Sonnalum Vetkamada
From Muthu Mandapam · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Muthu Mandapam1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal | Without sorrow and without shame |
| Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada | I live on one side, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal | Without sorrow and without shame |
| Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada | I live on one side, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Ponnodu porul padaithaen | I accumulated gold and wealth |
| Poovaikku naan poo mudithaen | I adorned my woman with flowers |
| Ponnodu porul padaithaen | I accumulated gold and wealth |
| Poovaikku naan poo mudithaen | I adorned my woman with flowers |
| Mannadhi mannanai pol | Like a king among kings |
| Maaligaiyil vaazhgiren | I live in a grand palace |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Paai virithu padupavarum | Those who sleep spreading a simple mat |
| Vaai thiranthu thoongugiraar | Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace |
| Paai virithu padupavarum | Those who sleep spreading a simple mat |
| Vaai thiranthu thoongugiraar | Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace |
| Panjanaiyil naan paduthum | Even though I lie on a plush silk bed |
| Nenjilorr amaidhiyillai | There is no peace in my heart |
| Panjanaiyil naan paduthum | Even though I lie on a plush silk bed |
| Nenjilorr amaidhiyillai | There is no peace in my heart |
| Male | |
| Konji varum kiligal ellaam | All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing |
| Kodum paambaai maaruthada | Transform into venomous snakes, my friend |
| Konji varum kiligal ellaam | All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing |
| Kodum paambaai maaruthada | Transform into venomous snakes, my friend |
| Kothi vittu buththanai pol | Pecking and flying away, pretending like Buddha |
| Sathiyamaai vaazhuthada | Living falsely with high claims, my friend |
| Male | |
| Illaadha manidharukku | For the man who has nothing |
| Illai ennum thollaiyada | The lack of possessions is his only trouble, my friend |
| Ullavarukku vaazhkaiyilae | For the wealthy man in life |
| Ulladhellaam thollaiyadaa | Everything he possesses turns out to be a trouble, my friend |
| Aaa aaa…aaa… | Aaa aaa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Annamillai endraalum | Even if you have no food to eat |
| Amaidhi konda maanidanae | O human who possesses true peace of mind |
| Annamillai endraalum | Even if you have no food to eat |
| Amaidhi konda maanidanae | O human who possesses true peace of mind |
| Un vaazhvai ninaikaiyilae | When I think about your life |
| En manadhu thavikkudhada | My heart aches with desire, my friend |
| Un vaazhvai ninaikaiyilae | When I think about your life |
| En manadhu thavikkudhada | My heart aches with desire, my friend |
| Male | |
| Vanna muthu mandabamum | The colorful pearl pavilion |
| Vaira nagai panjanaiyum | And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry |
| Vanna muthu mandabamum | The colorful pearl pavilion |
| Vaira nagai panjanaiyum | And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry |
| Unnidathu naan tharuven | I shall hand them over to you |
| Nimmadhiyai nee tharuvaai | Will you grant me peace in return? |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal | Without sorrow and without shame |
| Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada | I live on one side, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Sollaavittaal thukkamada | If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend |
| Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal | Without sorrow and without shame |
| Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada | I live on one side, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Sonnaalum vetkamada | If I tell, it is a shame, my friend |
| Aaa…aaa…aa… | Aaa…aaa…aa… |
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
துக்கமில்லாமல் வெட்கமில்லாமல்
வாழுகிறேன் ஒரு பக்கமடா
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Without sorrow and without shame
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
துக்கமில்லாமல் வெட்கமில்லாமல்
வாழுகிறேன் ஒரு பக்கமடா
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Without sorrow and without shame
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
பொன்னோடு பொருள் படைத்தேன்
பூவைக்கு நான் பூ முடித்தேன்
பொன்னோடு பொருள் படைத்தேன்
பூவைக்கு நான் பூ முடித்தேன்
மன்னாதி மன்னனைப் போல்
மாளிகையில் வாழ்கிறேன்
I accumulated gold and wealth
I adorned my woman with flowers
I accumulated gold and wealth
I adorned my woman with flowers
Like a king among kings
I live in a grand palace
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
பாய் விரித்துப் படுப்பவரும்
வாய் திறந்து தூங்குகிறார்
பாய் விரித்துப் படுப்பவரும்
வாய் திறந்து தூங்குகிறார்
பஞ்சணையில் நான் படுத்தும்
நெஞ்சிலோர் அமைதியில்லை
பஞ்சணையில் நான் படுத்தும்
நெஞ்சிலோர் அமைதியில்லை
Those who sleep spreading a simple mat
Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace
Those who sleep spreading a simple mat
Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace
Even though I lie on a plush silk bed
There is no peace in my heart
Even though I lie on a plush silk bed
There is no peace in my heart
கொஞ்சி வரும் கிளிகளெல்லாம்
கொடும் பாம்பாய் மாறுதடா
கொஞ்சி வரும் கிளிகளெல்லாம்
கொடும் பாம்பாய் மாறுதடா
கொத்தி விட்டு புத்தனைப் போல்
சத்தியமாய் வாழுதடா
All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing
Transform into venomous snakes, my friend
All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing
Transform into venomous snakes, my friend
Pecking and flying away, pretending like Buddha
Living falsely with high claims, my friend
இல்லாத மனிதருக்கு
இல்லை என்றும் தொல்லையடா
உள்ளவர்க்கு வாழ்க்கையிலே
உள்ளதெல்லாம் தொல்லையடா
For the man who has nothing
The lack of possessions is his only trouble, my friend
For the wealthy man in life
Everything he possesses turns out to be a trouble, my friend
Aaa aaa…aaa…
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
அன்னமில்லை என்றாலும்
அமைதி கொண்ட மானிடனே
அன்னமில்லை என்றாலும்
அமைதி கொண்ட மானிடனே
உன் வாழ்வை நினைக்கையிலே
என் மனது தவிக்குதடா
உன் வாழ்வை நினைக்கையிலே
என் மனது தவிக்குதடா
Even if you have no food to eat
O human who possesses true peace of mind
Even if you have no food to eat
O human who possesses true peace of mind
When I think about your life
My heart aches with desire, my friend
When I think about your life
My heart aches with desire, my friend
வண்ண முத்து மண்டபமும்
வைர நகைப் பஞ்சணையும்
வண்ண முத்து மண்டபமும்
வைர நகைப் பஞ்சணையும்
உன்னிடத்து நான் தருவேன்
நிம்மதியை நீ தருவாய்
The colorful pearl pavilion
And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry
The colorful pearl pavilion
And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry
I shall hand them over to you
Will you grant me peace in return?
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
துக்கமில்லாமல் வெட்கமில்லாமல்
வாழுகிறேன் ஒரு பக்கமடா
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Without sorrow and without shame
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
சொல்லாவிட்டால் துக்கமடா
துக்கமில்லாமல் வெட்கமில்லாமல்
வாழுகிறேன் ஒரு பக்கமடா
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Without sorrow and without shame
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
சொன்னாலும் வெட்கமடா
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal
Without sorrow and without shame
Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal
Without sorrow and without shame
Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Ponnodu porul padaithaen
I accumulated gold and wealth
Poovaikku naan poo mudithaen
I adorned my woman with flowers
Ponnodu porul padaithaen
I accumulated gold and wealth
Poovaikku naan poo mudithaen
I adorned my woman with flowers
Mannadhi mannanai pol
Like a king among kings
Maaligaiyil vaazhgiren
I live in a grand palace
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Paai virithu padupavarum
Those who sleep spreading a simple mat
Vaai thiranthu thoongugiraar
Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace
Paai virithu padupavarum
Those who sleep spreading a simple mat
Vaai thiranthu thoongugiraar
Sleep deeply with their mouth open in peace
Panjanaiyil naan paduthum
Even though I lie on a plush silk bed
Nenjilorr amaidhiyillai
There is no peace in my heart
Panjanaiyil naan paduthum
Even though I lie on a plush silk bed
Nenjilorr amaidhiyillai
There is no peace in my heart
Konji varum kiligal ellaam
All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing
Kodum paambaai maaruthada
Transform into venomous snakes, my friend
Konji varum kiligal ellaam
All the birds/parrots that come affectionately cooing
Kodum paambaai maaruthada
Transform into venomous snakes, my friend
Kothi vittu buththanai pol
Pecking and flying away, pretending like Buddha
Sathiyamaai vaazhuthada
Living falsely with high claims, my friend
Illaadha manidharukku
For the man who has nothing
Illai ennum thollaiyada
The lack of possessions is his only trouble, my friend
Ullavarukku vaazhkaiyilae
For the wealthy man in life
Ulladhellaam thollaiyadaa
Everything he possesses turns out to be a trouble, my friend
Aaa aaa…aaa…
Aaa aaa…aaa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Annamillai endraalum
Even if you have no food to eat
Amaidhi konda maanidanae
O human who possesses true peace of mind
Annamillai endraalum
Even if you have no food to eat
Amaidhi konda maanidanae
O human who possesses true peace of mind
Un vaazhvai ninaikaiyilae
When I think about your life
En manadhu thavikkudhada
My heart aches with desire, my friend
Un vaazhvai ninaikaiyilae
When I think about your life
En manadhu thavikkudhada
My heart aches with desire, my friend
Vanna muthu mandabamum
The colorful pearl pavilion
Vaira nagai panjanaiyum
And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry
Vanna muthu mandabamum
The colorful pearl pavilion
Vaira nagai panjanaiyum
And the bed adorned with diamond jewelry
Unnidathu naan tharuven
I shall hand them over to you
Nimmadhiyai nee tharuvaai
Will you grant me peace in return?
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal
Without sorrow and without shame
Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Sollaavittaal thukkamada
If I do not tell, it is sorrow, my friend
Thukkam illamal vetkam illaamal
Without sorrow and without shame
Vaazhugiren oru pakkamada
I live on one side, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Sonnaalum vetkamada
If I tell, it is a shame, my friend
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa…aaa…aa…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song written by Kannadasan reflects on the paradox of material wealth versus inner peace. The protagonist laments that despite possessing immense riches, palaces, and status, his life is devoid of tranquility and filled with betrayal from those around him. He observes that a poor man sleeping on a simple mat enjoys deep, peaceful sleep, whereas he himself suffers from restlessness on a luxurious bed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Ethir-inai)
“Sonnaalum vetkamada / Sollaavittaal thukkamada”
Contrasting 'Sonnaalum vetkamada' (shame in telling) with 'Sollaavittaal thukkamada' (sorrow in keeping quiet) to highlight an insoluble dilemma.
Metaphor (Uvameyam / Metaphorical transformation)
“Konji varum kiligal ellaam / Kodum paambaai maaruthada”
Comparing affectionate people to cooing parrots that turn into treacherous snakes ('Kodum paambaai maaruthada').
Rhyme / Alliteration (Emonai / Ethirukai)
“Illaadha manidharukku / Illai ennum thollaiyada”
Rhyming words across lines like 'Ponnodu' / 'Poovaikku' and 'Illaadha' / 'Ullavarukku' to create rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan was famous for writing deep philosophical songs contrasting material prosperity with spiritual contentment. The theme of exchanging worldly treasures for mental peace is a recurring motif in his iconic lyrics throughout the 1960s.
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