Singara Therkooda
From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Ilaya Thalaimurai1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum | Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil, |
| Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae | Yet you do not even have that modesty. |
| Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum | Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds, |
| Moodaatha venn mullaiyae | O uncovered white jasmine flower! |
| Male | |
| Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum | Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil, |
| Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae | Yet you do not even have that modesty. |
| Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum | Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds, |
| Moodaatha venn mullaiyae | O uncovered white jasmine flower! |
| Male | |
| Muththukkal sippikkul irunthaal enna | What if pearls remain protected inside their oyster shell? |
| Mottukkal ilaikkul maranthaal enna | What if flower buds stay hidden behind green leaves? |
| Kattukkul maeniyai vaiththai enna | What if you kept your body wrapped in traditional modesty? |
| Kallaipol illaamal kaninthaal enna | What if you softened with grace instead of remaining hard as stone? |
| Male | |
| Ada vaazhaithandu kaalai konjam | Hey, those plantain-stem-like legs of yours, |
| Selai suttri vaiththaal enna | What if you wrapped them gracefully in a saree? |
| Vanna chittu saanthu pottu | What if a colorful little bird like you |
| Vaiththaal enna | Adorned her forehead with a bindi? |
| Male | |
| Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum | Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil, |
| Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae | Yet you do not even have that modesty. |
| Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum | Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds, |
| Moodaatha venn mullaiyae | O uncovered white jasmine flower! |
| Male | |
| Thandaikku kaalgalil idamillaiyo | Is there no room on your feet for traditional anklets? |
| Kondaikku koondhalil vazhiyillaiyo | Is there no way to coil your hair into a traditional bun? |
| Manjalthaan mangaikku manamillaiyo | Does a young woman lack the desire for traditional turmeric? |
| Mayittaal kannukku azhagillaiyo | Is there no beauty in your eyes when adorned with kohl? |
| Male | |
| Ambaalai kannaara kandu penmai | When womanhood beholds a worthy man, |
| Kondaal nanmaiyundu | And embraces tradition, good things follow. |
| Ambaalai kannaara kandu penmai | When womanhood beholds a worthy man, |
| Kondaal nanmaiyundu | And embraces tradition, good things follow. |
| Naanam kondu | Bearing sweet bashfulness, |
| Vetkkam kondu nadanthaal enna | What if you walked with charming shyness? |
| Male | |
| Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum | Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil, |
| Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae | Yet you do not even have that modesty. |
| Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum | Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds, |
| Moodaatha venn mullaiyae | O uncovered white jasmine flower! |
| Male | |
| Washington pennukku kandaangiyum | A woman in distant Washington wears a Kandangi saree, |
| Vaasalil kannanin thirukoyilaam | And builds a temple for Lord Krishna at her doorstep. |
| Geethaiyum seethaiyum angae kandaar | They discovered the Gita and Sita over there, |
| Bodhaiyum vaathaiyum ingae thanthaar | While leaving intoxication and distress over here. |
| Male | |
| Namm thennaattu panpaadu ondru | Our South Indian culture is truly unique, |
| Anbu paasam inbam endru | Built upon love, affection, and inner joy. |
| Namm thennaattu panpaadu ondru | Our South Indian culture is truly unique, |
| Anbu paasam inbam endru | Built upon love, affection, and inner joy. |
| Thaaimai ingae peyaanaal | If motherhood here turns demonic and corrupt, |
| Thaangaathammaa…. | It cannot be borne, my dear... |
| Male | |
| Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum | Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil, |
| Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae | Yet you do not even have that modesty. |
| Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum | Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds, |
| Moodaatha venn mullaiyae | O uncovered white jasmine flower! |
சிங்காரத் தேர் கூடத் திரை போட்டு போகும்
அது கூட உணகில்லையே
அம்மம்மா செவ்வானம் தனை கூட மேகங்கள் மூடும்
மூடாத வெண் முல்லையே
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
சிங்காரத் தேர் கூடத் திரை போட்டு போகும்
அது கூட உணகில்லையே
அம்மம்மா செவ்வானம் தனை கூட மேகங்கள் மூடும்
மூடாத வெண் முல்லையே
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
முத்துக்கள் சிப்பிக்குள் இருந்தால் என்ன
மொட்டுக்கள் இலைக்குள் மறைந்தால் என்ன
கட்டுக்குள் மேனியை வைத்தால் என்ன
கல்லைப்போல் இல்லாமல் கனிந்தால் என்ன
What if pearls remain protected inside their oyster shell?
What if flower buds stay hidden behind green leaves?
What if you kept your body wrapped in traditional modesty?
What if you softened with grace instead of remaining hard as stone?
அட வாழைத்தண்டு காலைக் கொஞ்சம்
சேலைச் சுற்றி வைத்தால் என்ன
வண்ணச் சிட்டு சாந்துப் பொட்டு
வைத்தால் என்ன
Hey, those plantain-stem-like legs of yours,
What if you wrapped them gracefully in a saree?
What if a colorful little bird like you
Adorned her forehead with a bindi?
சிங்காரத் தேர் கூடத் திரை போட்டு போகும்
அது கூட உணகில்லையே
அம்மம்மா செவ்வானம் தனை கூட மேகங்கள் மூடும்
மூடாத வெண் முல்லையே
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
தண்டைக்கு கால்களில் இடமில்லையோ
கொண்டைக்கு கூந்தலில் வழியில்லையோ
மஞ்சள்தான் மங்கைக்கு மணமில்லையோ
மையிட்டால் கண்ணுக்கு அழகில்லையோ
Is there no room on your feet for traditional anklets?
Is there no way to coil your hair into a traditional bun?
Does a young woman lack the desire for traditional turmeric?
Is there no beauty in your eyes when adorned with kohl?
அம்பாளைக் கண்ணாரக் கண்டு பெண்மை
கொண்டால் நன்மையுண்டு
அம்பாளைக் கண்ணாரக் கண்டு பெண்மை
கொண்டால் நன்மையுண்டு
நாணம் கொண்டு
வெட்கம் கொண்டு நடந்தால் என்ன
When womanhood beholds a worthy man,
And embraces tradition, good things follow.
When womanhood beholds a worthy man,
And embraces tradition, good things follow.
Bearing sweet bashfulness,
What if you walked with charming shyness?
சிங்காரத் தேர் கூடத் திரை போட்டு போகும்
அது கூட உணகில்லையே
அம்மம்மா செவ்வானம் தனை கூட மேகங்கள் மூடும்
மூடாத வெண் முல்லையே
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
வாஷிங்டன் பெண்ணுக்கு கண்டாங்கியாம்
வாசலில் கண்ணனின் திருக்கோயிலாம்
கீதையும் சீதையும் அங்கே கண்டார்
போதையும் வாதையும் இங்கே தந்தார்
A woman in distant Washington wears a Kandangi saree,
And builds a temple for Lord Krishna at her doorstep.
They discovered the Gita and Sita over there,
While leaving intoxication and distress over here.
நம் தென்னாட்டு பண்பாடு ஒன்று
அன்பு பாசம் இன்பம் என்று
நம் தென்னாட்டு பண்பாடு ஒன்று
அன்பு பாசம் இன்பம் என்று
தாய்மை இங்கே பேயானால்
தாங்காதம்மா........
Our South Indian culture is truly unique,
Built upon love, affection, and inner joy.
Our South Indian culture is truly unique,
Built upon love, affection, and inner joy.
If motherhood here turns demonic and corrupt,
It cannot be borne, my dear...
சிங்காரத் தேர் கூடத் திரை போட்டு போகும்
அது கூட உணகில்லையே
அம்மம்மா செவ்வானம் தனை கூட மேகங்கள் மூடும்
மூடாத வெண் முல்லையே
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
Moodaatha venn mullaiyae
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
Moodaatha venn mullaiyae
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Muththukkal sippikkul irunthaal enna
What if pearls remain protected inside their oyster shell?
Mottukkal ilaikkul maranthaal enna
What if flower buds stay hidden behind green leaves?
Kattukkul maeniyai vaiththai enna
What if you kept your body wrapped in traditional modesty?
Kallaipol illaamal kaninthaal enna
What if you softened with grace instead of remaining hard as stone?
Ada vaazhaithandu kaalai konjam
Hey, those plantain-stem-like legs of yours,
Selai suttri vaiththaal enna
What if you wrapped them gracefully in a saree?
Vanna chittu saanthu pottu
What if a colorful little bird like you
Vaiththaal enna
Adorned her forehead with a bindi?
Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
Moodaatha venn mullaiyae
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Thandaikku kaalgalil idamillaiyo
Is there no room on your feet for traditional anklets?
Kondaikku koondhalil vazhiyillaiyo
Is there no way to coil your hair into a traditional bun?
Manjalthaan mangaikku manamillaiyo
Does a young woman lack the desire for traditional turmeric?
Mayittaal kannukku azhagillaiyo
Is there no beauty in your eyes when adorned with kohl?
Ambaalai kannaara kandu penmai
When womanhood beholds a worthy man,
Kondaal nanmaiyundu
And embraces tradition, good things follow.
Ambaalai kannaara kandu penmai
When womanhood beholds a worthy man,
Kondaal nanmaiyundu
And embraces tradition, good things follow.
Naanam kondu
Bearing sweet bashfulness,
Vetkkam kondu nadanthaal enna
What if you walked with charming shyness?
Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
Moodaatha venn mullaiyae
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Washington pennukku kandaangiyum
A woman in distant Washington wears a Kandangi saree,
Vaasalil kannanin thirukoyilaam
And builds a temple for Lord Krishna at her doorstep.
Geethaiyum seethaiyum angae kandaar
They discovered the Gita and Sita over there,
Bodhaiyum vaathaiyum ingae thanthaar
While leaving intoxication and distress over here.
Namm thennaattu panpaadu ondru
Our South Indian culture is truly unique,
Anbu paasam inbam endru
Built upon love, affection, and inner joy.
Namm thennaattu panpaadu ondru
Our South Indian culture is truly unique,
Anbu paasam inbam endru
Built upon love, affection, and inner joy.
Thaaimai ingae peyaanaal
If motherhood here turns demonic and corrupt,
Thaangaathammaa….
It cannot be borne, my dear...
Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum
Even a ornate temple chariot travels behind a veil,
Adhu kooda unakkilaiyae
Yet you do not even have that modesty.
Ammammaa sevvaanam thanai kooda megangal moodum
Oh my! Even the crimson twilight sky is covered by clouds,
Moodaatha venn mullaiyae
O uncovered white jasmine flower!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Singaara thaer kooda from Ilaya Thalaimurai (1977) is a thought-provoking social commentary song penned by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan under M. S. Viswanathan's musical direction. The song reflects on the rapid westernization and shift in social values among youth during the late 1970s. Through rich metaphors—such as temple chariots covered by drapes, pearls protected inside shells, and the evening sky veiled by clouds—the lyricist argues that modesty and traditional adornments enhance a woman's grace rather than restricting her freedom. The song draws a sharp contrast between Westerners adopting Indian spiritual traditions and native youth abandoning their rich heritage for modern indulgences, cautioning that losing cultural roots and family values harms societal well-being.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Metaphor / Analogy)
“Singaara thaer kooda thirai pottu pogum”
Compares traditional modesty to curtains screening a grand temple chariot and clouds veiling the twilight sky.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Ada vaazhaithandu kaalai konjam”
Compares slender, smooth legs to the trunk of a plantain tree (vaazhaithandu).
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Muththukkal sippikkul irunthaal enna”
The second letter 'th' matches across successive lines (Muththukkal / Mottukkal / Kattukkul / Kallaipol).
Irony / Cultural Contrast
“Washington pennukku kandaangiyum”
Highlights the paradox of Western society adopting Indian clothes and spirituality while local youth adopt Western vices.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ilaya Thalaimurai (1977), starring Sivaji Ganesan, centered around generational conflicts and changing cultural ethos. Lyricist Kannadasan often used his songs during this era to address western influence on Tamil youth, contrasting traditional South Indian aesthetics with modern trends.
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