Sonnaalu Vetkam
From Thambi Pondatti · 1992
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thambi Pondatti1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa | Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir |
| Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai | What kind of life is this life? |
| Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa | It is an unspoken sorrow, sir |
| Innum enna thaevai | What more is left to be needed? |
| Yaaridam povaen en kadhai solvaen | To whom will I go and tell my story? |
| Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa | Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie? |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa | Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir |
| Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai | What kind of life is this life? |
| Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa | It is an unspoken sorrow, sir |
| Innum enna thaevai | What more is left to be needed? |
| Male | |
| Thirumanam enbadhae iru manam saervadhu | Marriage means the joining of two hearts |
| Oru manam maarinaal vaazhvu enna aavadhu | If one heart changes, what becomes of life? |
| Paarvaigal maarinaal kaatchiyum maaralaam | If perspectives change, the view might change |
| Kangalae maarinaal paadhai engae povadhu | If the eyes themselves change, where does the path lead? |
| Male | |
| Anbudan naan vaazha thaedi vandha devi | The goddess whom I sought to live with in love |
| Indru naan poraada saedhi sonna paavi | Has today become a sinner bringing news that forces me to struggle |
| Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa | Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie? |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa | Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir |
| Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai | What kind of life is this life? |
| Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa | It is an unspoken sorrow, sir |
| Innum enna thaevai | What more is left to be needed? |
| Male | |
| Aa…aa…aaa…aa… | Ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Oru vazhi paadhaiyil selbavar manadhilae | In the minds of those who travel on a one-way path |
| Suyanalam valarumae sondha bandham maraiyumae | Selfishness grows and familial bonds fade away |
| Pagalinil kanavugal kaanbavar vaazhvilae | In the lives of those who dream during daytime |
| Unmaigal puriyumaa nanmai theemai theriyumaa | Will reality be understood? Will good and evil be known? |
| Male | |
| Otrumai naan kaana yaetri vaittha dheepam | The lamp I lit expecting to see unity |
| Vaetrumai thaan kaana ponadhae laabam | Turned out to yield only division as its result |
| Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa | Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie? |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa | Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir |
| Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai | What kind of life is this life? |
| Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa | It is an unspoken sorrow, sir |
| Innum enna thaevai | What more is left to be needed? |
| Yaaridam povaen en kadhai solvaen | To whom will I go and tell my story? |
| Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa | Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie? |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa | Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir |
| Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai | What kind of life is this life? |
| Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa | It is an unspoken sorrow, sir |
| Innum enna thaevai | What more is left to be needed? |
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கம் ஐயா
வாழ்க்கை என்ன வாழ்க்கை
சொல்லாத துக்கம் ஐயா
இன்னும் என்ன தேவை
யாரிடம் போவேன் என் கதை சொல்வேன்
இல்லறம் நல்லறம் என்பதே பொய்யா
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
What kind of life is this life?
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
What more is left to be needed?
To whom will I go and tell my story?
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கம் ஐயா
வாழ்க்கை என்ன வாழ்க்கை
சொல்லாத துக்கம் ஐயா
இன்னும் என்ன தேவை
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
What kind of life is this life?
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
What more is left to be needed?
திருமணம் என்பதே இரு மனம் சேர்வது
ஒரு மனம் மாறினால் வாழ்வு என்ன ஆவது
பார்வைகள் மாறினால் காட்சியும் மாறலாம்
கண்களே மாறினால் பாதை எங்கே போவது
Marriage means the joining of two hearts
If one heart changes, what becomes of life?
If perspectives change, the view might change
If the eyes themselves change, where does the path lead?
அன்புடன் நான் வாழ தேடி வந்த தேவி
இன்று நான் போராட சேதி சொன்ன பாவி
இல்லறம் நல்லறம் என்பதே பொய்யா
The goddess whom I sought to live with in love
Has today become a sinner bringing news that forces me to struggle
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கம் ஐயா
வாழ்க்கை என்ன வாழ்க்கை
சொல்லாத துக்கம் ஐயா
இன்னும் என்ன தேவை
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
What kind of life is this life?
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
What more is left to be needed?
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ....ஆ....
ஒரு வழி பாதையில் செல்பவர் மனதிலே
சுயநலம் வளருமே சொந்த பந்தம் மறையுமே
பகலினில் கனவுகள் காண்பவர் வாழ்விலே
உண்மைகள் புரியுமா நன்மை தீமை தெரியுமா
Ah… ah… ah… ah…
In the minds of those who travel on a one-way path
Selfishness grows and familial bonds fade away
In the lives of those who dream during daytime
Will reality be understood? Will good and evil be known?
ஒற்றுமை நான் காண ஏற்றி வைத்த தீபம்
வேற்றுமைதான் காண போனதே லாபம்
இல்லறம் நல்லறம் என்பதே பொய்யா
The lamp I lit expecting to see unity
Turned out to yield only division as its result
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கம் ஐயா
வாழ்க்கை என்ன வாழ்க்கை
சொல்லாத துக்கம் ஐயா
இன்னும் என்ன தேவை
யாரிடம் போவேன் என் கதை சொல்வேன்
இல்லறம் நல்லறம் என்பதே பொய்யா
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
What kind of life is this life?
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
What more is left to be needed?
To whom will I go and tell my story?
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கம் ஐயா
வாழ்க்கை என்ன வாழ்க்கை
சொல்லாத துக்கம் ஐயா
இன்னும் என்ன தேவை....
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
What kind of life is this life?
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
What more is left to be needed?
Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai
What kind of life is this life?
Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
Innum enna thaevai
What more is left to be needed?
Yaaridam povaen en kadhai solvaen
To whom will I go and tell my story?
Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai
What kind of life is this life?
Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
Innum enna thaevai
What more is left to be needed?
Thirumanam enbadhae iru manam saervadhu
Marriage means the joining of two hearts
Oru manam maarinaal vaazhvu enna aavadhu
If one heart changes, what becomes of life?
Paarvaigal maarinaal kaatchiyum maaralaam
If perspectives change, the view might change
Kangalae maarinaal paadhai engae povadhu
If the eyes themselves change, where does the path lead?
Anbudan naan vaazha thaedi vandha devi
The goddess whom I sought to live with in love
Indru naan poraada saedhi sonna paavi
Has today become a sinner bringing news that forces me to struggle
Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai
What kind of life is this life?
Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
Innum enna thaevai
What more is left to be needed?
Aa…aa…aaa…aa…
Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Oru vazhi paadhaiyil selbavar manadhilae
In the minds of those who travel on a one-way path
Suyanalam valarumae sondha bandham maraiyumae
Selfishness grows and familial bonds fade away
Pagalinil kanavugal kaanbavar vaazhvilae
In the lives of those who dream during daytime
Unmaigal puriyumaa nanmai theemai theriyumaa
Will reality be understood? Will good and evil be known?
Otrumai naan kaana yaetri vaittha dheepam
The lamp I lit expecting to see unity
Vaetrumai thaan kaana ponadhae laabam
Turned out to yield only division as its result
Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai
What kind of life is this life?
Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
Innum enna thaevai
What more is left to be needed?
Yaaridam povaen en kadhai solvaen
To whom will I go and tell my story?
Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa
Is the proverb that domestic life is a good life merely a lie?
Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa
Even if I speak of it, it is shameful, sir
Vaazhkkai enna vaazhkkai
What kind of life is this life?
Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa
It is an unspoken sorrow, sir
Innum enna thaevai
What more is left to be needed?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
this song is a poignant lament detailing the pain of marital disillusionment and betrayal. The protagonist questions the traditional Tamil aphorism 'Illaram Nallaram' (Domestic life is a virtuous life), lamenting that his expectations of a harmonious family life have dissolved into sorrow, selfishness, and alienation. He reflects on how marriage requires two aligned hearts, but when selfish intentions or altered perspectives intervene, the relationship falls apart completely. Throughout the verses, the lyricist uses metaphoric imagery—such as lighting a lamp for unity that ultimately highlights division—to express the deep sense of shame and tragedy of suffering within a broken home. The protagonist feels isolated in his grief, questioning to whom he can turn to share his painful story.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Illaram nallaram enbadhae poiyaa”
The second consonant 'll' is repeated across 'Illaram' and 'Nallaram', creating a smooth lyrical rhythm.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Anbudan naan vaazha thaedi vandha devi / Indru naan poraada saedhi sonna paavi”
The matching ending words 'devi' and 'paavi' establish end-rhyme while highlighting the stark contrast in character perception.
Antithesis / Contrast (Eredhu / Muraan)
“Otrumai naan kaana yaetri vaittha dheepam / Vaetrumai thaan kaana ponadhae laabam”
The contrast between 'Otrumai' (Unity) and 'Vaetrumai' (Division) emphasizes the tragic irony between expectation and outcome.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sonnaalum vetkam aiyaa ... Sollaadha dhukkam aiyaa”
The repetition of the initial consonant 'S' sound in 'Sonnaalum' and 'Sollaadha' binds the opening phrases together.
Did you know?
Trivia
The phrase 'Illaram Nallaram' referenced prominently in the song originates from classical Tamil moral literature, specifically reflecting values found in Thirukkural and Aathichudi emphasizing the sanctity and virtue of domestic householder life.
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