Thillu Mullu
From Thillu Mullu · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thillu Mullu1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Male | |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala | Lalala lalala lalala lalala |
| Chorus | |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala | Lalala lalala lalala lalala |
| Male | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Ullam ellam kallu mullu | The mind is full of stones and thorns |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Ullam ellam kallu mullu | The mind is full of stones and thorns |
| Male | |
| Aayiram naadagam aayiram veshangal | A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises |
| Aayiram naadagam aayiram veshangal | A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises |
| Male | |
| Mannavan veshathil vandhaan | He came disguised as a king |
| Avanidam raajaangam kidaiyaadhu | But he does not possess a kingdom |
| Maapillai vesham pottaan | He dressed up as a bridegroom |
| Avanidam penn ondru kidaiyadhu | But he does not have a bride |
| Male | |
| Mannavan veshathil vandhaan | He came disguised as a king |
| Avanidam raajaangam kidaiyaadhu | But he does not possess a kingdom |
| Maapillai vesham pottaan | He dressed up as a bridegroom |
| Avanidam penn ondru kidaiyadhu | But he does not have a bride |
| Male | |
| Vekkam illai dhukkam illai | There is no shame, there is no sorrow |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male :Vesham oru dosham illai | Male: A disguise is not a fault |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male | |
| Vekkam illai dhukkam illai | There is no shame, there is no sorrow |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male :Vesham oru dosham illai | Male: A disguise is not a fault |
| Male | |
| Kaalaiyil saamiyaar maalaiyil maamiyaar | A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening |
| Kaalaiyil saamiyaar maalaiyil maamiyaar | A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening |
| Male | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Ullam ellam kallu mullu | The mind is full of stones and thorns |
| Chorus | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Male | |
| …………………. | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Ullam ellam kallu mullu | The mind is full of stones and thorns |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala | Lalala lalala lalala lalala |
| Male | |
| Nalladhu seidhida poi sollalaam | To do good, one may tell a lie |
| Ena valluvan sonnaaru | So said the philosopher Valluvar |
| Naatukku kovilai kattida oruvar | To build a temple for the country, someone |
| Thirudavum seidhaaru | Even resorted to stealing |
| Male | |
| Sathiyathai solli vittu | Having spoken the truth |
| Thathuvathai vittu vittu | Having cast aside philosophy |
| Povadhum vaazhvadhum | Whether leaving or living |
| Laabamaa …paavama …. | Is it a gain or a sin? |
| Chorus | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Male | |
| Aanmai illadhavan meesai vaithaal | If a coward grows a mustache |
| Adhu veerathai kattadhu | It does not demonstrate bravery |
| Periya mul siriya mul irandum iladhadhu | Without both the big hand and the small hand |
| Nerathai kaataadhu | A clock cannot display the time |
| Male | |
| Aanmai illadhavan meesai vaithaal | If a coward grows a mustache |
| Adhu veerathai kattadhu | It does not demonstrate bravery |
| Periya mul siriya mul irandum iladhadhu | Without both the big hand and the small hand |
| Nerathai kaataadhu | A clock cannot display the time |
| Male | |
| Nalladhukku kathi edu | Pick up the sword for a righteous cause |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male :Illaiyinna vittu vidu | Male: Otherwise, leave it alone |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male | |
| Nalladhukku kathi edu | Pick up the sword for a righteous cause |
| Chorus :Ho ho ho | Chorus: Ho ho ho |
| Male :Illaiyinna vittu vidu | Male: Otherwise, leave it alone |
| Ennamum seiyalaam nanmai thaan mukkiyam | You can do anything, only a good outcome matters |
| Ennamum seiyalaam nanmai thaan mukkiyam | You can do anything, only a good outcome matters |
| Chorus | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Chorus | |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
| Thillu mullu thillu mullu | Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit |
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
லலலா லலலா லலலா லலலா
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
லலலா லலலா லலலா லலலா
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
உள்ளமெல்லாம் கல்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
உள்ளமெல்லாம் கல்லு முல்லு
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
The mind is full of stones and thorns
ஆயிரம் நாடகம் ஆயிரம் வேஷங்கள்
ஆயிரம் நாடகம் ஆயிரம் வேஷங்கள்
A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises
A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises
மன்னவன் வேஷத்தில் வந்தான்
அவனிடம் ராஜாங்கம் கிடையாது
மாப்பிள்ளை வேஷம் போட்டான்
அவனிடம் பெண்ணொன்றும் கிடையாது
He came disguised as a king
But he does not possess a kingdom
He dressed up as a bridegroom
But he does not have a bride
மன்னவன் வேஷத்தில் வந்தான்
அவனிடம் ராஜாங்கம் கிடையாது
மாப்பிள்ளை வேஷம் போட்டான்
அவனிடம் பெண்ணொன்றும் கிடையாது
He came disguised as a king
But he does not possess a kingdom
He dressed up as a bridegroom
But he does not have a bride
வெட்கமில்லை துக்கமில்லை
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
வேஷம் போடு தோஷமில்லை
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
There is no shame, there is no sorrow
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male: A disguise is not a fault
Chorus: Ho ho ho
வெட்கமில்லை துக்கமில்லை
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
வேஷம் போடு தோஷமில்லை
காலையில் சாமியார் மாலையில் மாமியார்
காலையில் சாமியார் மாலையில் மாமியார்
There is no shame, there is no sorrow
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male: A disguise is not a fault
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
உள்ளமெல்லாம் கல்லு முல்லு
A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening
A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
The mind is full of stones and thorns
.
..........................
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு ....(4)
லலலா லலலா லலலா லலலா
[Instrumental Interlude]
நல்லது செய்திட பொய் சொல்லலாம்
என வள்ளுவர் சொன்னாரு
நாட்டுக்கு கோவிலை கட்டிய ஒருவர்
திருடவும் செய்தாரு
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
சத்தியத்தை சொல்லிவிட்டு
தத்துவத்தை விட்டு விட்டு
போவதும் வாழ்வதும் லாபமா பாவமா
To do good, one may tell a lie
So said the philosopher Valluvar
To build a temple for the country, someone
Even resorted to stealing
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
Having spoken the truth
Having cast aside philosophy
Whether leaving or living
Is it a gain or a sin?
ஆண்மையில்லாதவன் மீசை வைத்தால்
அது வீரத்தைக் காட்டாது
பெரியமுள் சிறியமுள் இரண்டுமில்லாதது
நேரத்தை காட்டாது
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
ஆண்மையில்லாதவன் மீசை வைத்தால்
அது வீரத்தைக் காட்டாது
பெரியமுள் சிறியமுள் இரண்டுமில்லாதது
நேரத்தை காட்டாது
If a coward grows a mustache
It does not demonstrate bravery
Without both the big hand and the small hand
A clock cannot display the time
நல்லதுக்கு கத்தி எடு
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
இல்லையனா விட்டு விடு
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
If a coward grows a mustache
It does not demonstrate bravery
Without both the big hand and the small hand
A clock cannot display the time
நல்லதுக்கு கத்தி எடு
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
இல்லையனா விட்டு விடு
என்னமும் செய்யலாம் நன்மைதான் முக்கியம்
என்னமும் செய்யலாம் நன்மைதான் முக்கியம்
Pick up the sword for a righteous cause
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male: Otherwise, leave it alone
Chorus: Ho ho ho
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
தில்லு முல்லு தில்லு முல்லு
Pick up the sword for a righteous cause
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male: Otherwise, leave it alone
You can do anything, only a good outcome matters
You can do anything, only a good outcome matters
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Ullam ellam kallu mullu
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Ullam ellam kallu mullu
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Aayiram naadagam aayiram veshangal
A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises
Aayiram naadagam aayiram veshangal
A thousand dramas, a thousand disguises
Mannavan veshathil vandhaan
He came disguised as a king
Avanidam raajaangam kidaiyaadhu
But he does not possess a kingdom
Maapillai vesham pottaan
He dressed up as a bridegroom
Avanidam penn ondru kidaiyadhu
But he does not have a bride
Mannavan veshathil vandhaan
He came disguised as a king
Avanidam raajaangam kidaiyaadhu
But he does not possess a kingdom
Maapillai vesham pottaan
He dressed up as a bridegroom
Avanidam penn ondru kidaiyadhu
But he does not have a bride
Vekkam illai dhukkam illai
There is no shame, there is no sorrow
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male :Vesham oru dosham illai
Male: A disguise is not a fault
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Vekkam illai dhukkam illai
There is no shame, there is no sorrow
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male :Vesham oru dosham illai
Male: A disguise is not a fault
Kaalaiyil saamiyaar maalaiyil maamiyaar
A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening
Kaalaiyil saamiyaar maalaiyil maamiyaar
A saint in the morning, a mother-in-law in the evening
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Ullam ellam kallu mullu
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
………………….
[Instrumental Interlude]
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Ullam ellam kallu mullu
The mind is full of stones and thorns
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Nalladhu seidhida poi sollalaam
To do good, one may tell a lie
Ena valluvan sonnaaru
So said the philosopher Valluvar
Naatukku kovilai kattida oruvar
To build a temple for the country, someone
Thirudavum seidhaaru
Even resorted to stealing
Sathiyathai solli vittu
Having spoken the truth
Thathuvathai vittu vittu
Having cast aside philosophy
Povadhum vaazhvadhum
Whether leaving or living
Laabamaa …paavama ….
Is it a gain or a sin?
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Aanmai illadhavan meesai vaithaal
If a coward grows a mustache
Adhu veerathai kattadhu
It does not demonstrate bravery
Periya mul siriya mul irandum iladhadhu
Without both the big hand and the small hand
Nerathai kaataadhu
A clock cannot display the time
Aanmai illadhavan meesai vaithaal
If a coward grows a mustache
Adhu veerathai kattadhu
It does not demonstrate bravery
Periya mul siriya mul irandum iladhadhu
Without both the big hand and the small hand
Nerathai kaataadhu
A clock cannot display the time
Nalladhukku kathi edu
Pick up the sword for a righteous cause
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male :Illaiyinna vittu vidu
Male: Otherwise, leave it alone
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Nalladhukku kathi edu
Pick up the sword for a righteous cause
Chorus :Ho ho ho
Chorus: Ho ho ho
Male :Illaiyinna vittu vidu
Male: Otherwise, leave it alone
Ennamum seiyalaam nanmai thaan mukkiyam
You can do anything, only a good outcome matters
Ennamum seiyalaam nanmai thaan mukkiyam
You can do anything, only a good outcome matters
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Thillu mullu thillu mullu
Trickery and deceit, trickery and deceit
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title song of the 1981 film 'Thillu Mullu' playfully justifies trickery, white lies, and putting up pretenses when done for a noble cause or to avoid unnecessary harm. Lyricist Kannadasan draws upon ancient Indian morality and classic literature to argue that a lie told to achieve good is equivalent to truth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme) & Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Thillu mullu thillu mullu / Ullam ellam kallu mullu”
The matching of second letters ('ll' sound in Thillu, Ullam, Kallu) and repeating end words ('mullu') creates a rhythmic, bouncy tempo.
Allusion (Classical Tirukkural Reference)
“Nalladhu seidhida poi sollalaam / Ena valluvan sonnaaru”
Kannadasan cites Thiruvalluvar's Tirukkural (Kural 292), which states that falsehood is considered truth if it brings unblemished good without harm.
Analogy / Metaphor
“Aanmai illadhavan meesai vaithaal / Adhu veerathai kattadhu / Periya mul siriya mul irandum iladhadhu / Nerathai kaataadhu”
The lyrics compare an unmanly man growing a mustache to a clock missing its hands; neither serves its true visual purpose without intrinsic substance.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thillu Mullu (1981) was directed by K. Balachander and is an official remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1979 Hindi comedy classic 'Gol Maal'. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It remains one of Rajinikanth's most famous full-length comedy roles.
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