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Lyrics & meaning

Sariyilla Sariyilla Sarakke

From Thilagam · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thilagam1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Oothaamal orunaalum irukka vendaamWe shouldn't go a single day without pouring a drink
Urinjaamal pozhuthaiyellaam kazhikka vendaamWe shouldn't spend all our time without sipping it
Aagaaram namakkintha sakkaraithaanThis sweet liquor is food for us
Adhan melae vaiththiruppom akkaraithaanAnd we hold utmost care for it
Male
Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyillaNot good, not good, the liquor is not good at all
Slowvaa yaeruthappaaThe high is kicking in slowly, man
Puriyala puriyala kanakkae puriyalaDon't understand, don't understand, can't calculate the math
Innum konjam yaeththikkappaaPour a bit more, man!
Ennaalum engal frienduForever our friend...
Kaverithaan paarappaa...is Kaveri, look man!
Kaverimael kai vaikkumWho is the partner...
Pangaarappaa yaarappaa...who puts a hand on Kaveri?
Chorus
Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyillaNot good, not good, the liquor is not good at all
Slowvaa yaeruthappaaThe high is kicking in slowly, man
Male :AamaamppaMale: Yes, man!
Chorus :Puriyala puriyala kanakkae puriyalaChorus: Don't understand, don't understand, can't calculate the math
Innum konjam yaeththikkappaaInnum konjam yaeththikkappaa - Pour a bit more, man!
Male
…………….....
Chorus :…………..Chorus: ...
Male
Pachchaiyaa neelamaa kaaigira sooriyanIs the shining sun green or blue?
Ramasami neeyum solladaaRamasami, why don't you tell me?
Intha oor vanthu naan ettu naal aachchuthuIt's been eight days since I came to this town
Enna poyi ketpathennadaaWhy come and ask me?
Male
Nallavela unna ketteanGood thing I asked you
Chorus :Enna kettaa sollamaattaenChorus: If you ask me, I won't tell!
Male :Unna polavae rajaMale: Just like you, my king...
Vera ooruthaan naan...I belong to another town too
Unna polavae rajaJust like you, my king...
Vera ooruthaan naan...I belong to another town too
Male
Ennak keluAsk me!
Chorus :LalallaaChorus: La la laa
Male :SolluraenMale: I will tell
Chorus :Rendu perum paarpathinguChorus: Both of us are looking at...
Vennilaavaththaan...the white moon here!
Male
Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyillaNot good, not good, the liquor is not good at all
Slowvaa yaeruthappaaThe high is kicking in slowly, man
Chorus :Puriyala puriyala kanakkae puriyalaChorus: Don't understand, don't understand, can't calculate the math
Innum konjam yaeththikkappaaPour a bit more, man!
Male
Koppaiyil endrumae aazhuraen endruthaanSaying 'I am always drowning in the cup'...
Kannathaasan padinaaradaa...Kannadasan sang back then, man!
Koppaiyai yaenthiyae kuppanum suppanumJust by holding a cup, how can ordinary folks like Kuppan and Suppan...
Kavinganaaga aavathenadaa...turn into poets, man?
Bodhaiyodu aadi paarppomLet's dance while intoxicated!
Chorus :Paattu vanthaa paadi paappomChorus: If inspiration strikes, let me sing a song!
Male
Thappu thaalangal poduPlay off-beat rhythms!
Thatti ketpavan yaaruWho is there to question us?
Thappu thaalangal poduPlay off-beat rhythms!
Thatti ketpavan yaaruWho is there to question us?
Male
UnnaiymYou...
Chorus :Lalallaa…Chorus: La la laa...
Male :EnnaiyumMale: And me...
Chorus :Lalallaa…Chorus: La la laa...
Male :Bommai polaMale: Like a puppet...
Aatti vaikkum manja sakkara...yellow sugar makes us dance!
Male
Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyillaNot good, not good, the liquor is not good at all
Slowvaa yaeruthappaaThe high is kicking in slowly, man
Puriyala puriyala kanakkae puriyalaDon't understand, don't understand, can't calculate the math
Innum konjam yaeththikkappaaPour a bit more, man!
Ennaalum engal frienduForever our friend...
Kaverithaan paarappaa...is Kaveri, look man!
Kaverimael kai vaikkumWho is the partner...
Pangaarappaa yaarappaa...who puts a hand on Kaveri?
Chorus
Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyillaNot good, not good, the liquor is not good at all
Slowvaa yaeruthappaaThe high is kicking in slowly, man
Male :AahahaanMale: Aahahaan
Chorus :Puriyala puriyala kanakkae puriyalaChorus: Don't understand, don't understand, can't calculate the math
Innum konjam yaeththikkappaaPour a bit more, man!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Thilagam' (1992) is a humorous, lighthearted drunken banter track written by lyricist Vaali. The characters express their intoxication, light-hearted philosophical views, and comradeship while drinking. They playfully complain that the liquor isn't strong enough while demanding more, banter about their origins as outsiders in the town, and wonder about abstract drunk thoughts like whether the sun shines blue or green. In a famous lyrical homage, Vaali references the legendary poet Kannadasan's classical drunk songs (where Kannadasan famously sang about finding solace inside a wine cup), playfully questioning whether common folks like 'Kuppan and Suppan' can magically turn into poets just by holding a glass. Ultimately, the song concludes that alcohol acts like a master pulling strings, making both the speaker and his friends dance like puppets on a stage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epizeuxis / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Sariyilla sariyilla sarakkae sariyilla

Repetition of words consecutively for emphasis and comedic rhythm.

Simile (Uwamai)

Male :Bommai pola Aatti vaikkum manja sakkara

Comparing human actions under intoxication to puppets being made to dance.

Cultural / Literary Allusion

Koppaiyil endrumae aazhuraen endruthaan Kannathaasan padinaaradaa

Vaali explicitly references fellow legendary lyricist Kannadasan's iconic liquor-themed poetry.

Monorhyme / Rhyme Scheme (Emona / Iyaibu)

Aagaaram namakkintha sakkaraithaan / Adhan melae vaiththiruppom akkaraithaan

Matching rhyming word endings ('sakkaraithaan' and 'akkaraithaan') across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali frequently included affectionate meta-references to his contemporary and rival poet Kannadasan in his songs. Here, Vaali wittily references Kannadasan's celebrated liquor songs (such as 'Koppaiyile Enna Irukku') to highlight the comedic contrast between true poetic genius and drunk ramblings of regular people.

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