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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sonnalum Nallaa illa

From En Selvame · 1985

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
En Selvame1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sonnaalum nallaa illa neeyum pennaaEven if I say it, it does not sound right; are you really a woman?
Male
Sonnaalum nallaa illa neeyum pennaaEven if I say it, it does not sound right; are you really a woman?
Kondaadum pillaikku veli ennaWhat boundary/limit is there for a child to be celebrated?
Inba thaalaatta anbu paaraattaTo sing a sweet lullaby and shower affection,
Oru thaayaaga vendum needhaanaeIsn't it you who should become a mother?
Male
Sonnaalum nallaa illa neeyum pennaaEven if I say it, it does not sound right; are you really a woman?
Kondaadum pillaikku veli ennaWhat boundary/limit is there for a child to be celebrated?
Female
Nallaaththaan kettaenga naanum pennthaanI listened properly; I too am a woman.
Kondaadum pillaikku aasai unduA child that is celebrated also has desires.
Konjam naal sendru pinbu thaayaagaTo become a mother after a few days pass,
Naanaasai kondaen yaen kobamI wished for it; why this anger?
Female
Nallaaththaan kettaenga naanum pennthaanI listened properly; I too am a woman.
Kondaadum pillaikku aasai unduA child that is celebrated also has desires.
Male
Kaalaththilae seithaal nalla payir valarum enbaarThey say good crops grow if farming is done at the right season,
Kanmaniyai pettru kodu thaayaeGive birth to a precious child, my dear.
Kaalaththilae seithaal nalla payir valarum enbaarThey say good crops grow if farming is done at the right season,
Kanmaniyai pettru kodu thaayae….Give birth to a precious child, my dear.
Male
Pinbu ondrirundu pothumLater, one or two children will be enough,
Adhil enakku manam unduI agree with that in my mind.
Aarambaththil karuvai nee azhippathenna urimaiWhat right do you have to destroy the fetus right at the beginning?
Mudhalil peruvom piragu pothum enbomFirst let us have one, later we can say it is enough.
Male
Sonnaalum nallaa illa neeyum pennaaEven if I say it, it does not sound right; are you really a woman?
Kondaadum pillaikku veli ennaWhat boundary/limit is there for a child to be celebrated?
Female
Paruvaththilae petra pillai aringan aavathillaiA child born at too early a age does not become a scholar,
Maruththuvaththil naan arintha paadamThat is the lesson I learned in medicine.
Paruvaththilae petra pillai aringan aavathillaiA child born at too early an age does not become a scholar,
Maruththuvaththil naan arintha paadamThat is the lesson I learned in medicine.
Female
Konjam anupavangal saernthuAfter gathering some life experience,
Nalla mudhirntha pinbu pettraalIf given birth after maturing well,
Peraringan pirappaan ena naanirunthaen thavaraaA great genius will be born; was I wrong to think so?
Mudhalil peruvom ungal aasai arinthaenLet us have a child first; I have understood your desire.
Female
Nallaaththaan kettaenga naanum pennthaanI listened properly; I too am a woman.
Male :Kondaadum pillaikku veli ennaMale: What boundary/limit is there for a child to be celebrated?
Female
Konjam naal sendru pinbu thaayaagaTo become a mother after a few days pass,
Naanaasai kondaen yaen kobamI wished for it; why this anger?
Female
Nallaaththaan kettaenga naanum pennthaanI listened properly; I too am a woman.
Male :Kondaadum pillaikku veli ennaMale: What boundary/limit is there for a child to be celebrated?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a musical dialogue between a husband and wife regarding family planning, timing of pregnancy, and parenthood. The husband passionately argues for having a child immediately, comparing timely childbearing to planting crops during the proper season to yield a good harvest. He questions her willingness to delay motherhood and highlights the joy of holding a newborn.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor/Analogy)

Kaalaththilae seithaal nalla payir valarum enbaar

Comparing raising a child at the right time to farming crops in the correct season ('Kaalaththilae seithaal nalla payir valarum').

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Paruvaththilae petra pillai aringan aavathillai / Maruththuvaththil naan arintha paadam

Rhyming of the second letter 'ru' in 'Paruvaththilae' and 'Maruththuvaththil'.

Monai (Initial Rhyming/Alliteration)

Paruvaththilae petra pillai aringan aavathillai

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' in 'Paruvaththilae' and 'petra'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Panchu Arunachalam, this song uniquely integrates themes of medical advice and family planning into a romantic duet format, contrasting emotional attachment with rational health awareness.

Keep listening

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