Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sollavaa Kadhai Sollavaa

From Navarathri · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Navarathri1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of what actually happened?
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of what actually happened?
Female
Pirandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of being born?
Valarndha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of growing up?
Pirandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of being born?
Valarndha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of growing up?
Pennendru boomiyilaeOn this earth, as a woman,
Malarndha kadhai sollavaa…Shall I tell the story of blossoming...
Female
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of what actually happened?
Female
Thunaiyirukka ninaithavarkku manamillaiThose who wish to be companions lack a compassionate heart,
Ingae manamirukkum manidharukkorHere, for those humans who have a good heart,
ThunaiyillaiThere is no companion available.
Thunaiyirukka ninaithavarkku manamillaiThose who wish to be companions lack a compassionate heart,
Ingae manamirukkum manidharukkorHere, for those humans who have a good heart,
ThunaiyillaiThere is no companion available.
Avarukkendrae naanirundhen avarillaiI lived solely for him, but he is not there,
Avarukkendrae naanirundhen avarillaiI lived solely for him, but he is not there,
Ingae avalukkendrae ivar irundhumHere, even though he lived solely for her,
Avalillai…She is not there...
Female
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of what actually happened?
Female
Kallamillaa vellai nenju pillaiyaeOh child with an innocent and pure heart,
Naan kaalamellaamAll through my life,
Unnai polae illaiyaeI am not blameless like you.
Kallamillaa vellai nenju pillaiyaeOh child with an innocent and pure heart,
Naan kaalamellaamAll through my life,
Unnai polae illaiyaeI am not blameless like you.
Ullam ondru valarndhadhaal thollaiyaeBecause a self-aware mind developed, trouble arose,
Ullam ondru valarndhadhaal thollaiyaeBecause a self-aware mind developed, trouble arose,
Nenjil oru pozhudhumIn my heart, not for even a moment,
Amaidhi enbadhillaiyaeIs there any peace.
Female
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of what actually happened?
Pirandha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of being born?
Valarndha kadhai sollavaaShall I tell the story of growing up?
Pennendru boomiyilaeOn this earth, as a woman,
Malarndha kadhai sollavaa…aa..Shall I tell the story of blossoming... ah..
Female
Sollavaa kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a story, shall I tell?
Nadandha kadhai sollavaa…Shall I tell the story of what actually happened...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the 1964 Tamil film Navarathri expresses the deep emotional sorrow and existential reflections of a woman looking back at her life. She narrates her journey from birth and childhood to womanhood, contrasting the innocence of a child with the painful realities and heartbreaks of adulthood. The lyrics highlight the tragedy of unfulfilled love and mismatched companionships, where those willing to love lack partners, and those who desire companionship find no one. Penned by Kannadasan, the song meditates on how emotional maturity and awareness bring trouble and inner unrest. As one grows and understands the world, peace becomes elusive, leaving behind only memories and unresolved sorrow. The singer uses the simple premise of telling a story to lay bare the deep melancholic truths of human relationship ironies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Epiphora)

Sollavaa kadhai sollavaa / Nadandha kadhai sollavaa

Repetition of the ending verb phrase 'sollavaa' across multiple lines creates a melodic and narrative rhythm.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Kallamillaa vellai nenju pillaiyae... Ullam ondru valarndhadhaal thollaiyae

Rhyming of second consonant 'la' across 'Kallamillaa' and 'Ullam' in the stanza contrasting innocence and adult mind.

Antithesis (Irony / Contrast)

Thunaiyirukka ninaithavarkku manamillai / Ingae manamirukkum manidharukkor Thunaiyillai

Juxtaposition of those who want companionship lacking heart vs. those with heart lacking companionship.

Metaphor

Pennendru boomiyilae Malarndha kadhai sollavaa

Comparing the innocent heart of a child to a pure white entity ('vellai nenju') and womanhood to a blooming flower ('malarndha').

Did you know?

Trivia

Navarathri (1964) is a landmark Tamil movie famous for Sivaji Ganesan playing nine different roles representing nine emotions (Navarasas). The music for the film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this specific sorrowful song was rendered by legendary playback singer P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Navarathri