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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sathiyame Thunai

From Anbukkor Anni · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Movie name
Anbukkor Anni
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
26 Jan 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhu
Sanjalame anukaadhu
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaan
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhu
Sanjalame anukaadhu
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhu
Sanjalame anukaadhu
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaan
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Vattriya kulamaai aandhinaale
Pattrudhal maariya paravaigalaai
Ottiya uravai vettiyum thalli
Uttravar ellaam pirindhaalum
Uttravar ellaam pirindhaalum
Pettravan ulagin kottravan karunai
Perungadal arulum undu
Nanmai pettravan ulagin kottravan karunai
Perungadal arulum undu
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaan
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Ennaiyai ootri yetriya kaiyai
Erindhidum vilakae suduvadhundu
Ennaiyai ootri yetriya kaiyai
Erindhidum vilakae suduvadhundu
Kanmani kalanga ullamum nadunga
Kai viral kannil padu vadhundu
Kai viral kannil padu vadhundu
Enna vandhaalum thaangidum anbin
Idhayamum unakkae undu
Thuyar vandhaalum thaangidum anbin
Idhayamum unakkae undu
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaan
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Sathiyame thunaiyaana podhu
Sanjalame anukaadhu
Suttramum adhuthaan sondhamum adhuthaan
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
Kattarvar solliya unmaiyidhu
When truth is your companion,
No sorrow will ever come near you.
It is your kin, it is your family;
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
When truth is your companion,
No sorrow will ever come near you.
When truth is your companion,
No sorrow will ever come near you.
It is your kin, it is your family;
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
If you become like a dried-up pond,
Like birds whose attachment fades away,
Severing the bonds once held close,
Even if all your loved ones part from you,
Even if all your loved ones part from you,
The mercy of the Creator, the King of this world,
And His vast ocean of grace will be there for you.
The mercy of the King of this world who grants all good,
And His vast ocean of grace will be there for you.
It is your kin, it is your family;
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
The very hand that poured the oil and lit the lamp
Is sometimes burned by that glowing flame.
The very hand that poured the oil and lit the lamp
Is sometimes burned by that glowing flame.
Making the eyes weep and the heart tremble,
One's own finger can poke into one's eye.
One's own finger can poke into one's eye.
To endure whatever hardship comes,
You have a heart filled with love.
To bear all sorrow that arrives,
You have a heart filled with love.
It is your kin, it is your family;
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
When truth is your companion,
No sorrow will ever come near you.
It is your kin, it is your family;
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
This is the truth spoken by the wise.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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