Santhaikku Vantha Kili
From Dharma Durai · 1991
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma Durai1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sandhaikku vandha kili | The parrot that came to the market |
| Jaadai solli pesudhadi | Is speaking through gestures, my girl |
| Sandhaikku vandha kili | The parrot that came to the market |
| Jaadai solli pesudhadi | Is speaking through gestures, my girl |
| Muthammaa muthammaa…. | Muthamma, Muthamma... |
| Pakkam vara vekkamaa | Are you shy to come close? |
| Muthammaa muthammaa | Muthamma, Muthamma |
| Pakkam vara vekkamaa | Are you shy to come close? |
| Kuthaalathu maanae | Oh doe of Courtallam! |
| Kothu poovaadidum thaenae | Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers! |
| Kuthaalathu maanae | Oh doe of Courtallam! |
| Kothu poovaadidum thaenae | Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers! |
| Male | |
| Sandhaikku vandha kili | The parrot that came to the market |
| Jaadai solli pesudhadi | Is speaking through gestures, my girl |
| Sandhaikku vandha kili | The parrot that came to the market |
| Jaadai solli pesudhadi | Is speaking through gestures, my girl |
| Male | |
| Kaanaadha kaatchi ellaam | All unseen sights, |
| Kandenae unnazhagil | I saw in your beauty. |
| Poopola kolamellaam | Flower-like patterns, |
| Pottaiyae un vizhiyil | You drew in your eyes. |
| Female | |
| Maanaamaduraiyilae | In Manamadurai, |
| Malligai poo vaangi vandhu | Buying jasmine flowers, |
| Mai pottu mayakkuniyae | Applying kohl, you mesmerized me, |
| Kai therndha machaanae | Oh expert cousin! |
| Male | |
| Thamaraiyum poothiruchu | The lotus has bloomed, |
| Thakkaali pazhuthiruchu | The tomato has ripened, |
| Thangamae un manasu | My precious golden one, your heart |
| Innum pazhukkalaiyae | Has not yet ripened! |
| Female :Ippavae sontham kondu nee | Female: Claiming rights right now, |
| Kaiyil alli kollu maamaa | Gather me up in your arms, cousin! |
| Female | |
| Sandhaikku vandha machaan | The cousin who came to the market, |
| Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen | Why is he speaking through gestures? |
| Sandhaikku vandha machaan | The cousin who came to the market, |
| Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen | Why is he speaking through gestures? |
| Sollava sollava | Shall I tell, shall I tell, |
| Onnu naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you one thing? |
| Sollava sollava | Shall I tell, shall I tell, |
| Onnu naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you one thing? |
| Kalyaanathai pesi | Talk about marriage, |
| Nee katta venum thaali | And tie the sacred thali thread! |
| Kalyaanathai pesi | Talk about marriage, |
| Nee katta venum thaali | And tie the sacred thali thread! |
| Female | |
| Sandhaikku vandha machaan | The cousin who came to the market, |
| Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen | Why is he speaking through gestures? |
| Sandhaikku vandha machaan | The cousin who came to the market, |
| Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen | Why is he speaking through gestures? |
| Chorus | |
| Ulululululululu….. | (Ululation sounds) |
| Ulululululululu…. | (Ululation sounds) |
| Vandhadhu vandhadhu pongal endru | Saying that Pongal has arrived, |
| Ingu mangala gummi kottungadi | Clap and perform the auspicious Gummi dance here, girls! |
| Engengum mangalam pongidavae | So that auspiciousness overflows everywhere, |
| Ingu mangaiyar ellorum varungadi | All women, come along! |
| Mangala kungumam kaiyil kondu | Holding auspicious vermilion in hand, |
| Ammanai paadida vaarungadi | Come to sing the Ammanai song! |
| Ammanai paadida vaarungadi | Come to sing the Ammanai song! |
| Thanthana thom solli paadungadi….. | Sing saying 'Thanthana thom'... |
| Ulululululululu | (Ululation sounds) |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Aalaana naal mudhalaa | Since the day I grew up, |
| Unnaidhaan naan ninaichen | It is only you I thought of. |
| Noolaagathaan ilaichu | Thinning down like a thread, |
| Noyil dhinam vaadi ninnen | I stood wilting daily in ailment. |
| Male | |
| Poo mudikkum koondhalilae | In the hair where flowers are bound, |
| Em manasa nee mudichae | You tied my heart! |
| Nee mudicha mudipinilae | In that knot you tied, |
| En usiru dhinam thavikka | My life suffers daily! |
| Female | |
| Poovil nalla thaenirukku | There is sweet honey in the flower, |
| Ponvandu paathirukku | The golden beetle has seen it. |
| Innum enna thaamathamo | What is the delay still? |
| Maamanukku sammadhamo | Does the cousin consent? |
| Ippavae sondham kollavae | To claim rights right now, |
| Konjam en arugil vaammaa | Come a bit close to me, girl! |
| Male | |
| Sandhaikku vandha kili | The parrot that came to the market |
| Jaadai solli pesudhadi | Is speaking through gestures, my girl |
| Female :Sandhaikku vandha machaan | Female: The cousin who came to the market, |
| Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen | Why is he speaking through gestures? |
| Male :Muthammaa muthammaa…. | Male: Muthamma, Muthamma... |
| Pakkam vara vekkamaa | Are you shy to come close? |
| Female :Sollava sollava | Female: Shall I tell, shall I tell, |
| Onnu naan sollavaa | Shall I tell you one thing? |
| Kalyaanathai pesi | Talk about marriage, |
| Nee katta venum thaali | And tie the sacred thali thread! |
| Male :Hey hoi kuthaalathu maanae | Male: Hey hoi, doe of Courtallam! |
| Kothu poovaadidum thaenae | Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers! |
சந்தைக்கு வந்த கிளி
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுதடி
சந்தைக்கு வந்த கிளி
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுதடி
முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா
பக்கம் வர வெக்கமா
முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா
பக்கம் வர வெக்கமா
குத்தாலத்து மானே
கொத்து பூவாடிடும் தேனே
குத்தாலத்து மானே
கொத்து பூவாடிடும் தேனே
The parrot that came to the market
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
The parrot that came to the market
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Muthamma, Muthamma...
Are you shy to come close?
Muthamma, Muthamma
Are you shy to come close?
Oh doe of Courtallam!
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
Oh doe of Courtallam!
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
சந்தைக்கு வந்த கிளி
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுதடி
சந்தைக்கு வந்த கிளி
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுதடி
The parrot that came to the market
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
The parrot that came to the market
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
காணாத காட்சி எல்லாம்
கண்டேனே உன்னழகில்
பூ போல கோலமெல்லாம்
போட்டாயே உன் விழியில்
All unseen sights,
I saw in your beauty.
Flower-like patterns,
You drew in your eyes.
மானா மதுரையிலே
மல்லிகை பூ வாங்கி வந்து
மை போட்டு மயக்குனியே
கை தேர்ந்த மச்சானே
In Manamadurai,
Buying jasmine flowers,
Applying kohl, you mesmerized me,
Oh expert cousin!
தாமரையும் பூத்திருச்சு
தக்காளி பழுத்திருச்சு
தங்கமே உன் மனசு
இன்னும் பழுக்களையே
இப்பவே சொந்தம் கொண்டு
நீ கையில் அள்ளிகொள்ளு மாமா
The lotus has bloomed,
The tomato has ripened,
My precious golden one, your heart
Has not yet ripened!
Female: Claiming rights right now,
Gather me up in your arms, cousin!
சந்தைக்கு வந்த மச்சான்
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுவதேன்
சந்தைக்கு வந்த மச்சான்
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுவதேன்
சொல்லவா சொல்லவா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லவா
சொல்லவா சொல்லவா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லவா
கல்யாணத்தை பேசி
நீ கட்ட வேணும் தாலி
கல்யாணத்தை பேசி
நீ கட்ட வேணும் தாலி
The cousin who came to the market,
Why is he speaking through gestures?
The cousin who came to the market,
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Shall I tell you one thing?
Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Shall I tell you one thing?
Talk about marriage,
And tie the sacred thali thread!
Talk about marriage,
And tie the sacred thali thread!
சந்தைக்கு வந்த மச்சான்
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுவதேன்
சந்தைக்கு வந்த மச்சான்
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுவதேன்
The cousin who came to the market,
Why is he speaking through gestures?
The cousin who came to the market,
Why is he speaking through gestures?
உலுலுலுலுலுலுலு.......
உலுலுலுலுலுலுலு......
வந்தது வந்தது பொங்கல் என்று
இங்கு மங்கள கும்மி கொட்டுங்கடி
எங்கெங்கும் மங்களம் பொங்கிடவே
இங்கு மங்கையர் எல்லோரும் வாருங்கடி
மஞ்சளும் குங்குமம் கையில் கொண்டு
அம்மனை பாடிட வாருங்கடி
அம்மனை பாடிட வாருங்கடி
தந்தன தோம் சொல்லி பாடுங்கடி.....
உலுலுலுலுலுலுலு.......
(Ululation sounds)
(Ululation sounds)
Saying that Pongal has arrived,
Clap and perform the auspicious Gummi dance here, girls!
So that auspiciousness overflows everywhere,
All women, come along!
Holding auspicious vermilion in hand,
Come to sing the Ammanai song!
Come to sing the Ammanai song!
Sing saying 'Thanthana thom'...
(Ululation sounds)
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம்..
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம்...ஆ...
...
பெண்குழு :
தானன தானன தானன னா..
Since the day I grew up,
It is only you I thought of.
Thinning down like a thread,
I stood wilting daily in ailment.
ஆண்குழு :
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம்
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம்...ஆ...
In the hair where flowers are bound,
You tied my heart!
In that knot you tied,
My life suffers daily!
பெண்குழு :
தானன தானன தானன னா..
There is sweet honey in the flower,
The golden beetle has seen it.
What is the delay still?
Does the cousin consent?
To claim rights right now,
Come a bit close to me, girl!
ஆண்குழு :
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம்
தந்தகர தந்தந்தோம் தானனா..தந்தந்தந்........
The parrot that came to the market
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Female: The cousin who came to the market,
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Male: Muthamma, Muthamma...
Are you shy to come close?
Female: Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Shall I tell you one thing?
Talk about marriage,
And tie the sacred thali thread!
Male: Hey hoi, doe of Courtallam!
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
ஆளான நாள் முதலாய்
உன்னைத்தான் நான் நினைச்சேன்
நூலாகத்தான் இளைச்சு
நோயில் தினம் வாடி நின்னேன்
பூ முடிக்கும் கூந்தலிலே
எம் மனசை நீ முடிச்சே
நீ முடிச்ச முடிப்பினிலே
என் உசிறு தினம் தவிக்க
பூவில் நல்ல தேனிருக்கு
பொன் வண்டு பாத்திருக்கு
இன்னும் என்ன தாமதமோ
மாமனுக்கு சம்மதமோ
இப்பவே சொந்தம் கொள்ளவே
கொஞ்சம் என் அருகில் வாம்மா
சந்தைக்கு வந்த கிளி
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுதடி
சந்தைக்கு வந்த மச்சான்
ஜாடை சொல்லி பேசுவதேன்
முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா
பக்கம் வர வெக்கமா
சொல்லவா சொல்லவா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லவா
கல்யாணத்தை பேசி
நீ கட்ட வேணும் தாலி
ஹேய் ஹொய் குத்தாலத்து மானே
கொத்து பூவாடிடும் தேனே
தந்தன்னா தந்தான் நன்னே
தான தந்த தானேனானே
தந்தன்னா தந்தான் நன்னே
தான தந்த தானேனானே
Sandhaikku vandha kili
The parrot that came to the market
Jaadai solli pesudhadi
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Sandhaikku vandha kili
The parrot that came to the market
Jaadai solli pesudhadi
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Muthammaa muthammaa….
Muthamma, Muthamma...
Pakkam vara vekkamaa
Are you shy to come close?
Muthammaa muthammaa
Muthamma, Muthamma
Pakkam vara vekkamaa
Are you shy to come close?
Kuthaalathu maanae
Oh doe of Courtallam!
Kothu poovaadidum thaenae
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
Kuthaalathu maanae
Oh doe of Courtallam!
Kothu poovaadidum thaenae
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
Sandhaikku vandha kili
The parrot that came to the market
Jaadai solli pesudhadi
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Sandhaikku vandha kili
The parrot that came to the market
Jaadai solli pesudhadi
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Kaanaadha kaatchi ellaam
All unseen sights,
Kandenae unnazhagil
I saw in your beauty.
Poopola kolamellaam
Flower-like patterns,
Pottaiyae un vizhiyil
You drew in your eyes.
Maanaamaduraiyilae
In Manamadurai,
Malligai poo vaangi vandhu
Buying jasmine flowers,
Mai pottu mayakkuniyae
Applying kohl, you mesmerized me,
Kai therndha machaanae
Oh expert cousin!
Thamaraiyum poothiruchu
The lotus has bloomed,
Thakkaali pazhuthiruchu
The tomato has ripened,
Thangamae un manasu
My precious golden one, your heart
Innum pazhukkalaiyae
Has not yet ripened!
Female :Ippavae sontham kondu nee
Female: Claiming rights right now,
Kaiyil alli kollu maamaa
Gather me up in your arms, cousin!
Sandhaikku vandha machaan
The cousin who came to the market,
Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Sandhaikku vandha machaan
The cousin who came to the market,
Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Sollava sollava
Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Onnu naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you one thing?
Sollava sollava
Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Onnu naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you one thing?
Kalyaanathai pesi
Talk about marriage,
Nee katta venum thaali
And tie the sacred thali thread!
Kalyaanathai pesi
Talk about marriage,
Nee katta venum thaali
And tie the sacred thali thread!
Sandhaikku vandha machaan
The cousin who came to the market,
Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Sandhaikku vandha machaan
The cousin who came to the market,
Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Ulululululululu…..
(Ululation sounds)
Ulululululululu….
(Ululation sounds)
Vandhadhu vandhadhu pongal endru
Saying that Pongal has arrived,
Ingu mangala gummi kottungadi
Clap and perform the auspicious Gummi dance here, girls!
Engengum mangalam pongidavae
So that auspiciousness overflows everywhere,
Ingu mangaiyar ellorum varungadi
All women, come along!
Mangala kungumam kaiyil kondu
Holding auspicious vermilion in hand,
Ammanai paadida vaarungadi
Come to sing the Ammanai song!
Ammanai paadida vaarungadi
Come to sing the Ammanai song!
Thanthana thom solli paadungadi…..
Sing saying 'Thanthana thom'...
Ulululululululu
(Ululation sounds)
…………………………………….
...
Aalaana naal mudhalaa
Since the day I grew up,
Unnaidhaan naan ninaichen
It is only you I thought of.
Noolaagathaan ilaichu
Thinning down like a thread,
Noyil dhinam vaadi ninnen
I stood wilting daily in ailment.
Poo mudikkum koondhalilae
In the hair where flowers are bound,
Em manasa nee mudichae
You tied my heart!
Nee mudicha mudipinilae
In that knot you tied,
En usiru dhinam thavikka
My life suffers daily!
Poovil nalla thaenirukku
There is sweet honey in the flower,
Ponvandu paathirukku
The golden beetle has seen it.
Innum enna thaamathamo
What is the delay still?
Maamanukku sammadhamo
Does the cousin consent?
Ippavae sondham kollavae
To claim rights right now,
Konjam en arugil vaammaa
Come a bit close to me, girl!
Sandhaikku vandha kili
The parrot that came to the market
Jaadai solli pesudhadi
Is speaking through gestures, my girl
Female :Sandhaikku vandha machaan
Female: The cousin who came to the market,
Jaadai solli pesuvadhaen
Why is he speaking through gestures?
Male :Muthammaa muthammaa….
Male: Muthamma, Muthamma...
Pakkam vara vekkamaa
Are you shy to come close?
Female :Sollava sollava
Female: Shall I tell, shall I tell,
Onnu naan sollavaa
Shall I tell you one thing?
Kalyaanathai pesi
Talk about marriage,
Nee katta venum thaali
And tie the sacred thali thread!
Male :Hey hoi kuthaalathu maanae
Male: Hey hoi, doe of Courtallam!
Kothu poovaadidum thaenae
Oh honey swinging on a cluster of flowers!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Sandhaikku Vandha Kili' is a playful rural duet from the 1991 Tamil film Dharma Durai. The song features a lighthearted exchange between two lovers against the backdrop of a village festival. The male lead affectionately compares his beloved to a parrot and a graceful deer, flirting with subtle gestures. In response, the female lead playfully chides him for making hints in public and directly challenges him to move past flirting and proposal to marriage by tying the auspicious mangalsutra (thali). The track blends romance with traditional Tamil folk elements such as Gummi dance and Ammanai songs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Sandhaikku vandha kili”
Comparing the beloved female lead to a parrot ('Kili') visiting the village market.
Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Thamaraiyum poothiruchu / Thakkaali pazhuthiruchu / Thangamae...”
Repetition of the 'Tha' starting consonant sound across lines 25-27.
Folk Motifs (Naatupura Koorugal)
“Ingu mangala gummi kottungadi / Ammanai paadida vaarungadi”
Use of traditional village cultural forms like Gummi dance and Ammanai folk songs.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Set in a rural festival atmosphere, it highlights traditional Tamil cultural practices like Gummi dance and sound motifs like ululation ('kulavai').
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