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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Purushan Manaivi Uravuthan

From Adutha Veedu · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Adutha Veedu1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.
Panam kaasu irundhaalum varuma nimmadhiEven if you have money and wealth, will peace of mind come?
Pazhanjoru adhu podhum manamae sannidhiCold leftover rice is enough if the mind is peaceful like a sanctuary.
Podhumendru sollumaa pombalainga jaadhiWill the clan of women ever say "enough"?
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.
Male
Kolappam vandhaalae ada orakkam varadhuIf confusion arises, sleep will not come.
Manam thelinjaalae oru mayakkam varadhuIf the mind becomes clear, dizziness will not occur.
Poona paduthu kedakkum aduppil yaanai thangaadhuAn elephant cannot stay in a hearth where a cat lies.
Erumbhu kooda karumbha virumbhum eduthu thingaadhuEven an ant desires sugarcane, but cannot carry it away to eat.
Male
Veetukku veedu vaasarppadiEvery house has its own doorstep.
Amaikkindra vaazhkkai aasappadiThe life you build is according to your desires.
Avanavan jodi jaadikketha moodiEach person's partner is like a matching lid for a jar.
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.
Panam kaasu irundhaalum varuma nimmadhiEven if you have money and wealth, will peace of mind come?
Pazhanjoru adhu podhum manamae sannidhiCold leftover rice is enough if the mind is peaceful like a sanctuary.
Podhumendru sollumaa pombalainga jaadhiWill the clan of women ever say "enough"?
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.
Male
Kaattukuruvikku solakarudhu melaasaiThe wild bird covets the ear of corn.
Thottakkaarikkoo andha kuruvi mela aasaiThe woman in the garden desires that bird.
Aasa adakka therinja manasu padapadakkadhuA mind that knows how to control desire will not flutter in anxiety.
Pakkathula veetula ola kodhichu pasiyadangaadhuBoiling water in the neighbor's house will not satisfy your hunger.
Male
Kaaveri pola neer irukkaWhile water exists like the Kaveri river...
Kaanala thedi nee parakkaWhy fly around searching for a mirage?
Maalaiyitta maanae naalai nanmai thaanaeOh garlanded dear one, tomorrow will bring goodness.
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.
Panam kaasu irundhaalum varuma nimmadhiEven if you have money and wealth, will peace of mind come?
Pazhanjoru adhu podhum manamae sannidhiCold leftover rice is enough if the mind is peaceful like a sanctuary.
Podhumendru sollumaa pombalainga jaadhiWill the clan of women ever say "enough"?
Male
Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhuThe bond between husband and wife is sacred.
Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhuLiving life with mutual understanding is sweet.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Purushan Manaivi Uravuthaan' is a philosophical folk-style song from the film Adutha Veedu (1989), highlighting the sanctity of marriage and the supreme value of mutual understanding over material wealth. Sung emphatically by Malaysia Vasudevan to the music of Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics by Vairamuthu, the song counsels that wealth alone cannot buy peace of mind, and even simple leftover food brings joy when shared with contentment and harmony. The song relies heavily on traditional Tamil proverbs and practical metaphors to emphasize that happiness lies in cherishing what one has within one's own home, rather than constantly yearning for external or unattainable desires.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhu / Purindhu kondu vaazhvadhae inimaiyaanadhu

The second letter 'ru' rhymes across 'Purushan' and 'Purindhu', establishing a rhythmic flow.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Purushan manaivi uravuthaan punidhamaanadhu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pu' across words creates melodic cadence.

Uvamai (Simile / Idiomatic Comparison)

Avanavan jodi jaadikketha moodi

Compares a matched married couple to a jar and its perfectly fitted lid.

Metaphor (Contrast of Contentment vs. Pursuit)

Kaaveri pola neer irukka / Kaanala thedi nee parakka

Contrasts the reliable, flowing Kaveri river (real happiness at home) with a mirage (unrealistic or external desires).

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics incorporate multiple famous colloquial Tamil adages and proverbs—such as 'Jaadikketha moodi' (a lid tailored for the jar) and 'Veetukku veedu vaasarppadi' (every house has a doorstep)—to deliver timeless marital advice.

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