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Sigaram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Agaram Ippo Sigaram Aachu

From Sigaram · 1991

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Movie name
Sigaram
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
1 Jun 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{Agaram ippo sigaram achu
Thagaram ippo thangam achu
Kattu moongil pattu padum
Pullankuzhal achu} (2)
{Sangethamae sannidhi
Santhosham sollum sangadhi} (2)
Karkalam vandhal enna
Kadum kodai vandhal enna
Mazhai vellam pogum
Karai rendum vazhum
Kalangal ponal enna
Kolangal ponaal enna
Poi anbu pogum
Mei anbu vazhum
Anbukku uruvam illai
Pasathil paruvam illai
Vaanodu mudivum illai
Vazhvodu vidaiyum illai
Indrenbadhu unmaiyae
Nambikkai ungal kaiyilae
Agaram ippo sigaram achu
Thagaram ippo thangam achu
Kattu moongil pattu padum
Pullankuzhal achu
Thaneeril meengal vazhum
Kanneeril kaadhal vazhum
Oodalgal ellam thedalgal thanae
Pasiyara parvai podhum
Parimara varthai podhum
Kaneeril padhi kayangal aarum
Thalai saikka idama illai
Thalai kodha virala illai
Ilankaatru varava illai
Ilaipparu parava illai
Nambikkaiyae nalladhu
Erumbukkum vazhkkai ulladhu
Agaram ippo sigaram achu
Thagaram ippo thangam achu
Kattu moongil pattu padum
Pullankuzhal achu
Sangethamae sannidhi
Santhosham sollum sangadhi
Agaram ippo sigaram achu
Thagaram ippo thangam achu
Kattu moongil pattu padum
Pullankuzhal achu
The first letter has now become the peak,
tin has now turned into gold.
The wild bamboo singing a song
has now become a flute.
Music is the sacred shrine,
a melody that speaks of joy.
What if the rainy season arrives?
What if the harsh summer comes?
The floodwaters will pass away,
but both riverbanks will remain.
What if the times change?
What if outward forms fade?
False love will wither away,
true love will live forever.
Love has no physical shape,
affection knows no age.
The sky has no end,
and life has no easy answers.
The present moment is the only truth,
and hope is right in your hands.
The first letter has now become the peak,
tin has now turned into gold.
The wild bamboo singing a song
has now become a flute.
Fish live in water,
love lives in tears.
Aren't lovers' quarrels just a search for each other?
A loving look is enough to satisfy hunger,
a gentle word is enough to share love.
Half of all wounds heal through tears.
Is there no place to rest your head?
Are there no fingers to gently stroke your hair?
Has the gentle breeze refused to come?
Rest a while, little bird, won't you?
Having faith is always good,
even a tiny ant has a life of its own.
The first letter has now become the peak,
tin has now turned into gold.
The wild bamboo singing a song
has now become a flute.
Music is the sacred shrine,
a melody that speaks of joy.
The first letter has now become the peak,
tin has now turned into gold.
The wild bamboo singing a song
has now become a flute.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Agaram Ippo Sigaram Achu' is a deeply philosophical and inspirational song from the movie Sigaram (1991). Written by the legendary lyricist Vairamuthu and composed/sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song reflects on personal transformation, resilience, and the power of hope. It uses poetic metaphors to illustrate how humble beginnings (represented by 'Agaram', the first Tamil letter, or 'Thagaram', worthless tin) can evolve into remarkable heights ('Sigaram', a mountain peak, or 'Thangam', pure gold) when polished through artistic devotion, time, and emotional endurance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Agaram ippo sigaram achu / Thagaram ippo thangam achu”

The second consonant 'ga' (க) repeats across lines 'Agaram' and 'Thagaram', giving a traditional Tamil poetic harmony.

Metaphor

“Kattu moongil pattu padum / Pullankuzhal achu”

Comparing a wild, unrefined bamboo stick ('Kattu moongil') becoming a musical instrument ('Pullankuzhal') to human self-actualization through music and passion.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Poi anbu pogum / Mei anbu vazhum”

Contrasting temporary, superficial phenomena ('Poi anbu' / 'Mazhai vellam') with permanent truths ('Mei anbu' / 'Karai rendum').

Monae (Initial Alliteration)

“Pasiyara parvai podhum / Parimara varthai podhum”

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' in 'Pasiyara' and 'Parimara' enhances rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song holds special significance in Tamil cinema history because legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam acted as the lead actor, composed the music, and sang this track himself for the film 'Sigaram'. His performance as an artist facing life's ups and downs earned wide acclaim, and the song became a timeless anthem of hope and self-reliance.

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