I am Sorry
From Anbu Chinnam · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Anbu Chinnam1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaathiyathai vaasi endraale | If asked to play the musical instrument |
| Kannaa gopala | Oh Krishna, Gopala |
| Sudhi saethu kolvaen daa… | I will tune the pitch, my friend... |
| Poo maalai maattru endraale | If asked to exchange flower garlands |
| Appa gopala | Oh Gopala, my friend |
| Male | |
| Or azhagu ponnu thevaiyada | A beautiful girl is needed, my friend |
| Teacher vandhu bommai varaiyum bodhae | Even when the teacher comes to draw a picture |
| Paavam gopala | Poor Gopala |
| Adhu kurngu pola aavaadhaa..aa..come on | Doesn't it turn out like a monkey? Come on! |
| Male | |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan | Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha |
| Pidicha podhum korungu achae | When molded, it turned out to be a monkey |
| Male | |
| Gopala rama raamaa | Gopala Rama, Rama |
| Buthi pochae gopala rama | Lost my mind, Gopala Rama |
| Gopala rama raamaa | Gopala Rama, Rama |
| Buthi pochae gopala rama | Lost my mind, Gopala Rama |
| Male | |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| Male | |
| Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae | In everyone's heart on this earth |
| Penn mael mogam undu | There is a desire for women |
| Male | |
| Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae | In everyone's heart on this earth |
| Penn mael mogam undu | There is a desire for women |
| Male | |
| Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan | Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has |
| Paavai sabalam | A weakness for women |
| Kanni poongodiyai kandaal | Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden |
| Paadhi sarasam | Halfway into romance |
| Male | |
| Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan | Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has |
| Paavai sabalam | A weakness for women |
| Kanni poongodiyai kandaal | Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden |
| Paadhi sarasam | Halfway into romance |
| Male | |
| Manasukkul yedho thaen sottudhu | Something sweet like honey drips inside the heart |
| Maranam thaan eppovoo yaar solvadhu | Who can say when death will come? |
| Aalukkoru aasai nenju | When everyone's desiring heart |
| Alai adichu azhum bodhu | Is hit by waves and cries |
| Thanniyadi daa..hahaha… | Have a drink, my friend! Hahaha... |
| Male | |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalum premaiyum osandhadhadaa… | Love and affection are noble things, my friend... |
| Haa….aa…aaa. | Haa....aa...aaa. |
| Aasaiyoo yaaraiyum asathudhada..haa..aa….. | Desire mesmerizes anyone, my friend..haa..aa... |
| Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha | As long as we have days to dance freely |
| Aaduvom aadendaa | Let us dance, come on dance my friend |
| Male :Yes boss | Male : Yes boss |
| Male :Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha | Male : As long as we have days to dance freely |
| Aaduvom aadendaa | Let us dance, come on dance my friend |
| Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo | Is there ever a limit to this? |
| Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo | Are toddy wine and women ever bitter? |
| Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo | Is there ever a limit to this? |
| Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo | Are toddy wine and women ever bitter? |
| Male | |
| Madhu unna sattam…yaar pottadhu | Who made the law prohibiting alcohol? |
| Vaazhvukku artham…yaar sonnadhu | Who explained the true meaning of life? |
| Aalukkoru aattam enna artham enna | Everyone has their own dance, what is the meaning of it all? |
| Kidaikkum podhu thanniyadidaa…aa..come on | Whenever you get the chance, have a drink... come on! |
| Male | |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan | Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha |
| Pidicha podhum korungu achae | When molded, it turned out to be a monkey |
| Male | |
| Gopala rama raamaa | Gopala Rama, Rama |
| Buthi pochae gopala rama | Lost my mind, Gopala Rama |
| Gopala rama raamaa | Gopala Rama, Rama |
| Buthi pochae gopala rama | Lost my mind, Gopala Rama |
| Male | |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
| I am sorry so sorry | I am sorry so sorry |
வாத்தியத்தை வாசி என்றாலே
கண்ணா கோபாலா
சுதி சேத்துக் கொள்வேன் டா...
பூ மாலை மாற்று என்றாலே
அப்பா கோபாலா
If asked to play the musical instrument
Oh Krishna, Gopala
I will tune the pitch, my friend...
If asked to exchange flower garlands
Oh Gopala, my friend
ஓர் அழகுப் பொண்ணு தேவையடா...
டீச்சர் வந்து பொம்மை வரையும் போதே
பாவம் கோபாலா
அது குரங்கு போல ஆவாதா... ஆ... கம் ஆன்
A beautiful girl is needed, my friend
Even when the teacher comes to draw a picture
Poor Gopala
Doesn't it turn out like a monkey? Come on!
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
பிள்ளையாரை நெனச்சு நான் தான்
பிடிச்ச போதும் கொரங்கு ஆச்சே
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha
When molded, it turned out to be a monkey
கோபால ராம ராமா
புத்தி போச்சே கோபால ராமா
கோபால ராம ராமா
புத்தி போச்சே கோபால ராமா..
Gopala Rama, Rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
Gopala Rama, Rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
பூமிக்குள் யாருக்கும் நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
பெண் மேல் மோகம் உண்டு
In everyone's heart on this earth
There is a desire for women
பூமிக்குள் யாருக்கும் நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
பெண் மேல் மோகம் உண்டு
In everyone's heart on this earth
There is a desire for women
கண்ணன் போல் யாருக்கும் தான்
பாவை சபலம்
கன்னிப் பூங்கொடியைக் கண்டால்
பாதி சரசம்
Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has
A weakness for women
Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden
Halfway into romance
கண்ணன் போல் யாருக்கும் தான்
பாவை சபலம்
கன்னிப் பூங்கொடியைக் கண்டால்
பாதி சரசம்
Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has
A weakness for women
Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden
Halfway into romance
மனசுக்குள் ஏதோ தேன் சொட்டுது
மரணம் தான் எப்பவோ யார் சொல்வது
ஆளுக்கொரு ஆசை நெஞ்சு
அலை அடிச்சு அழும் போது
தண்ணியடி டா ஹாஹ்ஹா…
Something sweet like honey drips inside the heart
Who can say when death will come?
When everyone's desiring heart
Is hit by waves and cries
Have a drink, my friend! Hahaha...
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
காதலும் பிரேமையும் ஒசந்ததடா...
ஹா ...ஆ... ஆ...
ஆசையோ யாரையும் அசத்துதடா... ஹா ஆ...
ஆடிடும் நாள் மட்டும் அது விடுதா
ஆடுவோம் ஆடேண்டா
யெஸ் பாஸ்
ஆடிடும் நாள் மட்டும் அது விடுதா
ஆடுவோம் ஆடேண்டா
ஓர் நாளும் இதுக்கொரு எல்லை உண்டோ
கண்ணீரும் மங்கையும் கசப்பதுண்டோ
ஓர் நாளும் இதுக்கொரு எல்லை உண்டோ
கண்ணீரும் மங்கையும் கசப்பதுண்டோ
Love and affection are noble things, my friend...
Haa....aa...aaa.
Desire mesmerizes anyone, my friend..haa..aa...
As long as we have days to dance freely
Let us dance, come on dance my friend
Male : Yes boss
Male : As long as we have days to dance freely
Let us dance, come on dance my friend
Is there ever a limit to this?
Are toddy wine and women ever bitter?
Is there ever a limit to this?
Are toddy wine and women ever bitter?
மது உண்ண சட்டம்... யார் போட்டது
வாழ்வுக்கு அர்த்தம் ....யார் சொன்னது
ஆளுக்கொரு ஆட்டம் என்ன அர்த்தம் என்ன
கிடைக்கும் போது தண்ணியடிடா கம் ஆன்..
Who made the law prohibiting alcohol?
Who explained the true meaning of life?
Everyone has their own dance, what is the meaning of it all?
Whenever you get the chance, have a drink... come on!
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
பிள்ளையாரை நெனச்சு நான் தான்
பிடிச்ச போதும் கொரங்கு ஆச்சே
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha
When molded, it turned out to be a monkey
கோபால ராம ராமா
புத்தி போச்சே கோபால ராமா
கோபால ராம ராமா
புத்தி போச்சே கோபால ராமா..
Gopala Rama, Rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
Gopala Rama, Rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
அயம் ஸாரி ஸோ ஸாரி
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Vaathiyathai vaasi endraale
If asked to play the musical instrument
Kannaa gopala
Oh Krishna, Gopala
Sudhi saethu kolvaen daa…
I will tune the pitch, my friend...
Poo maalai maattru endraale
If asked to exchange flower garlands
Appa gopala
Oh Gopala, my friend
Or azhagu ponnu thevaiyada
A beautiful girl is needed, my friend
Teacher vandhu bommai varaiyum bodhae
Even when the teacher comes to draw a picture
Paavam gopala
Poor Gopala
Adhu kurngu pola aavaadhaa..aa..come on
Doesn't it turn out like a monkey? Come on!
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan
Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha
Pidicha podhum korungu achae
When molded, it turned out to be a monkey
Gopala rama raamaa
Gopala Rama, Rama
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
Gopala rama raamaa
Gopala Rama, Rama
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae
In everyone's heart on this earth
Penn mael mogam undu
There is a desire for women
Boomikkul yaarukkum nenjukkullae
In everyone's heart on this earth
Penn mael mogam undu
There is a desire for women
Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan
Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has
Paavai sabalam
A weakness for women
Kanni poongodiyai kandaal
Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden
Paadhi sarasam
Halfway into romance
Kannan pol yaarukkum thaan
Just like Lord Krishna, everyone has
Paavai sabalam
A weakness for women
Kanni poongodiyai kandaal
Seeing a youthful floral vine of a maiden
Paadhi sarasam
Halfway into romance
Manasukkul yedho thaen sottudhu
Something sweet like honey drips inside the heart
Maranam thaan eppovoo yaar solvadhu
Who can say when death will come?
Aalukkoru aasai nenju
When everyone's desiring heart
Alai adichu azhum bodhu
Is hit by waves and cries
Thanniyadi daa..hahaha…
Have a drink, my friend! Hahaha...
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Kaadhalum premaiyum osandhadhadaa…
Love and affection are noble things, my friend...
Haa….aa…aaa.
Haa....aa...aaa.
Aasaiyoo yaaraiyum asathudhada..haa..aa…..
Desire mesmerizes anyone, my friend..haa..aa...
Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha
As long as we have days to dance freely
Aaduvom aadendaa
Let us dance, come on dance my friend
Male :Yes boss
Male : Yes boss
Male :Aadidum naal mattum adhu vidutha
Male : As long as we have days to dance freely
Aaduvom aadendaa
Let us dance, come on dance my friend
Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo
Is there ever a limit to this?
Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo
Are toddy wine and women ever bitter?
Or naalum idhukkoru ellai undoo
Is there ever a limit to this?
Kanneerum mangaiyum kasapadhundoo
Are toddy wine and women ever bitter?
Madhu unna sattam…yaar pottadhu
Who made the law prohibiting alcohol?
Vaazhvukku artham…yaar sonnadhu
Who explained the true meaning of life?
Aalukkoru aattam enna artham enna
Everyone has their own dance, what is the meaning of it all?
Kidaikkum podhu thanniyadidaa…aa..come on
Whenever you get the chance, have a drink... come on!
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Pillaiyarai nenachu naan thaan
Though I set out to mold Lord Ganesha
Pidicha podhum korungu achae
When molded, it turned out to be a monkey
Gopala rama raamaa
Gopala Rama, Rama
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
Gopala rama raamaa
Gopala Rama, Rama
Buthi pochae gopala rama
Lost my mind, Gopala Rama
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
I am sorry so sorry
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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