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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sondhangale

From Aduthathu Albert · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aduthathu Albert1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Male
Intha thangangal pogattumaeLet this gold go away,
Ungal dharmangal vaazhattumaeMay your righteous values live on.
Intha thangangal pogattumaeLet this gold go away,
Ungal dharmangal vaazhattumaeMay your righteous values live on.
Male
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Male
Naal kurikka thee valarkkaTo fix an auspicious date and light the sacred fire,
Poo mudikka kiligal ninaikkaAs the young lovers dreamed of adorning flowers,
Naal vanthathu thee vanthathuThe day arrived, the fire arrived,
Poo vanththathu edhuvo nadanthathuThe flowers arrived, but something untoward happened.
Male
Vaangi vantha maalaiThe wedding garland that was bought,
Malar valaiyam aagum vaelaiHas become a wreath for funeral rites.
Saadhiyum jaadhgamCaste and horoscope,
Saadhiyum jaadhgam yaar parppatho…Who is going to look at caste and horoscope now?
Male
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Chorus
………………….
Male
Thaam sumantha thol irandilOn the shoulders that once carried him,
Thaer sumanthaan isaiyai maranthaanHe carried a bier, forgetting all music.
Thaai orunaal paal koduththaalA mother gave milk to nurture him one day,
Yaen avalae paalai theliththaalWhy did she end up pouring milk for his final rites?
Male
Paavi pona pinbu azhuthu paarkkum anbuThis love that sheds tears only after the sinner is gone,
Sogamae…..aarumaa….Oh sorrow... will it ever heal?
Sogamae aarumaa naalaagumaaWill this grief heal, or will it take endless days?
Male
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Male
Intha thangangal pogattumaeLet this gold go away,
Ungal dharmangal vaazhattumaeMay your righteous values live on.
Intha thangangal pogattumaeLet this gold go away,
Ungal dharmangal vaazhattumaeMay your righteous values live on.
Male
Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….Oh relatives... oh kinsfolk...
Sogam enna sollungalaen…..Please tell me, what is this sorrow?
Chorus
………………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Aduthathu Albert expresses deep grief over a tragedy that turned a celebratory occasion into a funeral. It questions the societal norms, caste considerations, and rigid traditional values that often lead to tragic loss of young lives, asking relatives to reflect on their choices.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mogana / Alliteration (Monnai)

Sonthangalae…..sutrangalae….

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Sonthangalae' and 'Sutrangalae', or 'Saadhiyum' and 'Jaadhgam'.

Irony / Contrast

Vaangi vantha maalai / Malar valaiyam aagum vaelai

Contrasting joyous bridal traditions (wedding garlands, celebratory milk, holy fire) with funeral rituals (wreath, funeral milk, pyre).

Metaphor

Poo mudikka kiligal ninaikka

'Kiligal' (parrots) is used as a metaphor for the young lovers dreaming of marriage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aduthathu Albert (1985) is a Tamil film starring Prabhu and Urvashi. The song features poignant lyrics written by Vairamuthu, contrasting wedding celebrations directly with mortality.

Keep listening

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