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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Geetham Sangeetham Sad

From Kokkarakko · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kokkarakko1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Laa… lae laa laa… laa[Vocalizing]
Laalaalaa laalaalae laa… laa[Vocalizing]
Laa… laa thanaa thaa… naa[Vocalizing]
Thaareera raanaanae thaanaa thaadhaara[Vocalizing]
Raa… naa thaa naa… nae[Vocalizing]
Laalaalaa laalaalae raa… raa[Vocalizing]
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham…You alone are the holy scripture of my love…
Paadham… undhan paadham…Feet… your tender feet…
Ennodu vandhaalae… podhum eppodhumIf they walk with me, that is enough forever
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham…You alone are the holy scripture of my love…
Male
Aa… aa… aa… aa…[Vocalizing]
Aa… aa… aa…aa…[Vocalizing]
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa… aa…[Vocalizing]
Aa… aa… aa…aa…[Vocalizing]
Aa… aa… aa… aa…[Vocalizing]
Aa… aa… aa…aa…[Vocalizing]
Male
Geetham sangeethamSong and music
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedhamYou alone are the holy scripture of my love
Geetham sangeethamSong and music
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedhamYou alone are the holy scripture of my love
Paadham undhan paadhamFeet, your tender feet
Ennodu vandhaalae podhum eppodhumIf they walk with me, that is enough forever
Male
Geetham sangeethamSong and music
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedhamYou alone are the holy scripture of my love
Male
Sogamaana kaadhalaalBecause of a tragic love
Dhaevadhaasum vembinaanEven Devadas withered away in pain
Nee pirindhu ponadhaalBecause you separated from me
Dhaevadhaasin thambi naanI am now Devadas's younger brother in sorrow
Un paerai naan solliBy uttering your name
Pasiyaatri kondaenI satisfied my hunger
Paer solla ini maelumTo utter your name anymore
Thembindri nindraenI stand here lacking the breath and strength
Un vaasal naan thaedi vandhaenI came searching for your doorstep
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…aa aa aa[Vocalizing]
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham…You alone are the holy scripture of my love…
Paadham… undhan paadham…Feet… your tender feet…
Ennodu vandhaalae… podhum eppodhumIf they walk with me, that is enough forever
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham..You alone are the holy scripture of my love..
Male
Aa… aa… aa… aa…[Vocalizing]
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…aa…Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male :Aaa.. aaaMale: [Vocalizing]
Chorus :Aa.. aaa…aa…aaaChorus: [Vocalizing]
Male
Thogai undhan poo mugamOh peacock-like one, your flower-like face
Endha naalum nyaabagamIs remembered every single day
Thoongavillai aayinumEven though I haven't slept
Kanavu thondrum aayiramA thousand dreams still appear
Paarammaa naan sindhumLook my dear, at the flood
Kanneerin vellamOf tears that I shed
Nee vandhu paarthaalumEven if you come and see it
Thaangaadhu ullamYour heart won't be able to bear it
Ennaalum naan undhan thanjamForever, I seek refuge in you
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…aa aa aa[Vocalizing]
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham…You alone are the holy scripture of my love…
Paadham… undhan paadham…Feet… your tender feet…
Ennodu vandhaalae… podhum eppodhumIf they walk with me, that is enough forever
Male
Geetham… sangeetham…Song… divine music…
Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham..You alone are the holy scripture of my love..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Geetham Sangeetham' from the movie 'Kokkarakko' (1983), written by Vairamuthu, is a deeply tragic love song that expresses the overwhelming sorrow of a heartbroken lover. The protagonist elevates his beloved to a sacred realm, declaring her to be his music, song, and holy scripture (Vaedham). He portrays his grief by referencing the iconic literary figure Devadas, calling himself Devadas's younger brother due to the depth of his suffering following their separation. Despite the pain, his devotion remains absolute. He speaks of surviving merely on her name, though he is currently drained of all strength and engulfed in tears. The lyrics capture the bittersweet conflict between fond memories of her flower-like face and the devastating reality of his sleepless, tearful solitude, culminating in a declaration of total surrender to her love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Nee thaanae en kaadhal vaedham

The lover directly equates his beloved to a 'vaedham' (sacred scripture) of love, elevating her to a divine status.

Cultural Allusion (இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)

Dhaevadhaasin thambi naan

Refers to the tragic character Devadas from Indian literature to symbolize extreme heartbreak and grief over separation.

Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

Kanneerin vellam

Describing tears as a 'vellam' (flood) exaggerates the protagonist's sorrow to emphasize his immense pain.

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Thogai undhan poo mugam / Thoongavillai aayinum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Tho') across lines to create rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Geetham Sangeetham' features lyrics written by Vairamuthu for the 1983 Tamil film 'Kokkarakko'. Although listed with unknown context details in some archives, the film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable vocal renditions by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. P. Sailaja. The song relies heavily on classical Indian tragic tropes, particularly invoking Devadas as an archetype for unrequited love and pain.

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