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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sittu Kuruvi Paaru

From Vaazhga Valarga · 1987

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Ilayaraja, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhga Valarga1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sittu kuruvi paaruLook at the sparrow
Kattugalum yaedhuWhere are its constraints?
Vaanathil vattam podudhuIt circles in the sky
Adiyaathi vaanathil vattam podudhuOh my, it circles in the sky
Mookkaalae kattum kooduA nest built with its beak
Kooduga thaan adhan veeduNests are indeed its home
Ina perukkam vandhumEven when population increases
Ida nerukkam yaedhuWhere is the space constraint?
Male
Sittu kuruvi paaruLook at the sparrow
Kattugalum yaedhuWhere are its constraints?
Vaanathil vattam podudhuIt circles in the sky
Adiyaathi vaanathil vattam podudhuOh my, it circles in the sky
Female
Maadu ottum chinnavaraeYoung man driving the cattle
Endha ooru chandhaikku poraWhich town's market are you heading to?
Chorus
Endha ooru chandhaikku poraWhich town's market are you heading to?
Endha ooru chandhaikku poraWhich town's market are you heading to?
Female
Naadirukkum nelamaiyilaIn the current state of the nation
Maatta vithu enna seivaWhat will you do by selling the cattle?
Chorus
Maatta vithu enna seivaeWhat will you do by selling the cattle?
Maatta vithu enna seivaeWhat will you do by selling the cattle?
Female
Kooda irundhu ozhaichu koduthaThe cattle that worked alongside you
Maadu ippa venaamaaIs it unwanted now?
Kaadu kara vaanganuminnaaTo buy land and field
Maatta vikka venumaaMust you sell the cattle?
Chorus
Yakkaa sokka paadurae yakkaaSister, you sing so beautifully, sister
Nee enna periyaWhat do you think of yourself?
Parama sivan pondaatti nnu nenappaaDo you think you are Lord Shiva's wife?
Ellaathaiyum paattulaiyaeTrying to corner everything
Madakka paakkuriyae poviyaa…Just through your song? Go away...
Male
Koottam koottamaa parakkumFlying in flocks
Katchi angu yaedhum illaeThere is no political party there
Satta thittam poda angae thalaivan illaeNo leader there to make rules and laws
Vatta vattamaa parandhumFlying around in circles
Maavattangal angae illaeThere are no districts there
Vattathukku thalaivan endrum padhavi illaeNor is there a post of circle leader
Endha iruttum illaeThere is no darkness
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Nei vilakku velicham illaeThere is no ghee lamp light needed
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Angu thiruttum illaeThere is no theft there
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Poi purattum vanjam illaeThere is no lie, fraud, or malice
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Andha kaaval nilaiyamumThat police station
Endha courtum saatchiyumAny court or witness
Angu thaevaiyum illaeIs not needed there
Adhukku velaiyum ilae haeiThere is no job for them either, hey!
Male
Sittu kuruvi paaruLook at the sparrow
Kattugalum yaedhuWhere are its constraints?
Vaanathil vattam podudhuIt circles in the sky
Adiyaathi vaanathil vattam podudhu haeOh my, it circles in the sky, hae!
Female
Vaaraandi vaaraandiHe is coming, he is coming
Chorus
Parusa konduttu vaaraandiComing bringing dowry gifts
Female
Pazhani mala peraandiThe grandson of Palani Hills
Chorus
Parisam poda vaaraandiComing to offer engagement gifts
Female
Putham pudhu chaelaBrand new saree
Chorus
Ponnaalae savari senjuRiding in gold
Female
Sokka thangathaalaeMade of pure gold
Chorus
Retta thaali senjuMaking double sacred threads
Female
Vaaraandi vaaraandiHe is coming, he is coming
Chorus
Sandhana pottazhaganHandsome man with sandalwood spot
Female
Vaaraandi vaaraandiHe is coming, he is coming
Chorus
Sandhana sol azhaganHandsome man with sweet sandalwood words
Male
Aan kuruvi ponnu kittaMale bird with female bird
Ponn mani kekkaadhuDoes not ask for gold or gems
Ponnukkaaga sandai yaedhum podaadhuDoes not fight for money or gold
Paiyanukku enna velaWhat is the boy's job?
Ponnu vaangum sambalam ennaWhat is the girl's salary?
Sambandhinga pechu yaedhum vaaraadhuNo such talks arise between in-laws
Male
Kallu kovil illaeThere is no stone temple
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Vaedham sollum mandhiram illaeNo mantras recited from Vedas
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Kattum thaali illaeNo tied sacred thread
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Kottum getti melam illaeNo loud wedding drums playing
Chorus
HoHo
Male
Manushan mannil mutti irundhumThough humans are grounded on earth
Manam unmaiyil ottavillaeTheir minds are not truly attached to truth
Parava andharathil parandhumThough birds fly in the open sky
Vaazhvu unmaiya ottirukkuTheir life is truly bound to truth
Male
Sittu kuruvi paaruLook at the sparrow
Kattugalum yaedhuWhere are its constraints?
Vaanathil vattam podudhuIt circles in the sky
Adiyaathi vaanathil vattam podudhuOh my, it circles in the sky
Mookkaalae kattum kooduA nest built with its beak
Kooduga thaan adhan veeduNests are indeed its home
Inap perukkam vandhumEven when population increases
Ida nerukkam yaedhuWhere is the space constraint?
Male
Sittu kuruvi paaruLook at the sparrow
Kattugalum yaedhuWhere are its constraints?
Vaanathil vattam podudhuIt circles in the sky
Adiyaathi vaanathil vattam podudhu haeOh my, it circles in the sky, hae!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Sittu Kuruvi Paaru' from the movie 'Vaazhga Valarga' (1987) presents a philosophical yet lighthearted critique of human social norms by comparing human society with the free existence of sparrows. Birds live without legal systems, political boundaries, police stations, courts, or property disputes. They build simple homes with their beaks and adapt naturally without feeling crowded or bound by artificial restrictions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second letter rhyming)

Ina perukkam / Ida nerukkam

Matching second consonants across lines creates rhythm and musical flow.

Monai (Initial consonant alliteration)

Sittu kuruvi paaru / Kattugalum yaedhu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds enhances auditory resonance.

Contrast / Antithesis

Manushan mannil mutti irundhum / Parava andharathil parandhum

Contrasting humans grounded on earth who lack true attachment to truth with birds flying in the open sky who live in harmony with nature.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrics penned by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, showcasing his capability as a lyricist who can seamlessly weave social philosophy, satirical commentary, and folk-inspired rhythm into a catchy cinematic track.

Keep listening

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