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Lyrics & meaning

Sontham Endru

From Sonthangal Vazhga · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sonthangal Vazhga1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Idhai intha naalil therinthu kondaenI have come to realize this today
Manniyungal manna…Forgive me, my king...
Female
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Idhai intha naalil therinthu kondaenI have come to realize this today
Manniyungal manna…Forgive me, my king...
Female
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Male
Kanniyarum kaalaiyarumMaidens and young men
Kaalamellaam kooda varumWho accompany throughout life
Kanniyarum kaalaiyarumMaidens and young men
Kaalamellaam kooda varumWho accompany throughout life
Male
Sontham koduppathu thaaliThe mangalsutra gives true kinship
Sorkkapurikkoru veliIt acts as a protective fence for heavenly bliss
Athu sontham koduppathu thaaliThat mangalsutra grants true kinship
Sorkkapurikkoru veliA protective fence for heavenly bliss
Male
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaeAre not true relations, my dear
Idhil thayakkamenna mayakkamennaWhy hesitate or be dazed by this?
Kandukondaen pennaeI have understood, my lady
Male
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaeAre not true relations, my dear
Female
Un suttu viral ittathellaamWhatever your index finger points to
Sattamena naaniruppaenI shall obey as law
Ini nee sollum munnam vaai thiranthuEven before you ask, opening my lips
Poovidhazhil thaen koduppaenI shall give sweet honey from flower-like lips
Male
Otturavu irukkaiyilaeWhen close intimate bond exists
Uththaravi thevaiyillaiNo permission or command is required
Otturavu irukkaiyilaeWhen close intimate bond exists
Uththaravi thevaiyillaiNo permission or command is required
Unnai naan thottezhuthumIn the literature I compose by touching you
Ilakkiyaththil vitta kurai yaedhumillaiThere is no defect or missing element
Female
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Idhai intha naalil therinthu kondaenI have come to realize this today
Manniyungal manna…Forgive me, my king...
Female
Sonthamendru vanthathellaamAll that came claiming to be relatives
Sonthamalla kannaAre not true relations, my dear
Female
Haa….aa…mangaiyarkku thaaiveeduA mother's home for a woman lasts
Manjal mudi podum varaiOnly until the sacred turmeric knot is tied
Adhanpin kondavanin nizhalthaanaeAfter that she is merely the shadow of her husband
Kann vizhigal moodum varaiUntil her eyes close forever in death
Female
: Mangaiyarkku thaaiveeduA mother's home for a woman lasts
Manjal mudi podum varaiOnly until the sacred turmeric knot is tied
Adhanpin kondavanin nizhalthaanaeAfter that she is merely the shadow of her husband
Kann vizhigal moodum varaiUntil her eyes close forever in death
Male
Munniravu velaiyilaeIn the early hours of the night
Mun kadhavai thirakkaiyilaeWhen opening the front door
Munniravu velaiyilaeIn the early hours of the night
Mun kadhavai thirakkaiyilaeWhen opening the front door
Kanmani ponnulagam thenpadumaeMy beloved, a golden world comes into view
Pakkam nee irukkaiyilaeWhen you are right by my side

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song reflects on the true nature of relationships and marital devotion. The heroine realizes that worldly kinships often fall short compared to the sacred bond of marriage. She asks for forgiveness from her partner for past misunderstandings, acknowledging that the sacred thread (thaali) creates a bond far deeper than any blood relation. In response, her husband reassures her with warmth, promising devotion and romantic companionship. The song beautifully captures traditional marital values, where a woman's primary sanctuary shifts from her parental home to her husband's life, finding eternal comfort in mutual love and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sonthamendru vanthathellaam

Matching second consonant 'n' in 'Sonthamendru' and 'Kanniyarum' across stanzas, enhancing rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sontham koduppathu thaali / Sorkkapurikkoru veli

Comparing sacred marriage (thaali) to a protective fence safeguarding a heavenly kingdom of happiness.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Poovidhazhil thaen koduppaen

Describing lips as flower petals ('Poovidhazh') yielding sweet nectar ('thaen').

Anaaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Sonthamendru vanthathellaam / Sonthamalla kanna

Repetition of the opening chorus line emphasizes the song's primary philosophical theme regarding real vs. superficial relationships.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyricist Kannadasan's signature philosophical touch, 'Sonthamendru Vanthathellaam' highlights Kannadasan's mastery at weaving life philosophy seamlessly into intimate romantic duets, sung brilliantly by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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