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Isaimozhi
Aasai Alaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sollap Pona

From Aasai Alaigal · 1963

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Aasai Alaigal
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
27 Sept 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
Nallatha pesi nallatha kettu
Nallatha senjaath thappaa
Konjam nallatha senjaath thappaa
Nallatha pesi nallatha kettu
Nallatha senjaath thappaa
Konjam nallatha senjaath thappaa
Kallaththanaththaiyum kalanthu pesa
Kaththu kittaathaan madhippaa
Kallaththanaththaiyum kalanthu pesa
Kaththu kittaathaan madhippaa
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
Kumbidum kaiyil kaththiyirukkum
Maranthidaatahe thambi
Idhai maranthidaathae thambi
Kumbidum kaiyil kaththiyirukkum
Maranthidaatahe thambi
Idhai maranthidaathae thambi
Unnai vaazhththum sollil vanjamirukkum
Vizhunthidaathae nambi
Unnai vaazhththum sollil vanjamirukkum
Vizhunthidaathae nambi….nambi….nambi….
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
Naalu kaasu vachchirunthaaththaan
Ulagam unnai madhikkum
Intha ulagam unnai madhikkum
Naalu kaasu vachchirunthaaththaan
Ulagam unnai madhikkum
Intha ulagam unnai madhikkum
Nallaa vaazhnthu kettu ponaa
Naayum paarththu sirikkum
Nallaa vaazhnthu kettu ponaa
Naayum paarththu sirikkum….sirikkum….sirikkum….
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
Solla ponaa kobikkiraan
Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
Speaking what is good, listening to what is good,
Is it wrong to do good deeds?
Is it wrong to do a little good?
Speaking what is good, listening to what is good,
Is it wrong to do good deeds?
Is it wrong to do a little good?
Must you learn to speak with deceit
Just to earn people's respect?
Must you learn to speak with deceit
Just to earn people's respect?
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
A folded hand may hide a knife,
Never forget that, brother,
Never forget this, brother!
A folded hand may hide a knife,
Never forget that, brother,
Oh, never forget this, brother!
Words of praise may hide deceit,
Do not trust them and fall...
Words of praise may hide deceit,
Do not trust them and fall... blindly trust... and fall...
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
Only if you have some money
Will the world respect you,
This world will respect you!
Only if you have some money
Will the world respect you,
This world will respect you!
If you lived well once and then lose it all,
Even a dog will look and laugh...
If you lived well once and then lose it all,
Even a dog will look and laugh... and laugh... and laugh...
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
If you try to tell him, he gets angry,
If you don't, he gets into trouble.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical Tamil film song highlights the paradoxes of social relationships and worldly moral corruption. It laments that speaking the truth often angers people, while remaining silent leads to complications. The song critiques a society where genuine goodness is disregarded unless mixed with cunningness and superficial flair. Furthermore, the lyricist warns against deceptive friends who hide treacherous intentions behind respectful greetings and flattering words. Money and status dictate respect in society, while those who fall from grace face ridicule from everyone. It serves as a stern, realistic advice to a younger brother about navigating the duplicity of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran / Contrast)

“Solla ponaa kobikkiraan / Sollaavittaa maattikkiraan”

Contrasts the outcome of speaking versus staying silent (Solla ponaa vs Sollaavittaa) to emphasize a catch-22 dilemma.

Anaphora (Edhukai / Rhyming sound repetitions)

“Nallatha pesi nallatha kettu / Nallatha senjaath thappaa”

Repetition of 'Nallatha' across sequential phrases creates rhythm and underscores virtuous living.

Metaphor (Uruvagim)

“Kumbidum kaiyil kaththiyirukkum”

'Knife hidden in worshipping hands' metaphorically represents treachery concealed behind outward respect and piety.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

“Naayum paarththu sirikkum”

Exaggerates the social humiliation of losing wealth by claiming even dogs will mock a fallen rich person.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Solla Ponaa Kobikkiraan' from the 1963 film Aasai Alaigal reflects early Tamil cinema's tradition of moralistic and social commentary songs (Tathuva Paadal) popularized by legendary lyricists like Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram and Kannadasan, offering life advice through colloquial yet deep phrasing.

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