Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poottai Thirappathu Kaiyale

From Villiyanur Matha · 1983

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
Madhuri, Chorus
Music director
G. Devarajan
Movie name
Villiyanur Matha
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
1 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sa ri ga ma pa
Children :Sa ri ga ma pa
Female :Tha ma tha ni
Sa ni sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa
Children :Lalalalal aaaa lalalalal aaaa
Lalalalal aaaa lalalalal aaaa
All :Lalalalal aaaa lalalalal aaaa
Lalalalal aaaa lalalalal aaaa
Poottai thirappathu kaiyaalae
Nalla manan thirappathu madhiyaale
Children :Poottai thirappathu kaiyaalae
Nalla manan thirappathu madhiyaale
Paattai thirappathu pannaalae
Inba veettai thirappathu pennaalae
Children :Paattai thirappathu pannaalae
Inba veettai thirappathu pennaalae
Yaettai thudaippathu kaiyaale
Mana veettai thudaippathu meiyaalae
Children :Yaettai thudaippathu kaiyaale
Mana veettai thudaippathu meiyaalae
Vaettai adippadhu villaalae
Anbu kottai pidippathu sollaalae
Children :Vaettai adippadhu villaalae
Anbu kottai pidippathu sollaalae
Female :Anbu sollaalae
Kaattrai adaippathu manadh
Children :Kaattrai adaippathu manadhaalae
Indha kaayathai kaapathu seiyalaalae
Female :Sottrai pusippathu vaayalae
Uyir thunivuruvathu thaayalae
Children :Sottrai pusippathu vaayalae
Uyir thunivuruvathu thaayalae
Female :Uyir thaayaalae
Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa
Children: Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa
Female: Dha Ma Dha Ni
Sa Ni Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa
Children: La la la la, ah ah ah ah, la la la la, ah ah ah ah
La la la la, ah ah ah ah, la la la la, ah ah ah ah
All: La la la la, ah ah ah ah, la la la la, ah ah ah ah
La la la la, ah ah ah ah, la la la la, ah ah ah ah
A lock is opened with the hand,
A good mind is opened with wisdom.
Children: A lock is opened with the hand,
A good mind is opened with wisdom.
A song is opened up with melody,
A home of joy is opened by a woman.
Children: A song is opened up with melody,
A home of joy is opened by a woman.
A book is dusted with the hand,
The house of the mind is cleansed with truth.
Children: A book is dusted with the hand,
The house of the mind is cleansed with truth.
A hunt is carried out with a bow,
The fortress of love is won with words.
Children: A hunt is carried out with a bow,
The fortress of love is won with words.
Female: With loving words...
Controlling the breath is through the mi—
Children: Controlling the breath is through the mind,
Protecting this body is through righteous deeds.
Female: Food is eaten with the mouth,
Life gains its courage from a mother.
Children: Food is eaten with the mouth,
Life gains its courage from a mother.
Female: Life, from a mother...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic verse uses simple, parallel analogies from daily life to explain profound moral and spiritual truths. It contrasts physical actions with higher human and spiritual virtues: while a physical lock is opened by hands, a human heart is opened with wisdom; while hunting requires a bow, winning affection requires kind words. It highlights the role of truth in purifying the mind, noble deeds in preserving the body, and the mother in instilling bravery and purpose in life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Aethukai (Second letter rhyme) & Iyaibu (End rhyme)

“Poottai thirappathu kaiyaalae / Nalla manan thirappathu madhiyaale”

The lyrics follow a rhythmic pattern ending in '-aalae' across comparative lines (kaiyaalae / madhiyaale, pannaalae / pennaalae).

Parallelism / Contrast (Upamana - Upameya)

“Vaettai adippadhu villaalae / Anbu kottai pidippathu sollaalae”

Concrete physical actions (opening locks, hunting, eating) are directly paralleled with abstract or higher virtues (opening hearts, winning love, acquiring courage).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although frequently popularized in Tamil cinema and moral textbook recitations, these iconic lines emphasize Tamil ethical philosophy (similar to Thirukkural moral couplets) where practical analogies are taught to children to build character and wisdom.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Sorgam Enbathu Namakku1994
NammavarCheerfulCall And Response
Agara Mudhala1973
School MasterSpiritualityDevotion
Naalai Nee Mannavan1976
Rojavin RajaWarmSpirituality
Pesum Manimottu Rojakkal1979
Neela MalargalCelebratoryNature
Thangangale Naalai1978
Ennaipol OruvanFamilyCelebratory
Kalviyai Poloru Selvam1942
Tamizhariyum PerumalDevotionalSimple Direct

From the same album

More songs from Villiyanur Matha

View album
Kandom Yesunathanai1983
Villiyanur MathaDevotional
Masilla Kanniye Madhave1983
Villiyanur MathaDevotional
Naan Kannillatha Pillai1983
Villiyanur MathaDevotional
Un Sela Parakkuthu1983
Villiyanur MathaFlirtatious
Ellarukkum Oru Nalla Sedhi1983
Villiyanur MathaCelebratory
Madha Vedhanayagi Un1983
Villiyanur MathaDevotional

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.