Sippi Irukkuthu Muthum
From Varumayin Niram Sigappu · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Varumayin Niram Sigappu1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thandhana thathana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Thaiyana thathana thanana thathana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Thaana thaiyana thandhaana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Aahaan sippi irukudhu | Aaha! The shell is there, |
| Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka | And the pearl is inside to open and see, |
| Neram illadi raajaathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Female | |
| Lala lala lala lala lala lala | (Vocal hums / vocalizing) |
| lalala laala laala lallala laalaa laaa | (Vocal hums / vocalizing) |
| Male | |
| Sindhai irukudhu | Thoughts are there, |
| Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada | Rhythm is there to compose poetry, |
| Neram illadi raajathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Male | |
| Sippi irukudhu | The shell is there, |
| Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka | And the pearl is inside to open and see, |
| Neram illadi raajaathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Male | |
| Sindhai irukudhu | Thoughts are there, |
| Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada | Rhythm is there to compose poetry, |
| Neram illadi raajathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Female | |
| MmmmMale :Sandhangal | Mmmm [Male]: Rhythms... |
| Female | |
| Naana naaaMale :Neeyaanaal | Naana naaa [Male]: If you become... |
| Female | |
| Ri sa riMale :Sangeetham | Ri sa ri [Male]: Music... |
| Female | |
| Mmmhmmhmm | Mmmhmmhmm |
| Male | |
| Naanaaven sandhangal | I will become... if you become the rhythm, |
| Neeyaanaal sangeedham naanaaven | If you become the rhythm, I shall become the music. |
| Male | |
| Sippi irukudhu | The shell is there, |
| Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka | And the pearl is inside to open and see, |
| Neram illadi raajaathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Female | |
| Aaa | Aaa |
| Male | |
| Sindhai irukudhu | Thoughts are there, |
| Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada | Rhythm is there to compose poetry, |
| Neram illadi raajathi haha | But there is no time, my princess, haha! |
| Female | |
| Nana naa nana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Come on say it once again | Come on, say it once again! |
| Female | |
| Nana naa nana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Mmm sirikum sorgam | Mmm, a smiling heaven, |
| Female | |
| Thara nana tharara naana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Thanga thattu enaku matum okay | A golden plate just for me, okay! |
| Female | |
| Thaare thaare thaana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Appudiyaa thevai paavai paarvai | Is that so? Desired maiden's gaze, |
| Female | |
| Thathana thanna | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Ninaika vaithu | Making one think, |
| Female | |
| Nana lala lalala lala | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Nenjil indru nerungi vandhu | Coming close to the heart today, |
| Female | |
| Nanana nanana naa | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Thana naa lala laa thana naa | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Beautiful mayakam thanthadhu | Beautiful spellbinding trance given, |
| Yaar thamizho amudho kaviyo | Whose Tamil is this? Is it nectar or poetry? |
| Male | |
| Sippi irukudhu | The shell is there, |
| Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka | And the pearl is inside to open and see, |
| Neram illadi raajaathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Male | |
| Sindhai irukudhu | Thoughts are there, |
| Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada | Rhythm is there to compose poetry, |
| Neram illadi raajathi | But there is no time, my princess! |
| Male | |
| SandhangalFemale :Ahahaa | Rhythms [Female]: Ahahaa |
| Male | |
| NeeyaanaalFemale :Ahahaa | If you become [Female]: Ahahaa |
| Male | |
| SangeethamFemale :Ahahaa | Music [Female]: Ahahaa |
| Male | |
| NaanaavenFemale :Aaahaahaa | I shall become [Female]: Aaahaahaa |
| Female | |
| Ippo paarkalam | Now let us see! |
| Thanana thanana naana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Mmmm mazhaiyum veyilum enna | Mmmm, what of rain or sunshine? |
| Female | |
| Thanna naana thanana nanna nanna | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Unnai kandaal | Upon seeing you, |
| Malarum mullum enna | What matter flowers or thorns? |
| Female | |
| Thanana naana | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Thanana naana thanna | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Male | |
| Ammaadiyo thanana | Oh my! (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Naana thanana naana thaanaa | (Rhythmic vocal syllables) |
| Aah rathiyum naadum azhagil aadum kangal | Ah, eyes that dance with the beauty of goddess Rathi and the realm! |
| Female | |
| Sabash | Bravo! |
| Male | |
| Kavidhai ulagam kenjum | The poetic world begs, |
| Unnai kandaal kavignar idhayam konjum | Upon seeing you, the poet's heart caresses! |
| Female | |
| Mmhmm | Mmhmm |
| { Kodutha sandhangalil | { In the rhythmic meters provided, |
| En manadhai nee ariya naan uraithen } (2) | I spoke so that you would understand my heart } (2) |
| Female | |
| { Sippi irukudhu | { The shell is there, |
| Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka | And the pearl is inside to open and see, |
| Neram vanthadhu ippodhu | The time has come right now! |
| Female | |
| Sindhai irukudhu | Thoughts are there, |
| Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paadi | Rhythm is there to compose poetry, |
| Kalandhirupadhu eppodhu } (2) | When shall we unite together? } (2) |
| Male | |
| Mm aahahaa lalalaa | Mm aahahaa lalalaa |
| Mmmhmmhmm aaahaahaa | Mmmhmmhmm aaahaahaa |
தந்தன தத்தன
தையன தத்தன தனன
தத்தன தான தையன
தந்தானா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
ஆஹான் சிப்பி
இருக்குது முத்தும்
இருக்குது திறந்து
பார்க்க நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
Aaha! The shell is there,
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
But there is no time, my princess!
லல லலலல
லல லலலல லல
லாலல லாலல
லலலா லாலாலா
(Vocal hums / vocalizing)
(Vocal hums / vocalizing)
சிந்தை இருக்குது
சந்தம் இருக்குது கவிதை
பாட நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
Thoughts are there,
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
But there is no time, my princess!
சிப்பி
இருக்குது முத்தும்
இருக்குது திறந்து
பார்க்க நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
The shell is there,
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
But there is no time, my princess!
சிந்தை இருக்குது
சந்தம் இருக்குது கவிதை
பாட நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
Thoughts are there,
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
But there is no time, my princess!
ம்ம்ம்
சந்தங்கள்
Mmmm [Male]: Rhythms...
நானா னா
நீயானால்
Naana naaa [Male]: If you become...
ரி ச ரி
சங்கீதம்
Ri sa ri [Male]: Music...
ம்ம்ம்ஹம்ம்ஹ்ம்ம்
நானாவேன்
சந்தங்கள் நீயானால்
சங்கீதம் நானாவேன்
Mmmhmmhmm
சிப்பி
இருக்குது முத்தும்
இருக்குது திறந்து
பார்க்க நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
ஆஆ
I will become... if you become the rhythm,
If you become the rhythm, I shall become the music.
சிந்தை இருக்குது
சந்தம் இருக்குது கவிதை
பாட நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி ஹாஹா
நனன நானா
The shell is there,
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
But there is no time, my princess!
கம் ஆன் சே
இட் ஒன்ஸ் அகைன்
நனன நானா
Aaa
ம்ம்ம்
சிரிக்கும் சொர்க்கம்
தர நன தரர
நானா
Thoughts are there,
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
But there is no time, my princess, haha!
த
ங்க தட்டு
எனக்கு மட்டும்
ஓகே
தானே
தானே தானா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
அப்புடியா
தேவை பாவை
பார்வை
தத்தன
தன்னா
Come on, say it once again!
நினைக்க
வைத்து
நான லல
லலல லாலா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
நெஞ்சில்
நின்று நெருங்கி
வந்து
நநன நநன
னா தன னா லல
லா தன னா
Mmm, a smiling heaven,
பியூட்டிபுல்
மயக்கம் தந்தது யார்
தமிழோ அமுதோ
கவியோ
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
சிப்பி
இருக்குது முத்தும்
இருக்குது திறந்து
பார்க்க நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
A golden plate just for me, okay!
சிந்தை இருக்குது
சந்தம் இருக்குது கவிதை
பாட நேரம் இல்லடி
ராஜாத்தி
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
சந்தங்கள்
ஆஹாஹா
Is that so? Desired maiden's gaze,
நீயானால்
ஆஹாஹா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
சங்கீதம்
ஆஹாஹா
Making one think,
நானாவேன்
ஆஹாஹா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
இப்போ
பார்க்கலாம்
தனன தனன
நானா
Coming close to the heart today,
ம்ம்ம்
மழையும்
வெயிலும் என்ன
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
தன்ன நானா
தனன நன்னா நன்னா
Beautiful spellbinding trance given,
Whose Tamil is this? Is it nectar or poetry?
உன்னை கண்டால்
மலரும் முள்ளும் என்ன
The shell is there,
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
But there is no time, my princess!
தனன நான
தனன நான தன்னா
Thoughts are there,
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
But there is no time, my princess!
அம்மாடியோ
தனன நானா தனன
நானா தானா ஆ
ரதியும் நாடும் அழகில்
ஆடும் கண்கள்
Rhythms [Female]: Ahahaa
சபாஷ்
If you become [Female]: Ahahaa
கவிதை
உலகம் கெஞ்சும்
உன்னை கண்டால்
கவிஞர் இதயம்
கொஞ்சும்
Music [Female]: Ahahaa
ம்ம்ஹ்ம்ம்
{ கொடுத்த சந்தங்களில்
என் மனதை நீ அறிய
நான் உரைத்தேன் } (2)
I shall become [Female]: Aaahaahaa
{ சிப்பி இருக்குது
முத்தும் இருக்குது திறந்து
பார்க்க நேரம் வந்தது
இப்போது
Now let us see!
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
சிந்தை இருக்குது
சந்தம் இருக்குது கவிதை
பாடி கலந்திருப்பது
எப்போது } (2)
Mmmm, what of rain or sunshine?
ம்ம் ஆஹாஹா
லலலா ம்ம்ஹ்ம்ம்ஹ்ம்ம்
ஆஹாஹா
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
ஆண் & பெண் :
லலலா
லலலா லலலா லலலா
Upon seeing you,
What matter flowers or thorns?
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Oh my! (Rhythmic vocal syllables)
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Ah, eyes that dance with the beauty of goddess Rathi and the realm!
Bravo!
The poetic world begs,
Upon seeing you, the poet's heart caresses!
Mmhmm
{ In the rhythmic meters provided,
I spoke so that you would understand my heart } (2)
{ The shell is there,
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
The time has come right now!
Thoughts are there,
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
When shall we unite together? } (2)
Mm aahahaa lalalaa
Mmmhmmhmm aaahaahaa
Thandhana thathana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Thaiyana thathana thanana thathana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Thaana thaiyana thandhaana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Aahaan sippi irukudhu
Aaha! The shell is there,
Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
Neram illadi raajaathi
But there is no time, my princess!
Lala lala lala lala lala lala
(Vocal hums / vocalizing)
lalala laala laala lallala laalaa laaa
(Vocal hums / vocalizing)
Sindhai irukudhu
Thoughts are there,
Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
Neram illadi raajathi
But there is no time, my princess!
Sippi irukudhu
The shell is there,
Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
Neram illadi raajaathi
But there is no time, my princess!
Sindhai irukudhu
Thoughts are there,
Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
Neram illadi raajathi
But there is no time, my princess!
MmmmMale :Sandhangal
Mmmm [Male]: Rhythms...
Naana naaaMale :Neeyaanaal
Naana naaa [Male]: If you become...
Ri sa riMale :Sangeetham
Ri sa ri [Male]: Music...
Mmmhmmhmm
Mmmhmmhmm
Naanaaven sandhangal
I will become... if you become the rhythm,
Neeyaanaal sangeedham naanaaven
If you become the rhythm, I shall become the music.
Sippi irukudhu
The shell is there,
Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
Neram illadi raajaathi
But there is no time, my princess!
Aaa
Aaa
Sindhai irukudhu
Thoughts are there,
Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
Neram illadi raajathi haha
But there is no time, my princess, haha!
Nana naa nana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Come on say it once again
Come on, say it once again!
Nana naa nana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Mmm sirikum sorgam
Mmm, a smiling heaven,
Thara nana tharara naana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Thanga thattu enaku matum okay
A golden plate just for me, okay!
Thaare thaare thaana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Appudiyaa thevai paavai paarvai
Is that so? Desired maiden's gaze,
Thathana thanna
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Ninaika vaithu
Making one think,
Nana lala lalala lala
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Nenjil indru nerungi vandhu
Coming close to the heart today,
Nanana nanana naa
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Thana naa lala laa thana naa
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Beautiful mayakam thanthadhu
Beautiful spellbinding trance given,
Yaar thamizho amudho kaviyo
Whose Tamil is this? Is it nectar or poetry?
Sippi irukudhu
The shell is there,
Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
Neram illadi raajaathi
But there is no time, my princess!
Sindhai irukudhu
Thoughts are there,
Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
Neram illadi raajathi
But there is no time, my princess!
SandhangalFemale :Ahahaa
Rhythms [Female]: Ahahaa
NeeyaanaalFemale :Ahahaa
If you become [Female]: Ahahaa
SangeethamFemale :Ahahaa
Music [Female]: Ahahaa
NaanaavenFemale :Aaahaahaa
I shall become [Female]: Aaahaahaa
Ippo paarkalam
Now let us see!
Thanana thanana naana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Mmmm mazhaiyum veyilum enna
Mmmm, what of rain or sunshine?
Thanna naana thanana nanna nanna
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Unnai kandaal
Upon seeing you,
Malarum mullum enna
What matter flowers or thorns?
Thanana naana
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Thanana naana thanna
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Ammaadiyo thanana
Oh my! (Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Naana thanana naana thaanaa
(Rhythmic vocal syllables)
Aah rathiyum naadum azhagil aadum kangal
Ah, eyes that dance with the beauty of goddess Rathi and the realm!
Sabash
Bravo!
Kavidhai ulagam kenjum
The poetic world begs,
Unnai kandaal kavignar idhayam konjum
Upon seeing you, the poet's heart caresses!
Mmhmm
Mmhmm
{ Kodutha sandhangalil
{ In the rhythmic meters provided,
En manadhai nee ariya naan uraithen } (2)
I spoke so that you would understand my heart } (2)
{ Sippi irukudhu
{ The shell is there,
Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka
And the pearl is inside to open and see,
Neram vanthadhu ippodhu
The time has come right now!
Sindhai irukudhu
Thoughts are there,
Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paadi
Rhythm is there to compose poetry,
Kalandhirupadhu eppodhu } (2)
When shall we unite together? } (2)
Mm aahahaa lalalaa
Mm aahahaa lalalaa
Mmmhmmhmm aaahaahaa
Mmmhmmhmm aaahaahaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet from Varumayin Niram Sigappu showcases a playful and romantic musical game between two lovers. The male protagonist sets up rhythmic meters (Thana-Thana beats) and metaphorically expresses that although love and poetic inspiration abound (the shell, pearl, thoughts, and rhythm), there is never enough time to open and savor it. In response, the female protagonist spontaneously fills his rhythm with matching poetic lines, cleverly declaring her feelings through his beat structure. As the song progresses, the musical conversation deepens into mutual affection. The heroine uses the provided rhythmic constraints to confess her love and declare that the right time has finally arrived to open the shell, reveal the pearl, and unite their hearts in song and life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagamb (Metaphor)
“Sippi irukudhu Muthum irukudhu thirandhu paarka”
'Sippi' (shell) and 'Muthu' (pearl) serve as metaphors for hidden feelings of love and inner poetic beauty waiting to be opened.
Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)
“Sindhai irukudhu / Sandham irukudhu”
Matching end sounds with 'irukudhu' across adjacent lines to maintain melodic flow.
Ethirai (Second letter assonance / Monai)
“Sindhai irukudhu Sandham irukudhu kavidhai paada”
Alliteration of the initial 'S' sound in 'Sippi', 'Sindhai', and 'Sandham' across verses.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M.S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Sippi Irukudhu' is famous for its unique visual presentation directed by K. Balachander. In the film Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980), Kamal Haasan's character gives rhythmic scatting cues (Thana-thanam) on the spot, and Sridevi's character instantly improvises matching Tamil lyrics to match his meter.
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