Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Suyanalam Peridhaa

From Yaar Paiyyan · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Details
Yaar Paiyyan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Suyanalam peridhaaIs self-interest greater?
Podhu nalam peridhaaOr is public welfare greater?
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Madhi mayakkathilaeIn the delusion of the mind,
Varum thayakkathilaeIn the hesitation that arises,
Manam thadumaari thavikkumO human whose heart stumbles and suffers,
ManidhaaO Human!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Suyanalam peridhaaIs self-interest greater?
Podhu nalam peridhaaOr is public welfare greater?
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Thunbam illaamalaeWithout suffering,
Inbam undaagumaaCan true happiness exist?
Anbu illaadha idhayam idhayamaaIs a heart without love truly a heart?
Male
Thunbam illaamalaeWithout suffering,
Inbam undaagumaaCan true happiness exist?
Anbu illaadha idhayam idhayamaaIs a heart without love truly a heart?
Nalla thaemaanganiCan a delicious sweet mango fruit
Endrum vaembaagumaaEver become bitter neem?
Nalla thaemaanganiCan a delicious sweet mango fruit
Endrum vaembaagumaaEver become bitter neem?
Male
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Madhi mayakkathilaeIn the delusion of the mind,
Varum thayakkathilaeIn the hesitation that arises,
Manam thadumaari thavikkumO human whose heart stumbles and suffers,
ManidhaaO Human!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Naam thaedaamalaeWithout us even seeking it,
Vandha selvam endraalIf wealth comes to us,
Adhai theru meedhuOut on the street,
Veenae yerivadhaaShould it be thrown away in vain?
Male
Naam thaedaamalaeWithout us even seeking it,
Vandha selvam endraalIf wealth comes to us,
Adhai theru meedhuOut on the street,
Veenae yerivadhaaShould it be thrown away in vain?
Male
Thendral puyalaavadhaaCan a gentle breeze turn into a storm?
Ullam theeyaavadhaaCan a heart turn into fire?
Thendral puyalaavadhaaCan a gentle breeze turn into a storm?
Ullam theeyaavadhaaCan a heart turn into fire?
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Madhi mayakkathilaeIn the delusion of the mind,
Varum thayakkathilaeIn the hesitation that arises,
Manam thadumaari thavikkumO human whose heart stumbles and suffers,
ManidhaaO Human!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Male
Suyanalam peridhaaIs self-interest greater?
Podhu nalam peridhaaOr is public welfare greater?
Indha sollin unmai thannaiThe truth behind this statement,
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!
Enni paaradaaPonder upon it, O man!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from the movie 'Yaar Paiyyan' (1957), written by A. Maruthakasi, questions human ethics, selfless living, and moral integrity. It asks man to contemplate whether selfish desire (Suyanalam) or common social welfare (Podhu nalam) should take priority in life. It challenges the listener to look beyond mental confusion and hesitation, emphasizing that true joy cannot exist without enduring pain, and that a heart lacking love is devoid of humanity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thunbam illaamalae / Inbam undaagumaa

The second consonant 'ya' matches across 'Suyanalam' and 'Podhu nalam' (or 'Suyanalam' / 'Indha'), and 'Thunbam' / 'Inbam' where second letter 'n' matches.

Contrast / Antithesis

Thendral puyalaavadhaa / Ullam theeyaavadhaa

Juxtaposition of opposing concepts such as sweet mango fruit (Thaemaangani) vs bitter neem (Vaembaagumaa), and gentle breeze (Thendral) vs storm (Puyal).

Rhetorical Question

Anbu illaadha idhayam idhayamaa

The lyricist poses philosophical questions to provoke introspective thought rather than expecting a literal direct answer.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Yaar Paiyyan' (1957) is a classic Tamil comedy-drama starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. The music was composed by S. Dakshinamurthi. The lyrics by Kavi A. Maruthakasi are known for incorporating deep philosophical wisdom into accessible cinema songs.

Keep listening

More from Yaar Paiyyan