Sondhama Illai
From Chiranjeevi · 1984
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Chiranjeevi1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | There are no relations, there are no bonds |
| Suttram illai pattrum illai | There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment |
| Male | |
| Paasam illai naesam illai | There is no affection, there is no friendship |
| Panbum illai anbum illai | There is no character, there is no love |
| Paasam illai naesam illai | There is no affection, there is no friendship |
| Panbum illai anbum illai | There is no character, there is no love |
| Male | |
| Needhi illai dharmam illai | There is no justice, there is no righteousness |
| Nyaayam illai naermai illai | There is no fairness, there is no honesty |
| Nalladhendru yaedhum illai | There is nothing good here |
| Ullam ingu yaarkkum illai | Nobody here has a heart |
| Thaayae en thaayae | Oh mother, my mother |
| Enai yaen padaithaai nee | Why did you create me? |
| Male | |
| Thaayae en thaayae | Oh mother, my mother |
| Enai yaen padaithaai nee | Why did you create me? |
| Unakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to you |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
| Unakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to you |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
| Male | |
| Vaerukku neerai pola vaazhndhavan | I lived like water to the roots |
| Naan yaarukku dhrogam enni paarthavan | Have I ever thought of betraying anyone? |
| Vaerukku neerai pola vaazhndhavan | I lived like water to the roots |
| Naan yaarukku dhrogam enni paarthavan | Have I ever thought of betraying anyone? |
| Male | |
| Neerukkul thee irukka koodumaa | Can fire exist inside water? |
| En nenjukkul vanjam endrum thondrumaa | Will malice ever arise in my heart? |
| Neerukkul thee irukka koodumaa | Can fire exist inside water? |
| En nenjukkul vanjam endrum thondrumaa | Will malice ever arise in my heart? |
| Male | |
| Enai naan arivaen adhuvae podhum | I know who I am, and that is enough |
| Ulagam edhaiyum sollum sollattum | Let the world say whatever it wants to say |
| Male | |
| Thaayae en thaayae | Oh mother, my mother |
| Enai yaen padaithaai nee | Why did you create me? |
| Unakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to you |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
| Unakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to you |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
| Male | |
| Dharmathai koondil indru | Today, justice may be put |
| Yaettralaam | Into the prisoner's dock |
| Naan ennaadha kuttram | Crimes I never even imagined |
| En mael saattalaam | May be blamed upon me |
| Aanaalum dharmam enna saagumaa | But will righteousness ever die? |
| Andha aagaayam mannil endrum veezhumaa | Will that sky ever fall upon the earth? |
| Aanaalum dharmam enna saagumaa | But will righteousness ever die? |
| Andha aagaayam mannil endrum veezhumaa | Will that sky ever fall upon the earth? |
| Kadalum nilamum kadhirum nilavum | The sea, the land, the sun, and the moon |
| Kaatrum ennai ariyum oh my lord | And the wind know me, oh my lord |
| Male | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | There are no relations, there are no bonds |
| Suttram illai pattrum illai | There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment |
| Paasam illai naesam illai | There is no affection, there is no friendship |
| Panbum illai anbum illai | There is no character, there is no love |
| Needhi illai dharmam illai | There is no justice, there is no righteousness |
| Nyaayam illai naermai illai | There is no fairness, there is no honesty |
| Nalladhendru yaedhum illai | There is nothing good here |
| Ullam ingu yaarkkum illai | Nobody here has a heart |
| Male | |
| Thaayae en thaayae | Oh mother, my mother |
| Enai yaen padaithaai nee | Why did you create me? |
| Unakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to you |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
| Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen | I became a burden to myself as well |
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
சுற்றம் இல்லை பற்றும் இல்லை
There are no relations, there are no bonds
There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment
பாசமில்லை நேசமில்லை
பண்புமில்லை அன்புமில்லை...
பாசமில்லை நேசமில்லை
பண்புமில்லை அன்புமில்லை...
There is no affection, there is no friendship
There is no character, there is no love
There is no affection, there is no friendship
There is no character, there is no love
நீதியில்லை தர்மமில்லை
நியாயமில்லை நேர்மையில்லை
நல்லதென்று ஏதுமில்லை
உள்ளம் இங்கு யார்க்குமில்லை
தாயே என் தாயே
எனை ஏன் படைத்தாயே நீ....
There is no justice, there is no righteousness
There is no fairness, there is no honesty
There is nothing good here
Nobody here has a heart
Oh mother, my mother
Why did you create me?
தாயே என் தாயே
எனை ஏன் படைத்தாயே நீ
உனக்கும் சுமையானேன்
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
உனக்கும் சுமையானேன்
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
Oh mother, my mother
Why did you create me?
I became a burden to you
I became a burden to myself as well
I became a burden to you
I became a burden to myself as well
வேருக்கு நீரைப் போலே வாழ்ந்தவன்
நான் யாருக்கு துரோகம் எண்ணிப் பார்த்தவன்
வேருக்கு நீரைப் போலே வாழ்ந்தவன்
நான் யாருக்கு துரோகம் எண்ணிப் பார்த்தவன்
I lived like water to the roots
Have I ever thought of betraying anyone?
I lived like water to the roots
Have I ever thought of betraying anyone?
நீருக்குள் தீயிருக்க கூடுமா என்
நெஞ்சுக்குள் வஞ்சம் என்றும் தோன்றுமா
நீருக்குள் தீயிருக்க கூடுமா என்
நெஞ்சுக்குள் வஞ்சம் என்றும் தோன்றுமா
Can fire exist inside water?
Will malice ever arise in my heart?
Can fire exist inside water?
Will malice ever arise in my heart?
எனை நானறிவேன் அதுவே போதும்
உலகம் எதையும் சொல்லும் சொல்லட்டும்
I know who I am, and that is enough
Let the world say whatever it wants to say
தாயே என் தாயே
எனை ஏன் படைத்தாயே நீ
உனக்கும் சுமையானேன்
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
உனக்கும் சுமையானேன்
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
Oh mother, my mother
Why did you create me?
I became a burden to you
I became a burden to myself as well
I became a burden to you
I became a burden to myself as well
தர்மத்தை கூண்டில் இன்று
ஏற்றலாம்
நான் எண்ணாத குற்றம்
என் மேல் சாற்றலாம்
ஆனாலும் தர்மம் என்ன சாகுமா
அந்த ஆகாயம் மண்ணில் என்றும் வீழுமா
ஆனாலும் தர்மம் என்ன சாகுமா
அந்த ஆகாயம் மண்ணில் என்றும் வீழுமா
கடலும் நிலமும் கதிரும் நிலவும்
காற்றும் என்னை அறியும் ஒ மை லார்ட்......
Today, justice may be put
Into the prisoner's dock
Crimes I never even imagined
May be blamed upon me
But will righteousness ever die?
Will that sky ever fall upon the earth?
But will righteousness ever die?
Will that sky ever fall upon the earth?
The sea, the land, the sun, and the moon
And the wind know me, oh my lord
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
சுற்றம் இல்லை பற்றும் இல்லை
பாசமில்லை நேசமில்லை
பண்புமில்லை அன்புமில்லை......
நீதியில்லை தர்மமில்லை
நியாயமில்லை நேர்மையில்லை
நல்லதென்று ஏதுமில்லை
உள்ளம் இங்கு யார்க்குமில்லை......
There are no relations, there are no bonds
There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment
There is no affection, there is no friendship
There is no character, there is no love
There is no justice, there is no righteousness
There is no fairness, there is no honesty
There is nothing good here
Nobody here has a heart
தாயே என் தாயே
எனை ஏன் படைத்தாயே நீ
உனக்கும் சுமையானேன்
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
நான் எனக்கும் சுமையானேன்.....
Oh mother, my mother
Why did you create me?
I became a burden to you
I became a burden to myself as well
I became a burden to myself as well
Sondham illai bandham illai
There are no relations, there are no bonds
Suttram illai pattrum illai
There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment
Paasam illai naesam illai
There is no affection, there is no friendship
Panbum illai anbum illai
There is no character, there is no love
Paasam illai naesam illai
There is no affection, there is no friendship
Panbum illai anbum illai
There is no character, there is no love
Needhi illai dharmam illai
There is no justice, there is no righteousness
Nyaayam illai naermai illai
There is no fairness, there is no honesty
Nalladhendru yaedhum illai
There is nothing good here
Ullam ingu yaarkkum illai
Nobody here has a heart
Thaayae en thaayae
Oh mother, my mother
Enai yaen padaithaai nee
Why did you create me?
Thaayae en thaayae
Oh mother, my mother
Enai yaen padaithaai nee
Why did you create me?
Unakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to you
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Unakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to you
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Vaerukku neerai pola vaazhndhavan
I lived like water to the roots
Naan yaarukku dhrogam enni paarthavan
Have I ever thought of betraying anyone?
Vaerukku neerai pola vaazhndhavan
I lived like water to the roots
Naan yaarukku dhrogam enni paarthavan
Have I ever thought of betraying anyone?
Neerukkul thee irukka koodumaa
Can fire exist inside water?
En nenjukkul vanjam endrum thondrumaa
Will malice ever arise in my heart?
Neerukkul thee irukka koodumaa
Can fire exist inside water?
En nenjukkul vanjam endrum thondrumaa
Will malice ever arise in my heart?
Enai naan arivaen adhuvae podhum
I know who I am, and that is enough
Ulagam edhaiyum sollum sollattum
Let the world say whatever it wants to say
Thaayae en thaayae
Oh mother, my mother
Enai yaen padaithaai nee
Why did you create me?
Unakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to you
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Unakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to you
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Dharmathai koondil indru
Today, justice may be put
Yaettralaam
Into the prisoner's dock
Naan ennaadha kuttram
Crimes I never even imagined
En mael saattalaam
May be blamed upon me
Aanaalum dharmam enna saagumaa
But will righteousness ever die?
Andha aagaayam mannil endrum veezhumaa
Will that sky ever fall upon the earth?
Aanaalum dharmam enna saagumaa
But will righteousness ever die?
Andha aagaayam mannil endrum veezhumaa
Will that sky ever fall upon the earth?
Kadalum nilamum kadhirum nilavum
The sea, the land, the sun, and the moon
Kaatrum ennai ariyum oh my lord
And the wind know me, oh my lord
Sondham illai bandham illai
There are no relations, there are no bonds
Suttram illai pattrum illai
There are no kinsmen, there is no attachment
Paasam illai naesam illai
There is no affection, there is no friendship
Panbum illai anbum illai
There is no character, there is no love
Needhi illai dharmam illai
There is no justice, there is no righteousness
Nyaayam illai naermai illai
There is no fairness, there is no honesty
Nalladhendru yaedhum illai
There is nothing good here
Ullam ingu yaarkkum illai
Nobody here has a heart
Thaayae en thaayae
Oh mother, my mother
Enai yaen padaithaai nee
Why did you create me?
Unakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to you
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Naan enakkum sumaiyaanen
I became a burden to myself as well
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deeply emotional lament of an innocent protagonist falsely accused and betrayed by the world around him. He questions the absence of truth, affection, morality, and justice in society, crying out to his mother and asking why he was brought into a world where he has become a burden to both her and himself. Despite his suffering, he asserts his moral purity, comparing his innocence to nurturing water at the roots and contrasting it with the impossibility of holding malice in his heart. In the latter half, he expresses conviction that righteous truth cannot be permanently defeated, just as the sky can never collapse onto the earth. Even if human courts frame him for crimes he never committed, he takes solace in knowing his true character, believing that nature itself—the sun, moon, land, sea, and wind—stands witness to his innocence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kadalum nilamum kadhirum nilavum”
Matching of the second consonant 'd' across consecutive lines (Kadalum / Kaatrum).
Monnai (First letter alliteration)
“Paasam illai naesam illai”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'p' across words in the line (Paasam / Panbum).
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Vaerukku neerai pola vaazhndhavan”
Comparing a life spent nourishing others without harm to water feeding the roots of a tree.
Rhetorical Question & Paradox
“Neerukkul thee irukka koodumaa”
Using the impossibility of fire existing within water as a rhetorical parallel to show the impossibility of evil living in his heart.
Hyperbole & Cosmic Contrast
“Andha aagaayam mannil endrum veezhumaa”
Comparing the destruction of virtue to the impossible cosmic event of the sky falling onto the earth.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is from the 1984 Tamil film 'Chiranjeevi', featuring lyrics penned by renowned lyricist Muthulingam, who was celebrated for his deeply philosophical and emotive verses in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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