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Lyrics & meaning

Sangadam

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaithi Kannayiram1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dam dadam appuramDam dadam and after that...
Male : SangadamTrouble!
Male
Aa…sangadam sangadam sangadamAh... trouble, trouble, trouble!
Intha jadaththukku eththanai sangadamHow many troubles does this physical body endure?
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Aa…sangadam sangadam sangadamAh... trouble, trouble, trouble!
Intha jadaththukku eththanai sangadamHow many troubles does this physical body endure?
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Vaayum irukku vayarirukkuThere is a mouth and there is a stomach...
Vaayum irukku vayarirukkuThere is a mouth and there is a stomach...
Puvaa illaa sangadamThe trouble of having no food!
Vaayum irukku vayarirukkuThere is a mouth and there is a stomach...
Puvaa illaa sangadamThe trouble of having no food!
Male
Thevaiyaanathu kadaiyil irukkuWhatever is needed is right there in the shop...
Sillarai illaa sangadamThe trouble of having no spare cash!
Thevaiyaanathu kadaiyil irukkuWhatever is needed is right there in the shop...
Sillarai illaa sangadamThe trouble of having no spare cash!
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Sangadam sangadam sangadamTrouble, trouble, trouble!
Intha jadaththukku eththanai sangadamHow many troubles does this physical body endure?
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Oorum irukku naadirukkuThere is a town and there is a country...
Veedu illaatha sangadam sangadamThe trouble of having no house to live in!
Oorum irukku naadirukkuThere is a town and there is a country...
Veedu illaatha sangadam sangadamThe trouble of having no house to live in!
Udambum irukku dhembum irukkuThere is a body and there is strength...
Velai kidaikkaatha sangadamThe trouble of not getting any job!
Udambum irukku dhembum irukkuThere is a body and there is strength...
Velai kidaikkaatha sangadamThe trouble of not getting any job!
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Vayasum irukku manam irukkuThere is the right age and there is a willing heart...
Manaiyae illaatha sangadamThe trouble of having no wife or home!
Vayasum irukku manam irukkuThere is the right age and there is a willing heart...
Manaiyae illaatha sangadamThe trouble of having no wife or home!
Male
Uyirum unarvum irppathanaalaeJust because life and consciousness exist...
Ulaginil eththanai sangadamHow many troubles exist in this world!
Uyirum unarvum irppathanaalaeJust because life and consciousness exist...
Ulaginil eththanai sangadamHow many troubles exist in this world!
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Sangadam sangadam sangadamTrouble, trouble, trouble!
Intha jadaththukku eththanai sangadamHow many troubles does this physical body endure?
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!
Male
Sangadam sangadam sangadamTrouble, trouble, trouble!
Intha jadaththukku eththanai sangadamHow many troubles does this physical body endure?
Sangadam kadam damTrouble, obligation, dam!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Sangadam' from the movie Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) is a humorous yet poignant philosophical track that reflects on the paradoxes and hardships of ordinary human existence. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi highlights how human beings possess all physical faculties and desires—such as a mouth and stomach, physical strength, maturity, and emotions—yet constantly suffer due to systemic and material lacks, such as hunger, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and loneliness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Vaayum irukku vayarirukku / Thevaiyaanathu kadaiyil irukku

The second consonant sound 'ya' rhymes across 'Vaayum' and 'Thevaiyaanathu' establishing a rhythmic Tamil poetic structure.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar / Anaphora)

Aa…sangadam sangadam sangadam

The word 'Sangadam' (trouble) is repeated multiple times in succession to emphasize the overwhelming frequency of life's struggles.

Onomatopoeia (Esaichol)

Dam dadam appuram

Rhythmic vocal sounds like 'Dam dadam' and 'kadam dam' are used to imitate percussion beats and match the musical tempo.

Irony / Antithesis

Udambum irukku dhembum irukku / Velai kidaikkaatha sangadam

The lyrics contrast the presence of physical readiness ('Udambum irukku dhembum irukku' - having a body and strength) with the lack of opportunity ('Velai kidaikkaatha' - not finding a job).

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) was a classic Tamil crime drama produced by Modern Theatres and directed by U. S. Sundaram. The song showcases Sirkazhi Govindarajan's versatile vocal range, where he seamlessly transitions between rhythmic scatting and soulful lyrical rendition set to K. V. Mahadevan's memorable composition.

Keep listening

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