Sippiyile Muthu
From Anbai Thedi · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Anbai Thedi1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sippiyilae muththu | A pearl inside a seashell, |
| Adhu sippikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the shell have over it? |
| Sippiyilae muththu | A pearl inside a seashell, |
| Adhu sippikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the shell have over it? |
| Female | |
| Thennaiyilae ilaneer | Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree, |
| Adhu thennaikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the tree have over it? |
| Thennaiyilae ilaneer | Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree, |
| Adhu thennaikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the tree have over it? |
| Female | |
| Oongi varum mullai | The jasmine blossom rising tall, |
| Adhu oru kodiyin pillai | It is the offspring of a creeper vine. |
| Oongi varum mullai | The jasmine blossom rising tall, |
| Adhu oru kodiyin pillai | It is the offspring of a creeper vine. |
| Female | |
| Eduththu kondu ponaal | If someone plucks and carries it away, |
| Adhu kodikku sonthamillai | It no longer belongs to that vine. |
| Eduththu kondu ponaal | If someone plucks and carries it away, |
| Adhu kodikku sonthamillai | It no longer belongs to that vine. |
| Female | |
| Sippiyilae muththu | A pearl inside a seashell, |
| Adhu sippikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the shell have over it? |
| Thennaiyilae ilaneer | Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree, |
| Adhu thennaikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the tree have over it? |
| Female | |
| Janagan magan illaiyadi vedhavathi seedhai | Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter, |
| Vedan magan illaiyadi valli ennum kodhai | The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter. |
| Janagan magan illaiyadi vedhavathi seedhai | Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter, |
| Vedan magan illaiyadi valli ennum kodhai | The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter. |
| Female | |
| Iruvarumae pona kadhai irandu vazhippaadhai | The story of how both lived followed two separate paths. |
| Iruvarumae pona kadhai irandu vazhippaadhai | The story of how both lived followed two separate paths. |
| Ezhuthiyavan ezhuthivittaan enakku enna vaadhai | The Creator has already written destiny, why should I suffer in distress? |
| Female | |
| Sippiyilae muththu | A pearl inside a seashell, |
| Adhu sippikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the shell have over it? |
| Thennaiyilae ilaneer | Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree, |
| Adhu thennaikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the tree have over it? |
| Female | |
| Karnan enum vallalukkum | Even for the great philanthropist Karna, |
| Annai sonthamillai | He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother. |
| Kannan enum dheivamkooda | Even the divine Lord Krishna, |
| Irandu veettu pillai | Was a child raised across two different households. |
| Female | |
| Karnan enum vallalukkum | Even for the great philanthropist Karna, |
| Annai sonthamillai | He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother. |
| Kannan enum dheivamkooda | Even the divine Lord Krishna, |
| Irandu veettu pillai | Was a child raised across two different households. |
| Female | |
| Annaiyenna annai | What is a mother after all? |
| Idhil thanthaiyenna thanthai | In this world, what is a father? |
| Annaiyenna annai | What is a mother after all? |
| Idhil thanthaiyenna thanthai | In this world, what is a father? |
| Aanaiyidum thalaivanukku | To the Supreme Master who commands all, |
| Eedu inaiyillai | There is no equal or match. |
| Female | |
| Sippiyilae muththu | A pearl inside a seashell, |
| Adhu sippikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the shell have over it? |
| Thennaiyilae ilaneer | Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree, |
| Adhu thennaikkenna sontham | What real ownership does the tree have over it? |
| Female | |
| Oongi varum mullai | The jasmine blossom rising tall, |
| Adhu oru kodiyin pillai | It is the offspring of a creeper vine. |
| Eduththu kondu ponaal | If someone plucks and carries it away, |
| Adhu kodikku sonthamillai | It no longer belongs to that vine. |
| Adhu kodikku sonthamillai | It no longer belongs to that vine. |
சிப்பியிலே முத்து
அது சிப்பிக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
சிப்பியிலே முத்து
அது சிப்பிக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
A pearl inside a seashell,
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
A pearl inside a seashell,
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
தென்னையிலே இளநீர்
அது தென்னைக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
தென்னையிலே இளநீர்
அது தென்னைக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
ஓங்கி வரும் முல்லை
அது ஒரு கொடியின் பிள்ளை
ஓங்கி வரும் முல்லை
அது ஒரு கொடியின் பிள்ளை
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
எடுத்துக் கொண்டு போனால்
அது கொடிக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
எடுத்துக் கொண்டு போனால்
அது கொடிக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
If someone plucks and carries it away,
It no longer belongs to that vine.
If someone plucks and carries it away,
It no longer belongs to that vine.
சிப்பியிலே முத்து
அது சிப்பிக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
தென்னையிலே இளநீர்
அது தென்னைக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
A pearl inside a seashell,
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
ஜனகன் மகன் இல்லையடி வேதவதி சீதை
வேடன் மகள் இல்லையடி வள்ளி என்னும் கோதை
ஜனகன் மகன் இல்லையடி வேதவதி சீதை
வேடன் மகள் இல்லையடி வள்ளி என்னும் கோதை
Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter,
The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter.
Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter,
The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter.
இருவருமே போனக் கதை இரண்டு வழிப்பாதை
இருவருமே போனக் கதை இரண்டு வழிப்பாதை
எழுதியவன் எழுதிவிட்டான் எனக்கு என்ன வாதை
The story of how both lived followed two separate paths.
The story of how both lived followed two separate paths.
The Creator has already written destiny, why should I suffer in distress?
சிப்பியிலே முத்து
அது சிப்பிக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
தென்னையிலே இளநீர்
அது தென்னைக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
A pearl inside a seashell,
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
கர்ணன் எனும் வள்ளலுக்கும்
அன்னை சொந்தமில்லை
கண்ணன் எனும் தெய்வம் கூட
இரண்டு வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை
Even for the great philanthropist Karna,
He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother.
Even the divine Lord Krishna,
Was a child raised across two different households.
கர்ணன் எனும் வள்ளலுக்கும்
அன்னை சொந்தமில்லை
கண்ணன் எனும் தெய்வம் கூட
இரண்டு வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை
Even for the great philanthropist Karna,
He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother.
Even the divine Lord Krishna,
Was a child raised across two different households.
அன்னையென்ன அன்னை
இதில் தந்தையென்ன தந்தை
அன்னையென்ன அன்னை
இதில் தந்தையென்ன தந்தை
ஆணையிடும் தலைவனுக்கு
ஈடு இணையில்லை
What is a mother after all?
In this world, what is a father?
What is a mother after all?
In this world, what is a father?
To the Supreme Master who commands all,
There is no equal or match.
சிப்பியிலே முத்து
அது சிப்பிக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
தென்னையிலே இளநீர்
அது தென்னைக்கென்ன சொந்தம்
A pearl inside a seashell,
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
ஓங்கி வரும் முல்லை
அது ஒரு கொடியின் பிள்ளை
எடுத்துக் கொண்டு போனால்
அது கொடிக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
அது கொடிக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
If someone plucks and carries it away,
It no longer belongs to that vine.
It no longer belongs to that vine.
Sippiyilae muththu
A pearl inside a seashell,
Adhu sippikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Sippiyilae muththu
A pearl inside a seashell,
Adhu sippikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Thennaiyilae ilaneer
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
Adhu thennaikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Thennaiyilae ilaneer
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
Adhu thennaikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Oongi varum mullai
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
Adhu oru kodiyin pillai
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
Oongi varum mullai
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
Adhu oru kodiyin pillai
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
Eduththu kondu ponaal
If someone plucks and carries it away,
Adhu kodikku sonthamillai
It no longer belongs to that vine.
Eduththu kondu ponaal
If someone plucks and carries it away,
Adhu kodikku sonthamillai
It no longer belongs to that vine.
Sippiyilae muththu
A pearl inside a seashell,
Adhu sippikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Thennaiyilae ilaneer
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
Adhu thennaikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Janagan magan illaiyadi vedhavathi seedhai
Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter,
Vedan magan illaiyadi valli ennum kodhai
The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter.
Janagan magan illaiyadi vedhavathi seedhai
Sita, reincarnated Vedavati, was not born as Janaka's daughter,
Vedan magan illaiyadi valli ennum kodhai
The maiden Valli was not born as the hunter's daughter.
Iruvarumae pona kadhai irandu vazhippaadhai
The story of how both lived followed two separate paths.
Iruvarumae pona kadhai irandu vazhippaadhai
The story of how both lived followed two separate paths.
Ezhuthiyavan ezhuthivittaan enakku enna vaadhai
The Creator has already written destiny, why should I suffer in distress?
Sippiyilae muththu
A pearl inside a seashell,
Adhu sippikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Thennaiyilae ilaneer
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
Adhu thennaikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Karnan enum vallalukkum
Even for the great philanthropist Karna,
Annai sonthamillai
He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother.
Kannan enum dheivamkooda
Even the divine Lord Krishna,
Irandu veettu pillai
Was a child raised across two different households.
Karnan enum vallalukkum
Even for the great philanthropist Karna,
Annai sonthamillai
He did not enjoy the motherly bond of his birth mother.
Kannan enum dheivamkooda
Even the divine Lord Krishna,
Irandu veettu pillai
Was a child raised across two different households.
Annaiyenna annai
What is a mother after all?
Idhil thanthaiyenna thanthai
In this world, what is a father?
Annaiyenna annai
What is a mother after all?
Idhil thanthaiyenna thanthai
In this world, what is a father?
Aanaiyidum thalaivanukku
To the Supreme Master who commands all,
Eedu inaiyillai
There is no equal or match.
Sippiyilae muththu
A pearl inside a seashell,
Adhu sippikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the shell have over it?
Thennaiyilae ilaneer
Tender coconut water inside a coconut tree,
Adhu thennaikkenna sontham
What real ownership does the tree have over it?
Oongi varum mullai
The jasmine blossom rising tall,
Adhu oru kodiyin pillai
It is the offspring of a creeper vine.
Eduththu kondu ponaal
If someone plucks and carries it away,
Adhu kodikku sonthamillai
It no longer belongs to that vine.
Adhu kodikku sonthamillai
It no longer belongs to that vine.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic philosophical song from 'Anbai Thedi' ponders the temporal nature of human relationships, parenting, and biological bonds. Through eloquent analogies from nature, lyricist Kannadasan argues that just as a pearl does not truly belong to the oyster or coconut water to the tree, children and loved ones are not the permanent possessions of those who bear or raise them.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Eduthukkaattu Uvamai (Illustrative Metaphor)
“Sippiyilae muththu / Adhu sippikkenna sontham”
Compares human relationships and foster parenting to pearls in oysters, coconut water in trees, and flowers separated from vines.
Puraana Uvamaigal (Mythological Allusions)
“Janagan magan illaiyadi vedhavathi seedhai”
References mythological figures like Sita, Valli, Karna, and Krishna to demonstrate that foster care and destiny often supersede biological lineage.
Ethirai (Second-Letter Rhyme)
“Karnan enum vallalukkum / Kannan enum dheivamkooda”
Rhyming of the second letter across parallel lines (e.g., 'Janagan' / 'Vedan', 'Karnan' / 'Kannan').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Anbai Thedi' (1974) features Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, directed by C. V. Sridhar with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song present his signature philosophical outlook on fate and divine order.
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