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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ullasam Thedum

From Tenali Raman · 1956

Lyricist
Tamil Mannan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Tenali Raman
Movie release year
1956
Lyrics added on
17 Apr 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaale
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaar
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaale
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaar
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Thaayaarin kaiyil irundhu
Samsaaram kaikku vandhu noiyaagum
Mudhumai kondu kann mooduvaar
Haa….aaa….haaa..
Thaayarin kaiyil irundhu
Samsaaram kaikku vandhu noiyaagum
Mudhumai kondu kann mooduvaar
Adhai or naalum ennaamal aaduvaar
Ondrodu mattrondru naaduvaar
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Kuzhai endra vaazhai
Maandru pogum viraivilae
Adhai ilaiya kandru valarndhu
Pongum ulagilae
Kuzhai endra vaazhai
Maandru pogum viraivilae
Adhai ilaiya kandru valarndhu
Pongum ulagilae
Dhinam dhorum vaazhvil
Manidharellaam oru murai
Indha thunaiyai enni
Paarkka venum manadhilae
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Avar andraadum thedum selvangalaale
Pinnorgal sandhosam kondaaduvaar
Ullaasam thedum ellorkkum orr naal
Sollaamal povaar allaavidam
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
With the wealth they gather every single day,
Those who come after will celebrate with joy.
With the wealth they gather every single day,
Those who come after will celebrate with joy.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
Beginning life in a mother's arms,
Moving into a wife's hands, falling ill,
They grow old and close their eyes forever.
Ha... Aaa... Ha...
Beginning life in a mother's arms,
Moving into a wife's hands, falling ill,
They grow old and close their eyes forever.
Without thinking about this even for a day, they dance with joy,
Chasing one worldly craving after another.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
A banana plant, once it bears fruit,
Soon withers away and dies,
While its young sapling grows tall
And flourishes in this world.
A banana plant, once it bears fruit,
Soon withers away and dies,
While its young sapling grows tall
And flourishes in this world.
Every single day of their lives,
All people, at least once,
Must think of this truth
And reflect upon it in their hearts.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
With the wealth they gather every single day,
Those who come after will celebrate with joy.
Everyone who seeks worldly pleasures, one day,
Will leave for Allah without saying a word.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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