Sonnathellam Nadanthiduma
From Paadha Kaanikkai · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Paadha Kaanikkai1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thanam thananam thananam thanananam… | Vocalizing musical rhythm... |
| Thanam thananam thananam thanananam… | Vocalizing musical rhythm... |
| Thanam thananam thananam thanananam… | Vocalizing musical rhythm... |
| Oooh…oohhh.. | Oooh…oohhh.. |
| Both :Oooh…oohhh.. | Both: Oooh…oohhh.. |
| Female | |
| Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa | Will everything that was promised actually happen? |
| Solladi kiliyae | Tell me, oh parrot! |
| Aaa..solladi kiliyae | Ah... tell me, oh parrot! |
| Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa | Will everything that was promised actually happen? |
| Solladi kiliyae | Tell me, oh parrot! |
| Aaa..solladi kiliyae | Ah... tell me, oh parrot! |
| Female | |
| Perum thottam thoravu | Big gardens and well-watered fields, |
| Vaaikkaa pakkam oorukku veliyae | By the side of the canal outside the village. |
| Female :Oohh.. oorukku veliyae | Female: Oohh.. outside the village. |
| Female :Perum thottam thoravu | Female: Big gardens and well-watered fields, |
| Vaaikkaa pakkam oorukku veliyae | By the side of the canal outside the village. |
| Female :Oohh.. oorukku veliyae | Female: Oohh.. outside the village. |
| Both :Avarrrr..sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa | Both: Will all that he promised come true? |
| Solladi kiliyae | Tell me, oh parrot! |
| Female | |
| Kannaththodae kannam vachchi | Pressing his cheek close against my cheek, |
| Kadhai alandhaaru | He spun sweet, endless romantic tales. |
| Female :Aamaam kadhaigalai alandhaaru | Female: Yes, he spun sweet tales. |
| Both :Hoi hoi kadhaigalai alandhaaru | Both: Hoi hoi, he spun sweet tales. |
| Female | |
| Than kaigalaalae thalaiyai vaari | Combing my hair gently with his own hands, |
| Poo mudichchaaru | He adorned it with flowers. |
| Female :Aamaa poo mudichchaaru | Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers. |
| Female :Oohh..kaigalaalae thalaiyai vaari | Female: Oohh.. combing my hair with his hands, |
| Poo mudichchaaru | He adorned it with flowers. |
| Female :Aamaa poo mudiccaaru | Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers. |
| Female | |
| Thennampaalai pilandhadhu polae | Like the blossoming of a coconut flower spire, |
| Sirikka vechchaaru | He made me burst into radiant laughter. |
| Female :Aamaa sirikka vachchaaru | Female: Yes, he made me laugh. |
| Female :Poi thirumbi vandhu thaali katta | Female: Promising to go, return, and tie the sacred wedding thread, |
| Urudhi sonnaaru | He gave me his solemn word. |
| Aamaa urudhi sonnaaru | Yes, he gave his solemn word. |
| Female | |
| Kaathu kaathu kidandhadhinaalae | Waiting and longing continuously for him, |
| Kaalgal thalarndhachu | My legs have grown weary. |
| Aamaa kaalgal thalarndhachu | Yes, my legs have grown weary. |
| Both :Hoi hoi kaalgal thalarndhachu | Both: Hoi hoi, my legs have grown weary. |
| Female | |
| Kaadhalennum viyaadhiyinaalae | Due to this affliction called love, |
| Kai valai pochchu | My bangles have slipped off my wrists. |
| Female :Aamaa kai valai pochchu | Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off. |
| Female :Ohoo kaadhalennum viyaadhiyinaalae | Female: Ohoo, due to this affliction called love, |
| Kai valai pochchu | My bangles have slipped off my wrists. |
| Female :Aamaa kai valai pochchu | Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off. |
| Female | |
| Paarthu paarthu aayiram paadam | Watching and waiting endlessly, |
| Padichchi vandhaachchu | I have learned a thousand lessons. |
| Female :Aamaa padichchi vandhachu | Female: Yes, a thousand lessons were learned. |
| Female | |
| Mugam saerthu saerthu siriththadhinaalae | By bringing our faces close and laughing together, |
| Sivappu vanthachu | A blush of crimson came upon my cheeks. |
| Nandraai sivappu vanthachu | Indeed, a deep crimson blush came upon my cheeks. |
முனங்கல்
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Oooh…oohhh..
Both: Oooh…oohhh..
முனங்கல்
Will everything that was promised actually happen?
Tell me, oh parrot!
Ah... tell me, oh parrot!
Will everything that was promised actually happen?
Tell me, oh parrot!
Ah... tell me, oh parrot!
சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
ஆ....ஆ....சொல்லடி கிளியே
சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
ஆ....ஆ....சொல்லடி கிளியே
Big gardens and well-watered fields,
By the side of the canal outside the village.
Female: Oohh.. outside the village.
Female: Big gardens and well-watered fields,
By the side of the canal outside the village.
Female: Oohh.. outside the village.
Both: Will all that he promised come true?
Tell me, oh parrot!
பெரும் தோட்டம் தொறவு
வாய்க்கா பக்கம் ஊருக்கு வெளியே
ஓஹோ ஊருக்கு வெளியே
பெரும் தோட்டம் தொறவு
வாய்க்கா பக்கம் ஊருக்கு வெளியே
ஓஹோ ஊருக்கு வெளியே
Pressing his cheek close against my cheek,
He spun sweet, endless romantic tales.
Female: Yes, he spun sweet tales.
Both: Hoi hoi, he spun sweet tales.
அவர்ர்ர்ர்சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
Combing my hair gently with his own hands,
He adorned it with flowers.
Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers.
Female: Oohh.. combing my hair with his hands,
He adorned it with flowers.
Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers.
கன்னத்தோட கன்னம் வச்சி
கதை அளந்தாரு
ஆமாம் கதைகளை அளந்தாறு
இருவர் :
ஹோய் ஹோய் கதைகளை அளந்தாரு
Like the blossoming of a coconut flower spire,
He made me burst into radiant laughter.
Female: Yes, he made me laugh.
Female: Promising to go, return, and tie the sacred wedding thread,
He gave me his solemn word.
Yes, he gave his solemn word.
தன் கைகளாலே தலையை வாரி
பூ முடிச்சாரு
ஆமா பூ முடிச்சாறு ஓ....ஓஒ...
Waiting and longing continuously for him,
My legs have grown weary.
Yes, my legs have grown weary.
Both: Hoi hoi, my legs have grown weary.
தென்னம்பாளை பிளந்தது போலே
சிரிக்க வெச்சாரு
ஆமா சிரிக்க வச்சாரு
Due to this affliction called love,
My bangles have slipped off my wrists.
Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off.
Female: Ohoo, due to this affliction called love,
My bangles have slipped off my wrists.
Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off.
போய் திரும்பி வந்து தாலி கட்ட
உறுதி சொன்னாரு
ஆமா உறுதி சொன்னாரு
Watching and waiting endlessly,
I have learned a thousand lessons.
Female: Yes, a thousand lessons were learned.
அவர்ர்ர்ர் சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
பெரும் தோட்டம் தொறவு
வாய்க்கா பக்கம் ஊருக்கு வெளியே
அவர்ர்ர்ர் சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
By bringing our faces close and laughing together,
A blush of crimson came upon my cheeks.
Indeed, a deep crimson blush came upon my cheeks.
காத்துக் காத்துக் கிடந்ததினாலே
கால்கள் தளர்ந்தாச்சு
ஆமா கால்கள் தளர்ந்தாச்சு
இருவர் :
ஹோய் ஹோய் கால்கள் தளர்ந்தாச்சு
காதலென்னும் வியாதியினாலே
கை வலை போச்சு
ஆமா கை வலை போச்சு
ஓஹோ காதலென்னும் வியாதியினாலே
கை வலை போச்சு
ஆமா கை வலை போச்சு
பார்த்துப் பார்த்து ஆயிரம் பாடம்
படிச்சி வந்தாச்சு
ஆமா படிச்சி வந்தாச்சு
முகம் சேர்த்து சேர்த்து சிரித்ததினாலே
சிவப்பு வந்தாச்சு
நன்றாய் சிவப்பு வந்தாச்சு
அவர்ர்ர்ர் சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
பெரும் தோட்டம் தொறவு
வாய்க்கா பக்கம் ஊருக்கு வெளியே
அவர்ர்ர்ர் சொன்னதெல்லாம் சொன்னதெல்லாம்
சொன்னதெல்லாம் நடந்திடுமா
சொல்லடி கிளியே
Thanam thananam thananam thanananam…
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Thanam thananam thananam thanananam…
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Thanam thananam thananam thanananam…
Vocalizing musical rhythm...
Oooh…oohhh..
Oooh…oohhh..
Both :Oooh…oohhh..
Both: Oooh…oohhh..
Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa
Will everything that was promised actually happen?
Solladi kiliyae
Tell me, oh parrot!
Aaa..solladi kiliyae
Ah... tell me, oh parrot!
Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa
Will everything that was promised actually happen?
Solladi kiliyae
Tell me, oh parrot!
Aaa..solladi kiliyae
Ah... tell me, oh parrot!
Perum thottam thoravu
Big gardens and well-watered fields,
Vaaikkaa pakkam oorukku veliyae
By the side of the canal outside the village.
Female :Oohh.. oorukku veliyae
Female: Oohh.. outside the village.
Female :Perum thottam thoravu
Female: Big gardens and well-watered fields,
Vaaikkaa pakkam oorukku veliyae
By the side of the canal outside the village.
Female :Oohh.. oorukku veliyae
Female: Oohh.. outside the village.
Both :Avarrrr..sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa
Both: Will all that he promised come true?
Solladi kiliyae
Tell me, oh parrot!
Kannaththodae kannam vachchi
Pressing his cheek close against my cheek,
Kadhai alandhaaru
He spun sweet, endless romantic tales.
Female :Aamaam kadhaigalai alandhaaru
Female: Yes, he spun sweet tales.
Both :Hoi hoi kadhaigalai alandhaaru
Both: Hoi hoi, he spun sweet tales.
Than kaigalaalae thalaiyai vaari
Combing my hair gently with his own hands,
Poo mudichchaaru
He adorned it with flowers.
Female :Aamaa poo mudichchaaru
Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers.
Female :Oohh..kaigalaalae thalaiyai vaari
Female: Oohh.. combing my hair with his hands,
Poo mudichchaaru
He adorned it with flowers.
Female :Aamaa poo mudiccaaru
Female: Yes, he adorned it with flowers.
Thennampaalai pilandhadhu polae
Like the blossoming of a coconut flower spire,
Sirikka vechchaaru
He made me burst into radiant laughter.
Female :Aamaa sirikka vachchaaru
Female: Yes, he made me laugh.
Female :Poi thirumbi vandhu thaali katta
Female: Promising to go, return, and tie the sacred wedding thread,
Urudhi sonnaaru
He gave me his solemn word.
Aamaa urudhi sonnaaru
Yes, he gave his solemn word.
Kaathu kaathu kidandhadhinaalae
Waiting and longing continuously for him,
Kaalgal thalarndhachu
My legs have grown weary.
Aamaa kaalgal thalarndhachu
Yes, my legs have grown weary.
Both :Hoi hoi kaalgal thalarndhachu
Both: Hoi hoi, my legs have grown weary.
Kaadhalennum viyaadhiyinaalae
Due to this affliction called love,
Kai valai pochchu
My bangles have slipped off my wrists.
Female :Aamaa kai valai pochchu
Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off.
Female :Ohoo kaadhalennum viyaadhiyinaalae
Female: Ohoo, due to this affliction called love,
Kai valai pochchu
My bangles have slipped off my wrists.
Female :Aamaa kai valai pochchu
Female: Yes, my bangles slipped off.
Paarthu paarthu aayiram paadam
Watching and waiting endlessly,
Padichchi vandhaachchu
I have learned a thousand lessons.
Female :Aamaa padichchi vandhachu
Female: Yes, a thousand lessons were learned.
Mugam saerthu saerthu siriththadhinaalae
By bringing our faces close and laughing together,
Sivappu vanthachu
A blush of crimson came upon my cheeks.
Nandraai sivappu vanthachu
Indeed, a deep crimson blush came upon my cheeks.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Sonnadhellaam Nadanthidumaa' is a playful yet deeply emotional conversation in folk format (Kili Kanni / parrot song) between two female companions. The protagonist fondly recalls the intimate moments spent with her lover outside the village near the fields—how he held her cheek, combed her hair, crowned her with flowers, and made her smile like a fresh coconut blossom. He promised to return and wed her with the sacred thread (thaali). However, as time passes in restless anticipation, she experiences love-sickness (Pasalai). Her legs grow weary from waiting, her wrists thin down causing her bangles to slip off, and her longing matures into a deeper wisdom about love. Despite her anxious doubts asked to the parrot, her glowing crimson blush reveals her deep trust and passion for her lover.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Thennampaalai pilandhadhu polae Sirikka vechchaaru”
Compares the sweet, sudden flowering of laughter on the heroine's face to the opening of a coconut flower sheath (Thennampaalai).
Sangam Motif / Metaphor (Pasalai & Uruvagakani)
“Kaadhalennum viyaadhiyinaalae Kai valai pochchu”
Love is conceptualized as a physical disease (viyaadhi) causing weight loss and slipping bangles (kai valai pochchu), a classic Sangam poetry imagery.
Apostrophe (Kili Kanni format)
“Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa Solladi kiliyae”
Addressing a parrot (Solladi kiliyae) as a confidante to share heart's secrets, a traditional Tamil poetic convention.
Moonaik Kooru / Initial Rhyme (Edukai & Monai)
“Sonnadhellaam nadanthidumaa Solladi kiliyae”
Use of matching initial consonants in 'Sonnadhellaam' and 'Solladi' establishing rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for the 1962 film 'Paadha Kaanikkai', this track showcases a rare folk-pop vocal duet between P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari. Lyricist Kannadasan seamlessly adapted ancient Sangam literary motifs—such as the slipping bangles indicating love-sickness (pasalai) and parrot-addressing (kili kanni)—into highly accessible, rhythmic folk Tamil.
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