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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Konjum Kiliyaana Pennai

From Koondukkili · 1954

Lyricist: Vindhan
Singer: T. M. Soundararajan
Music director: K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name: Koondukkili
Movie release year: 1954
Lyrics added on: 5 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Konjum kiliyaana pennai

Koondukkili yaakkivittu

Ketti maelam kottuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Panja bootha saatchiyellaam

Nenjamillaa saatchi endru

Thottu maalai soottuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa ..sariyaa thappaa

Thinna pazham thandhuvittu

Thinnaadhae endru kaiyai

Thatti vittu thittuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Theenthamizh paattai paadi

Ketkaadhae endru

Kaadhai pothivittu kathuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaa

Kaadhal seidha kutram

Yenadhu kangal seidha kuttramaanaal

Kannai padaitha kadavul seigai

Sariyaa thappaa

Kalyaanam seidha kuttram enadhu

Nanban seidha kuttramaanaal

Karpai padaitha manidhan seigai

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaa

Kaadhal pichai vaendi kaiyai

Yaendhi vaasal kaathu nindraal

Saathirangal pesuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Anbu konda ullaathodu

Kallamilaa kaadhal kondaal

Aathirangondaesuvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaa

Mannum ponnum maayai endru

Makkalukku cholli vittu

Pennai paarthu kannadithal

Sariyaa thappaa

Vinnulaga aasaiyindri

Virumbum pennai naesathodu

Ganiyamaai kaadhalithal

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa sariyaa thappaa …

Mattroruvan vaazhvukkaga

Manamarindha pennai vittu

Manam udaindhu suttruvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Marumalarchi vendum vaazhvil

Marakka maattaen unaiyendru

Malar karathai pattruvadhu

Sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa…sariyaa thappaa

Sariyaa thappaa…sariyaa thappaa

Turning a sweet, tender girl

into a bird trapped in a cage,

and beating the wedding drums—

is it right or wrong?

Knowing the five elements of nature

are witnesses that have no heart,

yet reaching out to place the wedding garland—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

Giving a fruit to eat,

and then saying 'do not eat,'

knocking the hand away and scolding—

is it right or wrong?

Singing a sweet Tamil song,

and telling someone 'do not listen,'

covering their ears and shouting—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

If the guilt of falling in love

is a crime committed by my eyes,

then what God did by creating the eyes—

is it right or wrong?

If the crime of marriage

is a fault committed by my friend,

then what man did by creating the rule of chastity—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

When someone begs for the alms of love,

waiting at the doorway with open hands,

preaching ancient rules and scriptures to them—

is it right or wrong?

When someone comes with a loving heart

and pure, honest intentions,

to flare up in anger and insult them—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

Preaching to the people

that land and gold are mere illusions,

and then winking at a woman—

is it right or wrong?

With no desire for heaven,

if one loves the woman he desires

with true affection and dignity—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

For the sake of another man's life,

leaving behind the woman who knows one's heart

to wander about with a broken heart—

is it right or wrong?

Saying, 'There must be a new dawn in life,

and I will never forget you,'

to take her soft hand in yours—

is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong? Is it right or wrong?

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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