Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sathiyame Thunai

From Anbukkor Anni · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Anbukkor Anni1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhuWhen truth itself stands as your support,
Sanjalame anukaadhuNo sorrow or anxiety shall ever draw near.
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaanTruth alone is your kin, truth alone is your family,
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Male
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhuWhen truth itself stands as your support,
Sanjalame anukaadhuNo sorrow or anxiety shall ever draw near.
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhuWhen truth itself stands as your support,
Sanjalame anukaadhuNo sorrow or anxiety shall ever draw near.
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaanTruth alone is your kin, truth alone is your family,
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Male
Vattriya kulamaai aandhinaaleWhen the pond dries up,
Pattrudhal maariya paravaigalaaiLike birds whose affection shifts away,
Ottiya uravai vettiyum thalliSevering and casting aside close relationships,
Uttravar ellaam pirindhaalumEven if loved ones separate from you,
Uttravar ellaam pirindhaalumEven if loved ones separate from you,
Male
Pettravan ulagin kottravan karunaiThe creator of this world, the supreme king's mercy,
Perungadal arulum unduAnd his vast ocean-like grace shall remain.
Nanmai pettravan ulagin kottravan karunaiThe mercy of the benevolent king of the world,
Perungadal arulum unduAnd his vast ocean-like grace shall remain.
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaanTruth alone is your kin, truth alone is your family,
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Male
Ennaiyai ootri yetriya kaiyaiThe hand that poured the oil and lit the lamp,
Erindhidum vilakae suduvadhunduCan sometimes be burned by the burning lamp itself.
Male
Ennaiyai ootri yetriya kaiyaiThe hand that poured the oil and lit the lamp,
Erindhidum vilakae suduvadhunduCan sometimes be burned by the burning lamp itself.
Kanmani kalanga ullamum nadungaMaking the eyes tear up and the heart tremble,
Kai viral kannil padu vadhunduOne's own finger sometimes pokes one's own eye.
Kai viral kannil padu vadhunduOne's own finger sometimes pokes one's own eye.
Enna vandhaalum thaangidum anbinCapable of enduring whatever comes, a loving
Idhayamum unakkae unduHeart is indeed given to you.
Thuyar vandhaalum thaangidum anbinCapable of enduring even sorrow, a loving
Idhayamum unakkae unduHeart is indeed given to you.
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaanTruth alone is your kin, truth alone is your family,
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Male
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhuWhen truth itself stands as your support,
Sanjalame anukaadhuNo sorrow or anxiety shall ever draw near.
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaanTruth alone is your kin, truth alone is your family,
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhuThis is the truth proclaimed by the learned ones.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical Tamil song emphasizes the ultimate power and solace derived from truth (Sathiyam). It explains that when a person grounds themselves in righteousness and truth, fear and grief naturally dissipate. Truth serves as one's true companion and family when human relationships prove fleeting. The song uses metaphors of birds deserting a dried pond or a person accidentally being hurt by their own hand/lamp to illustrate how worldly connections and circumstances can cause unexpected grief. Despite life's betrayals and hardships, divine grace and a resilient, loving heart provide the strength to endure and overcome all sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhu / Sanjalame anukaadhu

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound 'Sa' in 'Sathiyame' and 'Sanjalame' creates rhythmic harmony.

Upamāna (Simile)

Vattriya kulamaai aandhinaale / Pattrudhal maariya paravaigalaai

Fickle fair-weather relatives leaving during hard times are compared to birds flying away when a pond dries up ('Vattriya kulamaai... Paravaigalaai').

Metaphor & Paradox

Kanmani kalanga ullamum nadunga / Kai finger kannil padu vadhundu

The metaphor of one's own finger poking one's eye ('Kai finger kannil paduvadhu') highlights how self-inflicted or unexpected injury from trusted sources occurs in life.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1960 movie 'Anbukkor Anni', this song features lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi, with music composed by singer-composer A. M. Rajah. T. M. Soundarajan delivered the soulful, moralistic rendition.

Keep listening

More from Anbukkor Anni