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Paarthaal Pasi Theerum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pillaikku Thandhai Oruvan

From Paarthaal Pasi Theerum · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Paarthaal Pasi Theerum
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
1 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Thaayaarai thandhai marandhaalum
Thandhai thaanendru sollaadha podhum..mm…
Thaayaarai thandhai marandhaalum
Thandhai thaanendru sollaadha podhum
Thaanendru sollaadha podhum
Yenendru ketkkaamal varuvaan
Namm eellorukkum thandhai
Iraivan….. iraivan
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Ullorkku selvangal sondham
Adhu illaarkku ullangal sondham..mm
Ullorkku selvangal sondham
Adhu illaarkku ullangal sondham
Illaarkku ullangal sondham
Illaadha idam thaedi varuvaan
Namm eellorukkum thandhai
Iraivan…. iraivan
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyo
Pillaikku thandhai oruvan
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan
Mm..mm …mm…hm…mm..mmm..
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
Did you come putting your trust in one man,
Or did you come trusting in God?
Did you come putting your trust in one man,
Or did you come trusting in God?
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
Even if a father forgets the mother,
Even when he refuses to say he is the father... mm,
Even if a father forgets the mother,
Even when he refuses to say he is the father,
Even when he refuses to say he is the father,
He will come without asking any questions—
The father to us all,
God... God.
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
Wealth belongs to those who have it,
A kind heart belongs to those who have nothing... mm,
Wealth belongs to those who have it,
A kind heart belongs to those who have nothing,
A kind heart belongs to those who have nothing,
He will come searching for those in need—our
Father to us all,
God... God.
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
A child has one father,
God is the father to us all.
Mmm... mmm... mm... hmm... mm... mmmm
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from the 1962 Tamil movie 'Paarthaal Pasi Theerum' deals with themes of divine justice, human shortcomings, and universal parenthood. Written by the famed lyricist Kannadasan, the song argues that while human parents may falter, forget their responsibilities, or abandon their loved ones, the Supreme Divine never abandons anyone. God acts as an impartial, all-loving father who provides solace to everyone regardless of earthly abandonment. Furthermore, the song draws a philosophical contrast between material wealth and spiritual richness. While the affluent possess physical riches, the poor and needy often possess generous, empathetic hearts. God inherently seeks out those who suffer and lack worldly comfort, bringing them grace and refuge when human support fails.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran Thodai)

Ullorkku selvangal sondham / Adhu illaarkku ullangal sondham

Contrasts those who possess material wealth ('Ullorkku selvangal') with those who have nothing material but possess rich hearts ('Illaarkku ullangal').

Rhetorical Question

Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyo / Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyo

Prompts deep introspective thought on whether one should rely on mortal human beings or place ultimate faith in the Almighty.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pillaikku thandhai oruvan / Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivan

Utilizes rhythmic Tamil poetic rhyming on the second consonant (l) between 'Pillaikku' and 'ellorukkum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary music duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for the hit film 'Paarthaal Pasi Theerum' (1962), the song features iconic renditions by P. Susheela and T. M. Soundararajan. The film boasted an ensemble star cast including Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and B. Saroja Devi, with Kannadasan's lyrics serving as the emotional and philosophical backbone of the narrative.

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