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Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Enbathu Inimai

From Therottam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Therottam
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ulagam enbathu inimai
Un ullam eppothum ilamai
Varuvathu varattum manamae
Dhinam vaazhvathuthaan un kadamai
Ulagam enbathu inimai
Un ullam eppothum ilamai
Malargal piranthathu koondhalukkaaga
Vaasam namakkaaga
Malargal piranthathu koondhalukkaaga
Vaasam namakkaaga
Mangaiyar ennum thangakkiligal
Vaazhvathum namakkaaga
Udalae eppothum vilaiyaadu
Uyirae ennaalum uravaadu
Ulagam enbathu inimai
Un ullam eppothum ilamai
Ilaneerodum thenniyilum
Naan ilamaiyai paarkkindraen
Ilaneerodum thenniyilum
Naan ilamaiyai paarkkindraen
Adhai ilaigal moodum velaiyilae
Naan edhaiyo ninaikkindraen
Chittu kuruvigal mithikkindrana
Chittu kuruvigal mithikkindrana
Sempooththu paravaigal rasikkindrana…
Kaalaththai vittaal kaikku varaathu
Thuninthavan vaazhgindraan
Kaalaththai vittaal kaikku varaathu
Thuninthavan vaazhgindraan
Kannukku vayathu padhinaaru
Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooru
Ovvoru naalum varalaaru
Unnai ninaithae munnaeru….
Ulagam enbathu inimai
Un ullam eppothum ilamai
Varuvathu varattum manamae
Dhinam vaazhvathuthaan un kadamai
…………………….
The world is full of sweetness,
Your heart is forever young.
Let come what may, my heart,
Living each day is your duty.
The world is full of sweetness,
Your heart is forever young.
Flowers were born for a woman's hair,
Their fragrance is for us.
Flowers were born for a woman's hair,
Their fragrance is for us.
Golden parrots known as women,
They live for us as well.
O body, keep on playing,
O soul, share love every day.
The world is full of sweetness,
Your heart is forever young.
Even in the coconut tree bearing tender fruit,
I see the beauty of youth.
Even in the coconut tree bearing tender fruit,
I see the beauty of youth.
When the palm leaves cover them,
I find myself thinking of something else.
The little sparrows mate,
The little sparrows mate,
And coucal birds watch with delight...
If you let time slip, it won't come back,
The one who is bold truly lives.
If you let time slip, it won't come back,
The one who is bold truly lives.
For the eyes, age is sixteen,
While time is centuries old.
Every single day is history,
Believe in yourself and move ahead...
The world is full of sweetness,
Your heart is forever young.
Let come what may, my heart,
Living each day is your duty.
...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This uplifting song from 'Therottam' (1971) celebrates optimism, vitality, and the beauty of life. Lyricist Kannadasan encourages the listener to view the world as inherently joyful and to keep the heart youthful regardless of advancing age. Through serene nature imagery—such as blooming flowers, sparrows, and coconut water—the song emphasizes that the pleasures of the world exist for human joy. Furthermore, the track offers a profound philosophical call to action: time is fleeting and irreversible, so one must live courageously. By asserting that the eyes remain perpetually youthful ('sixteen') while time marches on, Kannadasan urges everyone to treat each day as an opportunity to make history and move forward with self-confidence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Personification (Munnilai)

“Varuvathu varattum manamae / Udalae eppothum vilaiyaadu / Uyirae ennaalum uravaaduThread Context: Direct address to the mind, body, and soul as conscious entities capable of listening and acting.”

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Mangaiyar ennum thangakkiligal”

Comparing young women directly to 'golden parrots' (thangakkiligal) to highlight their beauty, charm, and precious nature.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Udalae eppothum vilaiyaadu / Uyirae ennaalum uravaadu”

The second letters 'da' and 'yi' in 'Udalae' and 'Uyirae', or 'la' in 'Ulagam' and 'ullam', create a rhythmic Tamil poetic meter.

Hyperbole / Metaphorical Age

“Kannukku vayathu padhinaaru / Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooru”

'Kannukku vayathu padhinaaru' metaphorically asserts that vision and desire remain eternally sweet and youthful at sixteen, contrasting with 'Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooru' (time being hundreds of years old).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Therottam' (1971) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, a pioneering maestro who shaped early South Indian cinema music. Delivered by the legendary T. M. Soundararajan, this song stands out for blending upbeat rhythmic orchestration with Kannadasan's signature life philosophy.

Keep listening

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