Sirippu Paathi
From Enga Veettu Penn · 1965
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Enga Veettu Penn1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi | Half fire and half water, |
| Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi | Is that not how worldly justice is filled? |
| Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi | Half fire and half water, |
| Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi | Is that not how worldly justice is filled? |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Male | |
| Pasitha vayittril unavu deivam | For a hungry stomach, food is God, |
| Paalaivanathil thanneer deivam | In a desert, water is God, |
| Pasitha vayittril unavu deivam | For a hungry stomach, food is God, |
| Paalaivanathil thanneer deivam | In a desert, water is God, |
| Kottum mazhaiyil koora deivam | In pouring rain, a roof is God, |
| Kodai veyilin nizhalae deivam | In summer heat, shade alone is God. |
| Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo | Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Male | |
| Udaitha kallil ondru deivam | Among carved stones, one becomes God, |
| Ondru kovil ondru vaasal | One becomes the temple, another the threshold. |
| Udaitha kallil ondru deivam | Among carved stones, one becomes God, |
| Ondru kovil ondru vaasal | One becomes the temple, another the threshold. |
| Iraivan padaippil ellaam ondrae | In God's creation, everything is equal, |
| Idathai poruthae edhuvum maarum | Everything changes based on its place. |
| Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo | Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi | Half fire and half water, |
| Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi | Is that not how worldly justice is filled? |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Male | |
| Aattru vellam pona pinnaale | After the river flood subsides, |
| Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae | Like the white sand that settles in calm peace, |
| Naettru thunbam naalai vilagum | Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow, |
| Nenjam muluthum nimmadhi aagum | And the whole heart will find complete peace. |
| Aattru vellam pona pinnaale | After the river flood subsides, |
| Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae | Like the white sand that settles in calm peace, |
| Aattru vellam pona pinnaale | After the river flood subsides, |
| Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae | Like the white sand that settles in calm peace, |
| Naettru thunbam naalai vilagum | Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow, |
| Nenjam muluthum nimmadhi aagum | And the whole heart will find complete peace. |
| Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo | Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Male | |
| Indru un marathil ilaiyudhir kaalam | Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season, |
| Ini varum kaalam thulir vidum kaalam | The coming season will be the time for new sprouts. |
| Indru un marathil ilaiyudhir kaalam | Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season, |
| Ini varum kaalam thulir vidum kaalam | The coming season will be the time for new sprouts. |
| Poovum pinjum kaayum kaniyum | The flower, the young fruit, the unripe fruit, and the ripe fruit, |
| Porumai kondaal marupadi thondrum | Will reappear if you remain patient. |
| Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo | Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
| Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi | Half fire and half water, |
| Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi | Is that not how worldly justice is filled? |
| Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi | Half laughter and half weeping, |
| Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi | Is that not how humankind is formed? |
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
நெருப்பு பாதி நீரும் பாதி
நிறைந்ததல்லவோ உலக நீதி
நெருப்பு பாதி நீரும் பாதி
நிறைந்ததல்லவோ உலக நீதி
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Half fire and half water,
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Half fire and half water,
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
பசித்த வயிற்றில் உணவு தெய்வம்
பாலைவனத்தில் தண்ணீர் தெய்வம்
பசித்த வயிற்றில் உணவு தெய்வம்
பாலைவனத்தில் தண்ணீர் தெய்வம்
கொட்டும் மழையில் கூரை தெய்வம்
கோடை வெயிலின் நிழலே தெய்வம்
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஓ
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
For a hungry stomach, food is God,
In a desert, water is God,
For a hungry stomach, food is God,
In a desert, water is God,
In pouring rain, a roof is God,
In summer heat, shade alone is God.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
உடைத்த கல்லில் ஒன்று தெய்வம்
ஒன்று கோவில் ஒன்று வாசல்
உடைத்த கல்லில் ஒன்று தெய்வம்
ஒன்று கோவில் ஒன்று வாசல்
இறைவன் படைப்பில் எல்லாம் ஒன்றே
இடத்தைப் பொறுத்தே எதுவும் மாறும்
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஓ
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
நெருப்பு பாதி நீரும் பாதி
நிறைந்ததல்லவோ உலக நீதி
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
Among carved stones, one becomes God,
One becomes the temple, another the threshold.
Among carved stones, one becomes God,
One becomes the temple, another the threshold.
In God's creation, everything is equal,
Everything changes based on its place.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Half fire and half water,
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
ஆற்று வெள்ளம் போன பின்னாலே
அமைதி கொள்ளும் வெண்மணல் போலே
நேற்று துன்பம் நாளை விலகும்
நெஞ்சம் முழுதும் நிம்மதி ஆகும்
ஆற்று வெள்ளம் போன பின்னாலே
அமைதி கொள்ளும் வெண்மணல் போலே
ஆற்று வெள்ளம் போன பின்னாலே
அமைதி கொள்ளும் வெண்மணல் போலே
நேற்று துன்பம் நாளை விலகும்
நெஞ்சம் முழுதும் நிம்மதி ஆகும்
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஓ
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
After the river flood subsides,
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow,
And the whole heart will find complete peace.
After the river flood subsides,
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
After the river flood subsides,
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow,
And the whole heart will find complete peace.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
இன்று உன் மரத்தில் இலையுதிர் காலம்
இனி வரும் காலம் துளிர் விடும் காலம்
இன்று உன் மரத்தில் இலையுதிர் காலம்
இனி வரும் காலம் துளிர் விடும் காலம்
பூவும் பிஞ்சும் காயும் கனியும்
பொறுமை கொண்டால் மறுபடி தோன்றும்
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஓ
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
நெருப்பு பாதி நீரும் பாதி
நிறைந்ததல்லவோ உலக நீதி
சிரிப்பு பாதி அழுகை பாதி
சேர்ந்ததல்லவோ மனித ஜாதி
Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season,
The coming season will be the time for new sprouts.
Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season,
The coming season will be the time for new sprouts.
The flower, the young fruit, the unripe fruit, and the ripe fruit,
Will reappear if you remain patient.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Half fire and half water,
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Half laughter and half weeping,
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi
Half fire and half water,
Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi
Half fire and half water,
Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Pasitha vayittril unavu deivam
For a hungry stomach, food is God,
Paalaivanathil thanneer deivam
In a desert, water is God,
Pasitha vayittril unavu deivam
For a hungry stomach, food is God,
Paalaivanathil thanneer deivam
In a desert, water is God,
Kottum mazhaiyil koora deivam
In pouring rain, a roof is God,
Kodai veyilin nizhalae deivam
In summer heat, shade alone is God.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Udaitha kallil ondru deivam
Among carved stones, one becomes God,
Ondru kovil ondru vaasal
One becomes the temple, another the threshold.
Udaitha kallil ondru deivam
Among carved stones, one becomes God,
Ondru kovil ondru vaasal
One becomes the temple, another the threshold.
Iraivan padaippil ellaam ondrae
In God's creation, everything is equal,
Idathai poruthae edhuvum maarum
Everything changes based on its place.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi
Half fire and half water,
Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Aattru vellam pona pinnaale
After the river flood subsides,
Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
Naettru thunbam naalai vilagum
Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow,
Nenjam muluthum nimmadhi aagum
And the whole heart will find complete peace.
Aattru vellam pona pinnaale
After the river flood subsides,
Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
Aattru vellam pona pinnaale
After the river flood subsides,
Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae
Like the white sand that settles in calm peace,
Naettru thunbam naalai vilagum
Yesterday's sorrow will recede tomorrow,
Nenjam muluthum nimmadhi aagum
And the whole heart will find complete peace.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Indru un marathil ilaiyudhir kaalam
Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season,
Ini varum kaalam thulir vidum kaalam
The coming season will be the time for new sprouts.
Indru un marathil ilaiyudhir kaalam
Today in your tree, it is leaf-shedding season,
Ini varum kaalam thulir vidum kaalam
The coming season will be the time for new sprouts.
Poovum pinjum kaayum kaniyum
The flower, the young fruit, the unripe fruit, and the ripe fruit,
Porumai kondaal marupadi thondrum
Will reappear if you remain patient.
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Hooo oo hoo ooo oo oo
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Neruppu paadhi neerum paadhi
Half fire and half water,
Niraindhadhallavo ulaga needhi
Is that not how worldly justice is filled?
Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi
Half laughter and half weeping,
Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi
Is that not how humankind is formed?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic philosophical song from 'Enga Veettu Penn' composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan explores the duality and impermanence of human life. Through profound metaphors—such as laughter and tears, fire and water, autumn and spring—Kannadasan illustrates that life is an equal mix of joy and sorrow, conflict and calm. The lyricist highlights how divinity and value are context-dependent: food is divine to the hungry, water to the desert traveler, and shade to those enduring heat. Furthermore, the song emphasizes equality in creation and the necessity of patience. Just as stones carved from the same rock serve different roles (god, temple, threshold) based on placement, human status is shaped by context. Using natural cycles—such as floods calming down to white sand and trees leafing again after autumn—the song brings comfort, reminding the listener that hardship is temporary and peace will return.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Muran)
“Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi”
Juxtaposes contrasting concepts like 'Siruppu' (laughter) and 'Azhugai' (weeping) to illustrate life's duality.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Siruppu paadhi azhugai paadhi / Serndhadhallavo manidha jaadhi”
Employs Tamil prosodic second-letter rhyming across consecutive lines (Si-ruppu / Se-rndhadhallavo, Ne-ruppu / Ni-raindhadhallavo).
Contextual Metaphor (Deification)
“Pasitha vayittril unavu deivam”
Defines God not as an abstract idol, but as immediate solutions to human suffering (food for hunger, shade in summer).
Simile (Upamai)
“Amaidhi kollum venmanal polae”
Compares a tranquil human mind following grief to white sand settling peacefully after a river flood recedes.
Allegory (Nature Analogy)
“Indru un marathil ilaiyudhir kaalam / Ini varum kaalam thulir vidum kaalam”
Uses seasonal cycles of trees shedding leaves and sprouting anew as an allegory for human endurance and hope.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Siruppu Paadhi Azhugai Paadhi' is one of Kannadasan's most celebrated philosophical tracks, delivering deep life wisdom with accessible language. Rendered with soothing vocals by P. B. Sreenivas, the song appears in 'Enga Veettu Penn' (1965), starring M. G. Ramachandran in dual roles, and remains a perennial favorite for its message of emotional resilience.
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