Sikaadha Sitrondru
From Sethu · 1999
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singers
- Unnikrishnan, Arun Mozhi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sethu1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sikkaatha sitrondru | When an elusive little bird |
| Kaiyil vantha | Comes into your hand |
| Nikkaama paatu varum | Songs flow endlessly |
| Aathoram thoapporam | By the riverbank, near the grove |
| Roatoramaa | Along the roadside |
| Nikkaama aada chollum | It bids you to dance relentlessly |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal vevagaaram | The matter of love |
| Athu enga samaachaaram | That is our usual subject |
| Kaathal pannu oru tharam | Fall in love once |
| Nee pidikka kaiyil vaanam varum | The sky will come within your grasp |
| Chorus | |
| Ada college-ju | Hey, in college |
| College-ju pogindra teenagejula | During the teenage years going to college |
| Ellorkkum kaathal varum | Love comes to everyone |
| Sorga ulagam | A world of paradise |
| Sollaama thedi varum | Comes searching for you unannounced |
| Chorus | |
| Ye sikkaatha sitrondru | Hey, when an elusive little bird |
| Kaiyil vantha | Comes into your hand |
| Nikkaama paatu varum | Songs flow endlessly |
| Aathoram thoapporam | By the riverbank, near the grove |
| Roatoramaa | Along the roadside |
| Nikkaama aada chollum | It bids you to dance relentlessly |
| Male | |
| Kodi kotti koduththaalum | Even if you give crores of money |
| Kaathal kidaikaathu dae | Love cannot be bought, my friend |
| Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan.. |
| Siyaan siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. |
| Male | |
| Amaam kaalam kadathaathae | Yes, do not delay time |
| Suthi valaikaathae ae | Do not beat around the bush |
| Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan.. |
| Siyaan siyaan..siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan.. |
| Male | |
| Oorukkullae naan irunthen | I was in the town |
| Theevukkullae.. | Inside an island.. |
| Kaathalithaal naan parappen | If I fall in love, I will fly |
| Vaanathilae.. | In the sky.. |
| Male | |
| Minminigal kannil vanthu | Fireflies come into the eyes |
| Theduthadaa.. | Searching around.. |
| Pournamiyo nenjukkullae | A full moon inside the heart |
| Aaduthadaa.. | Dances around.. |
| Ennathil vannathu poochigal | Butterflies in my thoughts |
| Vanthu vanthu hoo | Come again and again, hoo |
| Kannaamboochi aaduthu.. | Play hide and seek.. |
| En manasula kichu kichu mootuthu.. | It tickles inside my heart.. |
| Chorus | |
| Ye sikkaatha sitrondru | Hey, when an elusive little bird |
| Kaiyil vantha | Comes into your hand |
| Nikkaama paatu varum | Songs flow endlessly |
| Aathoram thoapporam | By the riverbank, near the grove |
| Roatoramaa | Along the roadside |
| Nikkaama aada chollum | It bids you to dance relentlessly |
| Male | |
| Jodi paakaama pesaama | Without seeing or talking to your partner |
| Thookkam pudikkaliyaa | Don't you lose your sleep? |
| Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan.. |
| Siyaan siyaan.. | Chiyaan chiyaan.. |
| Male | |
| Signal vaaraama yaarodum | Without a signal, with anyone |
| Male | |
| Kal manasil kaathal vantha | When love enters a heart of stone |
| Thenna enna | So what of it? |
| Ootreduthu anbai thedi | Gushing forth in search of affection |
| Povathenna | Why does it go? |
| Male | |
| Kaalaiyilae maala vara | From morning until evening |
| Yenguthadee.. | It longs, my dear.. |
| Maalai vanthaal unnai manam | When evening arrives, my heart |
| Theduthadee.. | Searches for you, my dear.. |
| Male | |
| Pechilum moochilum | In my speech and in my breath |
| Naan kaanum Aththanaiyilum | In everything that I behold |
| Kanmani neethaanadee.. | You alone are there, my darling.. |
| Chinnakuyilae payithiyam | Little cuckoo, I have gone mad |
| Aanenadee.. | For you, my dear.. |
| Chorus | |
| Ye sikkaatha sitrondru | Hey, when an elusive little bird |
| Kaiyil vantha | Comes into your hand |
| Nikkaama paatu varum | Songs flow endlessly |
| Aathoram thoapporam | By the riverbank, near the grove |
| Roatoramaa | Along the roadside |
| Nikkaama aada chollum | It bids you to dance relentlessly |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal vevagaaram | The matter of love |
| Chorus :Athu enga samaachaaram | Chorus: That is our usual subject |
| Male :Kaathal pannu oru tharam | Male: Fall in love once |
| Chorus :Nee pidikka kaiyil | Chorus: For you to reach and hold |
| Vaanam varum | The sky will come |
| Chorus | |
| Ada college-ju | Hey, in college |
| College-ju pogindra teenagejula | During the teenage years going to college |
| Ellorkkum kaathal varum | Love comes to everyone |
| Sorga ulagam | A world of paradise |
| Sollaama thedi varum | Comes searching for you unannounced |
| Chorus | |
| {Ye sikkaatha sitrondru | {Hey, when an elusive little bird |
| Kaiyil vantha | Comes into your hand |
| Nikkaama paatu varum | Songs flow endlessly |
| Aathoram thoapporam | By the riverbank, near the grove |
| Roatoramaa | Along the roadside |
| Nikkaama aada chollum} (2) | It bids you to dance relentlessly} (2) |
சிக்காத சிட்டொன்று
கையில் வந்தா
திக்காம பாட்டு வரும்
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்போரம்
ரோட்டோரமா
நிக்காம ஆட சொல்லும்
When an elusive little bird
Comes into your hand
Songs flow endlessly
By the riverbank, near the grove
Along the roadside
It bids you to dance relentlessly
காதல் வெவகாரம்
அது எங்க சமாசாரம்
காதல் பண்ணு ஒரு தரம்
நீ பிடிக்க கையில் வானம் வரும்
The matter of love
That is our usual subject
Fall in love once
The sky will come within your grasp
அட காலேஜு
காலேஜு போகின்ற டீனேஜுல
எல்லோர்க்கும் காதல் வரும்
சொர்க்க உலகம்
சொல்லாம தேடி வரும்
Hey, in college
During the teenage years going to college
Love comes to everyone
A world of paradise
Comes searching for you unannounced
ஏ சிக்காத சிட்டொன்று
கையில் வந்தா
திக்காம பாட்டு வரும்
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்போரம்
ரோட்டோரமா
நிக்காம ஆட சொல்லும்
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Comes into your hand
Songs flow endlessly
By the riverbank, near the grove
Along the roadside
It bids you to dance relentlessly
கோடி கொட்டி கொடுத்தாலும்
காதல் கிடைக்காது டே
சியான் சியான்.. சியான் சியான்..
சியான் சியான்..
Even if you give crores of money
Love cannot be bought, my friend
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan..
ஆமாம் காலம் கடத்தாதே
சுத்தி வளைக்காதே ஏ
சியான் சியான்.. சியான் சியான்..
சியான் சியான் சியான்..
Yes, do not delay time
Do not beat around the bush
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan..
ஊருக்குள்ளே நான் இருந்தேன்
தீவுக்குள்ளே..
காதலித்தால் நான் பறப்பேன்
வானத்திலே..
I was in the town
Inside an island..
If I fall in love, I will fly
In the sky..
மின்மினிகள் கண்ணில் வந்து
தேடுதடா...
பௌர்ணமியோ நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
ஆடுதடா...
எண்ணத்தில் வண்ணத்து பூச்சிகள்
வந்து வந்து ஹோ
கண்ணாம்பூச்சி ஆடுது..
என் மனசுல கிச்சு கிச்சு மூட்டுது..
Fireflies come into the eyes
Searching around..
A full moon inside the heart
Dances around..
Butterflies in my thoughts
Come again and again, hoo
Play hide and seek..
It tickles inside my heart..
ஏ சிக்காத சிட்டொன்று
கையில் வந்தா
திக்காம பாட்டு வரும்
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்போரம்
ரோட்டோரமா
நிக்காம ஆட சொல்லும்
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Comes into your hand
Songs flow endlessly
By the riverbank, near the grove
Along the roadside
It bids you to dance relentlessly
ஜோடி பாக்காம பேசாம
தூக்கம் புடிக்கலியா
சியான் சியான்.. சியான் சியான்..
சியான் சியான்..
Without seeing or talking to your partner
Don't you lose your sleep?
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan..
ஆண்
: சிக்னல் வராம யாரோடும்
பேசப்புடிக்கலியா
சியான் சியான்.. சியான் சியான்..
சியான் சியான் சியான்..
Without a signal, with anyone
கல் மனசில் காதல் வந்த
தென்ன என்ன
ஊற்றெடுத்து அன்பை தேடி
போவதென்ன
When love enters a heart of stone
So what of it?
Gushing forth in search of affection
Why does it go?
காலையிலே மாலை வர
ஏங்குதடி..
மாலை வந்தால் உன்னை மனம்
தேடுதடி..
From morning until evening
It longs, my dear..
When evening arrives, my heart
Searches for you, my dear..
பேச்சிலும் மூச்சிலும்
நான் காணும் அத்தனையிலும்
கண்மணி நீதானடி..
சின்னக்குயிலே பைத்தியம்
ஆனேனடி..
In my speech and in my breath
In everything that I behold
You alone are there, my darling..
Little cuckoo, I have gone mad
For you, my dear..
ஏ சிக்காத சிட்டொன்று
கையில் வந்தா
திக்காம பாட்டு வரும்
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்போரம்
ரோட்டோரமா
நிக்காம ஆட சொல்லும்
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Comes into your hand
Songs flow endlessly
By the riverbank, near the grove
Along the roadside
It bids you to dance relentlessly
காதல் வெவகாரம்
குழு :
அது எங்க சமாசாரம்
காதல் பண்ணு ஒரு தரம்
குழு :
நீ பிடிக்க கையில்
வானம் வரும்
The matter of love
Chorus: That is our usual subject
Male: Fall in love once
Chorus: For you to reach and hold
The sky will come
அட காலேஜு
காலேஜு போகின்ற டீனேஜுல
எல்லோர்க்கும் காதல் வரும்
சொர்க்க உலகம்
சொல்லாம தேடி வரும்
Hey, in college
During the teenage years going to college
Love comes to everyone
A world of paradise
Comes searching for you unannounced
{ஏ சிக்காத சிட்டொன்று
கையில் வந்தா
திக்காம பாட்டு வரும்
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்போரம்
ரோட்டோரமா
நிக்காம ஆட சொல்லும்} (2)
{Hey, when an elusive little bird
Comes into your hand
Songs flow endlessly
By the riverbank, near the grove
Along the roadside
It bids you to dance relentlessly} (2)
Sikkaatha sitrondru
When an elusive little bird
Kaiyil vantha
Comes into your hand
Nikkaama paatu varum
Songs flow endlessly
Aathoram thoapporam
By the riverbank, near the grove
Roatoramaa
Along the roadside
Nikkaama aada chollum
It bids you to dance relentlessly
Kaadhal vevagaaram
The matter of love
Athu enga samaachaaram
That is our usual subject
Kaathal pannu oru tharam
Fall in love once
Nee pidikka kaiyil vaanam varum
The sky will come within your grasp
Ada college-ju
Hey, in college
College-ju pogindra teenagejula
During the teenage years going to college
Ellorkkum kaathal varum
Love comes to everyone
Sorga ulagam
A world of paradise
Sollaama thedi varum
Comes searching for you unannounced
Ye sikkaatha sitrondru
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Kaiyil vantha
Comes into your hand
Nikkaama paatu varum
Songs flow endlessly
Aathoram thoapporam
By the riverbank, near the grove
Roatoramaa
Along the roadside
Nikkaama aada chollum
It bids you to dance relentlessly
Kodi kotti koduththaalum
Even if you give crores of money
Kaathal kidaikaathu dae
Love cannot be bought, my friend
Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Siyaan siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan..
Amaam kaalam kadathaathae
Yes, do not delay time
Suthi valaikaathae ae
Do not beat around the bush
Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Siyaan siyaan..siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan..
Oorukkullae naan irunthen
I was in the town
Theevukkullae..
Inside an island..
Kaathalithaal naan parappen
If I fall in love, I will fly
Vaanathilae..
In the sky..
Minminigal kannil vanthu
Fireflies come into the eyes
Theduthadaa..
Searching around..
Pournamiyo nenjukkullae
A full moon inside the heart
Aaduthadaa..
Dances around..
Ennathil vannathu poochigal
Butterflies in my thoughts
Vanthu vanthu hoo
Come again and again, hoo
Kannaamboochi aaduthu..
Play hide and seek..
En manasula kichu kichu mootuthu..
It tickles inside my heart..
Ye sikkaatha sitrondru
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Kaiyil vantha
Comes into your hand
Nikkaama paatu varum
Songs flow endlessly
Aathoram thoapporam
By the riverbank, near the grove
Roatoramaa
Along the roadside
Nikkaama aada chollum
It bids you to dance relentlessly
Jodi paakaama pesaama
Without seeing or talking to your partner
Thookkam pudikkaliyaa
Don't you lose your sleep?
Siyaan siyaan.. siyaan siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan.. chiyaan chiyaan..
Siyaan siyaan..
Chiyaan chiyaan..
Signal vaaraama yaarodum
Without a signal, with anyone
Kal manasil kaathal vantha
When love enters a heart of stone
Thenna enna
So what of it?
Ootreduthu anbai thedi
Gushing forth in search of affection
Povathenna
Why does it go?
Kaalaiyilae maala vara
From morning until evening
Yenguthadee..
It longs, my dear..
Maalai vanthaal unnai manam
When evening arrives, my heart
Theduthadee..
Searches for you, my dear..
Pechilum moochilum
In my speech and in my breath
Naan kaanum Aththanaiyilum
In everything that I behold
Kanmani neethaanadee..
You alone are there, my darling..
Chinnakuyilae payithiyam
Little cuckoo, I have gone mad
Aanenadee..
For you, my dear..
Ye sikkaatha sitrondru
Hey, when an elusive little bird
Kaiyil vantha
Comes into your hand
Nikkaama paatu varum
Songs flow endlessly
Aathoram thoapporam
By the riverbank, near the grove
Roatoramaa
Along the roadside
Nikkaama aada chollum
It bids you to dance relentlessly
Kaadhal vevagaaram
The matter of love
Chorus :Athu enga samaachaaram
Chorus: That is our usual subject
Male :Kaathal pannu oru tharam
Male: Fall in love once
Chorus :Nee pidikka kaiyil
Chorus: For you to reach and hold
Vaanam varum
The sky will come
Ada college-ju
Hey, in college
College-ju pogindra teenagejula
During the teenage years going to college
Ellorkkum kaathal varum
Love comes to everyone
Sorga ulagam
A world of paradise
Sollaama thedi varum
Comes searching for you unannounced
{Ye sikkaatha sitrondru
{Hey, when an elusive little bird
Kaiyil vantha
Comes into your hand
Nikkaama paatu varum
Songs flow endlessly
Aathoram thoapporam
By the riverbank, near the grove
Roatoramaa
Along the roadside
Nikkaama aada chollum} (2)
It bids you to dance relentlessly} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic song from the film Sethu celebrates youth, romance, and the transformative joy of falling in love. The lyrics compare love to an elusive bird that, once caught, brings unstoppable song, dance, and euphoria. It highlights how love is priceless, transcending wealth and making college life feel like paradise.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Sikkaatha sitrondru”
Compares love/the beloved to a rare, hard-to-catch little bird ('Sikkaatha sitrondru') that brings instant music and joy.
Imagery
“Minminigal kannil vanthu... Pournamiyo nenjukkullae”
Creates vivid visual and sensory imagery of love filling the heart with full moon brightness and fireflies in the eyes.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Aathoram thoapporam Roatoramaa”
Repetition of starting phonetic sounds across lines ('Aathoram', 'Roatoramaa').
Did you know?
Trivia
The recurring vocal chant 'Chiyaan' in this song became actor Vikram's popular screen prefix and nickname following the massive success of the film Sethu (1999), directed by Bala with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
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