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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Konjum Kiliyaana Pennai

From Koondukkili · 1954

Lyricist
Vindhan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Koondukkili1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Konjum kiliyaana pennaiMaking a sweet-talking parrot-like woman
Koondukkili yaakkivittuInto a caged parrot
Ketti maelam kottuvadhuAnd beating the wedding drums
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Panja bootha saatchiyellaamClaiming the five elements as witnesses
Nenjamillaa saatchi endruAre heartless witnesses, they say,
Thottu maalai soottuvadhuTo place a garland around her neck
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa ..sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong... is it right or wrong?
Male
Thinna pazham thandhuvittuGiving a sweet fruit to eat
Thinnaadhae endru kaiyaiAnd slapping away the hand saying don't eat
Thatti vittu thittuvadhuWhile striking and scolding
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Theenthamizh paattai paadiSinging a sweet Tamil song
Ketkaadhae endruAnd asking not to listen
Kaadhai pothivittu kathuvadhuCovering one's ears and shouting
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong, is it right or wrong?
Male
Kaadhal seidha kutramIf the crime of falling in love
Yenadhu kangal seidha kuttramaanaalIs a crime committed by my eyes
Kannai padaitha kadavul seigaiIs the deed of God who created eyes
Sariyaa thappaaRight or wrong?
Kalyaanam seidha kuttram enadhuIf the crime of getting married
Nanban seidha kuttramaanaalIs a crime committed by my friend
Karpai padaitha manidhan seigaiIs the deed of man who created societal chastity
Sariyaa thappaaRight or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong, is it right or wrong?
Male
Kaadhal pichai vaendi kaiyaiBegging for the alms of love with open hands
Yaendhi vaasal kaathu nindraalAnd standing waiting at the doorway
Saathirangal pesuvadhuWhile scriptures talk dogmas
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Male
Anbu konda ullaathoduWith a heart filled with affection
Kallamilaa kaadhal kondaalWhen possessing innocent love
AathirangondaesuvadhuTo speak out in anger
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong, is it right or wrong?
Male
Mannum ponnum maayai endruPreaching to people that land and gold are illusions
Makkalukku cholli vittuHaving told that to the common public
Pennai paarthu kannadithalTo look at a woman and wink
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Vinnulaga aasaiyindriWithout desire for heavenly worlds
Virumbum pennai naesathoduTo love a chosen woman with pure affection
Ganiyamaai kaadhalithalTo love her with dignity
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaa …Is it right or wrong, is it right or wrong...
Male
Mattroruvan vaazhvukkagaFor the sake of another person's life
Manamarindha pennai vittuTo abandon the woman known to one's heart
Manam udaindhu suttruvadhuAnd wander around broken-hearted
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Marumalarchi vendum vaazhvilDesiring a revival in life
Marakka maattaen unaiyendruPromising I will never forget you
Malar karathai pattruvadhuTo hold her flower-like hand
Sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa…sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong... is it right or wrong?
Sariyaa thappaa…sariyaa thappaaIs it right or wrong... is it right or wrong?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Koondukkili (1954) presents a series of intense philosophical and moral questions directed at society, tradition, and divine justice. Written by Vindhan, the song continuously uses the rhetorical refrain 'Sariyaa Thappaa?' (Is it right or wrong?) to challenge societal hypocrisies, rigid moral codes, fake religious teachings, and the forced subjugation of women in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora

Sariyaa thappaa

The phrase 'Sariyaa thappaa' (Is it right or wrong?) is repeated persistently at the end of every stanza to create dramatic rhythm and emphasize moral dilemma.

Metaphor

Koondukkili yaakkivittu

'Koondukkili' (caged bird) serves as a metaphor for a woman trapped within societal restrictions and marriage.

Initial Rhyme (Moonaai)

Konjum kiliyaana pennai

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds in lines such as 'Konjum' and 'Koondukkili'.

Simile / Epithet

Malar karathai pattruvadhu

'Malar karathai' describes hands soft like flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Koondukkili (1954) is historic in Tamil cinema as it is the only movie featuring both screen icons M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan acting together. The film's story and lyrics by Vindhan dealt heavily with social realism and human ethical dilemmas.

Keep listening

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