Ulagil Edhu
From Mahalakshmi · 1960
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Mahalakshmi1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
| Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha | That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this... |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
| Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha | That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this... |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
| Female | |
| Kalai thiarana illai karpanaiya | Is it artistic talent or imagination? |
| Manidhan kandupiditha vingyaana arpudhuma | Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man? |
| Kalai thiarana illai karpanaiya | Is it artistic talent or imagination? |
| Manidhan kandupiditha vingyaana arpudhuma | Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man? |
| Indha ulagil edhu periyadhu | In this world, what is the greatest? |
| Female | |
| Kalaiyai vilai pesum kaaalamidhu | This is an era where art is bargained for a price. |
| Karpanaiyum kooda virpanaiyaaguthu | Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale. |
| Kalaiyai vilai pesum kaaalamidhu | This is an era where art is bargained for a price. |
| Karpanaiyum kooda virpanaiyaaguthu | Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale. |
| Azhivu paadhai nokki vingyaanam pogudhu | Science is heading toward a path of destruction. |
| Azhivu paadhai nokki vingyaanam pogudhu | Science is heading toward a path of destruction. |
| Anaithaiyum porul indri adakkiyae aaludhu | Material wealth rules and suppresses everything effortlessly. |
| Indha ulagil edhu periyadhu | In this world, what is the greatest? |
| Female | |
| Arivikum thiramaikkum kedaikadha madhippu | The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive, |
| Porulukkae innaalil mudhal varaverppu | Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays. |
| Arivikum thiramaikkum kedaikadha madhippu | The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive, |
| Porulukkae innaalil mudhal varaverppu | Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays. |
| Perumaikkum sirumaikum adhuvae thaan poruppu | It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation. |
| Perumaikkum sirumaikum adhuvae thaan poruppu | It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation. |
| Unnai peridhaaga kattuvadhe selvathin sirappu | To make you appear grand is the ultimate trait of wealth. |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
| Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha | That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this... |
| Ulagil edhu periyadhu | What is the greatest thing in this world? |
உலகில் எது பெரியது
உலகில் எது பெரியது
மக்கள் உள்ளத்தைக் கவருவது
இந்த உலகில் எது பெரியது
மக்கள் உள்ளத்தைக் கவருவது
இந்த உலகில் எது பெரியது
What is the greatest thing in this world?
What is the greatest thing in this world?
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
What is the greatest thing in this world?
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
What is the greatest thing in this world?
கலைத் திறனா இல்லை கற்பனையா
மனிதன் கண்டுபிடித்த விஞ்ஞான அற்புதமா
கலைத் திறனா இல்லை கற்பனையா
மனிதன் கண்டுபிடித்த விஞ்ஞான அற்புதமா
இந்த உலகில் எது பெரியது
Is it artistic talent or imagination?
Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man?
Is it artistic talent or imagination?
Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man?
In this world, what is the greatest?
கலையை விலை பேசும் காலமிது
கற்பனையும் கூட விற்பனையாகுது
கலையை விலை பேசும் காலமிது
கற்பனையும் கூட விற்பனையாகுது
அழிவுப் பாதை நோக்கி விஞ்ஞானம் போகுது
அழிவுப் பாதை நோக்கி விஞ்ஞானம் போகுது
அனைத்தையும் பொருளின்று அடக்கியே ஆளுது........
இந்த உலகில் எது பெரியது
This is an era where art is bargained for a price.
Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale.
This is an era where art is bargained for a price.
Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale.
Science is heading toward a path of destruction.
Science is heading toward a path of destruction.
Material wealth rules and suppresses everything effortlessly.
In this world, what is the greatest?
அறிவுக்கும் திறமைக்கும் கிடைக்காத மதிப்பு
பொருளுக்கே இந்நாளில் முதல் வரவேற்பு...
அறிவுக்கும் திறமைக்கும் கிடைக்காத மதிப்பு
பொருளுக்கே இந்நாளில் முதல் வரவேற்பு...
பெருமைக்கும் சிறுமைக்கும் அதுவேதான் பொறுப்பு
பெருமைக்கும் சிறுமைக்கும் அதுவேதான் பொறுப்பு
உன்னை பெரிதாகக் காட்டுவதே செல்வத்தின் சிறப்பு......
The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive,
Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays.
The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive,
Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays.
It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation.
It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation.
To make you appear grand is the ultimate trait of wealth.
What is the greatest thing in this world?
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
What is the greatest thing in this world?
உலகில் எது பெரியது
மக்கள் உள்ளத்தைக் கவருவது
இந்த உலகில் எது பெரியது
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Kalai thiarana illai karpanaiya
Is it artistic talent or imagination?
Manidhan kandupiditha vingyaana arpudhuma
Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man?
Kalai thiarana illai karpanaiya
Is it artistic talent or imagination?
Manidhan kandupiditha vingyaana arpudhuma
Or is it the scientific wonder invented by man?
Indha ulagil edhu periyadhu
In this world, what is the greatest?
Kalaiyai vilai pesum kaaalamidhu
This is an era where art is bargained for a price.
Karpanaiyum kooda virpanaiyaaguthu
Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale.
Kalaiyai vilai pesum kaaalamidhu
This is an era where art is bargained for a price.
Karpanaiyum kooda virpanaiyaaguthu
Even imagination becomes a commodity for sale.
Azhivu paadhai nokki vingyaanam pogudhu
Science is heading toward a path of destruction.
Azhivu paadhai nokki vingyaanam pogudhu
Science is heading toward a path of destruction.
Anaithaiyum porul indri adakkiyae aaludhu
Material wealth rules and suppresses everything effortlessly.
Indha ulagil edhu periyadhu
In this world, what is the greatest?
Arivikum thiramaikkum kedaikadha madhippu
The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive,
Porulukkae innaalil mudhal varaverppu
Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays.
Arivikum thiramaikkum kedaikadha madhippu
The respect that intellect and talent fail to receive,
Porulukkae innaalil mudhal varaverppu
Material wealth receives the foremost welcome nowadays.
Perumaikkum sirumaikum adhuvae thaan poruppu
It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation.
Perumaikkum sirumaikum adhuvae thaan poruppu
It alone holds the key to honor as well as humiliation.
Unnai peridhaaga kattuvadhe selvathin sirappu
To make you appear grand is the ultimate trait of wealth.
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Makkal ullathai karuvavadhu indha
That which moves and holds the hearts of the people, in this...
Ulagil edhu periyadhu
What is the greatest thing in this world?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song 'Ulagil Edhu Periyadhu' from the film Mahalakshmi (1960) poses a deeply philosophical question regarding what truly holds supreme power and value in human society. It contrasts noble ideals like artistic creativity, human imagination, and scientific innovation against the overwhelming, corrupting power of commercialization and money. The lyrics critique the modern era where wisdom and genuine skill are undervalued, while material wealth commands respect, dictates social stature, and influences human destiny.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinah)
“Ulagil edhu periyadhu”
The song repeatedly opens and centers around a rhetorical question asking what holds the highest importance in the world.
Antithesis (Muran)
“Perumaikkum sirumaikum adhuvae thaan poruppu”
Contrasting two opposing concepts ('Perumai' meaning pride/greatness and 'Sirumai' meaning pettiness/lowness) to show how wealth influences both ends of human reputation.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Arivikum thiramaikkum kedaikadha madhippu”
Rhyming line endings like 'madhippu', 'varaverppu', and 'poruppu' create a rhythmic and musical flow in the stanza.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by 'Isai Sithar' K. V. Mahadevan and written by veteran lyricist A. Maruthakasi, this song highlights Maruthakasi's signature style of blending high moral philosophies with accessible Tamil social commentary. Singer P. Leela's expressive classical vocal delivery added significant emotional weight to the song's critical themes.
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