Grandma
From Sabdham · 2025
- Lyricist
- Viveka
- Singer
- Vaikom Vijayalakshmi
- Music director
- S. Thaman
- Details
- Sabdham2025
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Paazh adanja kinathooram | Near the ruined and abandoned well, |
| Pei adaiyum puliyamaram | By the tamarind tree haunted by spirits, |
| Pannirendu maniyaana | When the clock strikes midnight, |
| Soora onnu suthi varum | A fierce whirlwind sweeps all around. |
| Kollivaai pisaasu | The fire-breathing ghost (Kollivaai Pisaasu) |
| Kulathu mettil ninnu irukkum | Stands waiting on the bank of the pond, |
| Pilli sooniyam yevalunnu | Unleashing black magic and evil spells, |
| Pidari kulunga vaikkum | Making your neck and spine shudder with fear! |
| Female | |
| Ammavaasa kumm iruttu | In the pitch darkness of a new moon night, |
| Yaarum illa nadu nisi | In the quiet, deserted dead of night, |
| Karuppu kaduvam poona | A tomcat, black as night, |
| Kannu minna oodi varum | Comes running with gleaming eyes. |
| Sambiraani vaasanaiyil | In the lingering scent of incense smoke, |
| Jallu jallau oosai varum | Comes the eerie jingling sound of anklets. |
| Retta pana osarathukku | As tall as two palm trees stacked together, |
| Yetta nikkum muniyaandi | Stands Muniyandi towering up high. |
| Female | |
| Masoodhi vaasalila | At the entrance of the mosque, |
| Merandoodum perunchattaan | A giant spirit flees in sheer terror. |
| Deavalayathooram | Near the grounds of the church, |
| Thimiri varum thee parava | The fierce bird of fire rises in rage, |
| Thee parava | The fire-bird! |
| Female | |
| Aandha alarum satham enna | What is that sound of an owl screeching? |
| Arana oorum satham enna | What is that sound of a skink crawling? |
| Kottangal koovum satham enna | What is that sound of night birds hooting? |
| Kulavi paadum satham enna | What is that sound of a hornet humming? |
| Female | |
| Othaiyila kaagam onnu | A solitary crow all alone, |
| Ongi karaiyum satham enna | What is that sound of it cawing loudly? |
| Oolaiyidum nariyoda | Of the howling wild jackal, |
| Ooyaadha avala satham enna | What is that endless, mournful sound of wailing? |
| Female | |
| Ballithaan kathum satham | The high-pitched chirping of the wall lizard, |
| Pananjaala kaathu satham | The rustling wind through the palm leaves, |
| Theru naayin oola satham | The eerie howling of stray street dogs, |
| Theriyaadha yedho satham | Some strange, unknown sound echoing... |
| Female | |
| Pullathaachi dhoorathul | A pregnant woman somewhere in the distance, |
| Pulambhi azhum satham | The sound of her sobbing and lamenting, |
| Polikaala maagaram | Mighty, sturdy bullocks, |
| Pottu kanaikkum satham | The sound of them snorting in alarm, |
| Kattutheri aadellaam | The goats tied up in their shed, |
| Kalanchi mulikkum satham | The sound of them waking up startled, |
| Kattooram yaaroo than | By the side of the cot, someone, |
| Oppari paadum satham | The sound of them singing a funeral dirge! |
| Female | |
| Kudukuduppakaaran sollum | This isn't a tale of black magic trickery |
| Kurali vitha kadhai illa | Told by a fortune teller with a rattling drum, |
| Pullaigalai bayangattum | This isn't a boogeyman fable |
| Boochaandi kadhai illa | Used to scare little children to sleep, |
| Anda pulugan avithu vidum | This isn't a ghost story |
| Aavi kadhai illa | Spun out by an absolute liar, |
| Vikramadhithyan sonna | This isn't the tale of the Vedhalam |
| Vedhaala kadhai illa | Narrated to King Vikramaditya, |
| Velakku thecha boodham varum | This isn't the fantasy story of Aladdin |
| Alavudhin kadhai illa | Where a genie appears upon rubbing a lamp, |
| Idhu thandatti kizhavi sollum | This is a standalone, terrifying true story |
| Thaniyaana kadhai thaane | Told by an old grandmother wearing heavy earrings! |
| Kadhai thaane kadhai thaane | Yes, a true story... a story indeed! |
பாழ் அடைஞ்ச கெணத்தோரம்
பேய் அடையும் புளியமரம்
பன்னிரண்டு மணியானா
சூரா ஒன்னு சுத்தி வரும்
கொள்ளிவாய் பிசாசு
குளத்து மேட்டில் நின்னு இருக்கும்
பில்லி சூனியம் ஏவலன்னு
பிடரி குலுங்க வைக்கும்
Near the ruined and abandoned well,
By the tamarind tree haunted by spirits,
When the clock strikes midnight,
A fierce whirlwind sweeps all around.
The fire-breathing ghost (Kollivaai Pisaasu)
Stands waiting on the bank of the pond,
Unleashing black magic and evil spells,
Making your neck and spine shudder with fear!
அம்மாவாச கும்மிருட்டு
யாரும் இல்ல நாடு நிசி
கறுப்பு கடுவம் பூனை
கண்ணு மின்ன ஓடி வரும்
சாம்பிராணி வாசனையில்
ஜல்லு ஜல்லு ஓசை வரும்
ரெட்ட பான ஒசரத்துக்கு
எட்ட நிக்கும் முனியாண்டி
In the pitch darkness of a new moon night,
In the quiet, deserted dead of night,
A tomcat, black as night,
Comes running with gleaming eyes.
In the lingering scent of incense smoke,
Comes the eerie jingling sound of anklets.
As tall as two palm trees stacked together,
Stands Muniyandi towering up high.
மசூதி வாசலிலே
மெரண்டோடும் பெருஞ்சாத்தான்
தேவாலயதூரம்
திமிறி வரும் தீ பறவ தீ பறவ
At the entrance of the mosque,
A giant spirit flees in sheer terror.
Near the grounds of the church,
The fierce bird of fire rises in rage,
The fire-bird!
ஆந்தை அலறும் சத்தம் என்ன
அரண ஊரும் சத்தம் என்ன
கோட்டாங் கூவும் சத்தம் என்ன
குழவி பாடும் சத்தம் என்ன
What is that sound of an owl screeching?
What is that sound of a skink crawling?
What is that sound of night birds hooting?
What is that sound of a hornet humming?
ஒத்தையில காகம் ஒன்னு
ஓங்கி கரையும் சத்தம் என்ன
ஊளையிடும் நரியோட
ஓயாத அவலை சத்தம் என்ன
A solitary crow all alone,
What is that sound of it cawing loudly?
Of the howling wild jackal,
What is that endless, mournful sound of wailing?
பல்லிதான் கத்தும் சத்தம்
பனஞ்சால காத்து சத்தம்
தெரு நாய் ஊளை சத்தம்
தெரியாதா ஏதோ சத்தம்
The high-pitched chirping of the wall lizard,
The rustling wind through the palm leaves,
The eerie howling of stray street dogs,
Some strange, unknown sound echoing...
புள்ளதாச்சி தூறதுள்
புலம்பி அழும் சத்தம்
பொலிகால மாகரம்
போட்டு கணைக்கும் சத்தம்
கட்டுத்தரி ஆடெல்லாம்
களஞ்சி முளிக்கும் சத்தம்
காட்டோரம் யாரோதான்
ஒப்பாரி பாடும் சத்தம்
A pregnant woman somewhere in the distance,
The sound of her sobbing and lamenting,
Mighty, sturdy bullocks,
The sound of them snorting in alarm,
The goats tied up in their shed,
The sound of them waking up startled,
By the side of the cot, someone,
The sound of them singing a funeral dirge!
குடுகுடுப்பகாரன் சொல்லும்
குறளி வித்தை கதை இல்ல
புள்ளைகளை பயங்காட்டும்
பூச்சாண்டி கதை இல்லை
அண்ட புளுகன் அவித்து விடும்
ஆவி கதை இல்லை
விக்ரமாதித்யன் சொன்ன
வேதாள கதை இல்லை
வெளக்கு தேய்ச்சா பூதம் வரும்
அலாவுதின் கதை இல்லை
இது தண்டிட்டி கிழவி சொல்லும்
தனியான கதை தானே
கதை தானே கதை தானே
This isn't a tale of black magic trickery
Told by a fortune teller with a rattling drum,
This isn't a boogeyman fable
Used to scare little children to sleep,
This isn't a ghost story
Spun out by an absolute liar,
This isn't the tale of the Vedhalam
Narrated to King Vikramaditya,
This isn't the fantasy story of Aladdin
Where a genie appears upon rubbing a lamp,
This is a standalone, terrifying true story
Told by an old grandmother wearing heavy earrings!
Yes, a true story... a story indeed!
Paazh adanja kinathooram
Near the ruined and abandoned well,
Pei adaiyum puliyamaram
By the tamarind tree haunted by spirits,
Pannirendu maniyaana
When the clock strikes midnight,
Soora onnu suthi varum
A fierce whirlwind sweeps all around.
Kollivaai pisaasu
The fire-breathing ghost (Kollivaai Pisaasu)
Kulathu mettil ninnu irukkum
Stands waiting on the bank of the pond,
Pilli sooniyam yevalunnu
Unleashing black magic and evil spells,
Pidari kulunga vaikkum
Making your neck and spine shudder with fear!
Ammavaasa kumm iruttu
In the pitch darkness of a new moon night,
Yaarum illa nadu nisi
In the quiet, deserted dead of night,
Karuppu kaduvam poona
A tomcat, black as night,
Kannu minna oodi varum
Comes running with gleaming eyes.
Sambiraani vaasanaiyil
In the lingering scent of incense smoke,
Jallu jallau oosai varum
Comes the eerie jingling sound of anklets.
Retta pana osarathukku
As tall as two palm trees stacked together,
Yetta nikkum muniyaandi
Stands Muniyandi towering up high.
Masoodhi vaasalila
At the entrance of the mosque,
Merandoodum perunchattaan
A giant spirit flees in sheer terror.
Deavalayathooram
Near the grounds of the church,
Thimiri varum thee parava
The fierce bird of fire rises in rage,
Thee parava
The fire-bird!
Aandha alarum satham enna
What is that sound of an owl screeching?
Arana oorum satham enna
What is that sound of a skink crawling?
Kottangal koovum satham enna
What is that sound of night birds hooting?
Kulavi paadum satham enna
What is that sound of a hornet humming?
Othaiyila kaagam onnu
A solitary crow all alone,
Ongi karaiyum satham enna
What is that sound of it cawing loudly?
Oolaiyidum nariyoda
Of the howling wild jackal,
Ooyaadha avala satham enna
What is that endless, mournful sound of wailing?
Ballithaan kathum satham
The high-pitched chirping of the wall lizard,
Pananjaala kaathu satham
The rustling wind through the palm leaves,
Theru naayin oola satham
The eerie howling of stray street dogs,
Theriyaadha yedho satham
Some strange, unknown sound echoing...
Pullathaachi dhoorathul
A pregnant woman somewhere in the distance,
Pulambhi azhum satham
The sound of her sobbing and lamenting,
Polikaala maagaram
Mighty, sturdy bullocks,
Pottu kanaikkum satham
The sound of them snorting in alarm,
Kattutheri aadellaam
The goats tied up in their shed,
Kalanchi mulikkum satham
The sound of them waking up startled,
Kattooram yaaroo than
By the side of the cot, someone,
Oppari paadum satham
The sound of them singing a funeral dirge!
Kudukuduppakaaran sollum
This isn't a tale of black magic trickery
Kurali vitha kadhai illa
Told by a fortune teller with a rattling drum,
Pullaigalai bayangattum
This isn't a boogeyman fable
Boochaandi kadhai illa
Used to scare little children to sleep,
Anda pulugan avithu vidum
This isn't a ghost story
Aavi kadhai illa
Spun out by an absolute liar,
Vikramadhithyan sonna
This isn't the tale of the Vedhalam
Vedhaala kadhai illa
Narrated to King Vikramaditya,
Velakku thecha boodham varum
This isn't the fantasy story of Aladdin
Alavudhin kadhai illa
Where a genie appears upon rubbing a lamp,
Idhu thandatti kizhavi sollum
This is a standalone, terrifying true story
Thaniyaana kadhai thaane
Told by an old grandmother wearing heavy earrings!
Kadhai thaane kadhai thaane
Yes, a true story... a story indeed!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Sabdham' serves as a atmospheric spine-chilling build-up to a world dominated by eerie auditory supernatural phenomena. Set in dark rural surroundings—featuring ruined wells, pitch-black new moon nights, haunted tamarind trees, and ancient deities—the lyrics weave together an ominous tapestry of terrifying visual and acoustic imagery ranging from howling jackals, screeching owls, and rattling anklets to distant funeral dirges.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Auditory Imagery & Onomatopoeia
“Jallu jallau oosai varum / Aandha alarum satham enna”
Extensive use of sound imagery and sound-words ('satham', 'jallu jallu', screeching, howling, cawing) to create a vivid sensory experience of horror centered on acoustics.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aandha alarum satham enna / Arana oorum satham enna / Kottangal koovum satham enna”
Repetition of the phrase 'satham enna' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, haunting refrain.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Boochaandi kadhai illa / Aavi kadhai illa / Vedhaala kadhai illa / Alavudhin kadhai illa”
The repetitive refrain 'kadhai illa' (is not a story of...) reinforces the reality and horror of the narrative by contrasting it with famous fictional tales.
Hyperbole & Metaphor
“Retta pana osarathukku / Yetta nikkum muniyaandi”
Exaggerating the stature of the spirit Muniyandi as 'tall as two palm trees stacked' to evoke awe and intimidation.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track is from the horror film 'Sabdham' (2025), directed by Arivazhagan and starring Aadhi Pinisetty, reuniting the duo after their iconic horror hit 'Eeram' (2009). True to the movie's title ('Sabdham' meaning 'Sound'), the track heavily relies on auditory horror elements, brilliantly rendered by singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi whose distinct voice adds a raw, eerie folk quality to lyricist Viveka's haunting lines.
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