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Thambathyam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sonna Kelunga

From Thambathyam · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. N. Surendar, Uma Ramanan, Mano
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Thambathyam
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
26 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillunga
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Kaaval thuraiyin naayagan neenga
Sattam meeri thottathu yaenga
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathu
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Kadhali kooda kadhalan konja
Sattam yaemma seekkiram vaamma
Female :Sonna kelunga…hoi
Naalthorum un kooda neengaamal vazhakkaada
Naanum vanthaenaiyyaa …aa…aa….nerunga koodaathaiyyaa
Male :Nee sonna kulam thedi naan sendru neeraadi
Poojai mudiththaenadi…..aa….aa….vazhakkil jeyiththaenadi
Anantha bodhaigal aalai thaakkumo
Male :Un ilamaeni verkkkumo
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillunga
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Aaththiram edhukku avasaram edhukku
Vakkeel neenga vaaithaa thaanga
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathu
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Aaththiram theera avasaram theer
Vaaithaa yaemmaa udanae vaamma
Female :Sonna kelunga…aa…..
yaaraachchum paappaanga yaedhaachchum keppaanga
Vegam aagaathaiyyaa ….aa….aa….veshmam koodaathiyyaa
Male :Aththoram kaaththaada kaaththodu naaththaada
Oorai kekkaathammaa …..aa….aa….uravai paakkaathammaa
Vaaivittu poo mottu vaasam veesutho
Male :Naan thodumpothu koosutho
Sonnaa kelunga ada chumma nillunga
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Kaaval thuraiyin naayagan neenga
Sattam meeri thottathu yaenga
Sonnaa ketkkaathu manam chummaa nikkaathu
Raththiri pagalaa paduththura paadu ammaa thaangalla
Kadhali kooda kadhalan konja
Sattam yaemma seekkiram vaamma
Female :Sonna kelunga…hoi
Listen to me, hey, just stay still!
The trouble you give night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
You are a hero of the police force,
Why did you break the law and touch me?
It won't listen when told, this heart won't stay still!
The trouble it gives night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
For a lover to cuddle with his sweetheart,
Why bring in the law, girl? Come to me quickly!
Female: Listen to me... hey!
To argue cases with you every day without parting,
I too have come, sir... ah... ah... you shouldn't come near me, sir!
Male: Looking for the pond you spoke of, I went and took a dip,
I finished my prayers, girl... ah... ah... and I won the case, girl!
Will this joyful intoxication overcome a person?
Male: Will your young body break into a sweat?
Listen to me, hey, just stay still!
The trouble you give night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
Why this impatience? Why this rush?
You are a lawyer, grant me a postponement!
It won't listen when told, this heart won't stay still!
The trouble it gives night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
To satisfy this burning desire and calm this rush,
Why ask for a postponement, girl? Come here right away!
Female: Listen to me... ah...
Someone might see, someone might ask questions,
Moving too fast won't do, sir... ah... ah... putting on an act won't do, sir!
Male: As the breeze blows by the riverbank and seedlings sway with the wind,
Don't worry about the town, girl... ah... ah... don't worry about relatives!
Is the flower bud opening up and spreading its scent?
Male: Do you shiver with shy delight when I touch you?
Listen to me, hey, just stay still!
The trouble you give night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
You are a hero of the police force,
Why did you break the law and touch me?
It won't listen when told, this heart won't stay still!
The trouble it gives night and day, oh goodness, I can't take it!
For a lover to cuddle with his sweetheart,
Why bring in the law, girl? Come to me quickly!
Female: Listen to me... hey!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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