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Lyrics & meaning

Sirikka Theriyuma

From Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu · 1960

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa..aa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Sirikka theriyuma haa aa aa aaDo you know how to smile? Haa...
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Singaara rojaa neeYou are a beautiful rose,
SinungamaleWithout whining or sulking,
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Female
Kallu silai pol irukkumStanding like a stone statue,
Karanam yedhoWhat could be the reason?
Kadhal manaiyaalaiDid a crow carry away
Kaakkai thookki ponadhoYour beloved wife?
Female
Kallu silai pol irukkumStanding like a stone statue,
Karanam yedhoWhat could be the reason?
Kadhal manaiyaalaiDid a crow carry away
Kaakkai thookki ponadhoYour beloved wife?
Female
Kalaiya mauna yogamaIs this an unbroken vow of silent meditation?
Kadum pasi thaakkum vegamaOr the force of extreme hunger striking?
Kalaiya mauna yogamaIs this an unbroken vow of silent meditation?
Kadum pasi thaakkum vegamaOr the force of extreme hunger striking?
Kaniyodu kudam paalumIf I offer fruits and a pot of milk
Kaanikkai thandhaalAs an offering to you,
Female
Sirikka theriyuma haa aa aa aaDo you know how to smile? Haa...
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Female
Sirithaal muthumanigalIf you smile, will pearls
Sithari pogumaScatter all around?
Sivandha kaniyidhazhaiWill a pet parrot peck at
Sellakili kothumaYour red, fruit-like lips?
Female
Sirithaal muthumanigalIf you smile, will pearls
Sithari pogumaScatter all around?
Sivandha kaniyidhazhaiWill a pet parrot peck at
Sellakili kothumaYour red, fruit-like lips?
Female
Sithirai nilavu venumaDo you want the Chithirai full moon?
Athi poomaalai venumaDo you want a garland of rare fig flowers?
Sithirai nilavu venumaDo you want the Chithirai full moon?
Athi poomaalai venumaDo you want a garland of rare fig flowers?
Sittu polae paranthodaTo fly away like a little sparrow,
Siragu thandhaalumEven if wings are given to you,
Female
Sirikka theriyuma haa aa aa aaDo you know how to smile? Haa...
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?
Singaara rojaa neeYou are a beautiful rose,
SinungamaleWithout whining or sulking,
Sirikka theriyumaDo you know how to smile?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sirikka Theriyuma is a lighthearted, playful track from the 1960 movie Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu. Sang by S. Janaki with music by T. G. Lingappa and lyrics by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, the song gently coaxes a serious, unsmiling individual to cheer up. The singer compares the brooding person to a lifeless stone statue and humorously wonders if a crow stole his wife or if he is practicing silent penance out of deep hunger. To bring a smile to their face, the singer offers endearing gifts—fruits, milk, the bright full moon of the spring month Chithirai, rare flowers, and even imaginary wings to fly like a bird. Through poetic imagery, the song reminds the listener that smiling will not cause pearls to shatter, coaxing the 'beautiful rose' to drop its gloom and smile.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Alliteration (Tamil Moonaal)

Sirikka theriyuma / Singaara rojaa nee / Sinungamale

Repetition of the initial 'Si' consonantal sound across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic, pleasant flow.

Upamai (Simile)

Kallu silai pol irukkum

Direct comparison of a motionless person to a stone statue using the poetic marker 'pol'.

Upamai (Simile)

Sittu polae paranthoda

Comparing swift and joyful flying to that of a sparrow using 'polae'.

Rhetorical Question

Sirithaal muthumanigal / Sithari poguma

Playfully asking exaggerated questions to tease out a reaction from the listener.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu (1960) was a unique Tamil fantasy film featuring child actors in key roles. This track highlighted S. Janaki's early talent for expressing youthful innocence and playfulness, making it a classic favorite in Tamil light music history.

Keep listening

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