Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Dharmam Engey album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Suthanthira Bhoomiyil

From Dharmam Engey · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Dharmam Engey
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
12 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
O… hoho…
Aahaahaa… lalala laallaa…
Sudhandhira boomiyil
Pala vagai janangalum
Thottatthil malarndha malargal
Sudhandhira boomiyil
Pala vagai janangalum
Thottatthil malarndha malargal
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalum
Janangalin aayiram gunangal
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalum
Janangalin aayiram gunangal
Sudhandhira boomiyil
Pala vagai janangalum
Thottatthil malarndha malargal
Mangaiyin koondhalil
Malargal irundhaal
Mangala mangai enbom
Mangaiyin koondhalil
Malargal irundhaal
Mangala mangai enbom
Manidhanin vaazhkkaiyil
Naanayam irundhaal
Manidharul maanikkam enbom
Pannirandaandil oru murai malarum
Kurinji malargalai polae
Thannalam illaa thalaivargal pirappaar
Aayirathil oru naalae
Sudhandhira boomiyil
Pala vagai janangalum
Thottatthil malarndha malargal
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalum
Janangalin aayiram gunangal
Manam ulla malargalil
Thaenee koodum
Vandugal innisai paadum
Manam ulla malargalil
Thaenee koodum
Vandugal innisai paadum
Thiramai ullavan engirundhaalum
Dhaesam avanidam odum
Ellaa malarum iraivan padaippu
Ulagam avanadhu thottam
Thottam anaithum enakkae sondham
Enbadhu suyanala koottam
Ho… hoho… laalalaa… lalala laallaa…
Ilaigal maraithum
Manathai parappum
Perumai udaiyadhu mullai
Ilaigal maraithum
Manathai parappum
Perumai udaiyadhu mullai
Oruvan pugazhai oruvan maraithu
Uyarum varalaarillai
Sooriyan pogum dhisaiyinil ellaam
Valaiyum sooriyakaandhi
Naeriya vazhiyil nidhamum nadandhaal
Nenjukku nimmadhi saanthi
Sudhandhira boomiyil
Pala vagai janangalum
Thottatthil malarndha malargal
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalum
Janangalin aayiram gunangal
Ho… hoho… yaayaayaa… lalala laallaa…
Oh… Hoho…
Aahaha… Lalala laalla…
In this land of freedom,
the different kinds of people
are like flowers blooming in a garden.
In this land of freedom,
the different kinds of people
are like flowers blooming in a garden.
The thousand colors of the garden flowers
are like the thousand traits of the people.
The thousand colors of the garden flowers
are like the thousand traits of the people.
In this land of freedom,
the different kinds of people
are like flowers blooming in a garden.
When a woman wears
flowers in her hair,
we call her blessed and graceful.
When a woman wears
flowers in her hair,
we call her blessed and graceful.
When a person has integrity
in their life,
we call them a gem among human beings.
Blooming once in twelve years
just like the rare Kurinji flowers,
selfless leaders are born
only once in thousands of days.
In this land of freedom,
the different kinds of people
are like flowers blooming in a garden.
The thousand colors of the garden flowers
are like the thousand traits of the people.
Around sweet-scented flowers,
honeybees gather
and beetles hum sweet songs.
Around sweet-scented flowers,
honeybees gather
and beetles hum sweet songs.
Wherever a person of talent may be,
the nation will come seeking him.
Every flower is God’s creation,
and this world is His garden.
Saying, "This entire garden is mine,"
is the way of the selfish crowd.
Ho… Hoho… Laalaalaa… Lalala laalla…
Even when hidden beneath the leaves,
it spreads its fragrance;
such is the greatness of the jasmine.
Even when hidden beneath the leaves,
it spreads its fragrance;
such is the greatness of the jasmine.
By suppressing another person's fame,
no one in history has ever risen.
Following the direction the sun moves,
the sunflower gently turns.
If you walk the honest path each day,
your heart will find peace and calm.
In this land of freedom,
the different kinds of people
are like flowers blooming in a garden.
The thousand colors of the garden flowers
are like the thousand traits of the people.
Ho… Hoho… Yaayaayaa… Lalala laalla…
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song uses nature and botany as allegories to explain human character, ethics, and social harmony in a free nation. Lyricist Kannadasan compares the vast diversity of people to a vibrant garden where each flower possesses unique traits. He highlights that true human worth stems from integrity and selfless service, likening rare selfless leaders to the Kurinji flower that blooms once every twelve years.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thottatthil malarndha malargal

Comparing society to a garden ('Ulagam avanadhu thottam') and people to diverse flowers blossoming in freedom.

Upamai (Simile)

Pannirandaandil oru murai malarum Kurinji malargalai polae

Comparing rare, selfless political leaders to the Kurinji flower that blooms once every 12 years.

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pannirandaandil oru murai malarum / Thannalam illaa thalaivargal pirappaar

Rhyming second consonants across lines ('Ilaigal' and 'Manathai' / 'Pannirandaandil' and 'Thannalam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1972 Tamil film 'Dharmam Engey', the song uses botanical metaphors—such as the rare Kurinji flower, the hidden jasmine, and the sun-following sunflower—to deliver moral reflections on leadership, honesty, and humility.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Dharmam Engey

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.