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Sankar Saleem Simon album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Unthan

From Sankar Saleem Simon · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Sankar Saleem Simon
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
17 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Koondil yaetri kurumbu seiyya
Pazhaththai kandu pasiyai theerkka
Paranthu vanthaenae…
Paranthu vanthaenae…
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
……………….
Ragangal irukku pala vidhangal irukku
Idhai sugangal unakku tharumo
Intha radhiyai eduththu ungal madiyil anaiththu
Inba kavithai padikka varavo
Pachai poongodi manjal maeni
Thullum nenjam untha pakkam
Siththam theernthida aasai vanthathu
Engae ponathu engal vetkkam
……………………
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Panaththai mathikkum sila idangal
Irukku ivai kulaththil pirantha kiligal
Enagal nadaththai ozhukkam panbai
Mathikkum pazhakkam avai
Padiththu kidaiththa vazhaigal
Kanni pennai kannil kandathum
Jaadai seivathu puththi kedu
Annai thanthai ennam polae
Oru pennai paarththu kattupodu
Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan
Koondil yaetri kurumbu seiyya
Pazhaththai kandu pasiyai theerkka
Paranthu vanthaenae…
Paranthu vanthaenae…
This is the parrot of your own home.
This is the parrot of your own home.
To put in a cage and play mischievously with,
Seeing a fruit and satisfying its hunger,
I came flying...
I came flying...
This is the parrot of your own home.
This is the parrot of your own home.
...
There are ragas, there are so many varieties,
Will these bring you sweet pleasures?
Taking this beauty in your lap and embracing her,
Shall I come to recite a poem of joy?
A green flowering creeper with a golden skin,
My leaping heart leans towards your side,
A desire arose to satisfy the mind,
Where did our shyness disappear?
...
This is the parrot of your own home.
This is the parrot of your own home.
There are some places that respect money,
These are parrots born into noble lineage.
Our conduct, morality, and character,
The habit of respecting those,
Are values gained through learning.
The moment you lay eyes on a maiden,
Making playful signals is foolish.
According to the wishes of mother and father,
Look at a woman and bind her in marriage.
This is the parrot of your own home.
To put in a cage and play mischievously with,
Seeing a fruit and satisfying its hunger,
I came flying...
I came flying...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

In this classic song from 'Sankar Saleem Simon' (1978), composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Kannadasan, the female protagonist metaphorically compares herself to a parrot in the listener's household. She expresses playful affection, passion, and longing, using allegories of nature, music, and poetry to invite romance. As the song progresses, the lyricist seamlessly weaves moral and cultural values into the romantic narrative. She highlights the dignity of women born into good families, emphasizing that true virtue, respect, and character are learned qualities. She cautions against foolish flirtation and advises marrying a woman properly with parental blessings, blending subtle romantic allure with traditional values.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)

Idhu unthan veettu kilithaan

The singer metaphorically refers to herself as a 'kili' (parrot) belonging to the household, signifying innocence, affection, and captivity in love.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Intha radhiyai eduththu ungal madiyil anaiththu

Comparing the female beauty to 'Radhi', the Hindu goddess of love and beauty, and her physique to a 'pachai poongodi' (green flowering vine).

Monaai (Alliteration)

Pachai poongodi manjal maeni

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'p' across words ('Pachai', 'poongodi') enhancing rhythmic harmony.

Rhyme (Edhugai)

Kanni pennai kannil kandathum / Annai thanthai ennam polae

Second-letter rhyming between consecutive lines ('kanni' and 'annai') creating poetic flow.

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Trivia

'Sankar Saleem Simon' (1978) featured iconic actor Rajinikanth along with Vijayakumar and Latha. The song 'Idhu Unthan Veettu Kili' sung by Vani Jairam under M. S. Viswanathan's composition became popular for its rich lyrical subtext authored by Kannadasan, blending light classical melodies with pop-orchestral arrangements typical of late 1970s Tamil cinema.

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