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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sonna Kelunga

From Thambathyam · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. N. Surendar, Uma Ramanan, Mano
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Thambathyam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillungaListen to what I say, hey, just stand still!
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Kaaval thuraiyin naayagan neengaYou are the hero of the police force,
Sattam meeri thottathu yaengaWhy did you touch me breaking the law?
Male
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathuThe heart doesn't listen to reason, nor does it stay still,
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Kadhali kooda kadhalan konjaFor a lover to cuddle with his girlfriend,
Sattam yaemma seekkiram vaammaWhy talk of law? Come quickly, my dear!
Female :Sonna kelunga…hoiFemale: Listen to what I say... hoi!
Female
Naalthorum un kooda neengaamal vazhakkaadaTo debate with you every day without parting,
Naanum vanthaenaiyyaa …aa…aa….nerunga koodaathaiyyaaI have come, sir... aa... aa... don't come close, sir!
Male :Nee sonna kulam thedi naan sendru neeraadiMale: Searching for the pond you mentioned, I went and bathed,
Poojai mudiththaenadi…..aa….aa….vazhakkil jeyiththaenadiI completed the ritual worship, girl... aa... aa... I won the case!
Female
Anantha bodhaigal aalai thaakkumoDoes blissful intoxication overpower a person?
Male :Un ilamaeni verkkkumoMale: Will your youthful body sweat?
Female
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillungaListen to what I say, hey, just stand still!
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Aaththiram edhukku avasaram edhukkuWhy the urgency, why the rush?
Vakkeel neenga vaaithaa thaangaYou are a lawyer, grant me an adjournment!
Male
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathuThe heart doesn't listen to reason, nor does it stay still,
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Aaththiram theera avasaram theerTo satisfy the urgency, to quench the rush,
Vaaithaa yaemmaa udanae vaammaWhy an adjournment, my dear? Come right away!
Female :Sonna kelunga…aa…..Female: Listen to what I say... aa...
Female
yaaraachchum paappaanga yaedhaachchum keppaangaSomeone might see, someone might ask,
Vegam aagaathaiyyaa ….aa….aa….veshmam koodaathiyyaaSpeed is no good, sir... aa... aa... pretense is no good, sir!
Male :Aththoram kaaththaada kaaththodu naaththaadaMale: As the riverbank breeze blows, dancing with the young crops,
Oorai kekkaathammaa …..aa….aa….uravai paakkaathammaaIt won't ask the village, dear... aa... aa... nor care about relations, dear!
Female
Vaaivittu poo mottu vaasam veesuthoDoes the blooming flower bud release its fragrance?
Male :Naan thodumpothu koosuthoMale: Does it shy away when I touch it?
Female
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillungaListen to what I say, hey, just stand still!
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Kaaval thuraiyin naayagan neengaYou are the hero of the police force,
Sattam meeri thottathu yaengaWhy did you touch me breaking the law?
Male
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathuThe heart doesn't listen to reason, nor does it stay still,
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangallaThis trouble tormenting me day and night, oh mother, is unbearable!
Kadhali kooda kadhalan konjaFor a lover to cuddle with his girlfriend,
Sattam yaemma seekkiram vaammaWhy talk of law? Come quickly, my dear!
Female :Sonna kelunga…hoiFemale: Listen to what I say... hoi!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a romantic banter between two lovers who frame their intimate affection in humorous legal and police terminology. The female lead urges her partner to keep his distance, pleading with him using court metaphors like asking for an adjournment ('vaaithaa') and pointing out that as an officer of law or advocate, he shouldn't break the rules by approaching her impulsively. The male lead playfully counters her reservations, insisting that love doesn't follow laws, regulations, or societal permission, comparing their natural attraction to breezes dancing across fields. Through lighthearted wordplay woven with legal terms, the song captures the joyful push-and-pull dynamics of courtship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla

Matching second consonants across lines ('Raththiri' / 'Sattam').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Vakkeel neenga vaaithaa thaanga

Playful use of courtroom and legal metaphors ('Sattam', 'Vakkeel', 'Vaaithaa') to describe romantic boundaries and delays.

Monaich Chol (Initial rhyme/alliteration)

Aaththiram edhukku avasaram edhukku

Repetition of initial consonants 'A' across words ('Aaththiram' / 'Avasaram').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by the music director duo Manoj – Gyan for the 1987 film 'Thambathyam'. Lyricist Vaali cleverly uses courtroom jargon and police terminology ('Sattam', 'Kaaval thurai', 'Vakkeel', 'Vaaithaa') to craft an entertaining playful duet.

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