழுதி
வெச்சாரு ஈசன் போட்ட
கணக்கு மாறவில்ல போய்
விழுந்தாரு ஈசன் போட்ட
கணக்கு மாறவில்ல போய்
விழுந்தாரு
Manipulating the palm-leaf account books,
He wrote false calculations;
Manipulating the palm-leaf account books,
He wrote false calculations;
The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change,
So he fell dead false;
The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change,
So he fell dead false;
பார்த்தா பசுமரம்
படுத்துவிட்டா நெடுமரம்
சேர்த்தா வெறகுக்காகுமா
ஞான தங்கமே தீயிலிட்டா
கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா ஞான தங்கமே
தீயிலிட்டா கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
{ அறுவடைய
முடிக்கும் முன்னே
விதைக்கலாகுமா அட
ஆண்டவனே உன்
படைப்பில் இத்தனை
வேகமா } (2)
{Before completing the harvest,
Is it time to sow seeds again?
Oh God, in your creation,
Is there such speed?}
பத்துபுள்ள பெத்த
பின்னும் எட்டு மாசமா
பத்துபுள்ள பெத்த பின்னும்
எட்டு மாசமா இந்த பாவி
மகளுக்கெந்த நாளும் கர்ப்ப
வேஷமா இந்த பாவி
மகளுக்கெந்த நாளும்
கர்ப்ப வேஷமா
Even after giving birth to ten children,
Is she eight months pregnant again?
Even after giving birth to ten children,
Is she eight months pregnant again?
For this sinful woman's daughter, every day,
Is it always a guise of pregnancy?
For this sinful woman's daughter, every day,
Is it always a guise of pregnancy?
பார்த்தா பசுமரம்
படுத்துவிட்டா நெடுமரம்
சேர்த்தா வெறகுக்காகுமா
ஞான தங்கமே தீயிலிட்டா
கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா ஞான தங்கமே
தீயிலிட்டா கறியும் மிஞ்சுமா ஆன்
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
O wise golden one!
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? ...aannn
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Serthaa veragukkaagumaa
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Serthaa veragukkaagumaa
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
{Kattazhagu meniyaippaar
{Look at this exquisitely beautiful body,
Pottum poovumaa
Adorned with bindi and flowers;
Neetti kattaiyilae paduththuvittaa
Once laid down flat on the wooden bier,
Kaasukkaagumaa} (2)
Is it worth even a penny?}
Vattamidum kaalaiyaippaar
Look at this wandering young bull,
Vaatta saattamaa
So robust and sturdy;
Vattamidum kaalaiyaippaar
Look at this wandering young bull,
Vaatta saattamaa
So robust and sturdy;
Kooni valanchi vitta
Once bent and stooped with age,
Odambu indha aattam podumaa
Will this body dance like this anymore?
Kooni valanchi vitta
Once bent and stooped with age,
Odambu indha aattam podumaa
Will this body dance like this anymore?
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Serthaa veragukkaagumaa
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Ponnum porulum mootta katti
He tied up gold and wealth into bundles,
Pottu vechchaaru
And stashed them away safely;
{Ponnum porulum mootta katti
{He tied up gold and wealth into bundles,
Pottu vechchaaru
And stashed them away safely;
Ivaru pona varusham mazhaiya nambi
Trusting last year's rain,
Vedha vedhachchaaru} (2)
He sowed the seeds;}
Yettu kanakka maathi maathi
Manipulating the palm-leaf account books,
Ezhudhi vechaaru
He wrote false calculations;
Yettu kanakka maathi maathi
Manipulating the palm-leaf account books,
Ezhudhi vechaaru
He wrote false calculations;
Eesan potta kanakku maaravilla
The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change,
Poi vizhundhaaru
So he fell dead false;
Eesan potta kanakku maaravilla
The divine calculation made by Lord Shiva did not change,
Poi vizhundhaaru
So he fell dead false;
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Serthaa veragukkaagumaa
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
{Aruvadaiya mudikkum munnae
{Before completing the harvest,
Vedhaikkalaaguma
Is it time to sow seeds again?
Ada aandavanae un padaippil
Oh God, in your creation,
Iththanai vegama} (2)
Is there such speed?}
Paththupulla peththa pinnum
Even after giving birth to ten children,
Ettu maasama
Is she eight months pregnant again?
Paththupulla peththa pinnum
Even after giving birth to ten children,
Ettu maasama
Is she eight months pregnant again?
Indha paavi magalukkentha naalum
For this sinful woman's daughter, every day,
Karba veshama
Is it always a guise of pregnancy?
Indha paavi magalukkentha naalum
For this sinful woman's daughter, every day,
Karba veshama
Is it always a guise of pregnancy?
Paarthaa pasumaram
If you look at it, it seems like a green living tree,
Paduthuvitta nedumaram
When fallen down, it is just a tall log.
Serthaa veragukkaagumaa
Even if gathered, is it worth any firewood?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain?
Gyaana thangamae
O wise golden one!
Theeyilittaa kariyum minjumaa …aannn
If put in fire, will even charcoal remain? ...aannn
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song from Thiruvilaiyadal reflects on the impermanence of human life, material wealth, and bodily beauty. Using rich metaphors from nature and daily village life, the lyricist Kannadasan compares the human body to a standing green tree that becomes useless firewood upon death, leaving behind not even usable charcoal after cremation. The song mocks human greed, manipulative wealth accumulation, and bodily pride, reminding the listener that Lord Shiva's divine cosmic accounting ultimately overrides all human schemes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvameyam)
“Paarthaa pasumaram / Paduthuvitta nedumaram”
Compares the human body to a 'pasumaram' (green tree) while alive and a 'nedumaram' (fallen dead log) upon death.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Paarthaa pasumaram / Paduthuvitta nedumaram”
The second consonant sound 'r' ('rt') in 'Paarthaa' rhymes with 'd' ('dt') in 'Paduthuvitta' across alternating Tamil poetic structures.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ponnum porulum mootta katti / Pottu vechchaaru”
Repetition of the initial letter 'P' sound in 'Ponnum' and 'Pottu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song is performed in the movie 'Thiruvilaiyadal' by Lord Shiva disguised as a woodcutter/siddhar (played by Sivaji Ganesan) to teach a lesson on humility and worldly impermanence.
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