- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Aada Vantha Deivam
- Movie release year
- 1960
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Jan 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Sonnaalum Ketkaatha Ulagam from the movie Aada Vantha Deivam (1960) is a philosophical and socially conscious song composed by K. V. Mahadevan and written by A. Maruthakasi. Sung with expressiveness by P. Susheela, the song offers a sharp critique of societal obstinacy, noting that people stubbornly ignore good advice while remaining ignorant when unguided. It highlights how indecision keeps the masses stagnant while wealthy individuals hoard money instead of establishing industries to solve unemployment and poverty.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sonnaalum ketkaatha ulagumunga / Sollaama ponaalum puriyaathunga”
Repetition of the initial sound 'So' in consecutive lines ('Sonnaalum' / 'Sollaama').
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Sonnaalum ketkaatha ulagumunga / Sollaama ponaalum puriyaathunga”
Repetition of the honorific end-suffix '-unga' across lines to create rhythmic flow.
Paradox / Oxymoron
“Silathu thoongaama thoonguthunga”
The phrase 'thoongaama thoonguthunga' (sleeping without sleeping) paradoxically describes people feigning ignorance or pretending to be asleep to evade responsibility.
Antithesis
“Idhil munnaalum pogaama pinnaalum pogaama”
Contrast between moving forward ('munnaalum') and going backward ('pinnaalum') to depict social stagnation.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song reflects the socio-economic and reformist themes common in Tamil cinema during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi frequently embedded practical socialist philosophy and calls for economic equality into lighthearted, folk-inspired tunes crafted by K. V. Mahadevan.
Keep listening
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