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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Puriyatha Velladu Theriyaama

From Oorukku Oru Pillai · 1982

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Oorukku Oru Pillai
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
22 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
Puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
Sariyaana paadhaiyil ozhungaaga pogavey
Puththimathi naam solli paarpom
Sariyaana paadhaiyil ozhungaaga pogavey
Puththimathi naam solli paarpom
Panivukku bhoomiyil madhippu
Nalla panpaadu vaazhvukku sirappu
Panivukku bhoomiyil madhippu
Nalla panpaadu vaazhvukku sirappu
Uzhaippaal uyara venum kaigal
Uyrantha vaazhkkaiyai uruvaakkum kalaigal
Idhu puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
Uyirukku thevaiyellaam vayiththukku soru
Arivukku thevaiyellaam puththagakaadu
Padippukku nigaraana selvanga yaedhu
Paamaranai ulagam endrum madhikkaathu kelu
Paamaranai ulagam endrum madhikkaathu kelu
Idhu puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
Iravukku dheepam endru nilavukku peru
Idhayaththin dheepamendru kalviyai kooru
Thunivukku kodiyettri thunbaththai vellu
Sompalgalai neekki vittu pugazh vaanga sellu
Sompalgalai neekki vittu pugazh vaanga sellu
Idhu puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
Nampikkai nenjil vaiththaal saathigalaagum
Nallavar paadhai sendraal vettrigal serum
Male :Thiramaikku varaverppu endraikkum undu
Thean kamazhum palligalthaan thirukoyil indru
Thean kamazhum palligalthaan thirukoyil indru
Idhu puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu
Pudichchaanthu koottaththilae saerppom
An ignorant little goat is running away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
An ignorant little goat is running away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
To make it walk properly on the right path,
Let us try giving it some good advice.
To make it walk properly on the right path,
Let us try giving it some good advice.
Humility is always valued on this earth,
And good character brings dignity to life.
Humility is always valued on this earth,
And good character brings dignity to life.
Hands must rise high through honest work,
And good skills will build a noble life.
Not understanding this, the little goat runs away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
All the body needs is food for the belly,
All the mind needs is a forest of books.
What wealth in the world can equal learning?
Listen, the world will never respect an uneducated person.
Listen, the world will never respect an uneducated person.
Not understanding this, the little goat runs away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
The moon is known as the lamp of the night,
So know that education is the light of the heart.
Raise the flag of courage and conquer all hardships;
Cast away laziness and go earn good fame.
Cast away laziness and go earn good fame.
Not understanding this, the little goat runs away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
If you keep faith in your heart, you will achieve wonders,
If you walk the path of the good, success will follow.
True talent is always welcomed with open arms,
And schools sweet with knowledge are the holy temples of today.
And schools sweet with knowledge are the holy temples of today.
Not understanding this, the little goat runs away aimlessly,
Let's catch it and bring it back to the flock.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Puriyaatha Vellaadu from the film Oorukku Oru Pillai (1982) is a moralistic song set to music by M. S. Viswanathan. Metaphorically comparing a straying, ignorant child or youth to a lost white goat, the song emphasizes the community's duty to guide them back onto the righteous path through love and gentle counsel. The lyricist stresses that education, hard work, humility, and moral character are the true pillars of human life. It glorifies schools as sacred temples of learning and highlights education as the primary tool to overcome ignorance, sorrow, and social neglect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Puriyaatha vellaadu theriyaama oduthu”

Comparing an innocent, unguided child or youth to a lost white goat (Puriyaatha vellaadu) running aimlessly.

Metaphor

“Idhayaththin dheepamendru kalviyai kooru”

Comparing education to a illuminating lamp for the human heart (Idhayaththin dheepam).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Thunivukku kodiyettri thunbaththai vellu / Sompalgalai neekki vittu pugazh vaanga sellu”

Rhyming ending words across consecutive lines, such as 'vellu' and 'sellu'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Panivukku bhoomiyil madhippu / Nalla panpaadu vaazhvukku sirappu”

Repetition of starting sounds in lines such as 'Panivukku' and 'Panpaadu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Muthulingam, this philosophical pedagogical song was performed by iconic playback duo T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela for the 1982 film Oorukku Oru Pillai.

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