Paasam Thudithathamma
From Aalayam · 1967
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Aalayam1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paasam thudikkuthammaa | Affection is throbbing with longing, oh dear. |
| Panbu vanthu thaduththathammaa | Virtue came and restrained it, oh dear. |
| Male | |
| Panbai maraiththu vittu | Setting aside that virtue, |
| Paasam jeyiththathammaa aa….aa…. | Affection ultimately prevailed, oh dear... |
| Male | |
| Aasaiyillaa nenjinilae | In a heart devoid of desires, |
| Amaithi irunthathammaa | Peace used to reside, oh dear. |
| Male | |
| Thevai endru vanthavudan | The moment a desperate need arose, |
| Deivamum maaruthammaa | Even divine character changes, oh dear. |
பாசம் துடித்ததம்மா
பண்பு வந்து தடுத்ததம்மா
Affection is throbbing with longing, oh dear.
Virtue came and restrained it, oh dear.
பண்பை மறைத்து விட்டு
பாசம் ஜெயித்ததம்மா ஆ.......ஆ....
Setting aside that virtue,
Affection ultimately prevailed, oh dear...
ஆசையில்லா நெஞ்சினிலே
அமைதி இருந்ததம்மா
In a heart devoid of desires,
Peace used to reside, oh dear.
தேவை என்று வந்தவுடன்
தெய்வமும் மாறுதம்மா
The moment a desperate need arose,
Even divine character changes, oh dear.
Paasam thudikkuthammaa
Affection is throbbing with longing, oh dear.
Panbu vanthu thaduththathammaa
Virtue came and restrained it, oh dear.
Panbai maraiththu vittu
Setting aside that virtue,
Paasam jeyiththathammaa aa….aa….
Affection ultimately prevailed, oh dear...
Aasaiyillaa nenjinilae
In a heart devoid of desires,
Amaithi irunthathammaa
Peace used to reside, oh dear.
Thevai endru vanthavudan
The moment a desperate need arose,
Deivamum maaruthammaa
Even divine character changes, oh dear.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song explores the intense psychological conflict between human affection (paasam) and moral duty or virtue (panbu). Though righteousness attempts to suppress emotional attachment, deep affection ultimately triumphs over rigid principles. Kannadasan further reflects on human nature, observing that while a mind free of desire enjoys perfect peace, pressing needs and desperate circumstances can force even the most godly and principled human beings to compromise.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Paasam thudikkuthammaa / Panbu vanthu thaduththathammaa”
The repetition of the rhythmic suffix 'ammaa' / 'thammaa' at the end of lines creates a lyrical and melancholic cadence.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Aasaiyillaa nenjinilae / Amaithi irunthathammaa”
The use of matching initial phonetic sounds in adjacent lines ('Paasam' / 'Panbu' and 'Aasaiyillaa' / 'Amaithi').
Antithesis (Ethical Contrast)
“Panbai maraiththu vittu / Paasam jeyiththathammaa”
Juxtaposition of opposing forces such as affection vs. virtue, and peace vs. necessity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1967 movie 'Aalayam' featured music composed independently by T. K. Ramamoorthy following the split of the famous Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. Lyricist Kannadasan was praised for writing deep philosophical truths about human vulnerability using very accessible Tamil words.
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