Ulagathil Sirandhadhu
From Pattanathil Bhootham · 1967
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Govardhanam
- Details
- Pattanathil Bhootham1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu.. | What is the greatest thing in the world? |
| Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu | What is that which has no form? |
| Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum | In every country, in every home, |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Female | |
| Vatti kodupoorum | Those who lend money at interest, |
| Vangi mudipporum | And those who borrow to settle debts, |
| Kaana thudipadhu adhu | That which they yearn to see... |
| Vatti kodupoorum | Those who lend money at interest, |
| Vangi mudipporum | And those who borrow to settle debts, |
| Kaana thudipadhu adhu | That which they yearn to see... |
| Female | |
| Silar etti uthaithaalum | Even if some kick it away, |
| Katti adiththaalum | Or tie it up and beat it, |
| Idhayathil irupadhu adhu | That which resides in the heart... |
| Idhayathil irupadhu adhu | That which resides in the heart... |
| Female | |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu.. | What is the greatest thing in the world? |
| Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu | What is that which has no form? |
| Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum | In every country, in every home, |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Female | |
| Arivaiyum keduppadhu | That which ruins even wisdom, |
| Azhaginil pirappadhu | That which is born out of beauty, |
| Agilaththin perunkkadhai adhu | That which is the grand epic of the universe... |
| Arivaiyum keduppadhu | That which ruins even wisdom, |
| Azhaginil pirappadhu | That which is born out of beauty, |
| Agilaththin perunkkadhai adhu | That which is the grand epic of the universe... |
| Female | |
| Andru aadhaam yevaal | Laid down long ago by Adam and Eve, |
| Adikkal naattiya | As the foundation stone, |
| Aanandha maaligai adhu.. | That palace of supreme bliss... |
| Aanandha maaligai adhu.. | That palace of supreme bliss... |
| Female | |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal… | Love is the greatest thing in the world... |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal… | Love is the greatest thing in the world... |
| Andha kaadhal illaiyael saadhal… | Without that love, life is only death... |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal… | Love is the greatest thing in the world... |
| Male | |
| Vatti kodupoorum | Those who lend money at interest, |
| Vangi mudipporum | And those who borrow to settle debts, |
| Marakka mudiyaadhadhu | That which they can never forget... |
| Vatti kodupoorum | Those who lend money at interest, |
| Vangi mudipporum | And those who borrow to settle debts, |
| Marakka mudiyaadhadhu | That which they can never forget... |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal katti anaipporum | Those who embrace in love, |
| Kalandhu midhapporum | And those who float together in joy, |
| Kadakka mudiyaadhadhu.. | That which cannot be crossed over... |
| Kadakka mudiyaadhadhu.. | That which cannot be crossed over... |
| Male | |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu.. | What is the greatest thing in the world? |
| Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu | What is that which has no form? |
| Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum | In every country, in every home, |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Anubavamaavadhu adhu.. | That which becomes an experience... |
| Male | |
| Ullae uyir valarththu.. | Nurturing a life inside the womb... |
| Udhiraththaal paal koduththu | Feeding milk transformed from her blood, |
| Alli idumbodhellaam | Whenever scooping up food to feed, |
| Anbaiyae serththeduththu | Gathering and serving pure affection, |
| Thollai thanakkendrum | Taking suffering as her own fate, |
| Sugamellaam unakkendrum | And wishing all sweet comforts for you, |
| Sollaamal solliyidum | Expressing without saying a word, |
| Devadhaiyin koviladhu.. | That is the divine temple of an angel... |
| Male | |
| Panbu theriyaadha | Even if born as a beast, |
| Mirugam pirandhaalum | That knows no refined virtue, |
| Paal tharum karunai adhu | That is the compassion that offers milk... |
| Silar pasiththa mugam paarththu | Seeing the hungry faces of others, |
| Padharum nilai paarththu | Seeing their anxious state, |
| Pazham tharum solai adhu | That is the orchard that provides fruit... |
| Male | |
| Irukkum pidi soru | The handful of rice available, |
| Thanakkendru ennaamal | Without claiming it for herself, |
| Kodukkindra kovil adhu | That is the temple that offers it away... |
| Irukkum pidi soru | The handful of rice available, |
| Thanakkendru ennaamal | Without claiming it for herself, |
| Kodukkindra kovil adhu | That is the temple that offers it away... |
| Male | |
| Dhinam thudikkum uyir kandu | Seeing a living soul daily suffering, |
| Tholil idam thandhu | Offering space upon her shoulder, |
| Anaikkindra dheivam adhu | That is the deity that embraces... |
| Male | |
| Adhu thooymai….. | That is purity... |
| Adhu nermai… | That is integrity... |
| Adhu vaaimai.. | That is truthfulness... |
| Adhan per thaaimai… | Its name is Motherhood... |
| Male | |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu thaaimai | Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world! |
| Adhai oppu kolvadhae nermai.. | Accepting that truth is real honesty... |
| Ulagaththil sirandhadhu thaaimai | Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world! |
உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
எது ஓர் உருவமில்லாதது
எது ஒவ்வொரு நாட்டிலும்
ஒவ்வொரு வீட்டிலும்
அனுபவமாவது அது
அனுபவமாவது அது
What is the greatest thing in the world?
What is that which has no form?
In every country, in every home,
That which becomes an experience...
That which becomes an experience...
வட்டி கொடுப்போரும்
வாங்கி முடிப்போரும் காண
துடிப்பது அது வட்டி
கொடுப்போரும் வாங்கி
முடிப்போரும் காண
துடிப்பது அது
Those who lend money at interest,
And those who borrow to settle debts,
That which they yearn to see...
Those who lend money at interest,
And those who borrow to settle debts,
That which they yearn to see...
சிலர் எட்டி
உதைத்தாலும் கட்டி
அடித்தாலும் இதயத்தில்
இருப்பது அது இதயத்தில்
இருப்பது அது
Even if some kick it away,
Or tie it up and beat it,
That which resides in the heart...
That which resides in the heart...
உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
எது ஓர் உருவமில்லாதது எது
ஒவ்வொரு நாட்டிலும் ஒவ்வொரு
வீட்டிலும் அனுபவமாவது அது
அனுபவமாவது அது
What is the greatest thing in the world?
What is that which has no form?
In every country, in every home,
That which becomes an experience...
That which becomes an experience...
அறிவையும்
கெடுப்பது அழகினில்
பிறப்பது அகிலத்தின்
பெருங்கதை அது
அறிவையும் கெடுப்பது
அழகினில் பிறப்பது
அகிலத்தின் பெருங்கதை
அது
That which ruins even wisdom,
That which is born out of beauty,
That which is the grand epic of the universe...
That which ruins even wisdom,
That which is born out of beauty,
That which is the grand epic of the universe...
அன்று ஆதாம்
ஏவாள் அடிக்கல் நாட்டிய
ஆனந்த மாளிகை அது
ஆனந்த மாளிகை அது
Laid down long ago by Adam and Eve,
As the foundation stone,
That palace of supreme bliss...
That palace of supreme bliss...
உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
காதல் உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
காதல் அந்த காதல்
இல்லையேல் சாதல்
உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
காதல்
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
Without that love, life is only death...
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
வட்டி கொடுப்போரும்
வாங்கி முடிப்போரும் மறக்க
முடியாதது வட்டி கொடுப்போரும்
வாங்கி முடிப்போரும் மறக்க
முடியாதது
Those who lend money at interest,
And those who borrow to settle debts,
That which they can never forget...
Those who lend money at interest,
And those who borrow to settle debts,
That which they can never forget...
காதல் கட்டி
அணைப்போரும் கலந்து
மிதப்போரும் கடக்க
முடியாதது கடக்க
முடியாதது
Those who embrace in love,
And those who float together in joy,
That which cannot be crossed over...
That which cannot be crossed over...
உலகத்தில் சிறந்தது
எது ஓர் உருவமில்லாதது
எது ஒவ்வொரு நாட்டிலும்
ஒவ்வொரு வீட்டிலும்
அனுபவமாவது அது
அனுபவமாவது அது
What is the greatest thing in the world?
What is that which has no form?
In every country, in every home,
That which becomes an experience...
That which becomes an experience...
உள்ளே உயிர்
வளர்த்து உதிரத்தால் பால்
கொடுத்து அள்ளி
இடும்போதெல்லாம்
அன்பையே சேர்த்தெடுத்து
தொல்லை தனக்கென்றும்
சுகமெல்லாம் உனக்கென்றும்
சொல்லாமல் சொல்லியிடும்
தேவதையின் கோவில் அது
Nurturing a life inside the womb...
Feeding milk transformed from her blood,
Whenever scooping up food to feed,
Gathering and serving pure affection,
Taking suffering as her own fate,
And wishing all sweet comforts for you,
Expressing without saying a word,
That is the divine temple of an angel...
பண்பு தெரியாத
மிருகம் பிறந்தாலும் பால்
தரும் கருணை அது சிலர்
பசித்த முகம் பார்த்து பதறும்
நிலை பார்த்து பழம் தரும்
சோலை அது
Even if born as a beast,
That knows no refined virtue,
That is the compassion that offers milk...
Seeing the hungry faces of others,
Seeing their anxious state,
That is the orchard that provides fruit...
இருக்கும் பிடி
சோறு தனக்கென்று
எண்ணாமல் கொடுக்கின்ற
கோவில் அது இருக்கும் பிடி
சோறு தனக்கென்று எண்ணாமல்
கொடுக்கின்ற கோவில் அது
The handful of rice available,
Without claiming it for herself,
That is the temple that offers it away...
The handful of rice available,
Without claiming it for herself,
That is the temple that offers it away...
தினம் துடிக்கும்
உயிர் கண்டு தோளில்
இடம் தந்து அணைக்கின்ற
தெய்வம் அது
Seeing a living soul daily suffering,
Offering space upon her shoulder,
That is the deity that embraces...
அது தூய்மை
அது நேர்மை அது
வாய்மை அதன் பேர்
தாய்மை
That is purity...
That is integrity...
That is truthfulness...
Its name is Motherhood...
உலகத்தில்
சிறந்தது தாய்மை
அதை ஒப்பு கொள்வதை
நேர்மை உலகத்தில்
சிறந்தது தாய்மை
Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world!
Accepting that truth is real honesty...
Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world!
ஆண் & பெண் :
உலகத்தில்
சிறந்தது தாய்மை உலகத்தில்
சிறந்தது தாய்மை
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu..
What is the greatest thing in the world?
Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu
What is that which has no form?
Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum
In every country, in every home,
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Vatti kodupoorum
Those who lend money at interest,
Vangi mudipporum
And those who borrow to settle debts,
Kaana thudipadhu adhu
That which they yearn to see...
Vatti kodupoorum
Those who lend money at interest,
Vangi mudipporum
And those who borrow to settle debts,
Kaana thudipadhu adhu
That which they yearn to see...
Silar etti uthaithaalum
Even if some kick it away,
Katti adiththaalum
Or tie it up and beat it,
Idhayathil irupadhu adhu
That which resides in the heart...
Idhayathil irupadhu adhu
That which resides in the heart...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu..
What is the greatest thing in the world?
Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu
What is that which has no form?
Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum
In every country, in every home,
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Arivaiyum keduppadhu
That which ruins even wisdom,
Azhaginil pirappadhu
That which is born out of beauty,
Agilaththin perunkkadhai adhu
That which is the grand epic of the universe...
Arivaiyum keduppadhu
That which ruins even wisdom,
Azhaginil pirappadhu
That which is born out of beauty,
Agilaththin perunkkadhai adhu
That which is the grand epic of the universe...
Andru aadhaam yevaal
Laid down long ago by Adam and Eve,
Adikkal naattiya
As the foundation stone,
Aanandha maaligai adhu..
That palace of supreme bliss...
Aanandha maaligai adhu..
That palace of supreme bliss...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal…
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal…
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
Andha kaadhal illaiyael saadhal…
Without that love, life is only death...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu kaadhal…
Love is the greatest thing in the world...
Vatti kodupoorum
Those who lend money at interest,
Vangi mudipporum
And those who borrow to settle debts,
Marakka mudiyaadhadhu
That which they can never forget...
Vatti kodupoorum
Those who lend money at interest,
Vangi mudipporum
And those who borrow to settle debts,
Marakka mudiyaadhadhu
That which they can never forget...
Kaadhal katti anaipporum
Those who embrace in love,
Kalandhu midhapporum
And those who float together in joy,
Kadakka mudiyaadhadhu..
That which cannot be crossed over...
Kadakka mudiyaadhadhu..
That which cannot be crossed over...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu..
What is the greatest thing in the world?
Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu
What is that which has no form?
Ovvoru naattilum ovvoru veettilum
In every country, in every home,
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Anubavamaavadhu adhu..
That which becomes an experience...
Ullae uyir valarththu..
Nurturing a life inside the womb...
Udhiraththaal paal koduththu
Feeding milk transformed from her blood,
Alli idumbodhellaam
Whenever scooping up food to feed,
Anbaiyae serththeduththu
Gathering and serving pure affection,
Thollai thanakkendrum
Taking suffering as her own fate,
Sugamellaam unakkendrum
And wishing all sweet comforts for you,
Sollaamal solliyidum
Expressing without saying a word,
Devadhaiyin koviladhu..
That is the divine temple of an angel...
Panbu theriyaadha
Even if born as a beast,
Mirugam pirandhaalum
That knows no refined virtue,
Paal tharum karunai adhu
That is the compassion that offers milk...
Silar pasiththa mugam paarththu
Seeing the hungry faces of others,
Padharum nilai paarththu
Seeing their anxious state,
Pazham tharum solai adhu
That is the orchard that provides fruit...
Irukkum pidi soru
The handful of rice available,
Thanakkendru ennaamal
Without claiming it for herself,
Kodukkindra kovil adhu
That is the temple that offers it away...
Irukkum pidi soru
The handful of rice available,
Thanakkendru ennaamal
Without claiming it for herself,
Kodukkindra kovil adhu
That is the temple that offers it away...
Dhinam thudikkum uyir kandu
Seeing a living soul daily suffering,
Tholil idam thandhu
Offering space upon her shoulder,
Anaikkindra dheivam adhu
That is the deity that embraces...
Adhu thooymai…..
That is purity...
Adhu nermai…
That is integrity...
Adhu vaaimai..
That is truthfulness...
Adhan per thaaimai…
Its name is Motherhood...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu thaaimai
Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world!
Adhai oppu kolvadhae nermai..
Accepting that truth is real honesty...
Ulagaththil sirandhadhu thaaimai
Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ulagaththil Sirandhadhu Edhu is a captivating riddle song penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan for the 1967 movie Pattanathil Bhootham. The song begins as a philosophical query, asking what formless force is experienced across every household and corner of the world. Initially, the lyrics guide the listener toward romantic love, highlighting how love drives human history, transcends material wealth, and acts as the foundation of joy since the era of Adam and Eve. However, as the song progresses, Kannadasan shifts the revelation from romantic love to an even higher, supreme virtue: Motherhood (Thaaimai). Through poetic descriptions of maternal selflessness, feeding a child from her own blood, and bearing hardship for the child's bliss, the lyricist crowns Motherhood as the ultimate expression of purity, truth, and divine love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Arivaiyum keduppadhu / Azhaginil pirappadhu / Agilaththin perunkkadhai adhu”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Adhu thooymai... / Adhu nermai... / Adhu vaaimai.. / Adhan per thaaimai...”
Syllabic rhyme at line endings (-mai sound) building up emotional climax.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Pazham tharum solai adhu”
Comparing a mother's selfless giving to a fruit-yielding orchard that feeds the hungry.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)
“Ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu.. / Orr uruvamillaadhadhu edhu”
Posing open-ended queries at the start to provoke thought and engagement before revealing the final answer.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pattanathil Bhootham (1967), starring Jaishankar and K.R. Vijaya, was a hit fantasy-comedy inspired by the 1964 American film 'The Brass Bottle'. The soundtrack was composed by R. Govardhanam, with lyrics written by Kannadasan. This particular track stands out as a unique riddle-based song where the narrative cleverly trick-guides the listener to think 'Love' is the answer before elevating 'Motherhood' as the ultimate truth.
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