Thoppile Irunthaalum
From Ponmana Selvan · 1989
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ponmana Selvan1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aadi kaathil ammiyae paranthaal | If even a grinding stone flies away in the Aadi wind, |
| Aalilaigal ennagum | What will happen to the tender banyan leaves? |
| Adi mel adi vizhunthaal | If blow after blow falls, |
| Manidhan ivan nenjamingu punnaagum | This human heart here will become a wound. |
| Varum thunbam yerkka mudiyathu endrae | Saying that one cannot accept incoming suffering, |
| Evanaalum solla mudiyaathu podaa | No one can ever say that, move along! |
| Varuvathai ellam yetru kol | Accept whatever comes your way. |
| Male | |
| Thoppilae irunthaalum | Even if in a grove, |
| Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan | Every tree is alone on its own. |
| Kootathil irunthaalum | Even if in a crowd, |
| Manushan evanum thani maram thaan | Every human being is a solitary tree. |
| Male | |
| Samudhaayam enna podaa | What is society anyway, go away! |
| Veedu vaasal enna podaa | What is home and hearth anyway, go away! |
| Samudhaayam enna podaa | What is society anyway, go away! |
| Veedu vaasal enna podaa | What is home and hearth anyway, go away! |
| Ada suzhalura olagathil suttri varum | Hey, revolving in this spinning world, |
| Uravugal bandham enna podaa | What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away! |
| Male | |
| Thoppilae irunthaalum | Even if in a grove, |
| Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan | Every tree is alone on its own. |
| Kootathil irunthaalum | Even if in a crowd, |
| Manushan evanum thani maram thaan | Every human being is a solitary tree. |
| Male | |
| Thaai thanthai aanaalum | Be it mother or father, |
| Thaaramaaga irundhaalum | Or even if it is a spouse, |
| Thalaivaliyae unakku vandhaal | If you get a headache, |
| Thaangi kolla mudiyumaa | Can they bear it for you? |
| Thamaiyanaaga aanalum | Be it an elder brother, |
| Thangaiyaaga irunthaalum | Or even if it is a younger sister, |
| Unadhu nenjin thuyaram adhai | Can they exchange or take away, |
| Maatri kolla mudiyuma | The sorrow in your heart? |
| Male | |
| Ada mannai pilandhu podu | Hey, split open the soil, |
| Mannu unnai thaangum paaru | See how the earth still holds you up. |
| Adhai pola neeyum maaru | Change yourself to be like that, |
| Thunbam thaangi thaangi paaru | Try enduring and bearing suffering repeatedly. |
| Edhu vandhaal enna vandhu ponaal enna | What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes? |
| Ingu maaradhu maaradhu vaanam thaan | Here, only the sky never ever changes. |
| Male | |
| Thoppilae irunthaalum | Even if in a grove, |
| Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan | Every tree is alone on its own. |
| Kootathil irunthaalum | Even if in a crowd, |
| Manushan evanum thani maram thaan | Every human being is a solitary tree. |
| Male | |
| Vaesham pottu vandhavar thaan | Those who came wearing disguises, |
| Ethanaiyo maedaiyilae | On so many stages, |
| Aadiyavar yaar yaaro | Whoever danced on them, |
| Athanaiyum paarthenae | I have seen all of that. |
| Male | |
| Veedum ingu kaadaachu | The house here has become a forest, |
| Vaedanthaangal pol aachu | It became like Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, |
| Vandha paravai parandhaachu | The birds that came have flown away, |
| Oivu kaalam poyaachu | The period of rest is gone. |
| Male | |
| Vali thaangi palagi pochu | I have become used to bearing pain, |
| Idi thaangi kambi aachu | I have become like a lightning rod, |
| Ingu medu pallam yedhu | What is high or low ground here? |
| Kuzhi thaandi pazhakkam aachu | Crossing pits has become a habit. |
| Edhu vandhaal enna | What if anything comes? |
| Edhu vandhaal enna vandhu ponaal enna | What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes? |
| Ingu maaradhu maaradhu vaanam thaan | Here, only the sky never ever changes. |
| Male | |
| Thoppilae irunthaalum | Even if in a grove, |
| Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan | Every tree is alone on its own. |
| Kootathil irunthaalum | Even if in a crowd, |
| Manushan evanum thani maram thaan | Every human being is a solitary tree. |
| Male | |
| Samudhaayam enna podaa | What is society anyway, go away! |
| Veedu vaasal enna podaa | What is home and hearth anyway, go away! |
| Samudhaayam enna podaa | What is society anyway, go away! |
| Veedu vaasal enna podaa | What is home and hearth anyway, go away! |
| Ada suzhalura olagathil suttri varum | Hey, revolving in this spinning world, |
| Uravugal bandham enna podaa | What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away! |
| Male | |
| Thoppilae irunthaalum | Even if in a grove, |
| Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan | Every tree is alone on its own. |
| Kootathil irunthaalum | Even if in a crowd, |
| Manushan evanum thani maram thaan | Every human being is a solitary tree. |
ஆடிக் காத்தில் அம்மியே பறந்தால்
ஆலிலைகள் என்னாகும்
அடி மேல் அடி விழுந்தால்
மனிதனிவன் நெஞ்சமிங்கு புண்ணாகும்
வரும் துன்பம் ஏற்க முடியாது என்றே
எவனாலும் சொல்ல முடியாது போடா
வருவதை எல்லாம் ஏற்றுக் கொள்
If even a grinding stone flies away in the Aadi wind,
What will happen to the tender banyan leaves?
If blow after blow falls,
This human heart here will become a wound.
Saying that one cannot accept incoming suffering,
No one can ever say that, move along!
Accept whatever comes your way.
தோப்பிலே இருந்தாலும்
ஒவ்வொரு மரமும் தனித் தனி தான்
கூட்டத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
மனுஷன் எவனும் தனி மரம்தான்
Even if in a grove,
Every tree is alone on its own.
Even if in a crowd,
Every human being is a solitary tree.
சமுதாயம் என்ன போடா
வீடு வாசல் என்ன போடா
சமுதாயம் என்ன போடா
வீடு வாசல் என்ன போடா
அட சுழலுற ஒலகத்தில் சுற்றி வரும்
உறவுகள் பந்தம் என்ன போடா
What is society anyway, go away!
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
What is society anyway, go away!
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Hey, revolving in this spinning world,
What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away!
தோப்பிலே இருந்தாலும்
ஒவ்வொரு மரமும் தனித் தனிதான்
கூட்டத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
மனுஷன் எவனும் தனி மரம்தான்
Even if in a grove,
Every tree is alone on its own.
Even if in a crowd,
Every human being is a solitary tree.
தாய் தந்தை ஆனாலும்
தாரமாக இருந்தாலும்
தலைவலியே உனக்கு வந்தால்
தாங்கிக் கொள்ள முடியுமா
தமையனாக ஆனாலும்
தங்கையாக இருந்தாலும்
உனது நெஞ்சின் துயரம் அதை
மாற்றிக் கொள்ள முடியுமா
Be it mother or father,
Or even if it is a spouse,
If you get a headache,
Can they bear it for you?
Be it an elder brother,
Or even if it is a younger sister,
Can they exchange or take away,
The sorrow in your heart?
அட மண்ணை பிளந்து போடு
மண்ணு உன்னை தாங்கும் பாரு
அதைப் போல நீயும் மாறு
துன்பம் தாங்கித் தாங்கிப் பாரு
எது வந்தால் என்ன வந்து போனால் என்ன
இங்கு மாறாது மாறாது வானம்தான்
Hey, split open the soil,
See how the earth still holds you up.
Change yourself to be like that,
Try enduring and bearing suffering repeatedly.
What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes?
Here, only the sky never ever changes.
தோப்பிலே இருந்தாலும்
ஒவ்வொரு மரமும் தனித் தனிதான்
கூட்டத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
மனுஷன் எவனும் தனி மரம்தான்
Even if in a grove,
Every tree is alone on its own.
Even if in a crowd,
Every human being is a solitary tree.
வேஷம் போட்டு வந்தவர் தான்
எத்தனையோ மேடையிலே
ஆடியவர் யார் யாரோ
அத்தனையும் பார்த்தேனே
Those who came wearing disguises,
On so many stages,
Whoever danced on them,
I have seen all of that.
வீடும் இங்கு காடாச்சு
வேடந்தாங்கல் போலாச்சு
வந்த பறவை பறந்தாச்சு
ஓய்வு காலம் போயாச்சு
The house here has become a forest,
It became like Vedanthangal bird sanctuary,
The birds that came have flown away,
The period of rest is gone.
வலி தாங்கி பழகிப் போச்சு
இடி தாங்கிக் கம்பி ஆச்சு
இங்கு மேடு பள்ளம் ஏது
குழி தாண்டிப் பழக்கம் ஆச்சு
எது வந்தால் என்ன
வந்து போனால் என்ன
என்றும் மாறாது மாறாது வானம்தான்
I have become used to bearing pain,
I have become like a lightning rod,
What is high or low ground here?
Crossing pits has become a habit.
What if anything comes?
What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes?
Here, only the sky never ever changes.
தோப்பிலே இருந்தாலும்
ஒவ்வொரு மரமும் தனித் தனிதான்
கூட்டத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
மனுஷன் எவனும் தனி மரம்தான்
Even if in a grove,
Every tree is alone on its own.
Even if in a crowd,
Every human being is a solitary tree.
சமுதாயம் என்ன போடா
வீடு வாசல் என்ன போடா
சமுதாயம் என்ன போடா
வீடு வாசல் என்ன போடா
அட சுழலுற ஒலகத்தில் சுற்றி வரும்
உறவுகள் பந்தம் என்ன போடா
What is society anyway, go away!
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
What is society anyway, go away!
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Hey, revolving in this spinning world,
What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away!
தோப்பிலே இருந்தாலும்
ஒவ்வொரு மரமும் தனித் தனிதான்
கூட்டத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
மனுஷன் எவனும் தனி மரம்தான்
Even if in a grove,
Every tree is alone on its own.
Even if in a crowd,
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Aadi kaathil ammiyae paranthaal
If even a grinding stone flies away in the Aadi wind,
Aalilaigal ennagum
What will happen to the tender banyan leaves?
Adi mel adi vizhunthaal
If blow after blow falls,
Manidhan ivan nenjamingu punnaagum
This human heart here will become a wound.
Varum thunbam yerkka mudiyathu endrae
Saying that one cannot accept incoming suffering,
Evanaalum solla mudiyaathu podaa
No one can ever say that, move along!
Varuvathai ellam yetru kol
Accept whatever comes your way.
Thoppilae irunthaalum
Even if in a grove,
Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan
Every tree is alone on its own.
Kootathil irunthaalum
Even if in a crowd,
Manushan evanum thani maram thaan
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Samudhaayam enna podaa
What is society anyway, go away!
Veedu vaasal enna podaa
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Samudhaayam enna podaa
What is society anyway, go away!
Veedu vaasal enna podaa
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Ada suzhalura olagathil suttri varum
Hey, revolving in this spinning world,
Uravugal bandham enna podaa
What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away!
Thoppilae irunthaalum
Even if in a grove,
Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan
Every tree is alone on its own.
Kootathil irunthaalum
Even if in a crowd,
Manushan evanum thani maram thaan
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Thaai thanthai aanaalum
Be it mother or father,
Thaaramaaga irundhaalum
Or even if it is a spouse,
Thalaivaliyae unakku vandhaal
If you get a headache,
Thaangi kolla mudiyumaa
Can they bear it for you?
Thamaiyanaaga aanalum
Be it an elder brother,
Thangaiyaaga irunthaalum
Or even if it is a younger sister,
Unadhu nenjin thuyaram adhai
Can they exchange or take away,
Maatri kolla mudiyuma
The sorrow in your heart?
Ada mannai pilandhu podu
Hey, split open the soil,
Mannu unnai thaangum paaru
See how the earth still holds you up.
Adhai pola neeyum maaru
Change yourself to be like that,
Thunbam thaangi thaangi paaru
Try enduring and bearing suffering repeatedly.
Edhu vandhaal enna vandhu ponaal enna
What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes?
Ingu maaradhu maaradhu vaanam thaan
Here, only the sky never ever changes.
Thoppilae irunthaalum
Even if in a grove,
Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan
Every tree is alone on its own.
Kootathil irunthaalum
Even if in a crowd,
Manushan evanum thani maram thaan
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Vaesham pottu vandhavar thaan
Those who came wearing disguises,
Ethanaiyo maedaiyilae
On so many stages,
Aadiyavar yaar yaaro
Whoever danced on them,
Athanaiyum paarthenae
I have seen all of that.
Veedum ingu kaadaachu
The house here has become a forest,
Vaedanthaangal pol aachu
It became like Vedanthangal bird sanctuary,
Vandha paravai parandhaachu
The birds that came have flown away,
Oivu kaalam poyaachu
The period of rest is gone.
Vali thaangi palagi pochu
I have become used to bearing pain,
Idi thaangi kambi aachu
I have become like a lightning rod,
Ingu medu pallam yedhu
What is high or low ground here?
Kuzhi thaandi pazhakkam aachu
Crossing pits has become a habit.
Edhu vandhaal enna
What if anything comes?
Edhu vandhaal enna vandhu ponaal enna
What if anything comes, what if anything comes and goes?
Ingu maaradhu maaradhu vaanam thaan
Here, only the sky never ever changes.
Thoppilae irunthaalum
Even if in a grove,
Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan
Every tree is alone on its own.
Kootathil irunthaalum
Even if in a crowd,
Manushan evanum thani maram thaan
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Samudhaayam enna podaa
What is society anyway, go away!
Veedu vaasal enna podaa
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Samudhaayam enna podaa
What is society anyway, go away!
Veedu vaasal enna podaa
What is home and hearth anyway, go away!
Ada suzhalura olagathil suttri varum
Hey, revolving in this spinning world,
Uravugal bandham enna podaa
What are relationships and bonds anyway, go away!
Thoppilae irunthaalum
Even if in a grove,
Ovvoru maramum thani thanithaan
Every tree is alone on its own.
Kootathil irunthaalum
Even if in a crowd,
Manushan evanum thani maram thaan
Every human being is a solitary tree.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song reflects on the ultimate solitude of individual human existence and the necessity of self-reliance. Using imagery of trees standing alone even within a dense grove, the lyrics express how family, friends, and society cannot directly absorb or share a person's individual physical or emotional pain. The central theme emphasizes accepting adversity as an inevitable part of life, drawing strength from nature like the earth enduring pressure or a lightning rod enduring strikes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Manushan evanum thani maram thaan”
Compares an individual human being amidst a crowd to a single standalone tree in a grove ('Thani Maram').
Mohnai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thaai thanthai aanaalum / Thaaramaaga irundhaalum”
Repetition of the initial 'Tha' sound across consecutive lines to build rhythmic impact.
Analogy
“Idi thaangi kambi aachu”
Compares human endurance to a lightning rod ('Idi thaangi kambi') that withstands heavy strikes without breaking.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from 'Ponmana Selvan' (1989), starring Vijayakanth, features lyricism by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja himself, showcasing his signature philosophical and folk-infused songwriting style on existential themes.
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