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Paarthaal Pasi Theerum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ullam Yenbadhu

From Paarthaal Pasi Theerum · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Paarthaal Pasi Theerum
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ullam enbadhu aamai
Adhil unmai enbadhu oomai
Sollil varuvadhu paadhi
Nenjil thoongi kidappadhu meedhi
Sollil varuvadhu paadhi
Nenjil thoongi kidappadhu meedhi
Ullam enbadhu aamai
Adhil unmai enbadhu oomai
Dheivam endraal adhu dheivam
Adhu silai endraal verum silai thaan
Dheivam endraal adhu dheivam
Adhu silai endraal verum silai thaan
Undendraal adhu undu
Illai endraal adhu illai
Illai endraal adhu illai
Ullam enbadhu aamai
Adhil unmai enbadhu oomai
Thanneer thanal pol eriyum
Senthanalum neer pol kulirum
Thanneer thanal pol eriyum
Senthanalum neer pol kulirum
Nanbanum pagai pol theriyum
Adhu naatpada naatpada puriyum
Nanbanum pagai pol theriyum
Adhu naatpada naatpada puriyum
Naatpada naatpada puriyum
Ullam enbadhu aamai
Adhil unmai enbadhu oomai
Sollil varuvadhu paadhi
Nenjil thoongi kidappadhu meedhi
Ullam enbadhu aamai
Adhil unmai enbadhu oomai
The heart is like a turtle,
and the truth inside it is mute.
Only half of it comes out in words,
while the rest lies sleeping in the heart.
Only half of it comes out in words,
while the rest lies sleeping in the heart.
The heart is like a turtle,
and the truth inside it is mute.
If you see it as God, it is God;
if you see it as a statue, it is just a statue.
If you see it as God, it is God;
if you see it as a statue, it is just a statue.
If you say it exists, it exists;
if you say it does not, it does not.
If you say it does not, it does not.
The heart is like a turtle,
and the truth inside it is mute.
Water can burn like glowing embers,
and glowing embers can feel cool like water.
Water can burn like glowing embers,
and glowing embers can feel cool like water.
Even a friend may seem like a foe,
but you will understand as time goes by.
Even a friend may seem like a foe,
but you will understand as time goes by.
As time goes by, you will understand.
The heart is like a turtle,
and the truth inside it is mute.
Only half of it comes out in words,
while the rest lies sleeping in the heart.
The heart is like a turtle,
and the truth inside it is mute.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Paarthaal Pasi Theerum' (1962), penned by Kannadasan, explores the complex and elusive nature of human feelings, expression, and perception. By metaphorically comparing the human heart to a turtle that withdraws into its shell, the lyrics highlight how people often conceal their true thoughts and convey only a fraction of what they actually feel inside.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uuvamai)

“Ullam enbadhu aamai”

Compares the human mind/heart (Ullam) to a turtle (Aamai) that pulls its limbs inside, symbolizing emotional withdrawal and hidden truths.

Paradox / Simile (Uuvamai)

“Thanneer thanal pol eriyum”

Uses paradoxical imagery comparing water burning like fire and hot embers cooling like water to depict inverted emotional states and subjective perception.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Sollil varuvadhu paadhi / Nenjil thoongi kidappadhu meedhi”

Features traditional Tamil second-letter rhyming between 'Sollil' and 'Nenjil'.

Antithesis

“Undendraal adhu undu / Illai endraal adhu illai”

Contrasts opposing concepts such as God vs. mere stone, existence vs. non-existence, and friend vs. enemy to show how truth depends on perception.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo and sung by PB Sreenivas, this song showcases Kannadasan's mastery in translating deep Advaita-inspired philosophy and human psychology into simple, memorable cinema lyrics.

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