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Lyrics & meaning

Ullasam Thedum

From Tenali Raman · 1956

Lyricist
Tamil Mannan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Tenali Raman1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Male
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaaleWith the wealth they toil to accumulate daily,
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaarThose who come after them will rejoice and celebrate.
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaaleWith the wealth they toil to accumulate daily,
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaarThose who come after them will rejoice and celebrate.
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Male
Thaayaarin kaiyil irundhuFrom being nurtured in the arms of a mother,
Samsaaram kaikku vandhu noiyaagumLife moves into the grip of domestic life, turning troublesome,
Mudhumai kondu kann mooduvaarUntil old age takes over and they close their eyes forever.
Haa….aaa….haaa..Haa....aaa....haaa..
Thaayarin kaiyil irundhuFrom being nurtured in the arms of a mother,
Samsaaram kaikku vandhu noiyaagumLife moves into the grip of domestic life, turning troublesome,
Mudhumai kondu kann mooduvaarUntil old age takes over and they close their eyes forever.
Adhai or naalum ennaamal aaduvaarWithout reflecting on this reality for even a day, they make merry,
Ondrodu mattrondru naaduvaarChasing one material desire after another.
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Male
Kuzhai endra vaazhaiJust as a banana tree bearing fruit
Maandru pogum viraivilaeWithers away in a short time,
Adhai ilaiya kandru valarndhuWhile its young sapling grows up
Pongum ulagilaeTo bloom and flourish in the world,
Kuzhai endra vaazhaiJust as a banana tree bearing fruit
Maandru pogum viraivilaeWithers away in a short time,
Adhai ilaiya kandru valarndhuWhile its young sapling grows up
Pongum ulagilaeTo bloom and flourish in the world,
Male
Dhinam dhorum vaazhvilEvery day in this transient life,
Manidharellaam oru muraiAll human beings at least once
Indha thunaiyai enniShould ponder upon this fundamental truth
Paarkka venum manadhilaeDeep within their hearts.
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaaleWith the wealth they toil to accumulate daily,
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaarThose who come after them will rejoice and celebrate.
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naalFor everyone who seeks worldly pleasure, one day
Sollaamal povaar allaavidamThey will depart for the Almighty without bidding farewell.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song reflects on the impermanence of human life and the futility of greed and worldly attachments. It emphasizes that no matter how much wealth or material pleasure a person accumulates throughout their lifetime, death remains an inevitable reality. The earnings and property gathered through daily toil ultimately benefit subsequent generations, while the individual departs the world without taking anything along.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (First-letter rhyming / Alliteration)

Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal / Sollaamal povaar allaavidam

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in line pairs like 'Ullaasam' and 'Sollaamal' or 'Kuzhai' and 'Maandru'.

Uvamaani (Analogy / Metaphor)

Kuzhai endra vaazhai maandru pogum viraivilae / Adhai ilaiya kandru valarndhu

Comparing the cycle of human generations to a banana plant that perishes after yielding fruit while its offshoot grows to replace it.

Iyaibu (Rhyme scheme)

Maandru pogum viraivilae / Pongum ulagilae

Repetition of ending sounds across consecutive lines such as 'viraivilae' and 'ulagilae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song was composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy for the 1956 historical comedy film Tenali Raman. Rendered by the renowned singer Ghantasala, the lyrics penned by Tamil Mannan carry a deep spiritual message reminiscent of classical Siddhar poetry about the transience of life.

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