Sondhamum Ille Oru Bandhamum
From Hello Mister Zamindar · 1965
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- G. K. Venkatesh
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Hello Mister Zamindar1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ohoooo oooo | Ohoooo oooo |
| Male | |
| Sondhamumillae | He is not a relative |
| Oru bandhamumillae | Nor does he have any bond |
| Sonna idaththil amarndhu kolgiraar | Yet he sits down wherever told |
| Naangal mannarum illae | We are not kings |
| Mandhiri illae | Nor are we ministers |
| Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar | Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect |
| Male | |
| Ohoooo sondhamumillae | Ohoooo he is not a relative |
| Chorus :Sondhamumillae | Chorus: He is not a relative |
| Male :Oru bandhamumillae | Male: Nor does he have any bond |
| Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae | Chorus: Nor does he have any bond |
| Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told |
| Male :Naangal mannarum illae | Male: We are not kings |
| Chorus :Mannarum illae | Chorus: Not kings |
| Male :Mandhiri illae | Male: Nor ministers |
| Chorus :Mandhiri illae | Chorus: Nor ministers |
| Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect |
| Male | |
| Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo | Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo |
| Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo | Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo |
| Male | |
| Valara vittaal manidharellaam | If hair is allowed to grow, all human beings |
| Kurangugal aavaar | Will turn into monkeys |
| Chorus :Manidha kurangugal aavaar | Chorus: Will become human-monkeys |
| Male :Naangal vazhithu vittaal marubadiyum | Male: If we shave it off, once again |
| Manidhargal aavaar | They will become human beings |
| Chorus :Kadavulla manidhargal aavaar | Chorus: They will become godly humans |
| Male | |
| Minoraiyellaam vetti mudippom | We trim the trendy youths |
| Bhaktharukkellaam mottai adippom | We shave the heads of devout pilgrims |
| Dhaadaiyil mattum dhaadiyai vittu | Leaving a beard only on the chin |
| Meedhaiyai theettuvom | We sharpen the intellect |
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa minoraiyellaam vetti mudippom | Ahaa, we trim the trendy youths |
| Bhaktharukkellaam mottai adippom | We shave the heads of devout pilgrims |
| Dhaadaiyil mattum dhaadiyai vittu | Leaving a beard only on the chin |
| Meedhaiyai theettuvom | We sharpen the intellect |
| Male | |
| Ohoooo sondhamumillae | Ohoooo he is not a relative |
| Chorus :Sondhamumillae | Chorus: He is not a relative |
| Male :Oru bandhamumillae | Male: Nor does he have any bond |
| Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae | Chorus: Nor does he have any bond |
| Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told |
| Male :Naangal mannarum illae | Male: We are not kings |
| Chorus :Mannarum illae | Chorus: Not kings |
| Male :Mandhiri illae | Male: Nor ministers |
| Chorus :Mandhiri illae | Chorus: Nor ministers |
| Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect |
| Male | |
| Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo | Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo |
| Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo | Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo |
| Male | |
| Irukkum podhu thailam pottu | When hair is present, applying oil |
| Azhagu seigiraar | He beautifies it |
| Chorus :Thalaiyai azhagu seigiraar | Chorus: He beautifies the head |
| Male :Adhu irangi vittaal thirumbi paarkka | Male: Once it falls off, even to look back |
| Veruppu kolgiraar | He feels disgust |
| Chorus :Avarae veruppu kolgiraar | Chorus: He himself feels disgust |
| Male | |
| Ulla idathil ulla varaikkum | As long as you are in a position of power and presence |
| Indha ulagam unnai madhikkum | This world will respect you |
| Idathai vittu vizhundhu vittaal | If you lose that status and fall from grace |
| Yeri midhikkumae | It will trample all over you |
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa | Ahaa |
| Ulla idathil ulla varaikkum | As long as you are in a position of power and presence |
| Indha ulagam unnai madhikkum | This world will respect you |
| Idathai vittu vizhundhu vittaal | If you lose that status and fall from grace |
| Yeri midhikkumae | It will trample all over you |
| Male | |
| Ohoooo sondhamumillae | Ohoooo he is not a relative |
| Chorus :Sondhamumillae | Chorus: He is not a relative |
| Male :Oru bandhamumillae | Male: Nor does he have any bond |
| Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae | Chorus: Nor does he have any bond |
| Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told |
| Male :Naangal mannarum illae | Male: We are not kings |
| Chorus :Mannarum illae | Chorus: Not kings |
| Male :Mandhiri illae | Male: Nor ministers |
| Chorus :Mandhiri illae | Chorus: Nor ministers |
| Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar | Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect |
விசில் :
.................................
Ohoooo oooo
ஓஹோஹோ ஓஒ
He is not a relative
Nor does he have any bond
Yet he sits down wherever told
We are not kings
Nor are we ministers
Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
சொந்தமுமில்லே
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
சொன்ன இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து கொள்கிறார்
நாங்கள் மன்னரும் இல்லே
மந்திரி இல்லே
வணக்கம் போட்டு தலையை சாய்க்கிறார்
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male: We are not kings
Chorus: Not kings
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
ஓஹோ சொந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
சொந்தமுமில்லே
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சொன்ன இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து கொள்கிறார்
நாங்கள் மன்னரும் இல்லே
குழு :
மன்னரும் இல்லே
மந்திரி இல்லே
குழு :
மந்திரி இல்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வணக்கம் போட்டு தலையை சாய்க்கிறார்
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
லலலலாலலலலலலலலஹோ
லலலலாலலலலலலலலஹோ
If hair is allowed to grow, all human beings
Will turn into monkeys
Chorus: Will become human-monkeys
Male: If we shave it off, once again
They will become human beings
Chorus: They will become godly humans
வளரவிட்டால் மனிதரெல்லாம்
குரங்குகளாவர்
குழு :
மனித குரங்குகள் ஆவார்
நாங்கள் வழித்து விட்டால்
மறுபடியும் மனிதர்களாவர்
குழு :
கடவுள்ள மனிதர்கள் ஆவார்
We trim the trendy youths
We shave the heads of devout pilgrims
Leaving a beard only on the chin
We sharpen the intellect
மைனரை எல்லாம் வெட்டி முடிப்போம்
பக்தருக்கெல்லாம் மொட்டையடிப்போம்
தாடையில் மட்டும் தாடியை விட்டு
மீதையை தீட்டுவோம்
Ahaa, we trim the trendy youths
We shave the heads of devout pilgrims
Leaving a beard only on the chin
We sharpen the intellect
ஆஹா மைனரை எல்லாம் வெட்டி முடிப்போம்
பக்தருக்கெல்லாம் மொட்டையடிப்போம்
தாடையில் மட்டும் தாடியை விட்டு
மீதையை தீட்டுவோம்
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male: We are not kings
Chorus: Not kings
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
ஓஹோ சொந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
சொந்தமுமில்லே
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சொன்ன இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து கொள்கிறார்
நாங்கள் மன்னரும் இல்லே
குழு :
மன்னரும் இல்லே
மந்திரி இல்லே
குழு :
மந்திரி இல்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வணக்கம் போட்டு தலையை சாய்க்கிறார்
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
லலலலாலலலலலலலலஹோ
லலலலாலலலலலலலலஹோ
When hair is present, applying oil
He beautifies it
Chorus: He beautifies the head
Male: Once it falls off, even to look back
He feels disgust
Chorus: He himself feels disgust
இருக்கும்போது தைலம் போட்டு
அழகு செய்கிறார்
குழு :
தலையை அழகு செய்கிறார்
அது இறங்கி விட்டால் திரும்பிப் பார்க்க
வெறுப்புக் கொள்கிறார்
குழு :
அவரே வெறுப்பு கொள்கிறார்
As long as you are in a position of power and presence
This world will respect you
If you lose that status and fall from grace
It will trample all over you
உள்ள இடத்தில் உள்ள வரைக்கும்
இந்த உலகம் உன்னை மதிக்கும்
இடத்தை விட்டு விழுந்து விட்டால்
ஏறி மிதிக்குமே....
Ahaa
As long as you are in a position of power and presence
This world will respect you
If you lose that status and fall from grace
It will trample all over you
அஹா
உள்ள இடத்தில் உள்ள வரைக்கும்
இந்த உலகம் உன்னை மதிக்கும்
இடத்தை விட்டு விழுந்து விட்டால்
ஏறி மிதிக்குமே....
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male: We are not kings
Chorus: Not kings
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
ஓஹோ சொந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
சொந்தமுமில்லே
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
குழு :
ஒரு பந்தமுமில்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சொன்ன இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து கொள்கிறார்
நாங்கள் மன்னரும் இல்லே
குழு :
மன்னரும் இல்லே
மந்திரி இல்லே
குழு :
மந்திரி இல்லே
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
வணக்கம் போட்டு தலையை சாய்க்கிறார்
Ohoooo oooo
Ohoooo oooo
Sondhamumillae
He is not a relative
Oru bandhamumillae
Nor does he have any bond
Sonna idaththil amarndhu kolgiraar
Yet he sits down wherever told
Naangal mannarum illae
We are not kings
Mandhiri illae
Nor are we ministers
Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar
Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
Ohoooo sondhamumillae
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus :Sondhamumillae
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male :Oru bandhamumillae
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male :Naangal mannarum illae
Male: We are not kings
Chorus :Mannarum illae
Chorus: Not kings
Male :Mandhiri illae
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus :Mandhiri illae
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Valara vittaal manidharellaam
If hair is allowed to grow, all human beings
Kurangugal aavaar
Will turn into monkeys
Chorus :Manidha kurangugal aavaar
Chorus: Will become human-monkeys
Male :Naangal vazhithu vittaal marubadiyum
Male: If we shave it off, once again
Manidhargal aavaar
They will become human beings
Chorus :Kadavulla manidhargal aavaar
Chorus: They will become godly humans
Minoraiyellaam vetti mudippom
We trim the trendy youths
Bhaktharukkellaam mottai adippom
We shave the heads of devout pilgrims
Dhaadaiyil mattum dhaadiyai vittu
Leaving a beard only on the chin
Meedhaiyai theettuvom
We sharpen the intellect
Ahaa minoraiyellaam vetti mudippom
Ahaa, we trim the trendy youths
Bhaktharukkellaam mottai adippom
We shave the heads of devout pilgrims
Dhaadaiyil mattum dhaadiyai vittu
Leaving a beard only on the chin
Meedhaiyai theettuvom
We sharpen the intellect
Ohoooo sondhamumillae
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus :Sondhamumillae
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male :Oru bandhamumillae
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male :Naangal mannarum illae
Male: We are not kings
Chorus :Mannarum illae
Chorus: Not kings
Male :Mandhiri illae
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus :Mandhiri illae
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Lalalalaalalalalalalalalaohooooo
Irukkum podhu thailam pottu
When hair is present, applying oil
Azhagu seigiraar
He beautifies it
Chorus :Thalaiyai azhagu seigiraar
Chorus: He beautifies the head
Male :Adhu irangi vittaal thirumbi paarkka
Male: Once it falls off, even to look back
Veruppu kolgiraar
He feels disgust
Chorus :Avarae veruppu kolgiraar
Chorus: He himself feels disgust
Ulla idathil ulla varaikkum
As long as you are in a position of power and presence
Indha ulagam unnai madhikkum
This world will respect you
Idathai vittu vizhundhu vittaal
If you lose that status and fall from grace
Yeri midhikkumae
It will trample all over you
Ahaa
Ahaa
Ulla idathil ulla varaikkum
As long as you are in a position of power and presence
Indha ulagam unnai madhikkum
This world will respect you
Idathai vittu vizhundhu vittaal
If you lose that status and fall from grace
Yeri midhikkumae
It will trample all over you
Ohoooo sondhamumillae
Ohoooo he is not a relative
Chorus :Sondhamumillae
Chorus: He is not a relative
Male :Oru bandhamumillae
Male: Nor does he have any bond
Chorus :Oru bandhamumillae
Chorus: Nor does he have any bond
Male & Chorus :Sonna idathil amarndhu kolgiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he sits down wherever told
Male :Naangal mannarum illae
Male: We are not kings
Chorus :Mannarum illae
Chorus: Not kings
Male :Mandhiri illae
Male: Nor ministers
Chorus :Mandhiri illae
Chorus: Nor ministers
Male & Chorus :Vanakkam pottu thalaiyai saaikkiraar
Male & Chorus: Yet he bows down and tilts his head with respect
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Sondhamumillae Oru Bandhamumillae' is a classic metaphorical song from the 1965 Tamil film 'Hello Mister Zamindar', composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and written by lyricist Kannadasan. Sung from the perspective of a barber, the song uses the humble profession of hair-grooming as an insightful allegory for human ego, social status, and transience. The lyrics humorously observe how customers unconditionally obey the barber—sitting where commanded and bowing their heads—despite barbers being neither kings nor ministers. Kannadasan masterfully transitions from playful satire to deep philosophical reflection: hair represents worldly power and status. As long as it sits on the head, people cherish and oil it; once it falls off, they look upon it with disgust. Similarly, society respects individuals only as long as they hold high positions, but tramples them the moment they lose their standing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ulla idathil ulla varaikkum / Indha ulagam unnai madhikkum”
Hair and grooming are used as allegories for human status and ego, where status on the head is respected but disregarded when fallen.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sondhamumillae / Oru bandhamumillae”
Matching second consonant sounds 'n' in 'Sondhamum' and 'Bandhamum' creates lyrical harmony.
Satire / Philosophical Irony
“Valara vittaal manidharellaam / Kurangugal aavaar”
Using simple barbershop activities to mock societal hypocrisy and human pride.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Hello Mister Zamindar' (1965) stars Gemini Ganesan and M. R. Radha. Kannadasan was famous for embedding profound philosophy into situational comedy songs sung by working-class characters, a hallmark feature of mid-20th-century Tamil cinema.
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