Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillaikku Thandhai Oruvan

From Paarthaal Pasi Theerum · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Paarthaal Pasi Theerum1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Male
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyoDid you place your faith in a single human being?
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyoOr did you come placing your faith in God?
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyoDid you place your faith in a single human being?
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyoOr did you come placing your faith in God?
Male
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Male
Thaayaarai thandhai marandhaalumEven if a father forgets the mother,
Thandhai thaanendru sollaadha podhum..mm…Even if he refuses to acknowledge his fatherhood..mm...
Thaayaarai thandhai marandhaalumEven if a father forgets the mother,
Thandhai thaanendru sollaadha podhumEven if he refuses to acknowledge his fatherhood,
Thaanendru sollaadha podhumEven if he refuses to acknowledge his fatherhood,
Yenendru ketkkaamal varuvaanGod will come to help without demanding an explanation.
Namm eellorukkum thandhaiThe father to all of us,
Iraivan….. iraivanIs God... God.
Male
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Male
Ullorkku selvangal sondhamMaterial wealth belongs to the rich who possess it,
Adhu illaarkku ullangal sondham..mmBut pure, compassionate hearts belong to those who have nothing..mm
Ullorkku selvangal sondhamMaterial wealth belongs to the rich who possess it,
Adhu illaarkku ullangal sondhamBut pure, compassionate hearts belong to those who have nothing,
Illaarkku ullangal sondhamPure, compassionate hearts belong to those who have nothing,
Illaadha idam thaedi varuvaanGod comes searching for places lacking comfort and love,
Namm eellorukkum thandhaiThe father to all of us,
Iraivan…. iraivanIs God... God.
Male
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Nee oruvanai nambi vandhaaiyoDid you place your faith in a single human being?
Illai iraivanai nambi vandhaaiyoOr did you come placing your faith in God?
Male
Pillaikku thandhai oruvanA child has only one earthly father,
Namm ellorukkum thandhai iraivanBut God is the father to all of us.
Mm..mm …mm…hm…mm..mmm..Mm..mm ...mm…hm…mm..mmm..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Paarthaal Pasi Theerum