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Isaimozhi
Anbu Chinnam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

I am Sorry

From Anbu Chinnam · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Anbu Chinnam
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
28 Mar 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaathiyathai vaasi endraale
Kannaa gopala
Sudhi saethu kolvaen daa…
Poo maalai maattru endraale
Appa gopala
Or azhagu ponnu thevaiyada
Teacher vandhu bommai varaiyum bodhae
Paavam gopala
Adhu kurngu pola aavaadhaa..aa..come on
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan
Pidicha podhum korungu achae
Gopala rama raamaa
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Gopala rama raamaa
Buthi pochae gopala rama
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae
Penn mael mogam undu
Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae
Penn mael mogam undu
Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan
Paavai sabalam
Kanni poongodiyai kandaal
Paadhi sarasam
Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan
Paavai sabalam
Kanni poongodiyai kandaal
Paadhi sarasam
Manasukkul yedho thaen sottudhu
Maranam thaan eppovoo yaar solvadhu
Aalukkoru aasai nenju
Alai adichu azhum bodhu
Thanniyadi daa..hahaha…
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Kaadhalum premaiyum osandhadhadaa…
Haa….aa…aaa.
Aasaiyoo yaaraiyum asathudhada..haa..aa…..
Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha
Aaduvom aadendaa
Male :Yes boss
Male :Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha
Aaduvom aadendaa
Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo
Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo
Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo
Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo
Madhu unna sattam…yaar pottadhu
Vaazhvukku artham…yaar sonnadhu
Aalukkoru aattam enna artham enna
Kidaikkum podhu thanniyadidaa…aa..come on
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan
Pidicha podhum korungu achae
Gopala rama raamaa
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Gopala rama raamaa
Buthi pochae gopala rama
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
If you just say "Play the instrument",
oh Krishna, Gopala,
I'll tune the pitch right away, buddy!
If you say "Exchange flower garlands",
oh dear Gopala,
do you really need a pretty girl, man?
Even when the teacher tries to draw a doll,
poor Gopala,
doesn't it end up turning into a monkey? Ah... come on!
I am sorry, so sorry!
I am sorry, so sorry!
Even though I tried to sculpt Lord Ganesha,
what I molded ended up as a monkey!
Gopala, Rama, Rama!
My mind is completely gone, Gopala Rama!
Gopala, Rama, Rama!
My mind is completely gone, Gopala Rama!
I am sorry, so sorry!
I am sorry, so sorry!
Deep inside everyone's heart on this earth,
there is a longing for a woman.
Deep inside everyone's heart on this earth,
there is a longing for a woman.
Just like Lord Krishna, for anyone at all,
there is a weakness for women.
When seeing a blooming young girl,
flirting begins right away!
Just like Lord Krishna, for anyone at all,
there is a weakness for women.
When seeing a blooming young girl,
flirting begins right away!
Something like honey drips inside the heart,
and who can say when death will arrive?
Each person has a desire, and when their heart
weeps tossing like restless waves,
just take a drink, man! Hahaha!
I am sorry, so sorry!
I am sorry, so sorry!
Love and romance are noble, my friend...
Ha... ah... aaa...
But desire sweeps anyone off their feet... ha... ah...
As long as we live and breathe, does it ever let us go?
So let's dance, come on and dance, man!
Male: Yes boss!
Male: As long as we live and breathe, does it ever let us go?
So let's dance, come on and dance, man!
Is there ever a boundary or limit to this?
Can tears and a woman ever taste bitter?
Is there ever a boundary or limit to this?
Can tears and a woman ever taste bitter?
Who made the rule against drinking wine?
Who ever defined the true meaning of life?
Everyone has their own dance—what does it all mean?
Whenever you get the chance, take a drink, man! Ah, come on!
I am sorry, so sorry!
I am sorry, so sorry!
Even though I tried to sculpt Lord Ganesha,
what I molded ended up as a monkey!
Gopala, Rama, Rama!
My mind is completely gone, Gopala Rama!
Gopala, Rama, Rama!
My mind is completely gone, Gopala Rama!
I am sorry, so sorry!
I am sorry, so sorry!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful and upbeat song from Anbu Chinnam (1989), sung with high energy and theatricality by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam under Ilaiyaraaja's composition, revolves around a lighthearted justification of hedonistic pleasures like drinking, dancing, and romantic desire. The protagonist humorously expresses how his noble intentions often end up in chaos—referencing the popular Tamil idiom of trying to sculpt Ganesha but making a monkey instead. Through witty lyrics written by Vaali, the song argues that worldly attraction is natural, invoking Lord Krishna's mythical reputation with women. Reminding the listener that life is short and death is unpredictable, the song urges everyone to let go of strict rules, enjoy life while they can, dance, and drink whenever the opportunity arises.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb / Cultural Idiom

Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan pidicha podhum korungu achae

Refers to the classic Tamil proverb 'Pillaiyar pidikka korungachu' which means attempting to do something good/sacred but messing it up completely.

Metaphor

Kanni poongodiyai kandaal

Compares a young maiden to a delicate, flowering vine ('Poongodi').

Code-Mixing / Tanglish

I am sorry so sorry

Blends English conversational phrases ('I am sorry so sorry', 'Yes boss') into classical Tamil lyricism to create a modern, comedic tone.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Madhu unna sattam…yaar pottadhu

Features second-letter rhyming between 'Madhu' (dh) and 'Vaazh' (z/dth) sound structure in Tamil rhyming patterns.

Did you know?

Trivia

The famous line 'Pillaiyarai nenachu pidicha podhum korungu achae' is one of the most widely recognized Tamil folk idioms, popularized in mainstream film lyrics by lyricist Vaali. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's vocal delivery in this track is renowned for its improvisational laughters, spoken voice modulations, and expressive character acting through singing.

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