Sonia Sonia
From Ratchagan · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Udit Narayan, P. Unnikrishnan, Harini
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Ratchagan1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soniya soniya soniya | Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya |
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya | Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us |
| Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru | Tell me, which type of love are you? |
| Male | |
| Hey soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya | Hey Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us |
| Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru | Tell me, which type of love are you? |
| Kaadhalilae rendu vagai | There are two types in love |
| Saivam undu asaivam undu | There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru | Tell me, which of these two types are you? |
| Female | |
| Silanaal saivam undu | Some days it is vegetarian (gentle) |
| Silanaal asaivam undu | Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Pennin kangalai kandu | Looking into a woman's eyes |
| Sevai seivadhu nandru | And serving her desire is good |
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya | Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us |
| Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru | Tell me, which type of love are you? |
| Kaadhalilae rendu vagai | There are two types in love |
| Saivam undu asaivam undu | There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru | Tell me, which of these two types are you? |
| Female | |
| Silanaal saivam undu | Some days it is vegetarian (gentle) |
| Silanaal asaivam undu | Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Pennin kangalai kandu | Looking into a woman's eyes |
| Sevai seivadhu nandru | And serving her desire is good |
| Male | |
| …………………………………………. | ... |
| …………………………………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Poovodu urasum poongaatrai polae | Like a gentle breeze caressing a flower |
| Seerodu anaithaal athu saivam | If embraced with grace, that is vegetarian (gentle) |
| Male | |
| Verodu valaikum puyal kaatrai polae | Like a storm that uproots trees |
| Maarbodu ezhuthaal adhu asaivam | If pulled close to the chest, that is non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Female | |
| Pullil vandhu vizhum thooralai pol | Like drizzle falling upon the grass |
| Oru pennin meethu kai | Touching a woman softly |
| Theenduvadhu saivam | With your hand is vegetarian (gentle) |
| Female | |
| Karaiyai meerugindra vellathai pol | Like a flood overflowing its banks |
| Oru pennai sernthu ellai | Uniting with a woman |
| Thanduvadhu asaivam | And crossing all limits is non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Male | |
| Pen koonthal meedhu poovaagata | Instead of flowers placed on hair |
| Un koonthal kalaithu vilaiyaadata | To mess up your hair and play around |
| Melidhaana muthathil sathae illai | There is no substance in a soft kiss |
| Methai mel saivathil artham illai | There is no point in being gentle on the bed |
| Perinbam kaanadha pen ondrum pen illai | A woman who hasn't experienced supreme bliss is no woman at all |
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya | Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us |
| Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru | Tell me, which type of love are you? |
| Male | |
| Ull nenjum thudikum ullukul vedikum | The inner heart beats fast and explodes inside |
| Poo polae anaika porumai illai | There is no patience to embrace like a flower |
| Pen ondru pudhumai kannadi padhumai | A woman is a novel creation, a glass doll |
| Kaiyaala therindhaal kavalai illai | If you know how to handle her, there is no worry |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal cricketil sattam illai | There are no rules in the cricket game of love |
| Oru saasthiram illai | There is no sacred scripture |
| Runs yedupadhu thaan velai | Scoring runs is the only goal |
| Female | |
| Penmai baarangal thaanguvadhillai | Womanhood cannot bear heavy burdens |
| Kan thoonguvadhillai | Eyes do not sleep |
| Pen malligai poo maalai | A woman is a garland of jasmine flowers |
| Male | |
| Thattaamal ponaal thangam illai | If not struck (refined), there is no pure gold |
| Ottaamal ponaal mogam illai | If not clinging together, there is no passion |
| Kamathin vaathathil nyayam illai | There is no logic in the debate of lust |
| Kannathin kaayangal kaadhal illai | Wounds on the cheeks are not love |
| Female | |
| Penthevai yedhuvendru arigindra aanillai | There is no man who truly understands what a woman needs |
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya | Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us |
| Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru | Tell me, which type of love are you? |
| Kaadhalilae rendu vagai | There are two types in love |
| Saivam undu asaivam undu | There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru | Tell me, which of these two types are you? |
| Female | |
| Silanaal saivam undu | Some days it is vegetarian (gentle) |
| Silanaal asaivam undu | Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate) |
| Pennin kangalai kandu | Looking into a woman's eyes |
| Sevai seivadhu nandru | And serving her desire is good |
| Male | |
| Soniya soniya soniya | Soniya, Soniya, Soniya |
சோனியா சோனியா
சோனியா சோனியா சோனியா........
Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya
சோனியா சோனியா
சொக்க வைக்கும் சோனியா
காதலில் நீ எந்த வகை கூறு
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Tell me, which type of love are you?
ஹே.. சோனியா
சோனியா சொக்க வைக்கும்
சோனியா காதலில் நீ எந்த
வகை கூறு காதலிலே ரெண்டு
வகை சைவம் உண்டு அசைவம்
உண்டு ரெண்டில் நீ எந்த வகை கூறு
Hey Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Tell me, which type of love are you?
There are two types in love
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
சில நாள் சைவம்
உண்டு சில நாள் அசைவம்
உண்டு பெண்ணின் கண்களை
கண்டு சேவை செய்வது நன்று
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Looking into a woman's eyes
And serving her desire is good
சோனியா
சோனியா சொக்க வைக்கும்
சோனியா காதலில் நீ எந்த
வகை கூறு காதலிலே ரெண்டு
வகை சைவம் உண்டு அசைவம்
உண்டு ரெண்டில் நீ எந்த வகை கூறு
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Tell me, which type of love are you?
There are two types in love
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
சில நாள் சைவம்
உண்டு சில நாள் அசைவம்
உண்டு பெண்ணின் கண்களை
கண்டு சேவை செய்வது நன்று
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Looking into a woman's eyes
And serving her desire is good
........................................
...
...
பூவோடு உரசும்
பூங்காற்றை போலே
சீரோடு அணைத்தால்
அது சைவம் வேரோடு
வளைக்கும் புயல் காற்றை
போலே மாா்போடு இழுத்தால்
அது அசைவம்
Like a gentle breeze caressing a flower
If embraced with grace, that is vegetarian (gentle)
புல்லில் வந்து
விழும் தூறலை போல்
ஒரு பெண்ணின் மீது
கை தீண்டுவது சைவம்
கரையை மீறுகின்ற
வெள்ளத்தை போல்
ஒரு பெண்ணை சோ்ந்து
எல்லை தாண்டுவது அசைவம்
Like a storm that uproots trees
If pulled close to the chest, that is non-vegetarian (passionate)
பெண் கூந்தல் மீது
பூவாகட்டா உன் கூந்தல்
கலைத்து விளையாடட்டா
மெலிதான முத்தத்தில்
சத்தேயில்லை மெத்தை மேல்
சைவத்தில் அா்த்தமில்லை
போின்பம் காணாத பெண்
ஒன்றும் பெண் இல்லை
Like drizzle falling upon the grass
Touching a woman softly
With your hand is vegetarian (gentle)
சோனியா சோனியா
சொக்க வைக்கும் சோனியா
காதலில் நீ எந்த வகை கூறு
Like a flood overflowing its banks
Uniting with a woman
And crossing all limits is non-vegetarian (passionate)
உள் நெஞ்சும் துடிக்கும்
உள்ளுக்குள் வெடிக்கும் பூ போலே
அணைக்க பொறுமை இல்லை
பெண் ஒன்று புதுமை கண்ணாடி
பதுமை கையால தொிந்தால்
கவலை இல்லை
Instead of flowers placed on hair
To mess up your hair and play around
There is no substance in a soft kiss
There is no point in being gentle on the bed
A woman who hasn't experienced supreme bliss is no woman at all
காதல் கிாிக்கெட்டில்
சட்டம் இல்லை ஒரு
சாஸ்திரம் இல்லை ரன்ஸ்
எடுப்பதுதான் வேலை
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Tell me, which type of love are you?
பெண்மை பாரங்கள்
தாங்குவதில்லை கண் தூங்குவதில்லை
பெண் மல்லிகை பூ மாலை
The inner heart beats fast and explodes inside
There is no patience to embrace like a flower
A woman is a novel creation, a glass doll
If you know how to handle her, there is no worry
தட்டாமல் போனால்
தங்கமில்லை ஒட்டாமல்
போனால் மோகமில்லை
காமத்தின் வாதத்தில் நியாயமில்லை
கன்னத்தின் காயங்கள் காதலில்லை
There are no rules in the cricket game of love
There is no sacred scripture
Scoring runs is the only goal
பெண் தேவை எதுவென்று
அறிகின்ற ஆணில்லை
Womanhood cannot bear heavy burdens
Eyes do not sleep
A woman is a garland of jasmine flowers
சோனியா
சோனியா சொக்க வைக்கும்
சோனியா காதலில் நீ எந்த
வகை கூறு காதலிலே ரெண்டு
வகை சைவம் உண்டு அசைவம்
உண்டு ரெண்டில் நீ எந்த வகை கூறு
If not struck (refined), there is no pure gold
If not clinging together, there is no passion
There is no logic in the debate of lust
Wounds on the cheeks are not love
சில நாள் சைவம்
உண்டு சில நாள் அசைவம்
உண்டு பெண்ணின் கண்களை
கண்டு சேவை செய்வது நன்று
There is no man who truly understands what a woman needs
சோனியா... சோனியா
சோனியா
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Tell me, which type of love are you?
There are two types in love
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Looking into a woman's eyes
And serving her desire is good
Soniya, Soniya, Soniya
Soniya soniya soniya soniya soniya
Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya, Soniya
Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru
Tell me, which type of love are you?
Hey soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya
Hey Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru
Tell me, which type of love are you?
Kaadhalilae rendu vagai
There are two types in love
Saivam undu asaivam undu
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
Silanaal saivam undu
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Silanaal asaivam undu
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Pennin kangalai kandu
Looking into a woman's eyes
Sevai seivadhu nandru
And serving her desire is good
Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru
Tell me, which type of love are you?
Kaadhalilae rendu vagai
There are two types in love
Saivam undu asaivam undu
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
Silanaal saivam undu
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Silanaal asaivam undu
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Pennin kangalai kandu
Looking into a woman's eyes
Sevai seivadhu nandru
And serving her desire is good
………………………………………….
...
……………………………………………………
...
Poovodu urasum poongaatrai polae
Like a gentle breeze caressing a flower
Seerodu anaithaal athu saivam
If embraced with grace, that is vegetarian (gentle)
Verodu valaikum puyal kaatrai polae
Like a storm that uproots trees
Maarbodu ezhuthaal adhu asaivam
If pulled close to the chest, that is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Pullil vandhu vizhum thooralai pol
Like drizzle falling upon the grass
Oru pennin meethu kai
Touching a woman softly
Theenduvadhu saivam
With your hand is vegetarian (gentle)
Karaiyai meerugindra vellathai pol
Like a flood overflowing its banks
Oru pennai sernthu ellai
Uniting with a woman
Thanduvadhu asaivam
And crossing all limits is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Pen koonthal meedhu poovaagata
Instead of flowers placed on hair
Un koonthal kalaithu vilaiyaadata
To mess up your hair and play around
Melidhaana muthathil sathae illai
There is no substance in a soft kiss
Methai mel saivathil artham illai
There is no point in being gentle on the bed
Perinbam kaanadha pen ondrum pen illai
A woman who hasn't experienced supreme bliss is no woman at all
Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru
Tell me, which type of love are you?
Ull nenjum thudikum ullukul vedikum
The inner heart beats fast and explodes inside
Poo polae anaika porumai illai
There is no patience to embrace like a flower
Pen ondru pudhumai kannadi padhumai
A woman is a novel creation, a glass doll
Kaiyaala therindhaal kavalai illai
If you know how to handle her, there is no worry
Kaadhal cricketil sattam illai
There are no rules in the cricket game of love
Oru saasthiram illai
There is no sacred scripture
Runs yedupadhu thaan velai
Scoring runs is the only goal
Penmai baarangal thaanguvadhillai
Womanhood cannot bear heavy burdens
Kan thoonguvadhillai
Eyes do not sleep
Pen malligai poo maalai
A woman is a garland of jasmine flowers
Thattaamal ponaal thangam illai
If not struck (refined), there is no pure gold
Ottaamal ponaal mogam illai
If not clinging together, there is no passion
Kamathin vaathathil nyayam illai
There is no logic in the debate of lust
Kannathin kaayangal kaadhal illai
Wounds on the cheeks are not love
Penthevai yedhuvendru arigindra aanillai
There is no man who truly understands what a woman needs
Soniya soniya soka vaikum soniya
Soniya, Soniya, the Soniya who mesmerizes us
Kaadhalil nee endha vagai kooru
Tell me, which type of love are you?
Kaadhalilae rendu vagai
There are two types in love
Saivam undu asaivam undu
There is vegetarian (gentle) and non-vegetarian (passionate)
Rendil nee yendha vagai kooru
Tell me, which of these two types are you?
Silanaal saivam undu
Some days it is vegetarian (gentle)
Silanaal asaivam undu
Some days it is non-vegetarian (passionate)
Pennin kangalai kandu
Looking into a woman's eyes
Sevai seivadhu nandru
And serving her desire is good
Soniya soniya soniya
Soniya, Soniya, Soniya
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Soniya Soniya' from Ratchagan is a playful, sensual romantic track where the leads debate the nature of romance and physical intimacy. Vairamuthu uses food preferences as a humorous metaphor, dividing love into 'Saivam' (vegetarian/gentle, tender affection) and 'Asaivam' (non-vegetarian/intense, wild passion). Through poetic allegories of gentle breezes vs. stormy gales, and quiet drizzles vs. overflowing floods, the song explores the dynamic between tender romance and intense desire, ultimately celebrating mutual understanding and emotional connection in love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Saivam undu asaivam undu”
Comparing gentle tender love to 'Saivam' (vegetarian) and wild passionate love to 'Asaivam' (non-vegetarian).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Poovodu urasum poongaatrai polae”
Comparing gentle affection to a soft breeze brushing against a flower.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Verodu valaikum puyal kaatrai polae”
Comparing intense passion to a tempestuous storm that uproots trees.
Extended Metaphor
“Kaadhal cricketil sattam illai”
Comparing the unpredictable and rule-free nature of romance to playing a game of cricket.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Silanaal saivam undu”
Repetition of starting sounds in 'Silanaal saivam undu' and 'Silanaal asaivam undu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Soniya Soniya' was composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1997 action-romantic film Ratchagan, starring Nagarjuna and Sushmita Sen. Sung by Udit Narayan, Unnikrishnan, and Kavita Krishnamurthy, the song became a chartbuster known for its unique blend of contemporary rhythm and Vairamuthu's quirky metaphorical lyrics.
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