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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sondham Pathinaaru Undu

From Sondham 16 · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Sondham 161986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Unmaiyilae ingae oru sondhamunnu sollaIn truth, to call someone a real relation here
Sattap padi paarthaa ratha sambandhangal allaLegally speaking, it is not merely blood relations
Oru jeevan alai paayaAs a soul tosses like waves
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Male
Annai vazhi thandhai vazhiThrough mother's lineage, through father's lineage
Aththai vazhi maaman vazhiThrough aunt's lineage, through uncle's lineage
Vandhadhu thaan sondham endruWho said that only these are relatives?
Yaar sonnadhappaaWho said that, my dear?
Male
Anbu konda ullam ellaamAll hearts filled with love
Nesam vecha nenjam ellaamAll minds filled with affection
Sondhathilum sondham endruAre the truest of all relations
Oor sollumappaaThe town itself will say so
Male
Ennaalumae ingu nalla manamForever here, everyone with a good heart
Ulla ellaarumae oru saadhi sanamEveryone with a good heart belongs to one kin
Kanneeril paasangal inneram neeraadaWhile affection bathes in tears at this hour
Dheivam thaan kann paarka kaiyendhi poraadaGod alone must look upon us with open hands as we fight
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Unmaiyilae ingae oru sondhamunnu sollaIn truth, to call someone a real relation here
Satta padi paarthaa ratha sambandhangal allaLegally speaking, it is not merely blood relations
Oru jeevan alai paayaAs a soul tosses like waves
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Male
Pottadhoru naadagam thaanA drama was staged indeed
Pen oruthi kaaranam thaanA single woman was the cause
Melam kotti maalai idumBeating drums and exchanging garlands
Naal vandhidanumThat day must arrive soon
Male
Maaman potta kai ezhuthilWith the signature put by the uncle
Maappillaiyin thalai ezhuthuThe groom's destiny
Nalla padi maariShould change for the better
Adhai oor kandidanumAnd the town must witness that
Male
Uyirodu thaan ingu poraadudhuIt struggles for life right here
Puyal kaatrilae chinna poo vaadudhuA delicate flower wilts in the stormy wind
Poo chooda naal paathu pen paavai nindraalaeAs the maiden stands looking for the auspicious day to wear flowers
Pen paadu ennaagum poo vaadi ponaalaeWhat will become of her plight if the flower wilts away?
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature
Unmaiyilae ingae oru sondhamunnu sollaIn truth, to call someone a real relation here
Satta padi paarthaa ratha sambandhangal allaLegally speaking, it is not merely blood relations
Oru jeevan alai paayaAs a soul tosses like waves
Male
Sondham pathinaaru unduThere are sixteen types of relationships
Kooda uravaadaTo mingle and bond with
Yaarum illa kai ezhuthu podaThere is no one to put a signature

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Sondham 16' reflects on the true nature of human relationships, contrasting formal blood ties with genuine emotional bonds. Despite the traditional belief in sixteen types of familial relations, the protagonist laments that no one steps up to legally or emotionally stand by them during crucial moments. Poet Vaali emphasizes that blood relationship alone does not define kinship; instead, anyone with a good heart, compassion, and affection is true family. The lyrics depict a delicate struggle against fate, where a young woman's destiny hangs in the balance like a flower caught in a storm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Puyal kaatrilae chinna poo vaadudhu

Comparing a vulnerable young woman to a delicate flower wilting in a storm ('chinna poo vaadudhu').

Rhyme / Wordplay

Maaman potta kai ezhuthil / Maappillaiyin thalai ezhuthu

Contrasting 'kai ezhuthu' (handwritten signature) with 'thalai ezhuthu' (written fate/destiny) to emphasize legal authorization changing one's destiny.

Etimai / Alliteration

Maaman potta kai ezhuthil / Maappillaiyin thalai ezhuthu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Ma' in 'Maaman' and 'Maappillaiyin'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Sondham Pathinaaru' is a play on 'Pathinaaru Selvangal' (the traditional sixteen types of wealth in Tamil culture). Vaali adaptively applies the number sixteen to familial relationships to convey that true wealth lies in genuine emotional support rather than mere blood kinship.

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