T. M. Soundararajan’s ‘Avan Oru Paithiyakaran’ from the album ‘Thulli Odum Pulliman’ combines K. V. Mahadevan’s stirring composition with Kannadasan’s sharp social critique. The song questions conventional judgments about sanity through a defiant vocal performance.
Avan Oru Paithiyakaran
T. M. Soundararajan • From “Thulli Odum Pulliman”
What is the meaning of Avan Oru Paithiyakaran Lyrics from Thulli Odum Pulliman?
Kannadasan contrasts a truth-seeking man’s downfall with society’s mockery. The lyric ‘Puththi solla ponavanae Puththi kettu ponaan’ illustrates wisdom lost to corruption. Another verse describes status inflating arrogance, symbolized by opening an umbrella inside a bus.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Ooril Aththanaiyum UnmaiyendruThinking that everything in this world is true,
Saththiyaththai Nampugindrahe’s someone who puts his faith in the absolute truth.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Ooril Aththanaiyum UnmaiyendruThinking that everything in this world is true,
Saththiyaththai Nampugindrahe’s someone who puts his faith in the absolute truth.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Puththiyillaa KoottaththukkuTo a crowd that’s devoid of any sense,
Puththi Solla Ponaanhe went to offer some wisdom.
Puththi Solla PonavanaeBut the one who went to share wisdom,
Puththi Kettu Ponaanended up losing his own mind.
Puththiyillaa KoottaththukkuTo a crowd that’s devoid of any sense,
Puththi Solla Ponaanhe went to offer some wisdom.
Puththi Solla PonavanaeBut the one who went to share wisdom,
Puththi Kettu Ponaanended up losing his own mind.
Sontha Puththi Kettu PonaanHe lost his very own sanity.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Arpanukku Vaazhvu VanthaaWhen a lowly person gains status,
Enna Ninaipaanwhat’ll he think of himself?
Avan ArthamindriWithout any rhyme or reason,
Bus-il Kooda Kudai Pidippaanhe’ll even hold up an umbrella inside a bus.
Arpanukku Vaazhvu VanthaaWhen a lowly person gains status,
Enna Ninaipaanwhat’ll he think of himself?
Avan ArthamindriWithout any rhyme or reason,
Bus-il Kooda Kudai Pidippaanhe’ll even hold up an umbrella inside a bus.
Arputhamaa Kedachathu PolAs if he’s found a rare wonder,
Pennai Pidippaanhe’ll grab hold of a woman.
Arputhamaa Kedachathu PolAs if he’s found a rare wonder,
Pennai Pidippaanhe’ll grab hold of a woman.
Paththu AalirukkumEven with ten people watching,
Bus-il Kooda Muththam Koduppaanhe’ll even give her a kiss on the bus.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Ooril Aththanaiyum UnmaiyendruThinking that everything in this world is true,
Saththiyaththai Nampugindrahe’s someone who puts his faith in the absolute truth.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Aasaiyilae Avan ManasuBecause of his desires, his heart
Aattam Kandirukkummust’ve started to waver.
Aasaiyilae Avan ManasuBecause of his desires, his heart
Aattam Kandirukkummust’ve started to waver.
Antha Aalai Nambi MadaththilaeTrusting that man, at the ‘religious retreat’,
Oru Koottam Vanthirukkuma whole crowd must’ve gathered.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Ooril Aththanaiyum UnmaiyendruThinking that everything in this world is true,
Saththiyaththai Nampugindrahe’s someone who puts his faith in the absolute truth.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Kallooriyil PadikkaiyilaeWhile he was studying at college,
Kadhalum Padiththaanhe also learned about love.
Avan Kannagipol ManaiyirunthumDespite having a wife as virtuous as ‘the legendary chaste’ Kannagi,
Nadigaiyai Ninaiththaanhe kept thinking about an actress.
Padippatharkkum Oruthan VanthuOne man came and caught the bus
Bus-ai Pidiththaanjust so he could study.
Padippatharkkum Oruthan VanthuOne man came and caught the bus
Bus-ai Pidiththaanjust so he could study.
Avanai Idippatharkkum Oruthan Bus-ilAnd someone else on the bus
Ticket Eduththaanbought a ticket just to bump into him.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Ooril Aththanaiyum UnmaiyendruThinking that everything in this world is true,
Saththiyaththai Nampugindrahe’s someone who puts his faith in the absolute truth.
Avan Oru PaithiyakaranHe’s a madman.
Avan Oru Paithiyakaran Music Video
The Thulli Odum Pulliman album dissects hypocrisy through this Tamil lyrics translation. Its enduring relevance lies in framing the ‘madman’ as society’s accuser rather than its victim.