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Lyrics & meaning

Irandu Kiligal Sernthu

From Sorkkam Naragam · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Sorkkam Naragam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
9 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Irandu kiligal saernthu nadaththum
Inba kadhal naadagam
Oo….indru thodangum kaaviyam
Irandu kiligal saernthu nadaththum
Inba kadhal naadagam
Oo….indru thodangum kaaviyam
Thiranda paruvm aadi paadum
Sittu kuruvi oviyam
Oo….thiranda paruvam aadi paadum
Sittu kuruvi oviyam
Serum sugangal aayiram
Irandu kiligal saernthu nadaththum
Inba kadhal naadagam
Oo….indru thodangum kaaviyam
Iraivan potta vithiyin
Kottil idhuvum oru veedu
Thalaivi ingae thunaivan engae
Naduvil oru kodu
Ingae aadal paadal sarasa koodal
Nadana pennodu
Amma idhuvum panpaadu
Amma idhuvum panpaadu
Thanga padhumai angam muzhuthum thazhuvum kairasi
Thazhuvi thazhuvi thannai maranthu mayakkum magarasi
Ingae koodal illai shanthi illai
Kungumam poosi amma paavam ival rasi
Amma paavam ival rasi
Ulla poruththam udalum porutham
Ondru saernthaarkal urakkam indri
Vidiya vidiya magizhnthu vaazhnthaargal
Ingae thaali ondrae intha kazhuththu
Thaanga vaiththaargal paavam yaenga vaiththaargal
Two parrots come together to perform
a sweet drama of love,
oh... an epic story that begins today!
Two parrots come together to perform
a sweet drama of love,
oh... an epic story that begins today!
In the bloom of youth, dancing and singing,
like a picture of a little sparrow,
oh... in the bloom of youth, dancing and singing,
like a picture of a little sparrow,
bringing together a thousand pleasures...
Two parrots come together to perform
a sweet drama of love,
oh... an epic story that begins today!
On the line of destiny drawn by God,
this too is a home.
The wife is here, but where is her husband?
There is a dividing line drawn between them.
Here there is song, dance, and playful flirting
with a dancing woman...
Oh, is this what culture has become?
Oh, is this what culture has become?
A golden doll whose whole body brings good fortune when embraced,
a charming woman who embraces and forgets herself.
Yet here there is no union, no peace of a wedding night,
though she wears kumkum (sacred red mark of marriage)—oh, pity her fate!
Oh, pity her fate!
Matched in heart and matched in body,
couples come together without sleep
and live in joy until the break of day.
But here, they only made this neck
bear a thaali (sacred marriage thread), leaving her to yearn in sorrow.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Sorkkam Naragam' (1977) uses allegorical imagery of parrots and sparrows to reflect on love, destiny, and the melancholy underlying superficial entertainment. It portrays a dancing woman who performs stories of romance and passion on stage, yet suffers from personal loneliness, separated from true marital peace and genuine companionship. Through poignant imagery, lyricist Kannadasan critiques societal double standards that treat intimate dance and superficial allure as 'culture' while denying real emotional fulfillment to the performer.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Irandu kiligal saernthu nadaththum

Comparing lovers to 'two parrots' (Irandu kiligal) and the woman to a 'portrait of a tiny sparrow' (Sittu kuruvi oviyam).

Repetition / Adukku Thodar

Thazhuvi thazhuvi thannai maranthu mayakkum magarasi

The deliberate repetition of words like 'Thazhuvi thazhuvi' (embracing again and again) and 'Vidiya vidiya' (until dawn breaks) to emphasize intensity and duration.

Irony / Satire

Amma idhuvum panpaadu

Sarcastic commentary on societal norms describing transactional performance as 'panpaadu' (culture/heritage).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sorkkam Naragam' (1977) features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by Kannadasan. Sung passionately by P. Susheela, this song stands out for its deep social commentary masked under a light melodic arrangement.

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