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Lyrics & meaning

Sogam Thana Ragam

From Vasantha Raagam · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Vasantha Raagam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sogam thaana raagamIs sorrow the only melody?
Indha kolam thaana thaalamIs this wretched state the only rhythm?
Sogam thaana raagamIs sorrow the only melody?
Indha kolam thaana thaalamIs this wretched state the only rhythm?
Isai vannam illaiThere is no color in this music.
Oru ennam illaiThere is no joyous thought left.
Aada vittadhu yaaradi paada nadan aadaWho forced me to dance, sing, and perform?
Ingae raaga devadhai vaadaMaking the goddess of melody wither away here.
Adi naan thaan sirai paravaiOh, I am indeed a caged bird.
Vizhum kanneer endhan kavidhaiMy falling tears are my poetry.
Female
Maanum naanum ondruThe wild deer and I are the same.
Kula maanam naanam unduThere is family honor and modesty to uphold.
Maanum naanum ondruThe wild deer and I are the same.
Kula maanam naanam unduThere is family honor and modesty to uphold.
Kalai mandram sellum thendralWhy did the gentle breeze heading to the art hall
Ingu aada vandhadhum yaenoCome here to dance instead?
Female
Sudu neer odaiyilAm I like a fish leaping about
Kudhithaadum meeninam naanaooIn a stream of boiling hot water?
Salangai manigalae vilangaagaWho locked the ankle bells of my feet
PootiyadhaaroAs if they were heavy shackles?
Idhu yen yen ilam mayilaeWhy is this so, my young peacock?
Vidai engae vanna mayilaeWhere is the answer, my colorful peacock?
Idhu yen yen ilam mayilaeWhy is this so, my young peacock?
Vidai engae vanna mayilaeWhere is the answer, my colorful peacock?
Female
Devan koyil deepamA holy lamp in the temple of God,
Idhai needhaan anaithaal paavamIt is a sin if you are the one to extinguish it.
Devan koyil deepamA holy lamp in the temple of God,
Idhai needhaan anaithaal paavamIt is a sin if you are the one to extinguish it.
Viral pattaal kaigal suttaalIf touched by fingers and hands get burned,
Undhan paarvai thiranthida koodumPerhaps your inner sight will finally open.
Female
Karai mel aadum orA fragrant lotus petal
Manam veesum thaamarai yaeduSwaying gently upon the bank.
Manam pol paadamoDoes a female cuckoo bird sing
Malai naalil poonguyil paeduTo its heart's content on a rainy day?
Idhu yen yen ilam mayilaeWhy is this so, my young peacock?
Vidai engae vanan mayilaeWhere is the answer, my colorful peacock?
Idhu yen yen ilam mayilaeWhy is this so, my young peacock?
Vidai engae vanan mayilaeWhere is the answer, my colorful peacock?
Female
Sogam thaana raagamIs sorrow the only melody?
Indha kolam thaana thaalamIs this wretched state the only rhythm?
Isai vannam illaiThere is no color in this music.
Oru ennam illaiThere is no joyous thought left.
Aada vittadhu yaaradi paada nadan aadaWho forced me to dance, sing, and perform?
Ingae raaga devadhai vaadaMaking the goddess of melody wither away here.
Adi naan thaan sirai paravaiOh, I am indeed a caged bird.
Vizhum kanneer endhan kavidhaiMy falling tears are my poetry.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sogam Thaana Raagam from the film Vasantha Raagam is a poignant expression of grief, captivity, and helplessness. The singer laments how her passion for music and dance has been reduced to painful servitude, comparing her heart's plight to a caged bird whose tears are her only creative output. Through vivid allegories of a fish trapped in boiling water and a temple lamp threatened with extinction, she questions fate and the loss of her freedom and honor. The song captures a profound internal agony where artistic beauty contrasts sharply with underlying anguish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Adi naan thaan sirai paravai / Vizhum kanneer endhan kavidhai

Compares the speaker directly to a caged bird and her tears to poetry, conveying deep helplessness and pain.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Sogam thaana raagam / Indha kolam thaana thaalam

The second consonant 'ga' in Sogam matches 'la' in kolam across consecutive lines to create rhythmic balance.

Imagery & Allegory

Sudu neer odaiyil kudhithaadum meeninam naanaoo

Uses the image of a fish leaping in hot water ('Sudu neer odaiyil kudhithaadum meeninam') to depict extreme distress.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vasantha Raagam (1986) stars Vijayakanth and Rahman, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The music for this film was composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan, featuring lyrics written by Vaali.

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